Did you know Beaver Mountain has (3) model homes that have been described by industry experts, “as one of the most impressive displays in the northeast?” And did you know that Beaver Mountain's manufacturing facility is affectionately called, “The Cabinet Shop?”
We know these things very well and we would like everyone to know about them. The best way to do that is to schedule a personal consultation or sign up for a mill tour and seminar! We are so confident that you will love what you see that we are now offering a “Travel Reimbursement Program” to make it easier for you to Come to the Mountain! If you make the trip to see us and purchase a Beaver Mountain Home, we will reimburse you for the costs of travel and lodging. To learn more, contact your Beaver Mountain sales consultant for all the details!
1-800-233-2770
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
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.
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.
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
Saturday, April 11, 2009
"The Devil is in the Details"
Recently I received a wonderful letter from a customer currently building their log home. As a Sales Consultant here at Beaver Mountain, I try to convey this philosophy to people repeatedly. To hear (read) it from a client is the ultimate validation!
“Until I built a log home I didn’t have a complete appreciation for the importance of choosing a manufacturer. Log home construction is unique. We chose quality and we have throughout the process but I mean the right manufacturer is not only about appearance but about structure, structure, structure. Beaver Mountain Log Homes are battleships in their structure surrounded by some of the finest detail work I have ever seen. Structure not done correctly at the start can never be corrected and in a log home the logs are the structure, the insulation and the appearance. They say the devil is in the details and they are correct. I was astounded in the milling tolerances, in a fifty four foot wall with multiple openings (doors, windows, etc), each opening was perfect."
- Excerpt from John C- Beaver Mountain Customer 2008
SATURDAY, APRIL 18th: FACTORY TOUR!
Please join us and see for yourself the details and the precision craftsmanship of our pre-cut log walls, panelized components, and timbers.
Call 1-800-233-2770 for more information!
“Until I built a log home I didn’t have a complete appreciation for the importance of choosing a manufacturer. Log home construction is unique. We chose quality and we have throughout the process but I mean the right manufacturer is not only about appearance but about structure, structure, structure. Beaver Mountain Log Homes are battleships in their structure surrounded by some of the finest detail work I have ever seen. Structure not done correctly at the start can never be corrected and in a log home the logs are the structure, the insulation and the appearance. They say the devil is in the details and they are correct. I was astounded in the milling tolerances, in a fifty four foot wall with multiple openings (doors, windows, etc), each opening was perfect."
- Excerpt from John C- Beaver Mountain Customer 2008
SATURDAY, APRIL 18th: FACTORY TOUR!
Please join us and see for yourself the details and the precision craftsmanship of our pre-cut log walls, panelized components, and timbers.
Call 1-800-233-2770 for more information!
Monday, April 06, 2009
Explaining Log & Timber Checks
From my experience in the log home industry, the number one question ask by customers viewing their home dry stack is about log and timber checks.
According to the Standard on the Design and Construction of Log Structures, a check is "A radial crack in the log that occurs as the wood is seasoning". The definition goes on to say that a check is "...a natural an unpredictable result of the seasoning process that generally does not affect the structural integrity of the log."
As a timber dries, the cells at the outer surface lose moisture more quickly than those at the center of the timber. This process causes stresses in the timber which is relieved by a check occurring. This happens whether the timber is air dried or kiln dried. Generally speaking, a larger timber will produce a larger check. Here at Beaver Mountain, our combination of air drying and kiln drying, work to remove the majority of moisture from our timbers. This, along with our grading procedures, mean that although logs and timber joists will have checks, the amount and size of checks is controlled as part of the production process.
This process starts during milling. As we run material through the planer, we try to orient any existing checks up and down so they are not exposed on the inside or the outside of the home. If the stock material does not allow for this kind of orientation, we try to place the existing check to the inside so it is not exposed to the weather.
