My first home of the season. A Hochstetler log cabin.

Building a Hochsettler log cabin, first home of the year. Many log home companies closed during this period of the recession. Others, the companies that focused on integrity , a fair price for a quality product, thrive.

Log home building is beginning to pick up. I felt the crunch coming about two years ago. After my big bang of 2002 when I built about 9-12 homes , I could see that each year, more and more homeowners, wanting to build a log home , simply gave up. The stumbling block ...money. Banks who pre-approved homeowners, pulled out at the last minute. The recession , the scare, has put a freeze on this industry. Lenders and homeowners were simply afraid.

Log home companies that I have dealt with and built for, have gone out of business. Amerilink, out of north Carolina, who built an impressive model home site consisting of several (four) model homes out of New York,( Patriot Log Home Builders built there largest 3500 sq. ft cabin) has closed. They focused on affordable pricing and in house construction ( managed there own building teams "In the Woods").

Jim Brana Log homes, a company that took pride in their elitism , it appears has filed bankruptcy and is in the process of restructuring.

Many of my fellow builders, have been out of work or have changed careers. (some to satellite dish installation)

I have seen over the years many trends in building. The log cabin is a secure homestead, an heirloom that one passes down to generations. It stands the test and rigors of time. Many people intuitively sense the security a log home gives to them.

The desire to own and live in a log home is still alive and well. The homeowner is cautious , and rightly so. He is looking for that integrity , honesty and affordability.

Hochstetler is out of Ohio , it a is Amish run milling company that gives prices that can't be beat. They have a beam roof and floor system which is superior. it is the traditional look that most people are striving for. I begin building this home in a few weeks. I will be posting the building process.




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