The construction industry is making headlines these days with the rising cost of materials, potential labour shortages and the soaring number of projects slated to start in 2021.
THE PRICE OF LOG HOMES REMAINS FAIRLY STABLE
The log home industry is in good shape right now. Demand for the construction of secondary homes is high, like the number of ongoing projects at Harkins. Up to now, the market price of the logs used in the construction of log homes remains stable. At least for 2021. However, the price of processed wood materials like the ones used in flooring, roofing and interior finishing has skyrocketed.
It’s the increased demand worldwide, paired with the rarity of these materials that has made the price rise so dramatically. Other materials (plumbing, electricity and others) are also in high demand and the prices are currently volatile.
THE RISING COST OF SOLID WOOD
For all of our solid wood Timber Frame projects, we’re seeing a significant rise in the cost of wood, but not as significant as the cost of lumber. This hike represents a 25% increase in the carpentry fees for this type of project. While the cost of labour is stable, the cost of processed wood materials has exploded.
DELAYS AND ORDERS FOR YOUR LOG CABIN
Thanks to our loyal customers, our books are almost full for 2021, but it’s almost time to start planning for 2022.
A FEW TIPS FOR YOUR LOG HOME PROJECT
With that in mind, here are a few tips to make your wait more pleasant and to help you better understand our reality:
1. GETTING IN TOUCH :
Contact us to let us know you’re interested, and we’ll place you on our follow-up list when we’re ready to start planning for 2022. It’s still a bit too early to prepare your submissions for your round wood or Timber Frame home. Costs are fluctuating constantly, and we’re working to keep our current projects well-aligned, while facing the challenges brought forth by COVID-19. We thank you for your understanding and patience. This season has brought with it no shortage of challenges.
2. VISION BOARD :
Take the time to build out a vision board, a full document containing photos of what you like, types of roof trusses that catch your eyes, interesting fixtures… Think of the different sizes of storage you want and the essential functions you need served. Find ideas for staircases, ramps, bathrooms and kitchens that make you say wow, and identify what you like the most. Prioritize the extras based on the budget you’re willing to allocate to them. Confirm which style of home works best for you: log home, Timber Frame, or a combination of both. We highlighted a few trends for log homes a few months back.
3. ORIENTATION AND PLACEMENT
Spend time on your land to find where the sun is, the views you like best and the placement you want. Note where the sun rises, and think of what you like best in terms of sun exposure. One the house is built, it will be there for a while! Our team has considered this and can offer their suggestions for finding the right spot for your log home.
4. PLANNING OUR MEETING
Take the time to consult our practical guide to get ready for our first meeting.
Finally, a big announcement: we’re in the process of building a workshop and shelter for the fabrication of our log homes, which will allow us to work longer and meet increasing demand. Thanks to this structure, we’ll have a bridge crane inside and outside, and our team will be able to work more comfortably for months on end. We’re proud to invest in meeting the needs of our clients and our team.