Which Construction is Right for You?

At the beginning of the decision process you will have to make a critical decision on which construction style is right for you! Each style has its own benefits, but each are have their negatives that you need to be aware of. Our goal is to provide you with all the possible information to enable you to make the right choice for you wilderness retreat.

Stick Built Log Cabin

Log Home Kit

Pre-Assembled Log Cabin

Beware of the Log Home Kit

Let’s face it, today’s world you’re far to busy to take a couple of weeks to assemble a cabin kit, and why would you want to? Our fully assembled cabins are very competitively priced with the kit packages you can purchase, and often times priced even better. Many times you don’t have the necessary extra set 3-4 sets of hands necessary to assemble portions of the kit. If your building site isn’t precisely level, the precut lumber doesn’t fit, or if you place one piece wrong you fight everything the rest of the way, and sometimes a piece will be cut wrong at the factory, a mistake that wasn’t even yours. Couple that with the fact that very few people have ever assembled a kit, and have yet to face the frustrations of doing it themselves or finding someone to do it for them and one would continue to wonder “why would I put myself through this!” I’m sure you have assembled things with missing pieces, and had things that just would not go together, and the box always reads easy assembly, but really, Is there anything more frustrating?

Building a log Home from Scratch is so Expensive

Maybe you’ve thought about stick building a log home to give you that relaxing home away from home. Did you know the average cost in America to build a Log cabin ranges from a conservative estimate of $100 per square foot to an unbelievable $240 per square foot. The cost per square foot for our fully assembled units averages out at about $65 per square foot. Take a minute and do a “Google” search for “cost of a log home”, and see for yourself the cost to build a log home.

IMPORTANT: Here are some things you need to know before making your decision.

Building a Log Cabin From Scratch:

• Is very expensive, but does allow for the most customization of your cabin. You have the freedom to design the cabin exaclty how you want, both on the interior and exterior.
• It can take up to 6 months and sometimes even longer to build your cabin
• You need to have a road in that grants access for all of your supplies, and crews.
• You can often expect delays that will push back your timeline, and cause your budget to run over. Delays can occur due to weather, waiting for materials, or even simple complications in the building process.
• Any time you have large workcrews coming to a site the property gets torn up, and left a mess. The larger the project the bigger the mess. You will need to find a way to get rid of all of you scrap and trash. Also note that contractors are often permitted to bury a certain amount of the scrap from a worksite on your property, ask about that up front so you know what you can expect.
• The more remote your site the more difficult the trash removal is.
• you can save yourself some money by operating as your own general contractor, but there is a lot of work and headaches in that. Make sure that you know what you are getting into before taking on that responsibility. Here is a checklist of all of the pieces of the puzzle that you will need to juggle in order to successfully navigate your way through your project.
• Building from scratch is very involved process, but is definitely the best method if time and money are not a factor. It will allow you to be creative and customize every last detail of your log cabin.

Warning About Cabin Kits

• The kit itself makes up only a fraction of the total cost of your building, most kits are only exterior walls, do not include a foundation, floorsystem, electric, insulation, plumbing, or any finish on the interior. Those supplies will cost you significantly and also add to the overall length of your project, make sure you know exactly what is coming with your kit, and calculate additional costs you will have in assembling the structure.
• Your site needs to be accessible by tractor trailer, If it is not you can unload at the nearest point accessible by the truck. Keep in mind that a driver will not risk running his truck and trailer into a jobsite that could damage his equipment, or get him stuck.
• There is a common saying in the log home business "You can build a bad log home with good logs, but its very difficult to build a good log home with bad logs" Don't assume that every kit that leaves the factory is done correctly. Many people thinkn that because the kit was sent from a factory dealing with kits that the kit is correct, and they are doing something wrong, but kit builders make mistakes, only they are not there to help fix them.
• If you set one piece wrong, or something doesn't go together quite right, you can fight everything the rest of the building and nothing will be smooth, or correct.
• You need to have a forklift onsite to unload the kit from the truck.
• Many kits require a crane to set pieces of the roof in place
• Make sure you get a list of all the tools that you need in order to put you kit together, and find out where you can buy, borrow, or rent them.
• Kits do not come stained, and that is something you will need to do, or pay to have done. Some kit suppliers will offer you their services in this area, but you will pay dearly for it. Many stains also have toxic fumes which you need to be careful around. For a safe alternative see the maintenance page of this website, and take a look at the stain products we use at Zook Structures on our buildings.
• You are limited in the custom design
• They take a long time to assemble. If you are putting a kit together by yourself you really need to have at least some carpentry experience, and it would help if you had some log building experience. A very small 12X24 kit may take you appx 6-7 weekends, or 12-14 days, and is a lot of work.
• If you plan to run electric, you will need to drill through the center of each log the whole way up your wall. These things can take a great deal of time, slow the overall process down.
• I thought long and hard about building my own, but realized that I would be biting off more than I can chew, and for the money it didn't make sense."
  
  Steve - Zook Structures Customer The only time that we would recommend a kit is if you are looking to put a building in a very remote location that is unaccessible. Keep in mind though that you still need to find a way to get all your pieces back to the site.

Zook Structures Pre Assembled Cabins

• You need to make sure that you have clearance for the building to be delivered. Take a look at our delivery page for the space that we need to deliver your building.
• You will need to arrange for your water, electric, and sewer to be run to your building, and you will also need to hook it up when building is in place.
• For larger double wide buildings, or a building set up off the ground on a foundation a crane rental is necessary. The crane rental is the customers responsibility, however we will help you in arranging what you need. See Delviery page for details.
• Our buildings are rough wired, meaning that the actual light fixtures, and outlets are not in place, but the wires are run to a box, and all you need to do is hook up your oulets, and put a cover on them.
• Buildings are customizable, and we will work to accommodate any ideas or options that you would like to incorporate. We are limited in the size buildings that we can make because we do haul everything down the road fully assembled, and need to be careful of height and width.

Today we can make that dream a reality by providing you with an “outdoorsman’s paradise” at a fraction of the cost of todays log cabins. Our fully assembled log cabins are built in Lancaster County by our Amish carpenters known for their workmanship and attention to every detail. Over the years they have developed a reputation for their outstanding work ethic that is second to none! They are obsessed with every detail from beginning to end…never taking any short cuts! We take great pride in every building that leaves the shop, that’s why the owner personally inspects every building to ensure that each measures up to the exceptionally high standards that we have set, and our customers appreciate. Our goal is to provide a cabin for you and your family to enjoy, and create those memories that will last for generations to come!