Log Home Step by Step:
When building a home, people often ask, “What happens next?” While there is no exact, step-by-step plan for building a log home, there is a usual method to our madness. Below, you will find a checklist that will give you a good idea of how your home will be built, from clearing the site, through the dry-in phase, all the way to the final product. While this is not meant to be a do-it-yourself guide, it will give you an idea of what will happen next in your project.
- Have your property reviewed by a surveyor and by the builder. If your area offers consultations from the building department, this is a great time to take them up on that. Don’t dig until given approval to do so by the “powers that be,” as this could really hold up the process later
- Corner stakes for foundation often installed by the surveyor while making plot plan
- Remove trees and clear building site as needed (after approvals, can’t be stressed enough here)
- Remove topsoil and store for reuse
- Dig basement excavation and haul or store dirt
- Dig and install septic tank and drain field (by contractor)
- Install any culverts or other items necessary for proper access to the site by large delivery trucks
- Treat ground around foundation with termite treatment
- Layout for footings by concrete contractor
- Corner pins for foundation best if installed by the surveyor on his second trip to the site.
- Install batter boards and layout lines
- Locate, stake, and dig footings and piers pads
- Arrange for footing inspection
- Pour concrete for footings
- Layout foundation
- Install form for poured concrete foundation or block wall system
- Install waterproofing, foam, or hot tar material
- Install drain tile and french drain system around footings
- Backfill around foundation
- Rough grade slope for lawn
- Trench for garage foundation, porch, and deck piers
- Install termite shield
- Install caulking
- Layout and install sill plate
- Install center post, girder, rim, and floor joists
- Install headers, trimmers, and bridging
- Install subfloor framing material and sheathing
- Confirm exact delivery time with plant
- Confirm payment due on delivery for materials
- Confirm payment amount due for shipping
- Arrange to have certified checks available
- Prepare materials storage area, per instructions
- Prepare access road, per instructions
- Assemble equipment/manpower needed to unload logs
- Unloading and storage of logs and other materials on job site
- Unload materials, stack, and store, per instructions
- Check materials against shipping manifest
- Record damage and shortages as instructed
- The construction manual
- On-site technical assistance
- Telephone technical assistance
- Other forms of assistance

The Dry-In Phase
- Installation of doubled perimeter band
- Installation of floor support posts (Note: If these are over the provided 16′ length, they will need to be provided by homeowner)
- Installation of joists
- Installation of 5/4 decking
- Layout house by following floor plan dimensions on log cut sheet
- Layout electrical outlets and fixtures on subfloor
- Install starter strip, caulking, etc., per plan
- Install first course of logs, per instructions
- Make provision for electrical outlets in log walls
- Installation of insulation, caulking, foam gasket
- Use of spline materials to prevent air infiltration
- Installation of fastening devices (Bolts: lag screws, through bolts, rods)
- Apply adhesives
- Installation of in-line splices in log walls
- Installing logs between window and door openings while keeping window and door bucks square and plumb, while keeping corners plumb and true
- Installation of headers, maintaining level window line
- Level top course, preparing for second floor system
- Notching of wall logs to accommodate floor joists (if necessary)
- Installation of center girders and support posts (also notched, if necessary)
- Installation of floor joists
- Installation of wiring for overhead lighting
- Installation of 2×6 tongue-and-groove decking
- Methods of accommodating settling with provided screw jacks
- Cut stringer material per plan
- Use scrap framing for treads if conventionally framed, or cover finished material in exposed system with protection
- Install finished treads near end of entire project on conventionally framed stairs
- Install solid log gable end and dormer walls, pre-cut and uncut (if applicable)
- Install framed and sheathed gable end and/or dormer walls
- Frame for windows in exterior walls (maintain plumb walls at dormer and gable ends)
- Special bracing requirements
- Instal OSB sheathing
- Install house wrap
- Install exterior siding
- Install rafters, ridges, and support posts
- Install of continuous vent strip
- Install 2×6 tongue-and-groove decking
- Install wiring for overhead lighting
- Install vapor barrier
- Install perimeter solid blocking for insulation layer
- Install insulation layer
- Install 1x ventillation system
- Install roof sheathing layer
- Install felt
- Install shingles
- Conventional roof systems, if premier roofing is not used
- Roof truss system
- Flat truss
- Scissor truss
- Attic truss
- Stick-built system
- Optional exposed collar ties into conventional systems
Note: Insulation and interior ceiling liner (used with conventional roof systems) are not included in standard pricing.
