Turnkey Pricing on Handcrafted and Manufactured Log Homes 

A log home in Montana is a dream for many. This is a unique place in that there are people from all over the United States who come here. Many properties are owned by people who plan to retire and move here. Turnkey pricing for log homes in Montana can be broken into two different categories: milled log homes and handcrafted log homes. Reasonably priced contractors are charging an average of $150-180 per square foot for a full turnkey in the milled log. For a handcrafted log home the price per square foot for a full turnkey is approximately $180-200 per square foot. Handcrafted log home require higher shipping costs, larger logs that must be handled with a crane for unloading and stacking, and also more expertise by the builder.

In areas such as Big Sky Montana, Jackson Hole Wyoming, and other high-end towns, turnkey price per square foot can start at $350 and go up. But for a log home in the 1,000 square foot range to 3,000 a realistic cost is the $150-200 depending on if the home is a milled log or handcrafted log home.

There are ways to help insure a price per square foot is accurate for your project and also works within your budget. With every building contract there should be allowances drawn into it. The more allowances the better. Before the contract is signed, the homeowners should go shopping and see how much the various items cost that they would like to include in the home. Then each allowance can be adjusted, if need be, to an accurate amount. If you will only be happy with the $15,000 imported counter top, then it needs to be reflected in the allowance for that item. But conversely, if you are satisfied with a laminate counter top, then the allowance may only need to be $1,000-2,000 for that item.

Before the homeowner signs a contract, first he or she should go and pick out exactly what they want in the home. An in depth look at the cost of each item will reveal if each allowance accurately reflects how much the homeowner desires to spend in each allowance category. Then the builder can take this information and further tailor it to the homeowner’s desires. At the end of the building process, if the specific allowance was not exhausted, then a credit is given to the homeowner. If a budget was exceeded, then that is also adjusted for. In one instance a customer wanted a $15,000 counter top when the allowance in the original contract was for a $4,000 Corian top. This homeowner consistently made choices like this throughout the home project. Then in the end he was upset with the builders because the home cost nearly $90 more per square foot than the original bid. The bottom line is the homeowner dictates the final price per square foot more than they realize. High-end choices will substantially chance the price per square foot.

Now let us consider remote locations in light of the above building costs per square foot.

