Rocky Mountain Log Homes

[blueyes]

Does anyone have any personal dealing or input on this distributor? I believe it was in Montana? I know they built many cabins, etc. for Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri, but was wondering if anyone knows any more specific info, such as type of wood specie, etc. that they use. Any help welcome

Debbie

[lovinlogliven]

I'm sure you already knew this but...

http://www.rmlh.com/index.html

[Sharon A]

We initially looked in to RMLH for our one-day log home, and really enjoyed our meeting with the NH distributor/builder. We plan to go elsewhere for our log home in the end, but not due to any lock on Rocky's part, but more because a handcrafted pre-cut log home, assembled by an expert in his yard and then shipped out and reassembled, will be a better match for us personally in the end, plus we felt alittle more comfortable with the customization we plan to do when it's being done by an experienced handcrafter. RMLH is not inexpensive, but if you keep the plan very simple, it's probably not too bad (again, our experience with the NH builder was that he was very honest and straightforward about how to blow your budget and how not to). Also, I have spoken quite a bit with the design folks at Rocky, on behalf of freelance writing assignments for log home magazines, and found them to know their stuff. Their plans all feature large overhangs, which is my first "hurdle" I use when judging a log home company. :-) The big guys may not be the least expensive, but the sheer number of homes they built does give them a perspective that some of the smaller companies just can't offer. The Rocky homes I have been in, again built by this one builder, have felt solid, tight, and ready to stand for generations. The wood looks great -- no checks (they've all been milled off at this point in the log's life), solid, clean upon delivery. I have heard one horror story about a Rocky home built by another builder; I'd say that this is a company where you can pretty much trust the supplier to deliver a reasonable product, though not the least expensively, but the builder can really mess you up once the logs are delivered. :-)

I think Rocky uses, or at least offers, standing dead pine, and may also offer options such as cedar. They also have a handcrafted product now, but that's definitely more expensive with them than with some other manufacturers.

[BradBradstreet]

We have a neighbor who has a Rocky Mt Log Home. They might be the "problem situation" Sharon was mentioning - I am not sure. In either case the problems they had were with their local builder. I have heard of no problems or issues with the supplier.

Yes, they have large overhangs and covered porches. I find several rooms on the first floor a bit dark because of them. I am not sure who did the design - the owner or Rocky Mt Log Homes. But, I find several rooms way too small for furniture. It is like the design was done assuming 2x4 walls and the logs took too much space out of the rooms. It is very nice (and very expensive) - but I feel cramped when inside in some of the rooms. They used every inch possible upstairs and did gain several rooms. But, again the ceilings were low and it feels tight.

If you want to contact them directly I can give you their e-mail address privately.

[Ann]

Love the way those big logs look on the outside - but yes, you really do have to plan for the space you lose with those. We went with milled 6x8 D logs . . .double tongue and grooved . .but added back to the width and length of the plan for what we would lose with the logs. So that we have inside dimensions of 28ft x 45ft.


Started this in May. . moved in 1st week of Oct., had carpet installed in bedrooms today.

We would have loved to do a RMLH . . .but doing this ourselves, without the rest of the family to help out. We opted for Merrimac Log Homes . . linear footage of logs. Next time we will shoot for the "big guys".
Ann

[blueyes]

I'm sorry i didn't mention that the loghome is handcrafted.
The house was built in 1989 and the original owner was one of the first customers to take advantage of RMLH handcraft vs. milled. When we purchased the house 6 years ago we were told it was custom built, but....ya know how realtors are. We fell in love with the house. After searching for property for more than 5 years, every sunday, meals in the car we stumbled on this house. We drove by it going west and admired it, on the way back in there was a for sale sign in the front! Both of us thought, it was meant to be. Now the kids, except one, who will soon graduate HS are all gone. So, we are heading north, wish we could take the house with us, but we just dont need all the space anymore. A nice 2 bedroom will be perfect for us and if and when the grandkids start coming they will have to get on snow-mobiles to get to us in the winter. We want to heard nature instead of city noise. We cant wait, its what weve saved and waited for, for nearly 30 years!

::D Deb

[LogSmithy]

Its sooooo very true about the design of a log home vs a stickframed home. Many adjustments need to be made to a conventional plan you "like" - to make it work with logs.

As a foot note, large overhangs protect the logs and there are many ways to incorporate them without making it look like an afterthought. Short overhangs invite a host of problems, on any building.

