How much does it cost to build a log home?

We cannot give you the exact cost to build a log home in your area because construction costs vary greatly throughout the United States. However, a log home should cost approximately the same as a well-built conventionally framed custom home with the same features in the same location.

(Note: The average cost for conventional residential construction across the United States in 1998 was $100 per square foot for complete turnkey construction. If you will be involved in constructing your home either by acting as General Contractor or contributing to the labor costs, you may be able to save a portion of your total cost.)

What distinguishes Gastineau from other log home companies?

Oak is what makes GLH stand out most. GLH is located where there is an abundant supply of oak and they’ve milled their logs from it since the beginning. Because of its availability GLH has the reputation offering oak logs at pine prices. That tradition continues today. Although GLH offers pine or cedar, we get few calls for it because oak costs no more (and is actually less than cedar).

How long has Gastineau been in the log home business?

GLH started manufacturing log homes in 1978 making them one of the pioneers in the log home industry. Since that time they have shipped houses to almost every state and over a dozen countries.

What are the advantages of OAK as a log home wood?

Oak has several advantages in log home construction: It is more durable; more insect resistant; and much stronger, allowing header logs and floor beams to span greater lengths. Oak does not season check as severely as some other wood species.  Oak is recognized throughout the world to be one of the most beautiful woods available.

Do Gastineau Log Home packages come with any warranties?

Your Gastineau log home includes several types of warranty. First, GLH guarantees that there are sufficient materials included in your package to complete the work for which they are intended, provided that your construction methods are consistent with your blueprints and national building codes. GLH also offers a unique limited lifetime warranty on the Gastineau components in your package. If you sell your log home, this warranty is transferable as a 10-year warranty to the first subsequent owner. Finally, many of the components included in our kit, such as windows and shingles carry their own manufacturer’s warranty.

What is the Gastineau Quality Assurance Visit?

This is an on-site visit by a Gastineau Construction Specialist at a specific point in the construction of your home. Its purpose is to examine the home to determine if door and window frames and settling details have been installed properly and that other details have been installed as per the Gastineau Construction Manual. Gastineau Log Homes is the only company to include a Quality Assurance Visit with every package. A Quality Assurance Visit provides you with the confidence that your home has been built in accordance with Gastineau proven construction methods.

How do you dry your logs?

Logs of 12" - 15" diameter are cut into a 6" X 8" cant. This process removes the sapwood. The cants are air-dried in our log yard for approximately 6 months.

Do you allow for settlement?

GLH engineers their structures to allow for maximum possible shrinkage and settlement. Log wall openings are framed to allow logs to settle without interfering with the operation of windows or doors. Interior partitions include settling spaces concealed behind oak trim (included in the kits). All vertical supports have adjusters that can be lowered as needed The settling details in GLH homes are comparable to those used by handcrafters.

What are the advantages of a milled log?

Machining the logs produces a log of uniform surface and size. It makes construction easier, more precise and more airtight. It also eliminate ledges which can catch water and cause decay. Milling removes the outer "sapwood" which is the least durable part of the tree along with any insects which may be living under the bark. The remaining "heartwood" is the most durable part of the tree.

Are log homes energy efficient?

Log homes have been proven many times to be energy efficient. The logs and heavy beams provide thermal mass which retains heat, reducing energy costs

What items will we need to purchase to finish a Gastineau log home?

You will need to provide a foundation, electrical, plumbing, and heating and cooling systems, roof insulation, finish partition wall or ceiling material (if not purchased with your log home package), bath and kitchen cabinets, appliances, light fixtures, fireplace, floor coverings, trim hardware, roof flashing if required, and construction labor.

Is delivery included in Gastineau log home package prices?

Absolutely. Price quotations include delivery to the location that you specify.

What shipping methods do you use?

Inside the state of Missouri GLH uses their own trucks. Outside of Missouri several different common carrier companies are utilized. This way freight costs can be kept as low as possible. If you request, GLH can "split deliveries" so that all the materials are not delivered at once.

Do you offer on-site assistance?

On-site help is available at a daily rate. Since most customers do not require this service, GLH does not include it in the package prices. GLH's Building Smart Construction Seminar is offered free of charge to customers and provides a good background for the techniques required to build a Gastineau log home.

Can you recommend someone to build my log home?

Although Gastineau Log Homes, Inc. does not recommend specific builders, a list of names of builders who have erected GLH homes in the past can be provided. This is called the "Gastineau Log Home Builder List." These are not GLH employees or agents. These are contractors who have erected one or more GLH kits to the customer’s satisfaction. Also, Gastineau has a network of independent sales representatives. Some of these also provide construction services.

Authorized Dealer of Gastineau Log Homes