Building in remote locations can dramatically change the price per square foot. Not because the contractor is getting greedy, but simply because there are more variables. If building on the side of a mountain, a driveway cost alone may triple. If no electricity is within a close proximity, solar or alternative energy may be required for the home. In one instance, in Gallatin County there is a subdivision that has both on the grid and off the grid lots. For one of the off the grid lots, the electric company quoted the homeowner in the neighborhood of $250,000 to bring electric to his property. Things like this need to be thought of before the lot is purchased.
For a mountain top project, septic can also prove a difficulty. If there is no where for a perk test to pass, then some have resorted to burying tanks and then having them pumped. This can yield a two-fold problem. The first: can a septic truck get to the home. And the second: will a bank even loan on a property that does not have a conventional septic system. These are very important considerations.
Another remote property hurdle is the basement. Both digging costs and pouring of the cement will change a price. If the ground is on a bench or on a mountain, you may encounter boulders and sheer rock. Dynamite blasting is not that unusual here. For one home we built in Madison County, the cost of excavation went from $4,000 a final expense of $12,000. When digging, boulders the size of a pickup truck were revealed. A dynamite blaster from a local mine had to be brought to the job site. Also the basement had to be moved some to compensate for one boulder in particular. Cement delivery is another substantial cost that can vary. If the cement truck has to be assisted up the grade by a large piece of machinery and also if a pump truck is required, a normal cost projection on a basement will escalate.
Delivery of logs and material can also be an increased expense. One log home in Ponderay, Idaho had to be priced with a barge carrying the logs across the lake. Another mountain top property entailed three trips with a Hela-lift helicopter to haul the logs to the final destination. With handcrafted logs of lengths up to 50 feet, the only way to get them to the job site may be a helicopter lift. One home that our mill delivered to Alaska had a delivery cost of $90,000 by the end of the project. The handcrafted log home package costs $15,000 to ship to Anchorage. Then a helicopter lift had to make three trips with the logs. Each trip cost $25,000. These are costs that the builder has no control over. The homeowner needs to consider things like delivery costs before they purchase the property.
If you are an owner of a remote property, do not despair. There are ways to still make your dream come true. Locating a builder who is accustomed to handling out of the way projects is vital. Recently I met with an owner of a remote property. The only access to his land entailed 15 miles of rough gravel roads back into the mountains. After looking at the job site and doing an on site evaluation, there was only one builder that I could think of that could even handle the job.
When you sit down with a builder, have an open ear to what he has to say. It is a good idea to talk to a qualified builder before you even purchase the property. Immediately he would be able to tell you things that the realtor has no hands-on knowledge of. Listen carefully to the costs and the projections that the builder states. If he has already built homes in remote locations, he has first hand knowledge of what things may end up costing. Building is stressful enough, but do yourself a favor and get the research done before hand. Facing a project with realistic costs and a contract customized to your location and floor plan will ensure that your home sees completion. There in one home near Billings Montana that the owners were never able to finish. It looks like half a home. So do not let that happen to you. Here are some ways to make your project work even if you are dealing with remote property access or other issues such as elevated costs for bringing electric to the lot.
1) When you are laying out your home, do design it the way you want it, but also keep in mind how you might economize. If digging becomes a problem, a crawl space might be a wise choice instead of a full basement. Also consider reducing the overall size of the home or adding a second floor so that the over all outside dimensions of the home are reduced.
2) Consider if there is another location on the property that is easier to build on that you would be satisfied with. If the home is on the top of the mountain, you might not be able to get to it in the winter anyway.
3) Look into alternative energy such as solar panels for the home. It may cost much less that paying a huge sum to the electric company to extend the power lines to reach your property.
4) Get on a builder’s schedule at least 6 months in advance. Then he can start at the optimum time for your property location. If you can build in the middle of summer when it is drier costs may be less than fighting through mud in the spring or fall or ice in the winter.
When choosing your move in date, also be sure it is realistic in conjunction with your start date. If you want to move in by early summer, then the home needs to be started before the ground freezes solid. In some areas in Montana that receive a lot of snow, the snow insulates the ground so digging can still be done into the beginning of December. At a job site near George Town Lake between Helena and Missoula Montana, a particular basement was dug in mid December. Even though the elevation was round 7,000 feet, the ground had a thick blanket of snow. The frost line had not deeply penetrated because of the snow. So with only an extra day of clearing away snow, the basement was dug and the project progressed throughout the winter. The happy owners moved in by spring.
Another important point, that I do not want to forsake mentioning, deals with financing. Be very careful to have all financing in place and completed before any digging is done. Some try to move forward as far as they can with cash before they involve the bank. Lenders do not like this and very seldom (if ever) lend on a project that is already in progress. So be sure to do the financing from the start if a lender will be needed.
Dream, plan, research, and above all else choose a builder who has knowledge that relates to your specific project. Typically log home builders in Montana find the happiest customers to be the ones who do their research. Sit down personally with your log home supplier and builder. Also ask them to visit the job site personally with you. No matter what company is supplying your logs, a good log home representative will provide this type of service. So if your dream is a log home, get started today. It is such an exciting time when you see your hard work pay off and move into your new log home.
 
If this has captured your attention, visit our site Cowboy Log Builders.com – Log home builders in Montana. A family owned log home business since 1997~ we are here to help turn your dreams into reality.

Eagles Pass Plan Currently $48,000

 

Click Here for Printable Version of Eagles Pass Floor Plan   

First floor 520 square feet
Second floor 271 square feet
TOTAL 791 SQUARE FEET  

(Scroll Down to View Floor Plan)  

The small log cabin kit features first floor bedroom, large Great Room, and open loft.  

Constructed from 6×8 D-log, dead standing Lodge Pole Pine. Logs are double tongue and groove stack, full saddle notch corners. (To upgrade to an 8×8 log, please add $2,600).  

Eagles Pass Front

Eagles Pass East Side

Package is fully precut and pre numbered for easy assembly. Finger joinery on butt joints. Also all of the electric box holes and wire holes are precut and predrilled.    

Log cabin kit package includes:

15 round of logs- approximately 9′ high.
Log wall assembly of 10′x1/2″ lag bolts.
6×8 timbers for beam, joists, and roof posts. Joist hangers also included.  