If the milled log home industry could just apply that one premise, most all their "styles" would function well - but so often they use overhangs far to short to do any good at all - except to sell the package and move on to the next unsuspecting buyer. Thats not just a handcrafters bias either! One of the reasons a handcrafted log home will tend to price out higher is the time and materials are being applied to afford the correct overhang protection

My experience with RMLH is they are pricey (One package for a client was priced at $65.00/per Lineal Foot of 12 inch diameter coped milled log m- $178,000.00 just for the logs. That is no reason to not work with them - but some of the antics used to "close" are gawd awfull!

Establishing a design contract, paid up front with a a single professional PHD out of TN, then stamping pre-lims with "Copyrighted" - she was not going to be allowed to build her house design unless the logs come from them! These stampings did not appear until, through my advice, certain log building specific questions were asked of them until they saw she was consulting someone that knew what to ask.

Requiring her to sign for responsibility of the structural integrity of the design and then instructing her to also find a builder that would sign for the structural integrity of the design was also seen as a way to avert legal responsibility, and, to her credit, she picked up on that herself!

They build a nice looking home and place many many $10,000.00 ads in magazines to get them - you can do better for less with a handcrafter and have him stand behind his work as a standard way of doing business.

Cedar Lodge IS COOL - honeymooned there - even spoke to the contractor as it is an ever expanding project. Nice!!!


Bill

Bill

[Ann]

With doing the design work ourselves (luckily Don can do this sort of thing as well) we planned overhangs that exceeded the extention of the logs and protects the logs and offers shade to the large windows. We purchased linear footage of logs and did not subtract for windows. We have logs left .. but this meant that if any we had didn't look "good" we could set them off to the side.

I like the extended eaves, when I see a stick built home with no eaves I wonder why they did that. Even stick built homes need the protection that eaves provide.

[LogSmithy]

Ann,

......... even as a novice, you can appreciate the funcionality, asthetics and overall wisdom in having adequate roof overhang - and, you are exactly right, that it also goes for other types and styles of building.

I think one of the failings in modern housing of the past 15 years has been the cost crunching elimination of adequate roof overhang, though the savings have not been realized by consumers. I suggest everyone ask why a design does not better protect a home with the roof overhang and see what they say.

I sat in a waiting room today at a clinic and looked out a window at a modern housing sub-division. All seemed to have the same color shingles and vinyl siding and gabled ends had no overhang at all - not even a few inches.

Housing is being so engineered today that they are indeed cutting costs to produce them - with the ultimate cost (consequence) to be discovered and borne by the owners.

With the census data available and the numbers in on how frequently people move or relocate - they know the original clients will be out of the picture in 3 to 8 years and have moved on. Warranties will have expired or not transferable to new owners. Engineered wood products are relatively new and widely marketed and used today with time & function untested as a measure of their practicality. Homes used to stand for generations but now are designed to last 40 to 50 years - with the data available, this is all metered out to 'efficiency'.

The problem to ponder is, when homes no longer are fit to inhabit after a scant 40 to 50 years, what will that do to property values and taxes? For many years mobile homes were not factored to appreciate in value - will this happen in the future to the modern homes being built today? Have they found a way to produce a throw-away-house to capitalize on the what should have been equity in your home?

They found a way (banking) to enable you to spend money you do not have (credit cards) back in the early 70's - are they reaching into your future and staking a claim on what should have been equity and projected a need for homes to be replaced with still newer ones?

With handcrafted full scribe-to-fit log homes having a 1500+ year old legacy, many built in the 8th & 9th centuries are still being used today - the choices made in commisioning a builder to create your home for the future and assure it to appreciate in value may be a defining moment in your own legacy to your children and their children!

It is said that the one issue more important to consumers buying a house today - is the monthly payment. Of course that is important - but does it have to drive design and quality at the sacrifice of its worth later on? Looking at the methods a builder uses, tools he uses and products he promotes. Is it about you and your future, or his?

The old practice of simply nailing something together. Driving one nail straight in with one right next to it at an angle will "lock" the two pieces together with hand held hammers. An old carpenters method that used to be a "standard" in building. Just this one aspect of framing and building can substantially increase the quality of your home

Todays builders prefer air nailers that use nails that are thinner, with half-heads. The workers do not employ the old nailing "standard" even with these modern devices - often they shoot several nails in thinking it will hold better. Faster is not always better ...............

In our workshops, the students are encouraged daily to be patient and focus on accuracy and quality of fit. They are told that with the advent of modern manufacturing of materials, several differant trades will follow one another in the construction of a home - each one "covering up" the work of the previous one.

