Treehouse Log Homes

Frequently Asked Questions with Treehouse Log Homes

1.	What log homes does Treehouse Log Homes offer?
	Treehouse Log Homes offers handcrafted "chinkless� style log homes of the very highest quality. We utilize winter-harvested timber from the higher altitude, dryer areas of Northern Canada. This climate provides for slow growing trees (80-140 years old), which produce uniform growth rings and minimal knots. Our homes are hand peeled and hewn together using the Scandinavian Full Scribe method with Norwegian saddle notch corners. Please note that all of the timbers used in our homes are Timber Products Inspection graded and stamped to verify the quality.

2.	Do I have to assemble my own Treehouse Log Home?
	NO. As part of every Treehouse package, the log delivery and assembly are included and completed by our skilled re-set crew and crane operator. (Note: For building sites within 500 miles of Salem, delivery is free. For sites located outside this area, please talk with a Treehouse representative for costs.) Upon completion of the crafting of your home in our yard, we will load, deliver and re-assemble your log shell on your existing sub-floor.

3.	What kind of technical assistance can I expect from Treehouse Log Homes?
	Treehouse Log Homes provides 2 to 3 days of on-site assistance during the log stack to insure proper handling of the logs and see that our construction principles are followed. We do require that your general contractor be on site and participate in the re-assembly process to ensure their understanding of our log homes. If you are acting as your own general contractor, then you would be required to participate in your log raising. Treehouse includes detailed drawings showing the special techniques of log home construction with each log shell package. We are available by phone to answer your building questions as they arise. We offer true customer assistance to both you and your builder throughout construction.

4.	What kinds of foundation and roof must I use on a Treehouse Log Home?
	Almost any standard conventional foundation system (including basements) that is capable of supporting the imposed loads can be used. The most common is an 8� stem wall with adequate crawl space (3 to 4 feet) to access the necessary hardware for tightening. Most log structures have no additional requirements above those of conventional construction. Please note that Treehouse includes your foundation details in your plans to assure that the foundation is built to accept the log shell package. A roof system can be designed to fit nearly any taste. Whether you want the look of tongue and groove or sheetrock on your ceiling is up to you. Clients on a conservative budget will finish their roofs with an architectural composition roofing material instead of metal since it costs nearly one third the price.

5.	How are Treehouse Log Homes log packages wired for electricity?
	All switch and outlet receptacles may be cut and installed to your specifications at the job site for an additional fee. The wire goes through pre-drilled electrical runs, which are drilled in during construction at your desired location. Light switches are easily installed by running the wiring up the keyway of a door and along the bottom of the check groove. Talk to your Treehouse representative about pre-planning your electrical runs. In the end, this will save you a tremendous amount of money working with your electrician. Please note that you will need to schedule your electrician to be on site during the installation of your roofing to ensure that your ceiling lighting is to your specifications prior to your roof being installed.

6.	Do I have to �chink� a Treehouse Log Homes after it is erected?
	The answer to this is NO. However, some of our clients like the appearance of chinking and have decided to add this feature to their home. Treehouse provides handcrafted log homes that are designed to settle and create a tight seal. If you are installing an extensive number of windows in the home, thus reducing the weight of the logs to keep the pressure applied to the home, you will need to apply energy seal or caulking around these areas. Please talk to your Treehouse representative about your design and the maintenance that will be required on your style of home. Treehouse does recommend that once our home has achieved the majority of settling (after the third year), all corners are energy sealed on the exterior of the home.

7.	What is the average cost per square foot to build a Treehouse Log Homes? And is it more expense than building a traditional home?
	Our homes are based on lineal footage, rather than square footage. Every home is different in construction materials and complexity. Since we are not certain of the type of products each customer is going to place in their new home, it is very difficult to give an exact cost per square foot of the finished product. Your price will result from several factors. The first being log package you select. The price will vary based on the complexity of the design and architectural features incorporated into the home. Truss systems, arched doorways, interior log walls, and curled log wall ends all add to the price without adding any square footage. Then, of course, factor in the quality and expense of the finish products being installed in the home, such as counter tops, floor coverings, cabinetry and appliances. Treehouse Log Homes is happy to provide you the names of different log home contractors that can provide you with estimates on your new log home. The general rule of thumb is to take your log package price times three and this should give you a basic cost to complete your new home.

8.	How are heating and plumbing systems installed when the house is going to settle?
	Treehouse uses a conventional flooring system and studded partitions on the interior framed walls. This easily allows for the heating and plumbing equipment to be installed under the floor system and up through the interior partitions in the same manner as a conventional building. Slip joints will be used to accommodate the 3-5� of settling that will take place.