Interior stairs
Interior stair and loft railing  

Windows of Jeld-wen windows
Exterior doors of hemlock, half glass  

Main sub floor  

Interior 2×4 framing lumber  

Exterior door and window trim- 1×6 pine  

Upper sub-floor, finished flooring of 2×6 pint tongue and groove V-joint  

Framing 2×4 and 2×6 lumber for gable ends  

Roofing material including:
GluLam ridge beam,
2×12 rafters 2′ o.c.
subfascia
Sheathing
Fascia
Soffit vent
Ice and water guard
Shingles
Ridge Vent
Eaves flashing  

Log siding for exterior of gables 2×8 log siding  

Pine Paneling of 1×6 Pine tongue and groove for interior of exterior gable walls, ceilings, and exterior roof soffit  

Final construction drawings.  

Offered by Cowboy Log Builders LLC, Authorized Representatives for Lake Country Log Homes.

 The Calico 20′x24′ Handcrafted Log Home Package $72,900

The Calico is a handcrafted log home package. With an open loft and first floor bedroom, this cabin could be used for many things. Here is it actually pictured as a welcome booth for a resort. Also a first floor covered porch could easily be added under the front over hang.           

The Calico Plan
First Floor 480 sq. ft.
Second Floor 240 sq. ft.
TOTAL  720 Square Feet           

Click here to view The Calico Floor Plan
(Or Scroll Down For Floor Plans)

This home is crafted from Engelmann Spruce with a median diameter of 13 inches. Logs vary in diameter from about 11 to 15 inches. Please find package description below.           

Inside Calico

 Handcrafted Log Home Package
13″ mean diameter logs
Soft Rod
Through bolt log package assembly hardware
TPI grade stamp
Log Base Flashing           

Handcrafted Stairs and Railing
Preassembled Log Stairs of Douglas Fir
Stair Landing
Log Railing for Upper Floor Railing of Western Red Cedar           

Calcio Handcrafted Truss

 Windows -
Metal Clad Pine Wood Windows Jeld-wen
Trapezoid Windows for Gable Metal Clad Pine Wood Windows           

Exterior Entry Door pre hung Hemlock           

2×4 Framing For Interior Walls           

Exterior Door and Window Buck and Trim-
Log Wall Bucks 2×10
Exterior Door and Window Trim of 1×6 Pine
Door and Window Flashing
Log Wall Jamb Liners 1×6 Shelving Pine Trim           

Caico Second Floor

Upper Sub-floor of 2×6 Fir T&G V-joint Flush One Sided Loft Decking           

Upper Framed Walls-
2×4 Plates, Nailers, and Studs
Sheathing
Tyvek
Gable Flashing           

Calico Stairs

Roof-
Rafters 24″ on center
Sub Fascia
Fascia
Sheathing
Soffit Vent
Spacer Board           

Roofing-
Ice and Water Shield
Ridge Vent
Shingles 30 year
Eve Flashing           

1×6 Tongue and Groove Pine Paneling for Roof Ceiling, Exterior Roof Soffit, and Interior of Gable Ends           

1×8 STK Western Red Cedar Channel Siding for Exterior of Gable Walls           

Construction Drawings       

Handcrafted Log Homes

Hand Peeling

 Though all log homes require some hand craftsmanship, there is a very unique type of log homes that are specifically called “Handcrafted Log Homes“. There are very few companies that actually offer a true handcrafted log homes. This style of log is different because the logs are hand peeled, vary in thickness, and are each hand scribed. The logs range in diameter from about eleven inches to fifteen inches with a median diameter of 13 inches. Also Lake Country is able to go up to 48 feet in length with one log. Our handcrafted homes are offered in Engelmann Spruce, Douglas Fir, and Western Red Cedar. The Western Red Cedar only grows in the Pacific Northwest of North America. In my opinion, it is the most lovely of all the species. At the home shows everyone always comments on the red color that is so visible in the Western Red Cedar display.  

Our handcrafted homes are the specialty of Lake Country Log Homes. Due to the knowledge, equipment, and craftsmanship required to make a quality home of this type, very few companies offer this style. Lake Country has a team of master craftsmen who have made everything from small handcrafted cabin such as the Calico to the Queen Charlotte Lodge . Each log is specifically chosen for placement in the walls and timber roof system.  

The logs stack with a slight Swedish Cope cut. The corners of the homes are formed by a unique diamond shaped notching technique applied in lateral and notch cuts. This Scandinavian type of cut is very unique to our homes. The door and window opening also receive special ledge and slot cuts so that door, window, exterior trim, and framing materials fit recessed into the log. Notice this in the photo.  

