10 Stage Building Process

Stage 1 – Consultation
All home builds at M and H start with your free consultation session. During the consultation, M & H can help you envision your perfect dream log home. We have a range of sample home designs that many clients have used as a starting point for their custom design. Also, we encourage clients to bring in their own ideas or designs that they have seen highlighted in a magazine or photo. During our initial consultations we plan out the design and foundation type that might be most appropriate for your build. Next, we go over your ideas and map out our 10 stages of development with you. Once we understand your needs, we do a site evaluation to consider the most appropriate course of action for your project.
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Stage 2 – Design
We realize that most of our discerning buyers have custom designs in mind so once you make your vision known to us, we can use the floor plans as a guide to get the design process started. Following this, we generally mock up a rough draft which we then submit to you. Through a series of discussions, we can exchange ideas until we have your ideas well mapped out. After further discussions, and after we get your go ahead approval, we can begin to lay down the foundation for the real architectural outline of your future home.
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Stage 3 – Foundation
Most foundations that would be appropriate for a “stick built” building in your locale are built of a suitable strength to properly support a log building. As part of our commitment to full build solutions, our foundation work is instrumental to your home’s long life and strength.
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Stage 4 – Decks
M and H assembles sturdy, well constructed decks of all sizes and shapes using the same quality materials and attention to detail that is evident on all of our designs. Outdoor decks provide a foundation for you and your loved ones outdoor lifestyle, they’re the place where dreams are built and memories are made.
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Stage 5 – Log Assembly
Your home building system begins in our yard at M & H. The home will have been built based on foundation dimensions that are part of the properly executed working drawings. The final log inspection includes square, fit, quality, and all manufacturing quality details
Then the logs are all numbers and disassembled, insulated, gasketed and carefully placed onto transportation such as highway trailers, containers or other means. The logs are off loaded and assembled into building using site appropriate equipment such as lifters, cranes or helicopter. Solutions are available for most any install scenario.
Since the log home package has been completely disassembled, there is no chance for shifting or damage in transportation. The homes are reassembled according to blueprints and numbering system.
M & H uses the “scribe – fit” method to accomplish a near air tight fit along the length of each log. A shrink fit notch is utilized at all corners. Painstaking joinery is further enhanced by use of modern materials; namely closed-cell gasket materials applied to the inside of the longitudinal “v” groove and corner joinery.
Batt insulation is used in combination with the gasket materials to fill the larger unseen joinery. A measure of control over shrinkage and settling is achieved through the use of threaded rods and compression springs through the full height of all log walls at predetermined intervals.
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Stage 6 – Roof Framing
For roofing systems, the “Post and Beam” log superstructures are typically used to create open beam cathedral ceilings using modern engineered wood components. R-40 insulation is standard in the “box rafter” roof framing in this application.
Roof covering is largely determined by choice. For bungalow style homes, conventional 2 x 4 engineered truss rafters may be used. For some applications, “the stress skin panel” system is utilized to greatly reduce lockup time. Log truss work is also available.
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Stage 7 – Windows & Doors
For windows and doors, any good quality wood framed unit may be used. As log wall systems “settle”, windows and doors are installed inside a 2 x 10 “rough buck”, and attached to the log work with an angle iron spline. 1 X 6 is used for casing to interior and exterior of windows and doors. Flexible membranes and sealants are used to achieve weather-tightness and to meet building codes.
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Stage 8 – Roof Finishing
Roof coverings are chosen for aesthetic or budgetary reasons. Selection varies from basic asphalt to colored metal, tile, cedar shakes or numerous composite tile and slate lookalikes. Colored metal roof edged trims, soffits and rainware are practical and pleasing contemporary choices.
Exterior finish to gable ends can be 1 X 6 pine, board and batten, wood shingles or stucco. Interior of gables and dormers will be a choice of wood or drywall finish.
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Stage 9 – Interior Finishing
Interior finishings can include rough-ins of plumbing, heating, central vacuum, cable, venting, telephone and electrical. We can customize to suit clients specialty requirements including lighting packages, home entertainment, data transmission and whatever special detail finishings that you have in mind. Some electrical will be installed in the log work. This is simply done, as the log work will arrive on-site with required holes drilled and recesses for boxes pre-cut. Remaining electrical work can be installed in the conventional partitions used to divide room spaces. Plumbing and Heating is usually installed using conventional solutions. Any plumbing and heating systems that might be used in a conventional structure may be used in your log home, although radiant hot water systems seem to be particularly well suited to solid timber structures.
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Stage 10 – Inspections & Approvals
All projects are built using logs that are approved and rated according to Timber Products Inspection Standards. The ongoing process is continually monitored by skilled craftsmen, the yard foreman and the project supervisor. Municipal building inspectors ensure that all builds are being done according to municipal, provincial and national building codes. Mortgage appraisers are part of the accountability process and periodically verify construction details and check quality assurances. It is through this series of checks and balances that allows M & H to qualify for The Progressive Home Warranty New Home Warranty Certification.

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