Coast Mountain Log Home Shell Builders

Question: What is a log home shell package?

Answer: A log home shell is exactly that- it is the exterior log walls or "shell" of a log home. It may also include any interior log walls that are load bearing walls. The log shell is constructed or "pre-built" on our site because each log has to be expertly hand fit which is labour intensive and time consuming. If we were to do the log fitting on your site it would cost you approximately 25% more for labour and 30% more for materials, not to mention it would create a huge mess of sawdust and bark for you to clean up. A log shell usually takes 4-8 weeks to build and 3-5 days to re-assemble on your site. Click here for Log Shell Pictures

Question: What does a Log Shell Package include?

Answer: The log shell package typically includes:

log floor joists
log roof beam system
log stairs.
The log shell is built to plan with all window and door openings cut in
any posts and levelers needed
all electrical boxes roughed in.
all wall slots are cut
Re-assembly assistance

Question: What is NOT included with a log shell package? (READ BELOW CAREFULLY!)

Answer: The following items are NOT INCLUDED in a log shell package:

foundation and sub floor
the roof - ( 2 X 10 rafters, strapping, metal, shingles, insulation, paneling)
plumbing
electrical
lumber
paneling
insulation
staining of the logs
Doors and windows
flooring
decks
any and all framing (gables, interior partition walls, basement)
cabinets
excavation, sewer, water
HVAC
finishing carpentry
Shipping (estimates here)
Any materials other than the logs.

Question: Why do you not offer the above services?

Answer: We are log smiths who specialize in the craft of log building. We are experts in building beautiful log home shells using the specialized techniques and tools necessary. We are not experts in any other facet of house construction any more than the others are experts at log building. We leave the other aspects of constructing a home to the experts in those given trades. This way you are ensured that you are getting the best value and highest quality from each individual trade that is necessary to complete your home because they are experts in those trades and know all the best practices. Keep in mind that our craft is a very specialized one and that it is very labour intensive and requires very specialized equipment. We also need access to high grade timber to insure a quality product. These combined have led us to set up our operation in British Columbia, Canada; the last place in North America with the quality timber and skilled labour needed to offer you a quality product.

Question: Will Coast Mountain Log Homes be the general contractor?

Answer: NO- for two reasons. First, if were were to get licensed for every state and Province in North America it would cost us thousands and thousands of dollars and consume endless hours of our time just managing the paper work. Also, there is no way for us to know what the market for labour or materials is for each and every town in th USA. Again, a local contractor would know these things and have the relationships necessary to bring the home in on budget and on time. Second, again we are log smiths, that is what we do best. A general contractor is best at organizing the necessary trades to build a home- we should be thought of as one of those trades.

Question: I saw on the internet a log home package from "Company X" for $xx,xxx and included the doors, windows and deck. Why is your price higher and doesn't include the same things?

Answer: "Company X" is selling you a "log package" not a log shell. Our products are the same only in name. We provide real, authentic handcrafted log home shells that are built by real craftsmen, using real logs. We build only a limited number of homes each year because of the time involved in building a log shell. Our products differs in the following ways:

Coast Mountain Log Homes Shell Company X Log Home Kit

Full sized "Real" high-grade" logs- minimum 12 " milled logs using lower quality logs maximum 12"

Hand hewn logs for hand peeled smooth finish rough machined finish

Home has character- each home is unique; a reflection of the owner no character, "cookie-cutter" mass produced homes

Builder direct- saves you money direct customer service Multiple levels of middle-men- adds to cost

Relationship with customer is important No relationship- logs come from factory- high pressure sales

Log shell is pre-assembled to ensure everything is perfect - Log shell doesn't leave until you approve it
Our price includes the labour costs to notch and pre-assemble the entire log shell structure.
Logs come from mill- can take weeks to get replacements if mistake
Price is for logs and materials only- you will have to hire someone to notch and stack the logs on your site plus pay for clean-up.

We look at log homes differently- we don't look at each customer as another sale but instead we look at it as a chance to develop relationships with people and help them achieve their goals and in doing so we are leaving our mark on this world. We take pride in what we do and we love it when people appreciate the hard work and dedication that we put into their home.

A hand crafted log home is not for everyone and we understand that, but for someone looking to live the true log home lifestyle there really is no other choice- there is nothing quite like the warmth and feeling of a log home built from real logs and by real craftsmen dedicated to their craft.