Ledge Cut for Window Opening

Diamond Notching Technique For Corners

Our homes are truly some of the very most air tight available. The settling that is innate to these homes is anticipated and planned for in the blueprint stage. Over 25 years of selling these homes world wide, you can count on each home being backed by years of experience and expertise in this type of construction.  

The Yard at Lake Country

Timber roof systems are the last stage of the game. The monstrous logs are lifted many times into place by the crane. Then they are lowered and hand scribed until each piece fits together just right. Like a huge handmade Lego set, these one of a kind homes are unsurpassed in beauty, originality, and craftsmanship. For the true log home lover, a handcrafted log home should be a serious consideration.  

As log home builders, these homes are some of the most exquisite to build. Each log is lifted from the semi trailer with a crane and set into place. In the matter of a few days, they are re-erected at the new home site, much to the delight of the awaiting customer.  

Hand Set Beam

The energy efficiency of a log home is a very common question to us a log home builders. The first thing to understand about a log home is that no matter how thick the logs are or what species the home is made from, logs cannot do their job of insulation unless they are stacked tightly and all of the cracks are sealed. Log homes perform very well in the energy efficiency world. There is no doubt about it.     

But before we look at some studies, let me explain one simple concept first: With a log home you either pay now or pay later. If you purchase your log home and it is not a truly air tight package, you will have the west wind whistling though your home in the winter. To a very real extent, log homes are only as good as the sealant techniques used between the rows of logs, around windows and doors, and also for corners.     

A simple look  The Log Cabin Kit Advantage  article featured here in the Products section of our website, explains about our finger joinery, pre cutting, and other features innate to Lake Country’s milled and handcrafted log homes. Other features that are very important are the utilization of full saddle notch corners verses the butt and pass.      

Now on with our log home energy efficiency evaluation. Log homes possess a thermal mass. Thermal mass is the tendency of a natural product to absorb and then slowly really release heat or cold. If you think of a rock. If the sun shines on it the rock will remain warm to the touch even after the sun goes down. This is thermal mass. Many natural products including cement and logs possess this quality. So with a log home, the home absorbs and then releases, thus recycling some of the energy produced by the environment around it.     

Stick frame homes, though possessing a good R-value when insulated properly, have no toe hold in thermal mass. This is a attribute only innate to natural products such as wood.     

After reading several studies, these two stood out the most to me. A few years ago an independent study group conducted the following case study. Located in Michigan, a cooler place in the United States, they built two homes side by side. The first home was a standard construction home with good insulation. The second home was a milled log home of a comparable size. Over the test period it was shown that the log home had an energy savings of 25% over the 24 hour test period.      

How could this be? Let’s look at the study a little deeper. When the temperature outside was 25 degrees Fahrenheit, the standard construction home required 8.1 kilowatts hours to maintain 72 degrees on the inside. In contrast, the log home required only 6 kilowatt hours to maintain 72 degrees. Simple subtraction shows a difference of 2.1 kilowatt hours– a savings of 25 % in favor of the log home.     

Pretty impressive!     

The other home study I would like to mention was preformed by The Log Home Council. Their study reflected a 15 % energy savings of a log home over a stick frame home of the same size.     

For a “Green” home, a log home is a good place to start. Solar energy is also becoming increasingly popular in log homes as well. Here in Montana there are some places that electric is several miles away, making the solar choice a very real thing to consider.     

Another popular form of heating for cabins is wood burners and wood stoves. Fireplaces and fireplace accessories are very rustic and retain the “cabin in the woods” feel.  

Thanks for reading,
Cowboy Log Builders, Log Builders in Montana     

Cabin in the woods

The Owls Head

The Owls’ Head

3 bedroom/ 2 bath  
The Owls Head plan is shown above in two different options for the front of the home. This plan can either be done in the shed dormer look at the top, or the gable dormer style (as shown secondly).  The master suite is located upstairs for added privacy. The 2nd and 3rd bedrooms are on the first floor. An open loft, covered front porch, and large great room round out this lovely cabin.   

Click here for the Owls Head first floor.
Click here for the Owls Head Second Floor.   

