How can I build a log home cost-effectively?

Your home-building project depends on your budget, and every home-builder has a different budget. At Honkarakenne, we want to offer a wide variety of options so that every lover of log homes can fulfil their dreams.

We interviewed Juhani Saukko, Sales Manager at Honkarakenne, about cost-effective construction. In this blog post, we tell you how to have the log home of your dreams built cost-effectively.

What should be taken into account when planning the cost-effective building of a log home?

“If you want to stay on budget, turn to professionals at the beginning of the project and stick to the plan. The old adage, ‘Well planned is half done’, is particularly true of construction. In modern construction, this could be modified to ‘Well planned is half the costs saved!,” says Juhani.

“I would also point out that costs are not the only priority — you also need to consider what you get in return for your investment. When you build a high-quality log home, you get good value for money. A log home is a smart investment – such houses are of high quality and last from generation to generation.”

“A log home is also a healthy and ecological option – I think that both of these factors add value to everyday life.”

Juhani Saukko, Sales Manager

What kind of home model is cost-effective?

“A clear design and lines enable efficient construction and functional structures. The more elaborate a building is, with features such as corners, mitre joints and hybrid structures, the more expensive construction will be. If you are seeking a cost-effective alternative, you should turn to the manufacturer’s collection of efficiently built models. These usually include great options that you can customise as you prefer. Such homes are completed to the furthest possible degree in the factory, which can minimise the cost of work on the plot,” Juhani points out.

House models: Honka Oula and Louna

What issues should I consider during planning and implementation?

“Professionals, such as a chief designer and construction supervisor, should be included in the project at the tender stage. Professionals can anticipate potential challenges in construction and keep the budget under control,” Juhani explains.

Professionals play an important role in cost-effective construction – they have the skills and ability to understand aspects of house building in which the customer may lack experience.

Juhani Saukko

“I also recommend tendering between home suppliers and the options they offer before making the purchase decision. It is also advisable to tender for other project purchases. There may be differences in prices and you can use competitive tendering to find an alternative that suits your budget. However, I do not recommend taking the cheapest option – as people are generally aware, this may become a more expensive alternative in the end.”

Juhani adds: “I should also point out that it is worth sticking to your plan, whether this concerns your budget or house plan. If you want to change things mid-project, the price of the change may be much higher than if the feature had been included in the original plans. It’s easy to get excited about every new development when building a house. However, if construction is strongly tied to a budget, it is worth sticking to your calculated costs.

What’s worth taking into account to ensure cost-effective construction?

“Firstly, you should choose your plot carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises at a later stage. This could be an unbudgeted, high cost associated with earthwork. It is worth bringing a professional into the project when choosing the plot, since they have the skills required to provide an opinion on the choice of site,” Juhani advises.

“If you are not building the home yourself, you should choose a professional who will get it right first time. This will avoid costs due to repairs or alterations, and prevent delays in the project schedule,” Juhani concludes.