Next, because we pre-cut every home, we are able to remove any check that does not meet the Wall Log 53 Grade, which is a structural grade. However, we go a step further and visually grade out unpleasing checks that are structurally sound, but may not be visually appealing. We make every effort to place logs that do have checks in areas of the home so as to be less noticeable, such as behind kitchen cabinets, in bathrooms and closets. Logs that have checks on the outside top half, can be placed under overhangs and porches and thus not exposed to the weather.
Remember, checking will occur during the timber drying process, so a timber with no checking may not be dry. It makes for a nicer home when check size and location are controlled, after all, checks are part of the natural beauty of wood.
Rick Hamm, Production Manager
According to the Standard on the Design and Construction of Log Structures, a check is "A radial crack in the log that occurs as the wood is seasoning". The definition goes on to say that a check is "...a natural an unpredictable result of the seasoning process that generally does not affect the structural integrity of the log."
As a timber dries, the cells at the outer surface lose moisture more quickly than those at the center of the timber. This process causes stresses in the timber which is relieved by a check occurring. This happens whether the timber is air dried or kiln dried. Generally speaking, a larger timber will produce a larger check. Here at Beaver Mountain, our combination of air drying and kiln drying, work to remove the majority of moisture from our timbers. This, along with our grading procedures, mean that although logs and timber joists will have checks, the amount and size of checks is controlled as part of the production process.
This process starts during milling. As we run material through the planer, we try to orient any existing checks up and down so they are not exposed on the inside or the outside of the home. If the stock material does not allow for this kind of orientation, we try to place the existing check to the inside so it is not exposed to the weather.
Next, because we pre-cut every home, we are able to remove any check that does not meet the Wall Log 53 Grade, which is a structural grade. However, we go a step further and visually grade out unpleasing checks that are structurally sound, but may not be visually appealing. We make every effort to place logs that do have checks in areas of the home so as to be less noticeable, such as behind kitchen cabinets, in bathrooms and closets. Logs that have checks on the outside top half, can be placed under overhangs and porches and thus not exposed to the weather.
Remember, checking will occur during the timber drying process, so a timber with no checking may not be dry. It makes for a nicer home when check size and location are controlled, after all, checks are part of the natural beauty of wood.
Rick Hamm, Production Manager
Monday, March 30, 2009
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
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
Monday, March 23, 2009
The Beaver Mountain Promise
We at Beaver Mountain, are proud of the level of customer service we provide. This high standard begins with The Beaver Mountain Promise.
Our Promise states that "... the materials provided to you as listed on the material specifications attached to your Purchase Agreement will be of the kind and quality specified, pre-cut as specified and supplied in sufficient quantity for their intended purpose." Further, "... if it is determined that materials were inadvertently missed, pre-cut incorrectly or shipped in deficient quantity, Beaver Mountain will provide the materials to you at absolutely no cost...".
You may expect this kind of service from all log home manufacturers, but this is not the case. I have read the fine print on competing companies material lists. One such list states that "... materials are figured to the best of our abilities, any overages or shortages are at the expense of the purchaser." Not something many people want to hear when making a large investment.
The Beaver Mountain Promise details our commitment to our customers and builders alike. In the Promise, it states that "... our goal is to deliver customer service that is Second to None." As part of the Customer & Builder Relations Team here at Beaver Mountain, I have worked with hundreds of homeowners and almost as many builders. We have always done our best to work together to find a solution to any situation that may arise. The bottom line is, we try to do the right thing.
For more information about The Beaver Mountain Promise, contact your sales consultant.
~ Michael Santamaria, Customer & Builder Relations
Our Promise states that "... the materials provided to you as listed on the material specifications attached to your Purchase Agreement will be of the kind and quality specified, pre-cut as specified and supplied in sufficient quantity for their intended purpose." Further, "... if it is determined that materials were inadvertently missed, pre-cut incorrectly or shipped in deficient quantity, Beaver Mountain will provide the materials to you at absolutely no cost...".
You may expect this kind of service from all log home manufacturers, but this is not the case. I have read the fine print on competing companies material lists. One such list states that "... materials are figured to the best of our abilities, any overages or shortages are at the expense of the purchaser." Not something many people want to hear when making a large investment.