 The Montana

The Montana Plan Cowboy Log Builders

The Montana Plan

First Floor 1465 square feet
Second Floor 448 square feet
TOTAL SQUARE FEET 1,904   

3 bedrooms/ 2 baths This is personally one of our favorites. It is a custom design by Mike Lemmon with some flairs added by the Lake Country Log Homes Master Designer, Jamie Gervais. This log home features a large loft with a match 12′ gable dormer on bothsides, great room, first floor master suite, and covered front porch, and (uncovered) rear deck. The home locates the open loft over the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms, hallway and bath, leaving a cathedral ceilling over the master suite on the east end of the home.    

Please email us on the Contact Us page for floor plans, as they were recently redone and not in the pdf format yet. Thank you, Sue Lemmon      

More photos below of the Montana Plan   

The Montana Rear Cowboy Log Builders

The Montana Loft

The Montana kitchen

 The Chalet

The Chalet Plan:
First floor     1,140 square feet
Second floor  740 square feet
TOTAL SQUARE FEET 1,880   

3 Bedrooms and 2.5 baths make this home very unique. This home features tow second floor balonies, first floor master suite, first floor utility room, large wrap around deck, open loft, and roomy great room. The round handcrafted log roof system adds even more distinction to this home.   

Click here to view the Chalet Floor Plans    

The Chalet Bedroom

The Chalet Bedroom

 SPRING SALE!

Log Cabin Kit ~ The Montana Plan, 1932 square feet, $159,500   

SPRING SALE $152,500 for 8×8 D-log

Click Here For Printable Version of Montana Plan
(Scroll to Bottom to View Floor Plan)               

The Montana Plan is a 1932 square foot log home package. Based on an 8×8 D-log from Dead Standing Lodge Pole Pine, the package price for this home is currently $152,500.                            

This is a full dry in package price, plus subfloor, interior framing, and a few other inclusions as listed below.                          

When considering a log home be sure to get a detailed list of exactly what the package includes and to what degree the logs are cut.                          

Our packages are fully precut and pre-numbered. The butt joints are made with finger joinery, all of the electric box holes and wire holes are pre cut and pre drilled. Having the logs prepared in this way saves tremendously with on site construction time. We offer both handcrafted log homes and milled log homes.                           

The plan below, the Montana, is just a sample of our work. Feel free to visit www.cowboylogbuilders.com for more of our homes. We are happy to work with customers personally to lay out a home. Also we provide pricing on any floor plan. Our mill is extending their scheduling discounts into the fall. Give us a call at 406-388-3458 for details.                          

Thank you,
Mike and Sue Lemmon
Cowboy Log Builders LLC                          

The Montana Rear

The Montana 
First Floor 1,456
Second Floor 476
TOTAL SQUARE FEET 1,932                 

Three bedrooms/ 2 baths
Featuring Great Room, First Floor Master Suite, Cathedral Ceilings, timber roof system, covered porch, interior log walls, large open loft.                          

Milled from dead standing Lodge Pole Pine (other species also available), 8×8 round on round double tongue and groove stack. Full saddle notch corners and timber roof system.                          

All electric box holes and wire holes are precut and pre-drilled. All butt joints are finger joinery. All cutting is done with fully computerized mill. Home is erected at mill, roof system cut and set, then mark and dissembled for shipment. A log schedule comes with all construction plans.                          

Package highlights-          

Exterior log walls 15 rounds high (approximately 9’ high)                          

Interior log walls for Master Bedroom wall and Master Bath wall, bedroom #2 and #3, and hallway walls 6×8 flat logs 15 rounds high (app. 9’ high)
Log wall assembly hardware ½” x10” lag bolts, foam tape, notch gasket and caulking as per plan.                          

Round log posts handcrafted, 13” mean diameter, Engelmann Spruce for:
Log posts supporting covered porch
Interior Log Roof Post
Log Beam supporting porch
1 log ridge beam
4 log purlin beams
Log corner posts for both dormers
1 log ridge beam for dormers
Timber joists
Screw jacks                          

Timber stairs of pre assembled Douglas Fir, stair landing,
Loft railing of Western Red Cedar and Loft railing of Western Red Cedar                          

The Montana Loft

Windows:
Medal Clad pine Jeld-Wen windows, low-E                          

Exterior Doors:
Metal Clad French door
Fiberglass front door                          

Main Subfloor                          

Interior 2×4 framing lumber                          

1×6 pine exterior trim                          

Upper subfloor                          

Upper framed walls:
2×6 plates, studs, and nailers,
Sheathing,
Tyvek house wrap
Gable flashing                          

Roof:
Rafters 24” oc
Porch rafters
Fascia
Sheathing
Fascia nailer
Soffit vent                          

Roofing:
Roofing felt
Ridge vent
Metal roofing
Flashing
Screws                          

12’x6’ Deck:
Treated 2×8
Western Red Cedar Decking                          

24’x6’ Covered Porch:
Western Red Cedar Decking                          

1×6 Tongue and Groove Pine for ceilings.                          

