Before & AfterPlus Testimonials

You searched for evidence of a good log home restoration company’s completed work and customer reviews. Is it possible to get before and after work of log structure images for comparison? Have you ever considered the possibility of hearing from one of our clients? Today is meant to be the day of your good fortune. Our goal of this page is to have videos and pictures for you to compare, along with our customers’ perspectives on our work. Many new to the log home preservation will wonder if the company is kind and respectful. Are they patient with you if you have questions during the process? Can they be flexible and work with you to achieve your goals? Our company has been structured in a way that allows us to do all of those things. We will be trying to regularly update this page, most recent towards the top but not every restoration. Below links will take you to: Raspberry Mountain Wilderness Lodge Saguache, Colorado Full Restoration Pictures Van Zandt Video Pictures Salsman Video Pictures Depke Video Pictures The Folck’s Testimonial Letter Before and After Pictures Dowd Pictures Projects Completed Well’s Pictures During Full Restoration Martin’s Video Testimonial Before and After Pictures Coleman’s Testimonial Google Review Before and After Pictures If we did your home but have yet to see it featured, or you see it here and would like to add a comment, please email us at info@logmasters.com. Stayed tuned for more. The Lodge in the Princeton Mountains October 27, 2023 Just finished up this beautiful log home masterpiece! Media blasted, sanded, 100′ logs replaced, Sashco Capture/Cascade stained, picnic table & decks refinished, & chink painted. Get to Know the Founder of Log Masters On October 27, 2023 – See on Facebook This fantastic log home structure took a few months of dedicated work and equipment. We enjoyed the time with the owner and being able to make his home exactly how he wanted it to look. Thank you for sharing on Facebook your pleasure with our services. Look forward to our first maintenance visit in 3 years. Carlyle, Illinois July 23rd, 2023 Log Home Restoration June 4, 2023 Kiowa, Colorado Raspberry Mountain Wilderness Lodge July 27th, 2022 This was a spectacular lodge high in the mountains of southern Colorado. You don’t even want to know what cost to get that lift up there. But it was all worth it to see this charming lodge restored. If you like it, I do believe you can make reservations on their website Raspberry Mountain Wilderness Lodge. Beautiful Caulking and Chinking Saguache, Colorado Full Restoration Completed April 14th, 2022 Front Before–Too many shrubs After Restoration Back Before (minimal sunlight side) After Media Blasting over the Winter Plastic Covering Until Staining Clean and precise chinking lines This was such an interesting log home built in the early 1900s and was a beautiful revolutionary home of its time with unique appliances not typically found in homes of that time. It truly was like stepping back into the 1920s. Unfortunately, it sat abandoned for many years before the builders grandchildren decided to give it a new life for the next generation. Now the exterior looks amazing and is better than it has ever been before with new synthetic chinking that will be flexible with the ever changing seasons. For a free online estimate, click here. October 21, 2021 Van Zandt October 8, 2021 Salsman September 19, 2021 Depke September 16, 2021 The Folck’s Testimonial Get to Know Owner Scott Futrell I feel blessed to have found Log Masters Restorations, it was by chance, through Perma Chink. Clicked on their “Find a Contractor” low and behold, there this amazing company was. I reached out to Dawn Smith by phone explaining the issues with my log home. She immediately put me in contact with Nick Smith and the process began. I sent Nick some pictures of the problem areas that were concerning me. He talked me through the step-by-step process of work that was to be done, reassuring me that once they were done with the project, the home would look brand new. The date was set and the crew drove up with their work trailer and pickups, Nick, Scott, Phil and Rylan. After the walk about around the home, expressing the concerns I had, Nick and Scott explaining the work process, I knew that this was the perfect fit. Their knowledge, professionalism, courtesy, work ethics was a dream come true. Phil and Rylan worked nonstop every day, each day something changed with the home and the realization of what the finished project was going to be, was amazing. The two employees are the to be commended for their dedication and pride they have for the work they accomplished each day here. Every morning, once the greeting committee, made up of our 2 dogs, Klaus and Dottie, had their “Hello time”, Phil and Rylan continued with the project. We couldn’t be more pleased with the end result of our home. Such a burden lifted off our minds. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for a job well done. We are very pleased with the outcome and as I mentioned yesterday to you, the burden lifted off my shoulders, almost seems like I’m floating.  So  thankful I found Log Masters Restorations and getting to meet and know you (Scott), Nick, Phil and Rylan, oh can’t forget Delilah, and how you all welcomed our Klaus and Dottie too.  Looking forward to our future scheduled projects.  Take good  care and God Bless you  all. Sara and Eric This shows the before & after Before Garage Before Back Porch Before Before Chestnut stain is fading After Garage After Back Porch After After with the Caramel Stain In this picture, you can see the finished caramel stain and in the pop-out photos you can see the aged chestnut stain and water damaged soffit. June 28, 2021 Dowd On this home, the client need a new window installed. While we are not in the business to install windows, we are capable if it is necessary to complete a log rot issue. Log rot removed and new window installed Projects Completed The whole log home was media blasted, log rot removed and replaced, and re-stained. before after before after removing some rot new window ready to install July 30, 2021 Wells Finished During Full Restoration Below you can see some of the challenges we faced. Log rot had destroyed one wall and had to be completely removed and restacked. The opposite wall and several corners also needed replacement due to log rot. The whole home had the old stain stripped, caulked and re-stained. Interior walls had to also be caulked and stained. Careful attention was given to ensure the interior was not destroyed. interior view during log replacement Tarping off wall for approaching rain to protect work and interior log wall almost done the opposite side also had some rotted logs to remove Stacking in progress Log wall is ready for stain Wall completely rebuilt. The interior caulking is neat and clean. June 15, 2021 The Martin’s Testimonial To begin with, Stan and Rhonda, like so many others, started with a diamond in the rough. With a little attention to detail and care from Log Masters Restorations, their home looks as good as the first day it was built. We love there before and after Before After Take a look at this gallery of before and after from Stan and Rhonda. Front porch Garage Sunroom Before Sunroom After June 1, 2021 Coleman’s Testimonial Review From start to finish, working with the Log Masters Restorations crew was a wonderful experience. I am very pleased with the outcome and I will be using Log Masters Restorations for all future maintenance or restoration projects. When I first started looking for a company to perform the work on my house, I thought I would need to find more than one company to handle the projects I wanted to get completed this year. In the end, I decided to have Log Masters Restorations perform all of the work (e.g. logs, gable panels, facia, porch, porch railing, deck, deck railing, etc.). For me, it was a one-stop-shop! I oversee a Customer Service team for the third-largest Mortgage Lender in the nation. We use Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT) and Net Promoter Score (NPS) as Metrics to measure our Customers Satisfaction. With that said, would I refer Log Masters Restorations to my friends and family? Absolutely! The crew was professional and respectful. They were willing to go above and beyond throughout the entire project. I’m still working from home, so I had the pleasure of interacting with the crew in the mornings and the evenings. Customer Service is a two-way street, treat them how you would want to be treated, and you will get the same satisfaction in return. I look forward to working with Log Masters Restorations again! Log Masters Restorations Google Review Wonderful before & after Before After Before After To All Our Customers… Thank You! Different Log Styles to Choose for Your Budget and Dream The post Before & After…Plus Testimonials appeared first on Log Masters Restorations.