The Beaver Mountain Promise details our commitment to our customers and builders alike. In the Promise, it states that "... our goal is to deliver customer service that is Second to None." As part of the Customer & Builder Relations Team here at Beaver Mountain, I have worked with hundreds of homeowners and almost as many builders. We have always done our best to work together to find a solution to any situation that may arise. The bottom line is, we try to do the right thing.
For more information about The Beaver Mountain Promise, contact your sales consultant.
~ Michael Santamaria, Customer & Builder Relations
Monday, March 16, 2009
Beaver Mountain is on the Road...
(2) LOCATIONS: SYRACUSE, NY or BINGHAMTON, NY
Beaver Mountain Log & Cedar Homes will be on the road this weekend and would like to extend an open invitation to anyone interested in learning more about log and timber homes to stop in and see The Beaver Mountain Difference!
- Meet members of our professional Sales and Technical Support team
- View log corner samples and various timber components
- Learn about our unique custom crafted design why it should matter in your home
… And much, much more!
_______________________________________________________
Home Show Syracuse, NY : NYS Fairgrounds
Thurs. March 19th 5:00 PM– 8:30 PM
Fri. March 20th 2:00 PM– 8:30 PM
Sat. March 21st 10:00 AM– 8:30 PM
Sun. March 22nd 10:00 AM– 5:00 PM
Booth Location: Toyota Exhibit Center # 733
______________________________________________________
Home Show Binghamton, NY : Broome County Arena
Fri. March 20th 4:00 PM– 8:00 PM
Sat. March 21st 10:00AM -8:00 PM
Sun. March 22nd 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Booth Location: # 170-171
For more information, contact our Models Homes and Showroom located in Hancock, NY
1-800-233-2770
Monday, March 09, 2009
Mill Tour & Log Building Workshop: Sat. March 14th
Are you looking for an investment that will bring great returns?
If so, we would like to invite you to invest a few hours of time and take that first step in planning your dream home!
Beaver Mountain has scheduled its first Mill Tour and Log Building Workshop of 2009 on Saturday March 14th at 10am. Learn first hand what sets a Beaver Mountain home apart.
· Tour our (3) Model Homes, Showroom and Design Center.
· See first hand how our custom homes are manufactured and produced.
· Walk through a dry-stacked/ pre-assembled log home.
· Meet with members of our sales & technical team and have all of your questions answered.
CALL TODAY TO REGISTER AS SPACE IS LIMITED!
1-800-233-2770
“We just had to let you know how much we enjoyed our day at Beaver Mountain. The Mill Tour was extremely informative and helpful. The laid back and pressure free atmosphere was especially appreciated.” - Ned & Sandy 11/8/08
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Spring Log Home Maintenance
Spring, the time of renewal, is also a great time to inspect your log home for exposure to the elements. Take some time on one of these sunny weekend days to walk around the outside of your home. Look at the logs from the basement to the roof line for things such as fading and "checks" in the logs.
Are the sides of your home that receive the most sun faded more than the sides that are shaded? You may need to plan to apply another coat of finish on the faded side once the weather allows.
Test the moisture resistance of the finish by spraying some water on the logs. If the water beads up and rolls off the logs, they are in good shape. But if the water is absorbed into the wood, it's time to apply another coat of finish. Look at the ends of the logs at the corners. Because these stick out, they are exposed on more surfaces to the elements and will show signs of needing a touch up more than the logs in the wall.
You will also want to look for any checks that may have opened up since last year, especially unprotected checks on the top half of the log. Small checks can become larger after a winter of several periods of freezing and thawing. Water will run into checks during a thaw, and then when it freezes, the ice expands forcing the check to open more.
To seal checks, use a good quality exterior caulk in the color of the finish on the logs. If the check is greater than a quarter inch, put backer-rod into the check, then caulk. Remember to always follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Doing maintenance inspections in the spring means your home will receive the care it needs.
~Fred Hathaway, Purchasing Manger
Are the sides of your home that receive the most sun faded more than the sides that are shaded? You may need to plan to apply another coat of finish on the faded side once the weather allows.