2×8 log siding for exterior of gables and dormers                          

Final construction drawings.                      

The Montana Plan kitchen

 

 This home is offered by Cowboy Log Builders LLC of Belgrade, Montana. We are authorized representatives for Lake Country Log Homes of British Columbia- a log home manufacturer for 25 years.                    

A nice addition to this kitchen would have been an undermount sink.         

The Queest Log Cabin Kit

The Queest Log Cabin Kit $59,500

Our featured log cabin kit is the Queest Plan. Please find package details and highlights below. This small log cabin kits price is based on a  6″x8″ dead standing lodge pole pine. (This home is also available in a 8″x8″ log for $2,500 more, for a total of $62,000.)    This is a 24’x25’ log cabin with loft. 971 square feet with open loft and first floor bedroom. 8×8 dead standing Lodge Pole Pine. 8×8 D style log with full saddle notch corners.            

Queest Interior

First Floor      616 sq. ft.
Second Floor 355 sq. ft.
TOTAL               971 sq. ft.             

(SCROLL DOWN FOR FLOOR PLAN)          

For $53,000, basically $55/ sq. ft., you get a fully precut, pre-numbered weather tight log home package. A log schedule comes with your home plans detailing where each piece goes. Our mill is completely computerized, so your home is milled with extreme accuracy. Let that western wind blow! It’s going to stay outside of this cabin!            

That is “WEATHER TIGHT”? It is everything to keep the weather out of your home (exterior doors, windows, roofing material, porches and decks as per plans, timber roof system). PLUS!!! Interior framing, interior 1×6 pine tongue and groove for ceilings, timber stair case, loft railing, first floor sub- floor, and MORE—See below for additional package highlights.             

Click here to view The Queest Floor Plan

 Below are the package highlights~            

~Sub-floor            

~Solid log walls 14 rounds (101.5″)            

~Framed gable walls with 2×8 log siding for exterior            

~1×6 T&G interior gable walls vaulted ceilings soffit and porch ceiling            

~Windows Jeld-wen custom wood clad            

Queest Inside of Gable End with 1x6 t&g

 ~Exterior doors            

~Exterior trim            

~Porch floor joists, rim joists, and decking            

~Round log posts, ridge beam, and porch posts            

~6×8 loft floor joists piece            

~2×6 pine loft flooring            

~Fir timber stairs             

~Loft and stair railing             

~Interior Framing             

~All roofing material (metal roof)             

Queest Exterior

Feel free to contact us, Mike or Sue Lemmon from Cowboy Log Builders LLC ~Representatives for Lake Country Log Homes~ for more log cabin kits and pricing. Phone/fax 406-287-3780,             

All shipping costs are in addition to log package pricing and are based on distance from Lake Country Log Home’s mill in British Columbia. Please call for quote. Thank You, Mike and Sue Lemmon

Before you read further- TO GET A REALLY GOOD COMPARISON BETWEEN OUR LOG CABIN KITS AND OTHERS       

Here are some important things to consider.      **ALL** of our log cabin kits come with:FULLY PRECUT PRENUMBERED ~ROOF SYSTEM FULLY PRECUT     FINGER JOINERY ON ALL BUTT JOINTS **see photo below**       

ALL OF OUR HOMES COME WITH ROUND TIMBERS UNLESS OTHER WISE ORDERED       

ALL OF THE ELECTRIC BOXES AND WIRING HOLES ARE PREDRILLED**see photo below**         

Precut electric box holes and wire holes

 OUR HOMES ARE COMPUTER MILLED     DOUBLE TONGUE AND GROOVE ON TOP AND BOTTOM OF LOGS with FULL SADDLE NOTCH CORNERS     There is not better value on the market. As dealers we travel extensively for home shows. We are very up to date on other company’s products and services, and Lake Country over shadows the other companies when you really consider their quality and craftsmanship coupled with their price. There is no better value on the market.       

