Frequently Asked Questions

Question: We plan on building a log home and have a friend who is a builder. Do we need to hire a contractor that specializes in log homes for our project?

Answer: When selecting a building contractor for your log home project it is vitally important to select a contractor that has extensive experience with log home construction. Render Construction has been called into projects to repair work done by contractors that did not completely understand the dynamics of log home construction and settling. When not properly addressed and accounted for, log settling can cause doors and window to not operate properly, cabinets break free from walls, interior partitions to bow and buckle, cracking drywall joints and corners. Do not make the mistake of building a log home with a contractor that says, “I did one of those a while back” or “I can handle one of those,” just because they are a friend or the cheapest. The cost of repairing faulty work will grossly exceed the cost to have the work done right the first time.

Question: What is the difference between a full scribe and a chink style log home?

Answer: Full scribed log home construction requires each log to scribed, cut, and fit to the log below it. The scribe will follow the exact profile and shape of the log below to ensure a proper fit. This method is the most labor intensive method of log home construction and as a result the most costly. Chink style log home construction does not require the logs are scribed and fit together. Chink style logs maintain their round log profile and simply sit on top of the log below it and are secured by corner notches. Any voids between logs are covered by a log chinking joint which is a textured caulk material. This method of log construction is less labor intensive and in most cases less expensive.

Question: Why do log homes settle and what can be done to control and accommodate log settling?

Answer: Settling in log homes occurs as a result of the building logs curing over time. In the first three to four years the after your log home is built the log walls will actually shrink in height. As each log dries and cures the diameter of the log will shrink. When a log wall is stacked eight to ten logs high the effects are multiplied. A log wall will shrink between ¼” and ½” per foot in height. As a result a 10 foot tall log wall can shrink between 2 ½” and 5” in height. To accommodate log settling Render Construction has developed a detailed system of slip joints, window and door bucks, and settling jacks to control and monitor log settling.

Question: How much does a Render Custom Home cost per square foot?

Answer: This is a commonly asked question that can only be answered based on the amount of information we are provided with for your specific project. With an endless amount of material and finish choices and construction techniques in custom home construction it is not possible to accurately estimate a square footage cost without a fair amount of specific information. Render Construction keeps meticulous project cost records and as a result we are able to provide our perspective clients with a square footage cost range for each of the different types of home construction that we specialize in. Please contact Eric Render for more information.

Question: Can we pay with a credit card?

Answer: Render Construction accepts major credit cards including Visa and MasterCard. Our clients are also able to submit a secure electronic check payment though the company website.

Question: How can we get our project started?

Answer: Please click on the customer inquiry link here and complete the inquiry form. You will be contacted by Render Construction to schedule a meeting to discuss your project in detail.