Test the moisture resistance of the finish by spraying some water on the logs. If the water beads up and rolls off the logs, they are in good shape. But if the water is absorbed into the wood, it's time to apply another coat of finish. Look at the ends of the logs at the corners. Because these stick out, they are exposed on more surfaces to the elements and will show signs of needing a touch up more than the logs in the wall.
You will also want to look for any checks that may have opened up since last year, especially unprotected checks on the top half of the log. Small checks can become larger after a winter of several periods of freezing and thawing. Water will run into checks during a thaw, and then when it freezes, the ice expands forcing the check to open more.
To seal checks, use a good quality exterior caulk in the color of the finish on the logs. If the check is greater than a quarter inch, put backer-rod into the check, then caulk. Remember to always follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Doing maintenance inspections in the spring means your home will receive the care it needs.
~Fred Hathaway, Purchasing Manger
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Green Building Standard Approval
The National Green Building Standard was recently approved by ANSI (American National Standards Institute). This is the first and only green building standard that is coordinated with International Code Council (ICC) building codes and standards.
The ICC and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) developed the standard with input from code officials, building professionals and the green building community. The National Green Building Standard is an alternative to rating systems such as the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system.
According to the NAHB, the newly approved standard provides a framework "...for all residential construction work including single-family homes, apartments and condos, land development and remodeling and renovation...".
The ICC reports that "The standard's rating system allows builders, designers and communities to choose the levels of high-performance green building that best suit their needs." Minimum points must be earned in area such as land conservation, rainwater collection, construction of smaller homes to conserve resources, site design , resource efficiency, high energy performance standards and homeowner education. These mandatory requirements, plus discretionary options, allows for final certification at one of four levels.
Considered by many as rigorous yet flexible, the standard defines the green practices that can be used in residential construction and further educates homeowners on operation and maintenance of their green homes.
To learn more about incorporating green building standards into your project, contact a Beaver Mountain sales consultant.
The ICC and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) developed the standard with input from code officials, building professionals and the green building community. The National Green Building Standard is an alternative to rating systems such as the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system.
According to the NAHB, the newly approved standard provides a framework "...for all residential construction work including single-family homes, apartments and condos, land development and remodeling and renovation...".
The ICC reports that "The standard's rating system allows builders, designers and communities to choose the levels of high-performance green building that best suit their needs." Minimum points must be earned in area such as land conservation, rainwater collection, construction of smaller homes to conserve resources, site design , resource efficiency, high energy performance standards and homeowner education. These mandatory requirements, plus discretionary options, allows for final certification at one of four levels.
Considered by many as rigorous yet flexible, the standard defines the green practices that can be used in residential construction and further educates homeowners on operation and maintenance of their green homes.
To learn more about incorporating green building standards into your project, contact a Beaver Mountain sales consultant.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Q&A with Chris Weyer, Sales Manager
Q: Why would one choose Beaver Mountain’s panelized insulated ½ log building system over the full log?
A: Since 1982 Beaver Mountain has offered full 10” thick log and ½ log (hybrid) building systems to satisfy the needs of our customers in a demanding northeastern climate. Although there are several advantages (too many to list here) to our panelized-insulated ½ log construction- there are two that primarily stand out.
First, because the walls are panelized (walls manufactured in ready to build sections) the time to erect and dry in the building is reduced. With the short northeastern building season this allows a homeowner/builder to take delivery later or earlier in the year. It also protects your investment by getting the home closed in faster protecting your valuable materials and investment.
Second, framed walls allows for greater design flexibility in your home. For example the interior walls because they are framed, can be finished with a combination of log siding, tongue and groove, drywall, or stone. Also, because of the framed construction, window options are expanded.
Finally, it is important to remember that although the initial time to erect the shell is reduced (days vs. weeks) your overall construction time won’t vary. The reason is compared to the solid log systems, when the logs are stacked the entire wall is finished in one step (interior, exterior finish, vapor barrier and insulation). With the panelized-insulated ½ log system, the contractor will need to go back and trim out siding, install the insulation and interior finish. Therefore the total investment, log or ½ log (hybrid), will generally be about the same.
