Shopping for a log home package can be a formidable undertaking.
As with shopping for any major purchase, you need to ask some hard
questions. But, because log homes
are beyond many people’s everyday experience, understanding the answer is as
important as asking the right question.
Our question list not only suggests important questions: it also points
out what the answer should include.
1.
Are you comfortable with your log home representative?
Warning signs:
§
~Can’t answer specific questions about
products or pricing, has to consult supervisor or someone else.
§
~Fails to keep appointments or return
phone calls.
§
~Doesn’t keep promises.
§
~Doesn’t want to take time to explain things
§
~Pressures you for a deposit or purchase
agreement.
§
~Fails to thoroughly explain procedures and
terms.
§
~Sales effort is directed toward faults of competitors’ products rather than
benefits of their own product.
2.
Do you understand your Contract or Purchase Agreement?
3.
Do you understand what is included in your package?
4.
Do you know the quality of the components being supplied?
5.
What types of logs are included?
6.
What type of roof system is included?
7.
Have you compared the prices of several manufacturers? ~ Make sure you are
comparing “apples to apples.”
8.
Have you obtained an estimate of the cost to construct and complete your home?
~ Make sure your estimate comes from someone who can actually build the
home. Don’t rely on a sales
representative for a complete home estimate unless their company also erects the
homes.
9.
Do you understand delivery costs and requirements?
10.
What type of technical assistance does the company offer?
~This may include on-site or telephone assistance.
Is there a time limit or cost associated with such assistance?
11.
Does the company’s building system make sense?
~Log home building is not rocket science.
Your company representative should be able to explain in simple terms why
the log system works.
12.
Does the company offer custom-design services through an architect and who is
responsible for these charges?
13.
Does the company offer construction services for erecting the logs, drying-in
the shell or completing the home?
14.
Does the company offer financial assistance?
15.
Can they give you references to speak with people that they have provided
product or built for?