How Much Does A Log Home Cost?

Cost Per Square Foot – Fully Finished Log Home

On average, a fully finished handcrafted log home will cost $175 / sq. ft. This figure represents the overall finished cost, including the log shell and all fixtures such as doors and – in other words, a log house that ready to move into (installation and shipping is extra). As an example, a 2,000 sq. ft. 3-bedroom log home would cost approximately $350,000.

Remember, this is just the average cost – the actual cost can change significantly depending on your tastes and preferences. Since you control the level of detail and polish that goes into your home, you could spend anywhere from $120 / sq. ft. to $200 / sq. ft., depending on your budget.

To determine your maximum budget, please use our log home cost calculator.

Cost Per Square Foot – Log Shell Work

As a general rule, the work that goes into creating the log shell itself costs approximately one-third of the overall budget. Using our previous example, the log work portion of a $350,000 finished home would be approximately $116,000.

Please Note: The cost of having your wood kiln-dried will increase your raw material cost by approximately 45%

Cost Per Square Foot – Log Styles

Depending on your budget and design, we can use different log building techniques to construct your handcrafted log home. Full scribe is more expensive, as it has the biggest labour component due the precise overscribing technique that is used; a round log chinked log home can be produced faster and with less labour.

• Full Scribe / Scandinavian Style – $74 / sq. ft.
• Round Log Post and Beam – $60 / sq. ft.
• Timber Frame – $55 / sq. ft.
• Hand Hewn (w/ Dovetail Corners) – $50 / sq. ft.
• Round Log Chinked (w/ Saddle Notch Corners) – $45 / sq. ft.

Cost Per Square Foot – Wood Types

The above costs are based on using Eastern White Pine during construction. If you choose to use a different type of wood for your log home, the cost of the log shell work will increase by the following percentages:

• Douglas Fir – + 7.30% (compared to White Pine)
• Western Red Cedar – +13.95% (compared to White Pine)

As an example, while a full scribe log shell made from White Pine will cost approximately $74 / sq. ft., the same shell built with Douglas Fir will cost $79 / sq. ft., and one made from Red Cedar will cost $84 / sq. ft.

Design Costs

Plan on budgeting approximately 3% to 5% of your total home budget for the creation of design elements such as preliminary drawings, elevations, floor plans, and blueprints.

Remember, every log home is custom built – these numbers are for estimating purposes only. Please contact us for more detailed pricing information and quotes.