Our Association is definitely not involved with any "kit" log-home manufacturers.

We only build "real" log homes (using logs that have not been processed and/or "damaged" by machines).

We are amused by the fact that some "kit" companies cut their logs flat on the top, flat on the bottom, and flat on both sides - and still call them "logs."

Using this rationale, an 8" x 8" beam could be called a "log."

In fact, a 2" x 4" could be called a log.

In addition, if a log is "turned" on a giant lathe (so it is the same diameter at both ends, and all of the "personality" has been cut away) then it can no longer be called a log - it is a giant "dowel."

Obviously, "dowels" do not look like logs, behave like logs, OR have the same personality as logs.

Unfortunately, the general public is often confused by the non-precise terminologies that are used by many of the "kit" companies.

YOU WILL GREATLY BENEFIT FROM READING THIS ENTIRE SITE:

If you read this entire website, you will learn why it is often much more difficult, expensive, and time-consuming to assemble a kit log home than it is to actually build a beautiful log home of your own -- using real logs that can be purchased from loggers.

The "kit" builders usually begin their manufacturing process by purchasing "real" logs from loggers -- but then they "process" the logs by using a huge variety of expensive machines, methods, techniques, labor, etc., which greatly adds to the cost of the final product.

You can purchase "real" logs from the same loggers -- and then build a "real" log home for a fraction of what the "kit" house would cost.

Throughout the years, we have heard many horror stories from people who purchased "kit" log homes. Many of these horror stories have been included in this website.

It you read some of these horror stories they might prevent you from buying the "wrong" kit log home -- and prevent you frommaking one of the biggest mistakes of your life.

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AN IMPORTANT SUGGESTION:

Here is just one suggestion that could prevent you from making a big (and very costly) mistake:

If you are considering purchasing a "kit" log home, then you should first ask the manufacturer to give you the names and addresses of the last 50 customers who purchased homes from him - with a cover letter indicating that the list is complete, with no customers being deleted.

If a "kit" manufacturer refuses to give you such a list, then it might be reasonable to assume that he has something to hide.

You also might want to ask (in writing) how many times the owner of the "kit" company has gone bankrupt -- or been sued by unsatisfied customers -- or has gone out of business only to "re-open" the business under another name.

You might want to use the same approach regarding any "contractor" that wants to put the kit together for you.

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PURCHASING A KIT LOG HOME:

Unfortunately, if you buy the wrong "kit" log home, it can end up costing you your entire life's savings. [You should read some of the enclosed letters that we received from "kit" purchasers.]

Most people who purchase "kit" log homes do not know anything at all about log homes in general -- not to mention the fact that they don't know anything at all about the specific log home kit that they end up buying.

Unfortunately, most "kit" buyers do not even know where to go to get the information they need. Therefore, they often rely only upon "wrong information" that they get from the "nice" salesmen.

From the horror stories we have heard, it appears that most people end up buying a "kit" log home from the salesman that has the best personality -- and/or that tells the best lies.

If you are going to build (or buy) a log home, then it is imperative that you learn how to tell "good" log homes from "bad" log homes -- which ones are weak (and why) -- which ones will rot quickly (and why) -- which ones are energy efficient (and why) -- how each job should be done (and why) -- etc., etc., etc.

At the very least, you should become aware of the most common mistakes that are made by "kit" log home builders.

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REGARDING "KIT" LOG HOMES...

If you are thinking about purchasing a "kit" from a dealer, then it is important that you first learn as much about log homes as possible -- so you can protect yourself from being cheated.

For example, you should learn how to do a "comparative analysis" between the various "kit" log homes and "real" log homes.

As you can imagine, many kit dealers are not happy that we are educating people about how to protect themselves -- and how log homes "should" be built.

Please understand that our intent is not to make enemies of the kit builders, or even to be controversial. Our intent is simply to educate the general public about how log homes should be built -- and to pass the "true and pure" craft on to future generations.