THE ABOVE ITEMS are so important because they save the home builder, whether you or someone else, a whole lot of time! And you get a very professional finished product that is much better sealed against the wind and elements. No matter if you are building a huge log mansion or small log cabin kits, they all need to have the professional finished look.       

8x8 D Log Wall

Log homes are capable of better energy efficiency than a standard construction “stick frame” home. But when the logs have gaps between them you loose your R- value. There are log homes that you can walk around the edge of the rooms on a windy day and feel the breeze coming between the logs, BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE WITH LAKE COUNTRY HOMES!         

Lake Country Log Homes Inc. from British Columbia, CANADA, is a premier log home company. Feel free to visit their website at www.lakecountrylog.com . For over 20 years Lake Country has been providing both milled and handcrafted log homes all over the world… and I do mean all over the world. This internationally recognized company has shipped thousands of homes to Japan, Holland, Germany, and even the Philippians.      

Queest Under Construction 6x8 Log

We here at Cowboy Log Builders LLC have been building high quality log homes and timber frame homes since 1997. Over the years we have build homes from a long parade of log home suppliers. With a log home, this is a very true- You either pay now or you pay later. Log homes are capable of even higher energy efficiency than a standard construction home, but only if they are assembled properly. You may find a log home package that is very, very inexpensive, but you had better be prepared to buy lots and lots of caulking to fill in the holes that the shrinking logs leave. The reason we became dealers for Lake Country Log was the extreme value and quality that our customers are able to receive from this mill. Log homes are a passion with us and the value obtained from a Lake Country home matches this passion.   Windows are an important concern in homes. We generally offer Jeld-Wen windows. More window information can also be obtained at the window guide.        

Log Wall Being Erected

 

 

Log cabin kit package $66,500 

This neat little Laker Plan is one of our compact but spacious small log cabin kits. All of our packages are fully pre cut and pre numbered. Our weather tight packages come as detailed below. Also all of the electric box holes and wire holes are pre cut and pre drilled in both our handcrafted log homes and our manufactured log homes. The butt joints utilized finger joinery, double tongue and groove stack with full saddle notch corners. This is simply a sample of our log cabin kits. We are happy to price and floor plan or work with you to custom design one. As authorized representatives for Lake Country Log Homes of British Columbia, our log homes homes are of the highest quality and craftsmenship. Feel free to email us or call 406-388-3458 for more details.   

Thanks for looking!   

Mike and Sue Lemmon
Cowboy Log Builders LLC   

Click Here for Printable Version of Laker Floor Plan

Or Scroll To Bottom of Page to View Floor Plan

~The Laker Plan~   

Total Square Footage 996   

First Floor 576 Sq. Ft.   

Second Floor 420 Sq. Ft.    

 Also:   

Covered first floor porch 144 Sq. Ft.   

Covered second floor balcony 144 Sq. Ft.   

Windows:
Metal clad wood windows with custom wood jab-liners and Low-E glass   

4 Exterior Doors including:
Patio door- fiberglass metal clad wood
Entry door- fiberglass 2 panel 9-lite
Loft Balcony door- fiberglass 2 panel 9-lite
2^nd Floor Bedroom Balcony door- fiberglass 2 panel 9-lite   

Sky lights:
One fixed Velux skylight
One Manual Venting (opening) Velux skylight   

Main Sub-floor:
Treated Sill plate
Beam between foundation
2×10 joists
Rim joists
¾ T&G Plywood Sheathing
Flashing   

Door and window 1×6 pine trim.   

Upper Sub-floor:
Finish flooring of 2×6 T&G Pine V-joint   

Framing for upper walls- above the 9’ solid logs
Tyvek House Wrap
Sheathing    

Roof:
2×12 Rafters
Facia
Soffit Vent    

Roofing:
Roofing 30# felt
Ridge Vent
Metal Roofing
Flashing
Screws   

Decks:
Treated 2×8 and 2×6 lumber
Treated Decking
1×6 T&G Pine for interior of exterior gable walls, ceiling and soffit, and exterior roof soffit   

2×8 Log Siding for Exterior Gables of home   

Final Blueprints (not engineered)   

This home is offered by Cowboy Log Builders LLC, Authorized Representatives for Lake Country Log Homes of British Columbia, CANADA.   