Framers squaring up and leveling what the masons did, sheetrockers covering up what the framers did, taper & finishers covering up what the sheet rockers did, painters patching and "fixing" before covering up what the taper and finishers did, then the final trim carpenters and finally, the punch-out guy. In log work, its all there for all time - never to be "covered up" by anyone. Speed and efficiency come with time - a tough concept to "sell" to builders wanting to learn this craft.

Caring about quality, when the process is so detail oriented, is what allows a handcrafter to be conciderate of the legacy his clients will garner in their decision to build a handcrafted log home - as well as his own legacy.

[TopNotchnMD]

Responding to the pricey RMLH Bill Lasko writes "you can do better for less with a handcrafter and have him stand behind his work as a standard way of doing business". Perhaps but this novice hasn't found the handcrafter for less on a 2300 S.F. after considering expenses such as freight, taxes & tariffs. What am I missing?

[LogSmithy]

There are builders in your area and in America!

Mountain Logworks
Molly & Brant Schreiber
1892 Daniels Farm Rd., Waterford VT 05819 USA
phone: 802-748-5929
e-mail: mountainlogworks@yahoo.com
website: www.mountainlogworks.com
Specializing in full size cabins, camps and dream homes.

Beaver Creek Log Homes
Robbin & Jules Obomsawin
35 Territory Rd., Oneida, NY 13421
phone: 315-245-4112 fax: 315-245-5787
e-mail: robbin@beavercreeklog.com
website: www.beavercreekloghomes.com
Specializing in log home plans and full scribe log construction.

Mitchell Mountain Company.
Robert C. Peters Sr.
PO Box 15
Granby, VT 05840
phone : 802-328-3886 fax: 802-328-9800
email: pcci@sover.net
Designing and constructing of quality handcrafted log homes.

The Wooden House Co.
John Nininger
3714 North Road, South Ryegate, VT 05069
phone: 802-429-2490 fax: 802-429-2890
e-mail: jnin@sover.net
Design and construction of handcrafted log and timber framed homes including round log scribe and dovetail, hewn log construction.

Vermont Solitude Inc.
Jay Stratton
Box 4319 East Road, Shaftsbury, VT 05262
phone: 802-447-0203 fax: 802-447-0203
e-mail: stratbld@sover.net
Custom crafted log homes, furniture and design services.

Landmark Log Building
Tim McLaughlin
383 Co. Hwy. 112, Gloversville, NY 12078
phone: 518-725-5078 fax: 518-725-5078
Hand crafted log homes and handcrafted log roof systems.

I do not believe these builders will be charging $65.00 per lineal foot for log materials! Completed log shells delivered and re-set on your foundation ought to fall well with in that. RMLH price for the TN client - she still needed to seek bids to construct her house on top of $65.00/LF for log materials.......... seriously.

They need a set of plans to provide a firm quote - many will assist in designing and creating the plans

Bill Lasko




Annnnnnnnnd, if you must seek from Canada -

Bullock & Company
Tim Bullock
PO Box 44, New Lowell, ON L0M 1N0
phone: 705-424-5222 fax: 705-424-9466
e-mail: tbullock@bconnex.net
website: www.bullockloghomes.com
Custom designers/builders of the finest handcrafted log and timberframe homes. In-house Designers, Master Craftsmen. Year of experience makes the difference.

Coyote Log Homes Inc.
Dan Albert
20594 Barry's Bay RR2
Barry's Bay, ON K0J 1B0
phone : 613-628-6870 fax: 613-628-3879
email: danielalbert@coyoteloghomes.ca
website: www.coyoteloghomes.ca
Handcrafted full scribe log homes and log structures, timber framing.

Davidson Log & Timber Artisans
Matt Davidson
RR #2, Sebright, ON L0K 1W0
phone: 705-833-1203 fax: 705-833-1274
e-mail: matt@davidsonloghomes.com
website: www.davidsonloghomes.com
Builders of fine, handcrafted log homes and timber frames.

John DeVries Log & Timber Homes 2000 Ltd.
Martin St. Jacques and Martin Slager
RR3, Tweed ON K0K 3J0
phone: 613-478-6830 fax: 613-478-1400
e-mail: info@jdvloghomes.com
website: www.jdvloghomes.com
Builders of quality, custom designed, handcrafted log homes, timber framed structures and commercial buildings since 1976.

