The Schoen Home

Dan & Jean's Design - Part 6

Continued from June 26th...

Every day is one day closer to Dan and Jean's dream coming true.

Builder Jim Cammer and his crew are doing a beautiful job, concentrating on getting the outside of the home done during the nice days, which have been few and far between this summer. The numerous rainy days have not gone to waste as there is plenty of inside work.

Jim has worked closely with Mike (Beaver Mountain Customer & Builder Relations) on a couple issue that have popped up during the building process. In one case, Jim's crew needed a couple more pieces of lumber to finish the outside deck. Jim also felt that trimming the porch in a slightly different manner than shown on the blueprints would make for a more pleasing finished product. Mike was very accommodating and made arrangements for Jim and his crew to have the material they needed, without holding up the construction of Dan and Jean's home.

Jim and crew have several more weeks of work, but that doesn't stop Jean from thinking about holiday decorating or Dan from planning a BBQ for his first summer deck party. Hopefully they will snap some picture when the time comes and post them for all of us to see.

Dan & Jean's Design - Part 4

Continued from June 1st...

Our production department began milling Dan & Jean's wall logs on May 20th. This process involves taking a kiln dried rectangular "cant" of pine and running it through a special planer which mills a face on all four sides at the same time. Setting up the planer takes between four and six hours. Once the planer was ready, it took about four hours to mill Dan & Jean's logs.

Next, our precut production line took the lineal foot logs and cut them into all of the individual log pieces required for the log walls. This process includes cutting the logs to length, milling for splines, milling the necessary log corner joints and predrilling all of the logs for lag screws. After three days, the wall logs were cut and dry stacked.

Meanwhile, our panel shop was manufacturing the gable panel walls and precutting the rafters over the span of about one day. The component shop took about a day to manufacture the timber posts and truss pieces. Materials such as plywood, framing material, shingles, fasteners and finishes were pulled from inventory and packed for delivery in about 1 1/2 days.

Before we packed the logs for delivery, Dan and Jean were invited to visit our production facility and view their dry stacked wall logs. They arrived, along with their builder, and spent a little time sizing up the future rooms, taking snap shots and doing the "final inspection" of the wall logs.

Materials are pulled and we are ready to deliver Dan and Jean's package. Check back the week of June 29th when we will let you know how delivery went.

Dan & Jean's Design - Part 3

Continued from April 20, 2009...

Near the end of March, the quote was updated to reflect Dan and Jean's redesigned home, and the builder submitted revised numbers. After reviewing the new plans, quote and builder's figures, on March 31st, Dan and Jean signed their revised approval drawings, purchase agreement and Detail Specification Form. A delivery date of June 10th was agreed upon, moving the project to the next phase in the design process.

The project was next put into the engineering department schedule for completion of Construction Drawings, including foundation and framing plans and construction details which the contractor will use when building Dan & Jean's home. Thermal Performance Calculations were also run to document that the home will meet state energy codes. On April 27th, these Architect sealed drawings and thermal calculations were sent to the customer. The engineering department then began work on Assembly Drawings.

Assembly Drawings, which include log & panel wall cutsheets, precut timber cutsheets and rafter patterns, plus the material list were next completed and forwarded to the production department on May 11th.

In Part 4, we will continue to chronicle the manufacturing of Dan & Jean's home as we approach the June 10th delivery date.

The Fun is in the Journey; The Pride is in the Home!

I recently went to visit a Beaver Mountain Home under construction. I met the homeowner at the site. Both he and his project manager took me around the property where they explained the plans for the finishing touches of the home such as the tile style, the floor coverings, kitchen pantry area, and master bath fixtures. They removed their unique light fixtures from the boxes they were stored in and they lifted the protective covering off of furnishings that were waiting to be moved into the completed home for me to see. As they moved from room to room, you could see in their eyes the pride and satisfaction that the project was giving them, but more importantly, they were having fun!

