Log home contractors are available a dime a dozen in the industry. The real task comes when you have to select one that would capture your vision and build your log home the way you envision it. Choosing the right contractor is equated to selecting a business partner. He is the one that you will be working with for several months until your log home is built. He is also the one you need to give you his honest opinion on your choice, steering you in the right direction. Since log contractor ads tend to be biased and they can never confirm how professional or experience the contractor is, then you would need to do your own research. When trying to find a contractor, one must keep in mind that references are the key. When you visit your prospective contractor ask him for a list of references that you can readily call from a list. Most contractors like it when their prospective client asks for a reference list. Especially if they know that the feedback from their past clients would be nothing short of complimentary.
In addition there is nothing like good ole’ word of mouth recommendations. If you know of someone who has recently built a log home, ask them for the number of their contractor. Realtors, lumber yards and even workers at the bank would know a few contractors that they do business with and they can recommend them to you as well.
The idea is to gather at least four prospects that you would want to build your home. Your next step after finding these contractors would be to get them each to provide you with a breakdown of how much it would cost to get your home done. This information should include their service fees, the cost of materials, etc. Your inquiry could lead to estimates that are very high and some that are very low. It’s human nature to go for the cheapest quote but one should be mindful that cheap quote may more than likely lead to cheap service. After providing you with a quote, allow the contractor to show you a sample of his work by showing you a physical home that he has built. This would give you an idea about the kind of work that the contractor is capable of doing. A tour of the model home goes beyond the interior design. Check for spaces in the logs to see if they are too big, examine the windows and see if they are neatly done. You also have to pay attention to see if the log joints are tight on the laterals and saddles. Most importantly, you need to ask yourself if the contractor is someone that you think you can easily work with.
Once you have selected the contractor, there is still some information that you have to get before you decide to work with him. Firstly you should ensure that your contractor is fully licensed to work in the building industry. Also make sure that the contractor is well insured. Let the contractor know that you need to get a copy of his liability insurance and a contact number of his insurance company so you can further verify if the contractor is running a legitimate business.
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