9.	What are the deposit requirements and how does the payment process work?
	The first deposit is 15% of the package price. This deposit secures the materials necessary to craft your home. The second payment, 35% of the package price, is due prior to the start of crafting of your home. This payment reserves your building space and gives you your confirmed delivery date. The third payment is 35% and is due upon completion of your log shell package prior to loading the trucks for delivery. The final 15% is due upon delivery, re-assembly by our crew and a final walk-through with you and your builder. If you wish to preserve your building price and avoid any price increases, please talk to your Treehouse representative about placing a deposit for a future build. If you have not yet purchased your land but wish to complete your plans so that you can get accurate building estimates, please talk to us about our plan deposit program. This program allows you to complete your building plans including engineering and have final prints to give out to your prospective contractors for accurate estimates.

10.	Who provides the plans for Treehouse Log Homes?
	Here at Treehouse we offer a complete design and drafting services. We take great pride in building custom log homes for our clients. If you have a design in mind or like one we have to offer, just give us a call and we can provide you with an estimate to build. The planning process usually takes 1-3 months to complete. The length of time will depend greatly upon you and how quickly you get your updates and changes back to our design department. You should keep in mind that your plans should be completed at least 4-6 months before you wish to have your home delivered. This time frame will give your builder the necessary time needed to gather all bids, complete a contract for you, obtain permits, complete a road, install utilities, excavate and prepare the foundation through the sub-floor in preparation for the arrival of your log package. Please note that spring is the busiest time of the year as most people wish to take delivery of their logs in the summer months. You should plan to submit your order for your house no later than the end of March to receive a summer delivery.

11.	What is �checking� and will it occur in a Treehouse Log Homes?
	Checking is the crack that is a result of the natural drying process of a log. Yes, your Treehouse Log Home will check. At Treehouse we provide a 3-4� check groove on the bottom of each log to encourage this natural checking process to occur on the bottom of the log, thus reducing the amount of cracks that occur along the sides. This check groove is then filled back in with insulation to ensure the thermal capacity of the log is not lost. The check groove is stopped approximately 6� before the end of each log so that it is not visible.

12.	How does style determine overall cost?
	You will find, when researching log homes that there are two basic styles. The first is the traditional cabin style. This style of log home is the most cost-efficient to build as it has only four corners. Handcrafting the pricing of a log home cost is determined by the amount of notches and angles that need to be hand cut. So fewer corners equals less cost. The second basic style of log home is a lodge style. This is a simple box with wings. Usually the main body of the house will be the basic cabin style and then a wing or two will be added to the sides of the home to increase the square footage. By adding wings you will also be changing the roof system. This style of home will call for either an open or closed valley roof system. Many people wanting single level living choose this lodge style of home to eliminate the need to climb stairs. However, a second level may be added to this style of home for even more square footage. Your building site and setbacks will help determine your choice.

13.	The staining and maintenance of a log home. Can I do it by myself?
	Upon delivery of your log shell package from Treehouse you will be given enough stain to treat the entire log portion of your home. Most clients choose to purchase the additional stain necessary to treat their ceilings as well as any exterior siding so that it will match the log work. It is very important, once the log structure is raised, to apply the stain as quickly as possible. The logs most likely will not have ever touched dirt; however, sawdust and debris will have settled slightly on the logs thus requiring you to wash them off both inside and out. We suggest that you pressure wash both the interior and exterior of the log work immediately upon re-assembly. We are happy to provide you with a pesticide and mildew/mold inhibitor solution to add to your stain, if you would like, at an additional cost. This solution is very affordable and is highly recommended to prevent any mildew or pest problems in the future. Many of our clients pressure washing and stain their own homes to save on the cost of application. The process is fairly simple yet somewhat time consuming. This is a great way to get involved on your project and save money at the same time.

14.	Settling a log home. How often does it happen and what do I need to do?
	Each home is designed to settle 3-5�. The settling process occurs as the natural drying of the logs takes place. Treehouse Log Homes uses air-dried logs in the construction of our log homes. The moisture content of our logs is 19% or less. The moisture is necessary to ensure a proper fit when the logs dry and to avoid the need for chinking. The majority, or approximately 80% of your settling, will occur the first year. The remaining 20% occurs over the next two years. It is not uncommon to hear popping and cracking sounds as your home settles. Please do not be alarmed, as this is completely normal and to be expected. As the log home settles you will need to perform two tasks. The first task will be to release the pressure off the screw jacks supporting any interior or exterior log posts. The second task will be to tighten the through-bolts in the home to keep a consistent pressure on the walls. Your Treehouse representative will show how to do this when we deliver and re-assemble your log shell package on your foundation. If you prefer, we do have a video walking you through this process. Should you have any questions regarding the settling process, please talk to your Treehouse representative.

	Have Another Question? Ask Us.