Building your dream home, whether it is a 4000 sq ft lake house, or a 1200 sq ft hunting cabin is an experience where the fun is in the planning and the journey as much as in the finished product. At Beaver Mountain we understand this, and we do our best to help you plan, design, and co-ordinate the construction of your new home. We want you to remember your journey as a wonderful experience! We know you will be proud and completely satisfied with your Beaver Mountain Home for generations.

Come to the Mountain and see our model homes, check out our web site for plans, ideas, and information or call 1-800-233-2770 for information or to make an appointment.

Dan & Jean's Design - Part 2

Continued from March 30, 2009...
After reviewing the design, Jean decided she would like a third guest bedroom on the main floor and the master bedroom bumped out to give more space. I revised the design and with the bumped out master bedroom, we also added a covered porch for that room and a rec room down below in the basement area. I emailed the drawings on to Dan & Jean for their review, as well as their sales consultant Chris, for updated pricing.

"Some of the changes made were to better orientate things in the floor plan to take full advantage of the features inside the home, as well as views outside. "

Jean stopped in one day on her way by to talk about options for dressing up the appearance of the approach side of their home. She met with her sales consultant Chris and discussed adding some roof lines and more glass to that view of the house. At that time we invited them back, along with their perspective builder, to explore some of these options on the computer. Jean agreed the builder would be a big help at our next meeting so we could avoid making changes that would blow the budget.

We had our meeting near the end of January with Dan, Jean and the perspective builder Jim Cammer. We were able to dress the front of the house up with some false roof lines, some log siding to cover the exposed basement walls and some stone work around the entry way. We relocated a few windows and added a mudroom entrance from the rear of the house during this meeting as well. Jean loved the changes and was ready to move onto the approval drawing stage of the design process. We agreed to meet again once the ¼ scale approval drawings were complete.

We got back together in February to review the approval drawings and made some minor changes. We discussed different areas of the home and walked through each room thinking about the ways they intend on living in each space. Some of the changes made were to better orientate things in the floor plan to take full advantage of the features inside the home, as well as views outside. Once the revisions are complete on the approval drawings, they will be able to get final quotes from Beaver Mountain as well as the builder and his sub contractors. Revised drawings will be sent out shortly.

Now that our quote has been finalized and the builder has been able to put his numbers together Dan & Jean feel the project is coming in a bit over budget. I spoke with the builder and reviewed some changes we could make in the design that would reduce cost without compromising too much in the overall layout. We both felt these changes would be required to bring the cost down so we set up an appointment with Dan & Jean to re-work the plans.

I met with Dan & Jean around the middle of March and re-worked the design trying to shave some cost and bring them back into their project budget. We eliminated the bump out on the main floor along with the small private covered porch off of the master bedroom. This caused us to move the master suite back within the main footprint of the house and relocate a guest bedroom down to the daylight basement area. We were able to eliminate one of the garage bays in the basement to make space for the bedroom, as well as relocate the rec room, which was in the bump out below the master bedroom that we removed. These changes really make a lot of sense from a cost standpoint as well as from a “Building Greener” standpoint. We spoke to the builder on the phone during this appointment and he agrees we are heading the right direction. The next step will be updating the quote and getting revised pricing from the builder and his sub contractors.

Watch for Part 3, coming in June.

John Lanner, Senior Design Consultant

A testimonial of thanks

"A full year has passed from the day we broke ground and our dream home is almost completed. It took twenty years of dreaming, planning, and a lot of back breaking work to get us to where we are today. We realized a long time ago that only a log home would do justice to this beautiful land and our dream started to evolve. We began looking at log homes from various manufacturers. When you showed us the Beaver Mountain's Scottsdale, our search ended. It was love at first sight!

Thank you for the big part you played in our final decision. Thanks to your interest, your help, your patience, and your competence, you made this a very pleasant experience. The promptness with which your architects responded and gracefully blended all the design changes that my wife and I requested made our home truly attractive. We are now proud owners of what I call an intelligent home: simple, beautiful, efficient, without a single inch of wasted space.

