Dan & Jean's Design Process

While working at the Syracuse Home & Garden show this past weekend, I was asked the same questions over and over……..Do you sell pre-designed kits? What if we have our own floor plan? Can you custom design? These are all valid questions of which you will receive many different answers on throughout the log home industry, so I would like to give you our answer on “Design”. At Beaver Mountain we pride ourselves on custom designing your dream home to meet not only your wants & needs but your project budget as well.

The following is just one example of a typical design process here at Beaver Mountain, but I thought it would be nice to lay a project out for you from the start. Since this project is not yet complete and the design is often times a multiple step process I will be posting updates as things move forward……..

The design process for Dan & Jean Marie:

I first met with Dan & Jean Marie back in December for a preliminary design consultation where I learned they wanted to build in two phases. The first phase was going to be a two car garage with living quarters above, carriage house style, and then when they were ready to move up full time, they would attach a house as phase two. After reviewing their ideas, we soon realized it would be best to merge the two phases and build the house and garage all as one structure. This would reduce the overall footprint of the home and take full advantage of their site. We discussed a few options for positioning the house and decided it would be best for me to visit their site. We set a schedule for a site visit as well as a follow-up appointment to get the design started.

I made my visit to the site early one morning in December & took several photo’s of the area we all discussed locating the house. Based on the natural slope of the property and the beautiful country views, I felt we were in a great spot! I headed back to the office and put some of my initial ideas on paper to share with Dan & Jean Marie during our next scheduled visit.
The New Year arrived and Dan & Jean came back for the preliminary design session where we sat down at the computer and began the house design. We located the garage space below the house in the daylight basement area to take advantage of the natural slope of the land. Also planned for this space would be an entry / foyer with timber stairs up to the main living areas, laundry room, full bath and a utility room. The main floor was blocked out with the great room, kitchen & dining overlooking an open meadow to the west. To the east we planned for a master suite, (2) guest bedrooms and a full bath with the master suite capturing the sunrise over open fields separated by a wonderful tree line. The design session went well and gave us the info we needed to begin the estimate process. We discussed getting back together once they had a chance to review the preliminary design and we had a chance to run some numbers.

Watch for my next posting on Dan & Jean's design process the week of April 20Th.

John Lanner, Senior Design Consultant

Is a Log Home in Your Future?

Researching log home manufacturers and their products can be a daunting task. Though log homes increasingly gain in popularity, the construction of the log and timber system is still not main stream and differs throughout the industry.

What is important in log construction for an energy efficient home with the least amount of maintenance? At Beaver Mountain Log & Cedar Homes we know that when educated the log home buyer will know what to look for and how to compare.

For the past few years we have offered home planning seminars, log raisings, and mill tours to the prospective log home purchaser and builders. The feed back has been very positive.

Gail and Dennis wrote:
We have attended several seminars and have been through four or five other mills and facilities. Two things set Beaver Mountain apart from the others. First was the way in which everyone responded to our questions. Answers were clear, direct and to the point.
Second, was the integrity displayed throughout the facilities. Sales persons, mill workers, and designers all reflected pride in the product and an absolute refusal to talk negatively about competing companies.

Kevin wrote simply:
I have attended the workshop and I loved the experience!

John and Donna said:
We wanted to take this opportunity to thank the staff at Beaver Mountain Log & Cedar Homes for what we felt was the most extensive and detailed Mill tour and Log Building workshop….

Check out our website at http://www.beavermtn.com/ for the calendar of upcoming events and register today!

From the Wall of Dreams Come True...

Hi Mary! I have been meaning to drop you a note for nearly 2 weeks now but we were so caught up with our wonderful home building project. We drove upstate on June 12th & went straight to the property, abandoning our plans for a vacation in Vermont as we couldnt wait any longer to see the progress Ethan & Sam (our excavator) had made.

Both Rob & I were so emotional on our first sighting. We parked the car at the bottom of the driveway & chose to walk up Everest! We turned the last bend & there it was - absolutely fabulous! Attached are a couple of pictures. We just love it! It is nowhere near finished but it is now so real, so marvellous & so fantastically exciting...........words fail me.

Our living room has one heck of a view! Everyone that has been up there comments on it after their steep ascent. Robert & I both want to pass on our thanks for all the help & support that you, JoAnn & your team have given to Ethan & our project overall. Your contribution has made life much easier from our perspective.... 3000 miles away. Also we cant speak highly enough of Ethan & his team. We have contacted & met with Bob Granger - he is one passionate solar guy! We hope to investigate further the options available from his company as they seem really cost-effective & sensible.Well that's it for now.
Kind regards,

Helen

Tell us your story...