Log Farm Building Inc.
Scott Kelly, President
RR #2 1563 9th Line
Carleton Place ON K7C 3P2
Tel: 6138513893 Fax:
Email: scott@logfarmbuilding.com
Website: www.logfarmbuilding.com
Handcrafter of log and timber frame homes. We offer complete architectural plans with full in house design and structural engineering.

Modern Log Homes Ltd.
Derek Jenkins
346 Pompano Court, Oshawa ON L1K 1M9 Canada
phone: 800-590-0440 fax: 905-432-7936
e-mail: modernloghomes@rogers.com
website: www.modernloghome.com
Design and construction of modern log homes.repairs, maintenance plans, restoration a specialty.

Moonstone Timber Frame
Terry Michelsson
PO Box 206, Moonstone, ON L0K 1N0
phone: 705-835-3721 fax: 705-835-3457
e-mail: info@moonstonetimberframe.com
website: www.moonstonetimberframe.com
Handcrafted log home building company and timber frame homes.

Northern Comfort Log Homes
Ron Hann
RR1, 324 Kirby Rd., Goulais River, ON P0S 1E0
phone: 705-649-2780 fax: 705-649-2780
e-mail: northerncomfortloghomes@bellnet.ca
website: www1.linxsys.net/~northerncomfortloghomes
Specializing in handcrafted fully scribed log homes and dovetail timber homes. ILBA 2001 One Man Notch Competition Champion.
Pioneer Logs Ltd.
David Christie
RR2, Singhampton ON N0C 1M0 Canada
phone: 519-922-2836 fax: 519-922-2836
e-mail: pioneerchr@bmts.com
Handcrafted dovetail log homes in the pioneer tradition, 25 years in business.

Provincial Timber Crafters
Douglas Boyd
12072 Gale Road, RR #1
Ailsa Craig, ON N0M 1A0
phone: 519-641-9063 fax: 519-232-4229
e-mail: dboyd@golden.net
website: www.provincialtimbercrafters.com
Design and build handcrafted log structures.

Sunstream Log Homes
Mark Williams
PO Box 176
Thorndale, ON N0M 2P0
phone : 519-319-4793 fax: 519-659-2204
email: info@sunstreamloghomes.com
website: www.suntreamloghomes.com
Handcrafted log and timber structures, CAD design, engineering and consultation. We love to build.

Tapawingo Log Homes
Chris Rawling
RR 1, Maberly ON K0H 2B0 Canada
phone: 613-268-2777 fax: 613-268-2844
e-mail: tapawingo@king.igs.net
website: www.tapawingo-log-homes.com
Handcrafted log homes, full scribe, eastern white pine; training school, engineering and design services.

Winterwood Custom Builders
Mark Parkinson
530 Greer Rd., RR3, Utterson, ON P0B 1M0
phone: 800-814-5945 and 705-385-8199 fax: 705-385-8737
e-mail:winterwood@on.aibn.com
website: www.winterwood.ca
Round log, dovetail, timberframe, round log post and beam. CAD design and consultation.


Quebec


Americana Log Homes
Pierre Cousineau
396 Pierre Laport
L'Ange-Gardien, QC J8L 2W7
phone : 819-986-9282 fax: 819-986-9170
email: info@americanaloghomes.com
website: www.americanaloghomes.com
Quality handcrafted, kiln dried, log and timber homes since 1987. Serving Canada, USA and Europe.

Art Maison
Sylvain Metivier
103 chemin du Grand Bois
St-Etienne de Bolto, QC J0E 2E0
phone : 450-297-3513 fax: 450-297-3513
email: artmaison@sympatico.ca
Custom builders of the finest handcrafted log and timber frame homes, log furniture and gazebos.

Douglas Lukian Inc.
Doug Lukian
785 Ch. St. Adolphe
Morin Heights PQ J0R 1H0 Canada
phone: 450-226-6076 fax: 450-226-2043
e-mail: douglas.lukianinc@sympatico.ca

Flynn Log Homes 312771 Can. Inc.
James Flynn
19 Chemin des Bois,
L'Ange-Gardien, QC J8L 2W8
phone : 819-281-6956 fax: 819-281-6956
email:flh@flynnloghomes.com
website: www.flynnloghomes.com
Custom designed handcrafted log homes, Scandinavian full scribed, large White Pine logs up to 30 inches in diameter.

Les Entreprises Jocelyn Tellier S.E.N.C.
France Cossette
751 Rang des Rivard
St-Tite, PQ G0X 3H0
phone : 418-365-7862 fax: 418-365-7862
email: jocelyntellier@globetrotter.net
website: www.jocelyntellier.qc.ca
Handcrafted log homes, dovetail, log furniture, Perma Chink Products.