In the end, it really depends on your needs and comfort level with the construction. Either system will produce a tight, energy efficient home. For more information on Beaver Mountains products, services and which system would be best suited for you, contact our office to schedule a personal consultation.
~ Chris Weyer, Sales Manager
A: Since 1982 Beaver Mountain has offered full 10” thick log and ½ log (hybrid) building systems to satisfy the needs of our customers in a demanding northeastern climate. Although there are several advantages (too many to list here) to our panelized-insulated ½ log construction- there are two that primarily stand out.
First, because the walls are panelized (walls manufactured in ready to build sections) the time to erect and dry in the building is reduced. With the short northeastern building season this allows a homeowner/builder to take delivery later or earlier in the year. It also protects your investment by getting the home closed in faster protecting your valuable materials and investment.
Second, framed walls allows for greater design flexibility in your home. For example the interior walls because they are framed, can be finished with a combination of log siding, tongue and groove, drywall, or stone. Also, because of the framed construction, window options are expanded.
Finally, it is important to remember that although the initial time to erect the shell is reduced (days vs. weeks) your overall construction time won’t vary. The reason is compared to the solid log systems, when the logs are stacked the entire wall is finished in one step (interior, exterior finish, vapor barrier and insulation). With the panelized-insulated ½ log system, the contractor will need to go back and trim out siding, install the insulation and interior finish. Therefore the total investment, log or ½ log (hybrid), will generally be about the same.
In the end, it really depends on your needs and comfort level with the construction. Either system will produce a tight, energy efficient home. For more information on Beaver Mountains products, services and which system would be best suited for you, contact our office to schedule a personal consultation.
~ Chris Weyer, Sales Manager
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Love is in the Air...
What a great way to spend Valentines Day! Most people that want to build a new home share that dream with a loved one. It becomes a passion that is shared and enjoyed together. Talking about the home, the finishes, the decorating, and the landscaping becomes a favorite pastime enjoyed by all involved.
This Valentines Day come to Beaver Mountain and join others that are planning their home too! Beaver Mountain is hosting a “Home Planning Seminar” this weekend on February 14th from 10:00 AM to approximately 1:00 PM. Share your passion and let us help you prepare for the demands of the project ahead. Preparation, knowledge, and finding the right partners to work with will make your project run smoothly and be an enjoyable experience. Beaver Mountain will assist you with each step and this seminar will offer some of the tools you will need to move forward confidently.
Call today to learn more about the itinerary, and register you and your loved one to attend. Hurry as seating is limited! 1-800-233-2770
“…Unless you have built a log home, you can never appreciate all that is involved with the building process. I would highly recommend anyone who is interested in building a log home be encouraged to go to Beaver Mountains Home Planning Seminar”
- John & Donna BM Customer 2004
This Valentines Day come to Beaver Mountain and join others that are planning their home too! Beaver Mountain is hosting a “Home Planning Seminar” this weekend on February 14th from 10:00 AM to approximately 1:00 PM. Share your passion and let us help you prepare for the demands of the project ahead. Preparation, knowledge, and finding the right partners to work with will make your project run smoothly and be an enjoyable experience. Beaver Mountain will assist you with each step and this seminar will offer some of the tools you will need to move forward confidently.
Call today to learn more about the itinerary, and register you and your loved one to attend. Hurry as seating is limited! 1-800-233-2770
“…Unless you have built a log home, you can never appreciate all that is involved with the building process. I would highly recommend anyone who is interested in building a log home be encouraged to go to Beaver Mountains Home Planning Seminar”
- John & Donna BM Customer 2004
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Did you know?
Did you know that past issues of our Naturally Home Newsletter are available on our website? Just go to http://www.beavermtn.com/l_articles.htm and click on "Newsletter Archives" to download the pdf. Our Newsletters are packed with informative articles about shopping, designing and building your dream home, stories about Beaver Mountain homeowners, News from the Mountain, construction details in the Craftsmen's Corner and lots more!