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Financing and Insuring Log Homes

When you dream of owning a log home, you should also dream of how to finance and insure it properly. Aesthetic and structural aspects are important but second in priority. While log homes’ unique comforting charm and fantasized relaxing appeal captures the imagination, their distinctive nature also introduces complexities in securing financial and insurance services. To effectively navigate these challenges with nuance, this article will examine how to: Establish Your Budget Log Home Costs Hard-to-Find Builder Pricing Which Builder is Right for Your Needs Financing Log Homes Known Lenders for Log Homes Lenders POV on Log Homes Insuring Log Homes Known Insurance Services for Log Homes Insurance Services POV on Log Homes Builder’s Risk Insurance Additional Considerations Conclusion Have you thought about how much you can spend for your mortgage, interest, insurance, taxes, and yearly maintenance? Establish Your Budget I can’t emphasize this enough, but it’s essential to understand your financial situation before pursuing a log home. It’s critical to know your monthly mortgage budget, including taxes and insurance, as well as your maintenance schedule and cost per year. This will help you determine which cabin you can afford and maintain for the life of your loan. It is all part of a larger picture when trying to find a cabin to fit your budget, a builder for your budget, and a lender for your plans. All that is mentioned in this article should be considered before deciding to purchase a log home. There are many formulas, graphs and theories on planning your mortgage qualifications, but the basic ones are still the best. It is widely accepted in the financial industry that someone with minor debt will qualify for 2 1/2 to 3 times their gross household income in today’s world of relaxed interest rates. However, you are the only one who can decide if this is a comfortable level.  Quote from the article “Establish a Budget for Your Log Home | Expert Budgeting Tips: A log home construction authority shares the ins and outs to establish a budget that will allow you to build the log home of your dreams.” by Joseph L. Walsh cited from Log Home Living website on 05/24/2024 Log Home Costs Let’s start by looking into the cost of cabins. A case study article on HomeGuide to check out is “Log cabin kit prices by size” by Tamatha Hazen, dated October 9, 2023. The article provides an analysis of cabin kit prices per square foot. It explains that log cabin kit prices usually range from $50 to $100 per square foot for the kit alone, and between $125 and $275 per square foot when fully installed. The article also discusses various sizes and costs, including small kits starting at $25,000, and covers additional expenses such as site preparation and finishing. For complete details, you can view the article here. Hard-to-Find Builder Pricing Finding builder prices will take a little work, as some kit builders do not list their pricing online. They often require a consultation with you to determine which cabin and design best meets your needs and budget to create a plan and cost assessment for you. Make sure you ask plenty of questions. Read their reviews. So, I’d like to start with what you should know about builders and what they may offer for financing. Which Builder is Right for Your Needs When you find a builder, please remember that log home builders vary. Some specialize in luxury cabins with grand designs, while others offer more budget-friendly, ready-to-ship, and easy-to-purchase kit homes. Kit home builders can be beneficial, often assisting with financing to ensure the cabin fits your budget. I strongly advise choosing an established builder over a local contractor who lacks expertise in log homes. An experienced builder will be more accessible for any necessary repairs, making it a worthwhile investment. Want an estimated log home maintenance cost? Get a free online estimate from us by sending us your log home plans or pictures of the log home. Click here to complete the online form for a free estimate to discover your maintenance needs today! You can also email them to info@logmasters.com Financing Log Homes So you have an idea of the log home that fits your budget; now, you need it financed. Many log home builders have established relationships with finance companies that fund such projects, which can be a significant advantage. Ask your builder who they often work with. Known Lenders for Log Homes Below is a list of lenders that have been known to offer financing for log home buyers: First Community Bank offers loans in all 50 states Farm Credit M&T Bank (financing for lower 48 states) Wells Fargo Waterstone Mortgage Lenders POV on Log Homes One should be aware that mortgage companies often shy away from financing unique properties due to concerns about resale potential. Log homes and their location may not appeal to a broad market, which can be a stumbling block for the mortgage company if you default on your loan. With this in mind, you may find it much harder to qualify for this loan at any bank. Insuring Log Homes Insurance for log homes can be more complex and expensive than standard home insurance due to factors such as the premium materials used and their often remote locations. Unfortunately, many insurers view log homes as higher risk due to their combustibility and the perception that they are not as durable unless properly