I'll take a stab at it...but you likely won't get the type of answer you're hoping for. The home you're looking at buying isn't a Butt-and-Pass style log home, the building design we deal with most on this website.

If it is the cabin I think you meant to link to (that link took us to the general listings page) on Wee Burn Drive, then the exhisting dormer is stick-built to begin with and making a dormer to match it on the other side wouldn't be nearly as difficult as trying to put in a log wall dormer. That said, I've lived in Juneau before and their building codes are a pain. If you're planning to do this yourself, the biggest issue is trying to build the dormer while not having to replace the whole roof, and obviously keeping the structural integrity of the roof and second story floor, etc. If you're planning to have it done by a contractor, then I'd try to get a price quote or talk to a few to see what they say. Of course, that'll cost you a good penny too!

One, perhaps simpler option if planned well, would be to enclose some of that open ceiling space I thought I saw in the pictures. If you could perhaps beef up the rafters there if needed (or add extra) and then extend the 2nd floor over that area, you'd easily get another room or loft area for future expansion. That may not be as asthetically pleasing, but then you wouldn't have to mess with the roof and I'd think it would cost much less and be less of a building code nightmare as well.

Please do some thorough research on log homes and what maintenance and upkeep will be required of your specific cabin before taking the ownership leap.

Best of luck! Juneau is a crazy realestate environment.

My wife and her ex built one a thousand years ago that was the exact same floor plan and size. She loved it but they sold it in the divorce. She couldn't understand why I called it a "dowel house" until she went with me to Skips class. Now, after being married to me for 20 years, we are building a butt and pass home for ourselves and she will love this one even more.

As far as problems or special maintenance for the Arrowhead kit house, I would look for rot problems wherever the logs have been wetted by that Juneau drizzle. It's kinda tough to keep the water out from every spot where two logs meet. It'd be easy for rot to set up and its'a tough repair job. The ends of the house where the 18" of roof overhang is 20' off the ground is almost a guaranteed problem. Settling is fairly controlled in this style of house so window and door troubles may be minimal.

Hi, my name is Jeff Hambric.

Don't let these people scare you. All they know is this 'Butt and Pass' method and nothing more. Without getting into great detail, your house was probably a kit home, the method of setting the logs is called a 'saddle-notch'. It's probably a fine home. From the pics, it appears to be in good shape. The overhangs are good sized and I don't see any problems. However, I would have to look at the house in person to really get a good feel for it. I would imagine the house is in good shape. One thing you could do is take a small hammer to the house and tap the logs. If a log is in good shape, when you tap it, the sound made will be very different if it has rot in it. Strangely, a log lying on the ground by itself will have a sort of 'ring' when struck by a hammer. By the way, I have looked at numerous log homes and have not yet seen one that had serious rot.

The dormer has siding called batten-board, or batt and board. Not sure on the spelling. Anyway, it was a method used in the days of old when siding was planks anywhere from 6 to 12 or greater, inches wide. The gaps between the boards were coverd with a strip of wood about one inch wide to seal the gaps. I, personally, like the batten-board look and have used it on my own house. It's a log home, built in the infamous 'Butt and Pass' and has a sunroom on the south side which has batten board siding. The reason I went with this is it was easier than building a log structure onto another log structure. If you saw my house you would understand why. And, I have seen many older log cabins with a small addition on the side or back which was usually used to store provisions or wood. They look natural.

An addition would need a foundation that was tied into the existing foundation. This would keep the addition from creeping away from the main house. I would imagine the local building codes will confirm this. Depending on the type of foundation, which appears to be a continuous stem wall (assuming there is no basement) I would put a ball-park estimate at around $20k. This is just off the top of my brain. Of course a lot depends on the contractor and the construction, tying into the electrical system and heating system, etc.

You should ask around for a reputable contractor and take him/her to the house and request an estimate. I mentioned my sunroom earlier and if you would like to see a pic of it, e-mail me at hamchuck36@yahoo.com and I would be glad to send one.

I like the house. It resembles mine in many ways. By the way, I own a small construction company, have been to this Log Home Builders Associatioon class, built many houses, including a 'Butt and Pass' log home, and used to be a Civil Engineer. If I can assist you in any way, just let me know.

There used to be a place downtown Junea (15 years ago) that had the best split pea soup and homemade raisin bread. Is it still there?

Jeff