Your dream home is finished! It's gorgeous, and the landscaping is finally completed! Now you want to show it off!

We're looking for Beaver Mountain homes to photograph, include in our Naturally Home newsletter, on our website and even to feature in one of the top national log home magazines! To submit your home, e-mail us:

• Interior and exterior photos


• Your name


• Phone number we can reach you at


• When the home was completed


• Where your home is located


• A short explanation of your dream home journey, how you found Beaver Mountain and why you chose us

Send your e-mails to kcprochazka@beavermtn.com. We can't wait to see your pictures and hear your story!

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

The Foley Home

"Beaver Mountain - We are so thankful to have placed our trust in your company to build our log home. It is magnificent and we are enjoying every minute we spend here. Everyone who sees this log home is overwhelmed by its beauty and comments on the fine details that went into building it. Thank you, again, for all the hard work you have done." - The Foleys

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...."

A Beaver Mountain Dream Home Being Built

"Hi Joan,

You have asked us if we're satisfied with our new Beaver Mountain log home. In short, YES-ABSOLUTELY! From day one we've been impressed by the quality of workmanship that has been designed into your product, which has been carried through with your high quality manufacturing process.

However, of equal importance has been the quality of customer service that you folks have provided throughout the whole program...from our initial inquiry through the floor plan brainstorming, CAD development, production, timely delivery, and now actual construction. It's been a distinct pleasure working with you and developing a personal - as well as professional - relationship that has led to genuine friendship.

As you know, Ann Marie and I have been researching our retirement home plans for quite some time, dating back at least four years. While we were researching various log home manufacturers, one thing we quickly learned is that Beaver Mountain is highly respected even among your competitors! We were frequently ask what log home manufacturers we were considering, and we'd say 'Brand Y' and 'Brand Z', etc., and finally 'Beaver Mountain.' The almost universal response was 'well, those other brands are okay but - yes! - Beaver Mountain is a good company with a quality product.

I would certainly - and unconditionally - recommend Beaver Mountain Log Homes to anyone who is seriously interested in purchasing and building a superior quality log home! Many thanks to you and all the folks at Beaver Mountain. We're looking forward to completion and beginning our retirement years in our beautiful new Beaver Mountain log home.

Sincerely,

Ann Marie and Hank G."

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.

The First Beaver Mountain Home

"Dear Beaver Mountain Log Homes,

Our log cabin was the first whole log type built by [Ken Clark] and his father. It was built in 1983 and the original roof is still leakproof, the basement walls have no cracks, nor are there any cracks in the basement floor. After [all these] years the place is as good as new. I consider this a testimony to both the way the logs were crafted and the way they were fitted together. In 2001 we had Peter Hathaway put on an addition to the cabin. First class all the way. One of my business partners used to say, 'Pay the right price and cry once.' Our decision to have Beaver Mountain put up our cabin and the addition has proven to be a very good one.

Sincerely, Clement F."

The Difference is in the Details: A testimonial of Beaver Mountain's integrity

"We wanted to thank you and the rest of the crew at Beaver Mountain for all your guidance and consideration. Throughout the process of identifying a company, designing and modifying a plan, and soon to the final construction of our home, you have all shown great respect for our needs and desires.

In particular, we commend you for a terrific on-site program. Over the years, we have attended several seminars and been through four or five other mills and facilities. We can honestly say that we know your competition. Two things set Beaver Mountain apart from the others. First was the way in which everyone responded to our questions. Answers were clear, direct, and to the point. There were no assurances that ‘oh, we never have problems like that here.’ Instead, we were told how you try to avoid them and then, if they occur, how you resolve them. Our recent contacts with several builders and customers reinforced that claim.

Second, and even more important was the integrity displayed throughout the facilities. Sales persons, mill workers, designers all reflected pride in the product and an absolute refusal to bad mouth the competition. When asked why another company may use a different system of quality control, grading, sealing, or whatever, everyone simply explained the differences and why they felt Beaver Mountain has a better way of doing things. This has become a rare quality in American businesses and we are glad to see it carries on in your company.

Again, you have our thanks and great respect."
–Dennis and Gail Dragich

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

A Testimonial

Chris,
We were very excited about touring the Beaver Mountain Log Homes and meeting with you. Mike and I have always dreamed of building and living in a log cabin. After comparing we know that we are choosing the best company there is to purchase our log home from.

We appreciate the time you spent with us, your patience and knowledge in answering "all our questions" and the overall comfort and professionalism we received on our visit. We can't wait to get started! We hope all is well and will see you soon!

Thanks again - such a great day!
Mike and Veronica F.