If you're not receiving a hard copy and would like to, just give a call at 800-233-2770 or sign up on our website http://www.beavermtn.com/.
If you're not receiving a hard copy and would like to, just give a call at 800-233-2770 or sign up on our website http://www.beavermtn.com/.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
5 tips for shopping for your Custom Home Package
Are you dreaming of a custom log or cedar home? With all the choices out there, it can be a confusing and overwhelming process. Here's a few tips to help make starting a little easier:
- Pick up some log home publications. These are a wealth of information, including articles about the process, what to look for in a log home manufacturer, floorplans, photos for inspiration and information about upcoming events. A great resource in these publications is in the back of the magazine - the classifieds. There you'll be able to browse through your state (and don't forget to check the states around you) to find listings of home companies. Many of these publications also offer Home Shows throughout the US, which is another great way to start your research.
- Start browsing websites and requesting information. After you've
found the home companies you're interested in investigating, go online and check them out. Most will give you great information about the company, and will let you sign up for more information from the site. If you're searching google, try keywords such as "log home new york" instead of the generic "log home". Your results will be better targeted and you'll find it easier to wade through those results than if you get millions of results from a more general keyword. - Schedule and appointment with a sales consultant and visit the company. After you've received the printed information, it's always a good idea to go visit the company (if you can make it to the company's main headquarters, it's well worth it.) Making an appointment is important, even if the company is open regular hours. This will ensure that you get the attention you want and time to ask all the questions that you've surely accumulated throughout the process. Some good questions you'll want to ask are: "what exactly is included in your log home package?" "Do you work with any architects or custom designers to make sure my home is exactly what I want?" "How many custom options do you have to choose from for your packages?"
- Go through a Mill Tour and/or Seminar if the company offers one. As we mentioned in the previous point,
visiting the company headquarters is important and very informative. But if you can get an invitation to a Mill Tour or Seminar, that's even better! Walking through the company's manufacturing facility will let you see where your home will be produced. Also make sure to ask to see things such as where the logs are stored after milling while awaiting delivery or if the company drystacks their homes before packing them for delivery. - Make your decision! After you've done your homework, received pricing and done your homework, it's time to sit down and spread all of the information in front of you. By this point you've usually been able to eliminate a few companys because they didn't offer what you were looking for. Look very closely at pricing and packages - most of the time if a company seems too cheap or too good to be true, there's a reason for it. Compare apples to apples to make sure that one company isn't leaving out critical components in the package. Also make sure that the packages you're comparing are comparable - for instance, don't compare a package with linear foot logs to a package with pre-cut logs. The linear foot log package will be cheaper, but that work will have to be done in the field on site and can end up costing more than the pre-cut package in the end after you pay for the builder's work on site. Think about the relationship you have so far with the company - do you feel comfortable working with them? Have they fostered trust? Do you feel confident that if there is a problem, they will fix it quickly? (And let's think about it, with a home package composed of thousands of components, there will be minor bumps along the way).
Best of luck on your custom home journey! It's something many people dream of for years and if you put in the research and time you'll reap the benefits in the years to come!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Do you FACEBOOK?
It seems like lately you can't turn around without hearing about Facebook, the online networking site. You can find old friends, keep in touch with new ones, post pictures, video - the possibilities are endless! And now Beaver Mountain Log & Cedar Homes has joined the Facebook craze! We'd love to network with you! Just go to facebook, search for Beaver Mountain Log & Cedar Homes and join as a fan! Then you'll be able to participate in discussions with other log home enthusiasts, browse images of gorgeous homes and eventually watch videos of mill tours, tour virtual model homes and download our latest newsletter.
Hope to see you there!
Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
How much do custom homes cost?