You have, in addition, fully explained all the options and materials to the point that if I had to do it all over again I would not change a single thing. Finally you have delivered everything you said you would deliver right down to the last 2x4. Your support people were always courteous, prompt, and shared in our excitement.

Living in it is a real treat. A dream that became a dream home.

It is true that log homes are not for everyone but it is also true that they are not only for the privileged few. For the most part they belong to average people like us who could dream and were will to work for it. Our thanks to all of you!" -Mr. Buongiourno

Following the Faber's Log Home Journey

The Fabers started building their dream Beaver Mountain log home a couple years ago and documented every step through story and pictures on their on-line blog. Be sure to check it out at http://pointsofcompass.blogspot.com/search/label/log%20home (also linked at right under "Joated"). You will be sure to join in their delight as you "watch" the project unfold, especially now as it is nearing completion!


(Picture taken from the Faber's blog)

One Couple's Log Home Journey...Part 3

Part 1
Part 2

"There are so many other reasons we should complement Beaver Mountain, but I think the most resounding compliments come from the contractors we had on the project. Our builder was constructing a Beaver Mountain Log Home for the first time after constructing many others from different manufacturers. He was skeptical about the precut package. He isn't any more. He thought they would have to make numerous field adjustments...not one. He's hooked. We heard it over and over from the roofer in the beginning to the gutter installer last week. 'Who made this house?' 'I have never worked on a log home this well built.' 'This house is so square!' And my personal favorite, 'This house is top-quality; it must have cost a fortune.' So we have been taking your compliments for you with a smile and a 'yeah, we know.'

With a sincere thank you, thank you, thank you for everything.
Tracy and Denise

One Couple's Log Home Journey...Part 2

Part 1

"This is the largest investment we have made and years of hearing what happened the this person or that person...I really was waiting for disaster to strike. Then there was the beam through the cathedral space that wasn't supposed to be there. We went by the job site on a Saturday afternoon to find this beam installed where we did not want a beam at all. Queue the drama...

I called Chris bright and early Monday; he remembered us expressing we did not want the beam. We talked with Mike and two new logs were milled and delivered to the site the next day! I was blown-away, what was that? That is the Beaver Mountain experience. I went from crazy person to completely relaxed after that moment for the rest of the project. We knew we were in good hands. It felt like we had all the assurance in the world that this was going to be exactly the house we dreamed about. Oh, and it is."

One Couple's Log Home Journey...Part 1

"To the whole Beaver Mountain Team,

On paper in a few paragraphs it is hard to communicate how we truly feel about our experience with Beaver Mountain, but I will try. Denise and I spent six years researching, clipping articles, and visiting log home companies throughout New England and New York. We really thought our mind was made up with another company before we came to the mountain. Where else were we going to see four homes in one spot? So we went and then we went again and one more time...Beaver Mountain changed our minds.

After spending years pouring over information and floor plan after floor plan, John and Chris fit all our 'must-haves' into an amazing home that we call 'Evergreen'.

The customer service we received is, honestly, beyond words. From the first 'Hello' to 'JoAnn, are these trucks going to make it up the driveway?' we felt like Beaver Mountain was there to help...."

The Sanzone Home

Joe and Monica Sanzone graciously shared these pictures of their Beaver Mountain home. "Although construction was complete in July 2004, everyday we arrive home is just as exciting as the day we moved in. The wonderful feeling we have for our home has yet to subside!" By looking at the following photos, it is obvious why.

Another satisfied Beaver Mountain homeowner

Dear Beaver Mountain -

"Just a note to let you know that my wife Terry and I moved into our Beaver Mountain log home just before Christmas, 2006. As you are aware, we shopped around for nearly a year before deciding upon Beaver Mountain. Believe me when I say that is one decision we will never regret!