maintained. To combat this, maintaining a regular upkeep schedule and choosing accessible locations can help mitigate some of these insurance costs. Known Insurance Services for Log Homes Insurance companies have frequently changed coverage rules since 2020. Meaning, what I quote today, could easily change tomorrow. Best to go to the sources since many areas prone to wildfires may no longer cover log homes. Here is a list to begin your inquiries: State Farm SafeCo Farmers USAA Insurance Services POV on Log Homes Like lenders, insurance companies have evaluated log homes as high-risk to their bottom line for similar reasons. The cost of repairs is expensive and often requires professional services at a special cost. Insurance agents, inspectors, and adjustors have seen so many log home claims for water and fire damage accidents that could have been avoided with proper building and maintenance. Keep Up with Professional Log Home Maintenance Often, during these claim evaluations, an inspector discovers hidden issues. These hidden issues are not typically covered by insurance since they are considered the maintenance responsibility of the homeowner. For example, the discovery of a rotted wall can quickly result in a 90-day deadline for costly repairs to keep the coverage or the loss of coverage. And if you had repairs done improperly, like our customer discussed in Log Homeowner’s Nightmare, then it could result in cancelled coverage. Is Log Home Restoration Expensive? Builder’s Risk Insurance Potential building buyers should consider including “Builder’s Risk Insurance” during the construction, renovation, or repair phases. Lenders typically require this type of insurance, which covers the property during the vulnerable stages of construction. This is a separate insurance the homeowner can purchase. Your builder and repair service company should carry general commercial liability & worker’s compensation, which covers accidents to property and persons. You should be able to request a certificate of insurance (COI) with you as the temporary holder of the liability policy from the company. Additional Considerations Before purchasing an existing log home, there are several other factors to consider, which are detailed in my article on Buying an Existing Log Home. This resource discusses the different styles of log homes, their pros and cons, and much more. Conclusion Financing and insuring a log home requires careful consideration and planning due to the unique nature of these beautiful structures. By understanding the specifics of financing unique homes and the detailed insuring requirements, prospective owners can better navigate the complexities involved. Properly financed and insured, a log home can be a lasting and rewarding investment. If maintained and built correctly, they can far exceed the typical lifespan of conventional homes, as evidenced in our Log Home Durability article. Different Styles of Log Homes to Fit Your Budget We Want to Hear From You Let other readers know where you succeeding in getting your log home insurance and financing by commenting below. The post Financing and Insuring Log Homes appeared first on Log Masters Restorations.

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Log Homeowners Should Know the EMC of Their Region

Why? The reason you should know your regions Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) is humidity levels vary from region to region. For instance, yearly, the EMC for Springfield, Missouri ranges from a low of 12.6, to 14.0 as a high. Conversely, Colorado Springs, CO, ranges from 9.1 to 10.4. It is essential to know your log home’s EMC if the logs were green when built. Are you finding your caulk won’t dry? Why? Read about it here! Click the image of the EMC table of U.S. Dept. Of Agriculture to be directed to their site to discover your regions information. “Equilibrium moisture content of wood versus humidity and temperature, according to the Hailwood-Horrobin equation.” -click to source information If you’re unsure, there is a solution. Moisture content meters are a quick find at a hardware store. You can purchase the Moisture Meter, which you can pick up online from $45-$700, to discover the current EMC of your logs. Please make sure you check on each side. This is due to the south wall receiving the most sunlight while the north sees less. The north wall might have a higher level as it often stays wet the longest. Advantage? Stain or Clear Coat only to let the natural wood show. High Moisture Levels Issues Blistering under Clear Finished Log If the moisture level is, or is above 20%, as the logs dry out, the moisture will move from the center outward, causing the water content to rise to the surface of the log (see the picture, for example). If the finish (oil or water-based) is applied to a high EMC log, it can trap moisture between the log and the finish. Why is this important for you to know as a log homeowner? So you can avoid common issues that plague cabin owners. High EMC causes problems with finish adhesion, generally appearing as blisters, cracks, and peeling. In this case, we recommend a penetrating finish that will allow moisture to escape. I hope that reading this will save you money. Are you thinking of buying a log home? Read this first! Help Me Keep The Old Cabin Look but FIX THE LOG ROT! The post Log Homeowners Should Know the EMC of Their Region appeared first on Log Masters Restorations.

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