- Install porch roof support posts and plates
- Install porch rafters
- Install wiring for overhead lighting (prior to decking)
- Install 2×6 tongue-and-groove decking
- Install felt paper
- Install shingles
NOTE: Conventional porch roof systems are generally stick-built framing with ceiling joists for a flat ceiling. Soffit material for overhang areas (1×6 T&G) is included, but the ceiling material is not included in standard pricing.
- Installation of porch knee wall
- Install framing
- Install continuous vent strip
- Install siding
- Installation of roof fascia, trim, and soffit material – by carpentry contractor
- Install 1×6 T&G soffit material on conventional roofs
- Install Sub fascia boards around entire perimeter of house and porch roof systems, if conventionally framed
- Install window bucks
- Attach bucks to log walls to accomodate settling
- Allow settelment space for windows and doors
- Create weather-tight seal between buck and jamb
- Caulk, install insulation and flash per requirements
- Install exterior trim
- Installation of subfloor band siding also by carpentry contractor
- Connect partition walls to exterior log walls
- First floor studwalls should be “floating” and include settlement space
- Install plumbing walls (2×6 in most cases)
- Frame walls for interior doors
- Interior wall coverings not included in standard package
- Erection of brick and block work for fireplace
- Install masonry or metal firebox
- Install chimney cap, mantel, and hearth
- Install flashing
- Install finish roofing materials
- Installation of electrical service in a log home differs very little from conventional construction.
- Where special installation is required, this is generally explained in the construction manual and/or on the supplied blueprints.
- Install electrical wiring, outlet boxes, fixture boxes, switches, connectors, entrance panel, security systems, any speaker wire, and circuit breakers
- Install light fixtures
- Install hook-up appliances
- Install heating and air conditioning equipment
- Install wiring for any special electrical equipment
- Install main water supply line
- Install main sewer line
- Install water/drain pipes, vents, drains
- Install fixtures and faucets
- Install special equipment such as water softeners, sump pumps, pressure relief valves, etc.
The installation of the plumbing system in a log home differs very little from conventional construction. Where special installation is required, this is generally explained in the construction manual and/or on the provided blueprints.
- Installation of HVAC equipment in a log home differs very little from conventional construction. Where special installation is required, this is generally explained in the construction manual and/or the provided blueprints.
- Install trunk lines and duct work
- Install heating system
- Install air conditioning equipment
- Install gypsum wallboards
- Install metal cornerbeads
- Install joint compound and tape
- Finish sheetrock material for application of paint
- Install garage doors
- Install shutters (if applicable)
- Install any additional flashing
- Install gutters and downspouts
- Install splash blocks
- Install vapor/vegetation barrier
- Install crushed stone base
- Install radon vent pipe
- Install reinforcing wire or rods
- Install forms and screens
- Install expansion joints
- Install condensate drains and plumbing lines/drains
- Install underlayment and flooring
- Install interior doors and hardware
- Install interior window/door trim
- Install baseboard, base molding
- Install wall molding and/or chair rail (if applicable)
- Install cabinets, counter tops
- Install vanities, bars, and other miscellaneous equipment
- Install closet shelves/poles
- Install stair treads, railings, balusters
- Install tub and shower doors
- Apply interior paint and wood finish
- Apply exterior wood finish, preservative
- Install wallpaper (if applicable)
- Install hardwood flooring
- Install tile
- Install carpeting and pad
The Final Product: A “Modern” Log Home

- Grading and excavating
- Install temporary utilities
- Install forms, pour footings, and foundation
- Install subfloor and backfill
- Erect log walls
- Install interior wall partition
- Install second floor system
- Install roof system and rough plumbing
- Install rough electrical
- Install heating and air conditioning rough-in materials
- Interior walls, drywall, paneling, etc.
- Exterior finish, soffits, windows, and doors
- Finish interior carpentry
- Install tile work
- Install cabinets
- Install concrete driveways and sidewalk
- Finish interior painting and all covering
- Finish electrical outlets and fixtures
- Finish plumbing, set fixtures, etc.
- Finish flooring, hardwood, and carpet
- Final landscaping
- General cleanup
- Final inspection and move-in date!
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