Structures De La Rive
Leonard Conroy
886 Route 148
Thurso, QC J0X 3B0
phone : 819-986-7276
email: delarive@magna.ca
Handcrafted structures and custom designed stairs and railings. Log furniture and construction by request.

Traditions Scandinaves
Simon Auger
1597 Galt Est.
Fleurimont, PQ J1G 3H5
phone : 819-53-9856 fax: 819-566-7902
email: andremultipiscinc@qc.aira.com
website: www.bois-rond.com
Quality handcrafted log structures, consulting and design.

[TopNotchnMD]

LogSmithy, Your Da-Man!! Now, if I can just move West Virginia closer to Vermont or if Tim Bullock would set up operation in West Virginia. Perhaps I should sell my lot, buy some long-johns and head north...Brrrr!

[LogSmithy]

Them builders will and do ship their preassembled log homes throughout the US - Vermont is "CLOSE" to you! Can't hurt to get one on the phone and start finding out more specifics. Remember, the key is good planning and great preparation!

Bill Lasko

[blueyes]

Hi Patrick, Did you get my response sent to Leann?

Deb

[Patrick Jenkins]

Bill,
You just proved how dedicated you are to The Log Home Industry. You just gave 25 referals to have someone look at.
Blueyes,
I did! You have been looking at Montana to relocate to. They have so many log builders there it is unreal. The have builders like we have expresso carts in the Seattle area.
I did look at a RMLH out in my area, I was not impressed. The reason why was the design. So I would have to blame the home owner for that. The thing was like a maze inside. It was also very dark inside.

[blueyes]

Well Patrick we have decided to go northeast and just start at the top and work our way down. We love the west. My brother has clients in Montana and Alaska he just got back from business trips to both places and said, Deb Alaska would mess up your sleep patterns, and you would feel too secluded in Montana. Brother knows me best soooo... I guess its back to the drawing board. As far as RMLH, well we lucked out and the people that originally built made the rooms big. My great room is 25X20 which is seperated by 3 15' logs stacked on top of each other with a flat shelf (Hubby made it) on top which I painted dark green to add a splash of color with family photos, etc. on it. My kitchen and breakfast area are 25X30 and none of the 5 bedrooms are smaller than 15X18, so we lucked out.

Deb

[Patrick Jenkins]

Blueyes,
Alaska would mees with your sleep patterns. The sun either goes around the sky like Little Jeff Gordon or pops up over the mountains and disappears so fast you would think you were at a drag race. Sooner or later you will figure out there is only on road in Alaska. Sure there are lots of miles of roads, but you will come to the end of them. So it is the Alcan which leads in and out. Besides Alaska is expencive to live in.
I didn't think Montana was isolated to bad. Have you looked in the 4 or 5 states in the NW corner?

[LogSmithy]

I answered a question asked - out of the true spirit shared among the handcrafted log builders. This would be seen a lot more here had some things not changed so much with the ILBA.

I can give 5 minutes of my time, copy and paste from the ILBA web site and give 25 referrals - yet I can't seem to hear ILBA members (for lack of saying otherwise) can't getting referrals from the ILBA office. They claim, recently in the Log Building Newsletter, they recieve lots of phone calls but I guess never from anyone looking for a member builder.

Not beating a dead horse - (they cashed my annual dues check again this year).

[Tim Bullock]

Top Notch, I am actually planning to open a small building site in West Virginia IF I can find a client closeby.......No such luck so far as we are in Tahoe this year and Maine and homes here..........

[BradBradstreet]

Tim, you say you will be in Maine this year. Where in Maine and when?

[Tim Bullock]

Brad, We will be up in the Naples area for just one day installing some railings.........maybe two.....

[BradBradstreet]

Tim,

Naples is at the southern end of Long Lake. The lake is 11 miles long. We are within 2 miles of the northern end of that lake. When will you be there? We have to time this to have you over at the cabin for a visit.

[Tim Bullock]

Thanks for the invite Brad, Not sure of the time frame as yet......Yes it is at the other end of the lake, I think!!!!! I will let you know when I know the details..........

[MikeS]

Now, if I can just move West Virginia closer to...We're from MN, and we delivered and set up a log shell in WV last summer, the second to the same area. Been to other parts of the east too. It's not out of the question to have handcrafted logs shipped from a distance.