From the first time we walked into your sales office we felt we were working with people who truly cared about their product and their customers. The support and guidance you personally provided was greatly appreciated and the planning workshops and mill tours gave us the information needed to proceed with confidence. In fact, everyone at Beaver Mountain has been great.

Don Kotulka, our builder whom we chose from among those recommended by you, proved to be an excellent craftsman and has become a good friend. He and everyone working on or just visiting our home have been impressed with the quality of plans, materials, and service provided by Beaver Mountain. I know I heard an awful lot of 'Wow!' whenever anyone came through. And our building inspector even commented upon the blueprints saying they were among the best he has seen. I also think he stopped by several times just to 'inspect' the materials. He was that impressed.

We still have a few things to be done in the spring...but we are snug and cozy in our new home. Thanks again for making the entire experience a great one!

Sincerely, Richard"

Be sure to check the Fabers' personal blog for pictures and postings that document their entire home planning and building process.

Perfect Paradise

Nestled into a tree line of deciduous trees and evergreens and perched above a calm and sparkling lake, there is a place so relaxing, it seems like time stands still. A place so beautiful, it seems like nature is shining in all its glory. For Joe and Kathy Brillinger, this is home.

They have always dreamed of living in the country and their dream started to come true in 1990. After purchasing a four acre lot with 116’ feet of lake frontage, "we knew we wanted a log home,” Joe states.

When looking for a manufacturer, Joe and Kathy started with the most obvious choice: a log home company that was close by. But after the company failed to return phone calls, “We went to Beaver Mountain,” Kathy says, recalling the times they saw the model homes while traveling Route 17. “Right away we saw such a difference in their attitude and professionalism,” Joe added. “We totally enjoyed working with them from the get go.”

Working with their Beaver Mountain Sales Consultant Joan Decker and designer John Lanner, Joe and Kathy were able to adapt a stick-built floor plan to a log home floor plan. They chose posted corners to maintain the more contemporary look they desired and added a gabled porch “to provide interest to the front entryway.”

Their solid log white pine Beaver Mountain home was delivered in August of 1999 and built by Bob Kelly. “Beaver Mountain was great with getting his questions answered,” Joe remarked. The house was ready to be moved into in June of 2000....


They love living in their 3,000 square-foot home. “It is very difficult to leave.” An abundance of wildlife keep them company: birds, loons, beavers, deer, and the occasional coyote. Joe and Kathy’s two adult daughters and son-in-law frequently visit as well. “This house brings everyone together,” she comments. The large kitchen and adjoining dining room that lie just steps away from the living room are great for entertaining. Living space extends outdoors with an abundance of decks, porches, and bluestone patios. And they both landscaping: perennial flowerbeds burst with color and rose bushes fill the air with a sweet aroma.

Their dream of life in the country has emerged into a lakeside paradise evolving around the sparkling waters of Chenango Lake and their custom Beaver Mountain home. Sitting at the dining room table adorned with fresh-cut flowers in a pottery vase, Kathy looks out at the view. Mesmerized, she says, “It is absolutely perfect.”

A BM Home on the Ranch

A Winter Wonderland

A Beaver Mountain hilltop paradise

"After purchasing property, we explored many building options. Marni's brother referred us to Beaver Mountain Log and Cedar Homes. He had been impressed by the beautiful display of model homes on the hillside along Route 17. Our excavator also recommended Beaver Mountain.

We had a very specific vision of the goals that we wanted to achieve for our home. The first time we visited Beaver Mountain Log and Cedar Homes we met with Joan Decker. As we discussed our concepts, Joan immediately brought insight to our project. She quickly grasped our vision and enthusiastically worked with us to translate it into a beautifully designed country home that met all of our goals.

From its inception to completion, the process of building our home was a fabulous experience. Joan and everyone at Beaver Mountain did a great job of designing our house and providing us with quality materials."

-Marvin and Marni, Beaver Mountain customers