When someone walks into our showroom and talks to one of our consultants, one of the first questions asked is “Howmuchisit?” A viable question. However it is difficult to answer. Years ago, when the finishes in homes were limited to Whirlpool or GE appliances; carpet, vinyl, or oak floors; formica countertops; Merrilat cabinets; … well you get the picture … it was pretty easy to ballpark a home’s cost. The styles of homes were pretty simple as well. There was the ranch, raised ranch, colonial two story, and gambrel… with some variations available.
Things have changed! All you need to do is to walk down an aisle in the local home improvement store and see a wide variety of finishes whether you are looking at cabinets, light fixtures, or floor coverings; to name a few. Just the countertop alone can offer you several options, with a wide range in price.
Things have changed! All you need to do is to walk down an aisle in the local home improvement store and see a wide variety of finishes whether you are looking at cabinets, light fixtures, or floor coverings; to name a few. Just the countertop alone can offer you several options, with a wide range in price.
And the styles of homes? Well, we have prow front homes with walls of glass; homes with complex roof lines, wrap around porches, and expansive decks; homes that have several corners and angles, with three and four car garages attached!
Now envision every facet of the home and the possibilities available and you can see why the question “howmuchisit” is impossible to answer – at least right away.
At Beaver Mountain, we are interested in what you want your home to look like, what features you want in your home, and where you intend to build. We know that each of these things can affect the cost of the home. Then, ultimately we will ask you what your budget is. It is our job to help you make choices that will result in a home that you will love, within that budget. It is certainly in everyone’s best interest to do so!
So, if you really want to know “How Much Is It”, take some time to make an appointment to sit with one of our consultants and discuss the things that matter to you about your future home. With good conversation and exchange of ideas and information, we can give you an idea of what your home will cost.
Oh, we could give you the pat answer of X dollars a sq ft. You may have already been given a price per sq ft elsewhere. Think about it. Just how accurate can that answer be if there wasn’t an exchange of more information?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
New Calendar of Events!
Our new Calendar of Events page is live! Now you can see the upcoming Beaver Mountain Log & Cedar Homes in-house events AND events coming up such as Log Home Shows and Fairs that we'll be attending! Visit http://www.beavermtn.com/events.asp!
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Beaver Mountain is On The Road!
That's right! Beaver Mountain Log & Cedar Homes is going on the road this winter! Our first show of 2009 is in Valley Forge, PA on January 23-25. We'll be in booth 113, so stop and say Hi! Our booth is filled with gorgeous photos, corner samples and of course our award winning team of sales consultants who will answer your questions about getting your dream home started! It's a great opportunity to see "The Beaver Mountain Difference" for yourself!
Friday, January 02, 2009
Congratulations Joan & Ed!
Every year we recognize the important team members who have helped make our success possible.
This year we'd like to congratulate Joan Decker for being awarded Salesperson of the Year and Ed Worzel Jr. for being named Most Valuable Performer (MVP) for 2008. They have both gone above and beyond their everyday responsibilities and made Beaver Mountain Log & Cedar Homes a better company for it.
Congratulations Joan and Ed - we hope 2009 is a great year for us all!
This year we'd like to congratulate Joan Decker for being awarded Salesperson of the Year and Ed Worzel Jr. for being named Most Valuable Performer (MVP) for 2008. They have both gone above and beyond their everyday responsibilities and made Beaver Mountain Log & Cedar Homes a better company for it.
Congratulations Joan and Ed - we hope 2009 is a great year for us all!
Friday, December 26, 2008
Happy Holidays!
The holidays here at Beaver Mountain Log & Cedar homes are always busy! Besides the increased traffic we always see after Christmas, and lots of work to be done before the new year, there's also our annual holiday Christmas party.
This year we kept it low-key and held it at our office in Deposit, NY. Everyone enjoyed Brooks BBQ chicken and lots of chips, snacks and cookies. By the time the party was over, it truly felt like Christmas had arrived.
We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and we wish you all the best for 2009!
This year we kept it low-key and held it at our office in Deposit, NY. Everyone enjoyed Brooks BBQ chicken and lots of chips, snacks and cookies. By the time the party was over, it truly felt like Christmas had arrived.
We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and we wish you all the best for 2009!
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