Shipping cost is in addition to package price. It is based on distance from Lake Country Log Homes In British Columbia to the job site. Please call or email for shipping costs.    

Log homes are capable of very high energy efficiency if constructed properly. With the precision and accurate cuts yielded by our mill, Lake Country homes are capable of this efficiency. Some studies have shown that log homes can be up to 15% to 22% more efficient that standard construction homes. Logs possess a thermal mass which absorbs the heat and cold and then slowly releases it back into the home. Thus making a log home even more “Green”.   

Post and Beam

The Hunter Post and Beam

Post and beam construction is another specialty of Lake Country. With a team of specially trained log home master craftsman, under the shadow of the two cranes, these handcrafted post and beam homes superstructures take form. Post and beam construction is found in authentic turn of the century barns and homes. A traditional style applied to custom homes, make quite a combination. 

Our log packages for post and beam construction include just the structural elements of a log home. The post and beams are hand crafted to fit. Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, and Englemann Spruce are the three species of logs that are used to form these round log beauties. This type of post and beam home construction allows the homeowner or business owner to leave the logs exposed on both the inside of the structure and the outside. Only premium seasoned logs are used for the process. Logs can reach an average of 13″ and 14″ at the mid point and 12″ to 18″ at the ends. Those are some big logs! 

Not just any log is used. First each log is selected based on quality and strength for placement in the log structure. TPI grading and rating is what separates the logs. Then they are handpeeled. Then the craftsman use chain saws, micrometers, and other hand tools to form the logs into the desired lengths. For a unique home, this may be the choice for you. 

Log Gazebo

Round Post and Beam

Log Turret

Handcrafted Log Commercial Building

 Handcrafted log homes and log siding    

This particular commercial log building stands in the tourist town of Jackson Hole Wyoming, USA. This sprawling building, known as The Hillside, features 4×12 handcrafted log siding. With a cover of 10 3/4 inches, it goes well with this massive building. All of the railing is handpeeled and handcrafted. This structure also utilizes square beams for the roof system.    

The handcrafted log siding has a special stress relief groove in the back of each piece to help prevent cracking. This log siding is great for commercial or residential use. Handcrafted log homes depart from the uniform standard manufactured log look, and instead reflect the more natural flair of the log. Handcrafted log homes use logs that have a median diameter of 13″ and utilize logs from 11″ up to 15″ in diameter. Each log is hand peeled with the traditional draw knife. The log cabin siding to match the handcrafted logs is made in the same way. From small homes to the large log cabin lodges, the siding can be found. Not very common, we are proud to offer it through Cowboy Log Builders LLC.    

Handcrafted log siding

We are currently offering substantial discounts for orders of three or more identical log homes. Please contact us for more details.

Commercial log structures are nothing new to Lake Country. Here is the large Queen Charlotte Lodge, located on the rugged Pacific coast of British Columbia, CANADA. With a total of four log buildings, this Lodge is a log paradise. The wide log spiral staircase coming down the front of the Totem Building on the left (below) was custom crafted for this building. Also below are two large commercial buildings that were custom designed for a resort in… can you guess? I couldn’t! This is actally located on the Yellow Sea in South Korea. Other of Lake Country’s log homes and commercial log structures can be found as wide spread as Germany, Holland, Japan, and the Phillipians. With over 30 years in the log industry we are known around the globe as one of the leading manufacturers of log homes. Cowboy Log Builders LLC  

To me, a cabin, log cabin, or log home mean the realization of a dream. Little log getaways, to log mansions, to log resorts, they are all made out of that natural product, a tree. They all reflect the beauty that only a log can give. Log homes are a passion with many people and they are extremely indigious to the Rocky Mountain West in which I live.   

Log cabin kits are a good way to insure the quality of your home. Logs are not like other building products. It is wise to purchse a log cabin kit fully precut from the mill. When a timber roof system is included in log cabin kits, it will fit better than if cut on site. We have built home both ways, and the precut at the mill is actally the most econimcal when also calculating in the man hours on the job site and extra equipment rental. Not to mention the precision cuts that only come from the master log crafters at the mill. From small log cabin kits to extra large 20,000 square foot homes, Lake Country has handled them all. I think they are the best kept secret in the Log Home Industry.  

Take a look and dream on as you look through some of our log cabins. Cowboy Log Builders LLC 

 

 

Small Square Manufactured Log Cabin

Queest Log Cabin