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World Outdoors Log Homes
PO Box 2128 Marion, NC 28752 888-LOG-8300
Email: world.outdoors@yahoo.com
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Finance

Unless you are one of the very fortunate few, you will need a bank to finance your new log home. We have established relationships with banks who know how to value and appraise your investment. Most likely, you will need to work with one of these banks as non-local banks are very hesitant to make a loan for property that they are not familiar with.



Nowadays, loan requirements are much more stringent than they once were. Most banks will require at least 15% down and perhaps as much as 25% down. There will also be other fees including closing costs and insurance on top of the down payment. Almost always, land is part of the down payment. If you don’t own land already, that is the first place to start and it probably needs to be completely paid for.



Our goal, and it is a lofty one, is to help you finance your home by building equity into it before you even close the loan. In other words, we are able to price aggressively because of our very low overhead. Our pricing may make your home worth more than you pay for it as soon as it is done. There are many contributing factors but it is possible and it has happened for every customer we have worked with the last 12 months. If we build in equity you need less money for the down payment. We get the job and you get the loan! Everyone wins!

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What We Build

First and foremost, we build homes where families create treasured memories, year in and year out. We live in log homes ourselves and know what it is like to live in nature in custom homes that we built for our families. Living like this really is a dream come true. You might be able to appreciate how gratifying it is to build beautiful things in beautiful places that will last a lifetime. That is why we do it. Being a little more specific, we are licensed general contractors who specialize in building custom homes in the mountains. We can build Craftsman style homes or lodge-style log homes, or a hybrid of the two. We can build homes of all sizes using several log profiles and sizes. We can provide the cut and cornered logs manufactured at our mill or build a log package you have purchased elsewhere. We are happy to build your home to a dry-in state or build it turnkey and ready for you to move in.

  • Low Overhead
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  • Effective Sourcing
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  • Experience
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  • Managing Waste
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  • Streamlined Construction
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  • People Productivity
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Low Overhead


This is a key differentiator for us and it is a huge one! We own a sawmill and pay for nothing but maintenance, taxes, and electrical bills. What this means to you is we can take raw dried timbers, refine them, and deliver them to your jobsite for less! We also own all the light and heavy equipment necessary to build your log home. We don't have to rent by the day or week scaffolding, a bobcat, or a dumptruck, or a forklift, or a boomtruck in order to get your home built. We have all the tools and equipment and it is all completely paid for.


For those who do not have this equipment, it could could cost several thousands of dollars over the life of the project, just to have what they need to actually get the job done. For us, the investments we made years ago enable us today to build cheaper so you can better afford your home and so that we can earn more business. It really is that simple. Simple, but huge!

Effective Sourcing

In the end, we understand what it is you want.  You want a great quality home for the lowest price possible.  We want to be able to make a living doing what we love to do and know that if we can't differentiate ourselves somehow you will choose someone else to build your dream log home. We have been building log homes for a very long time and along the way we have built the relationships we need with suppliers to bring you the necessary quality and price that enables us to build our homes for a little bit less.  Everyone wins!  You get your home for less and we win more business. Examples include some of the more expensive parts that make up your home.  We often source kiln dried timbers from out of state by the trailer load.  It would be easier perhaps to buy locally but that is not always the smartest and cheapest choice.  We are able to get windows and doors for near wholesale prices.  Over the years, we have built so many homes that suppliers give us deals that are hard to imagine.  Hardwood flooring, stone, granite counter tops, paint, stain, etc, we are able to get all at reduced cost because of volume purchases and relationships built over our many years of building log homes.

Experience


Working with logs is different than working with other more conventional building materials. You have to have the right equipment to lift them into place. You have to cut the corners, often with a chainsaw. You have to know where to place the bolts and how often. Most importantly, you have to account for settling in the wood so that as it dries and shrinks windows and doors are not crushed by the weight.


There are many other reasons why experience matters when building log homes. We have been building log homes in western North Carolina for almost 25 years! Collectively, our team of craftsmen has built over 400 log homes and has seen just about everything there is to see along the way. That experience saves time, saves on materials, and gets everything done safer and on budget. You can rest assured when building with us that everyone has done this before dozens of times!

Managing Waste


We pride ourselves on building green. The very nature of building with logs is green as they are the original renewable resource! However, logs still cost money and so do all the other materials that go into your home. We take the time to plan our homes so that waste is minimized and we are able to utilize the common lengths and sizes we buy from lumber yards with very little material lost.


We use cut sheets so we know how long a specific log needs to be in a specific place before we get to the job site. We are focused on limiting the amount of scrap and waste we create on the job site so that your dollars are not discarded into a waste pile instead of used.

Streamlined Construction


Efficiency is created through good planning.  And vice versa, good planning drives efficiency.  In the end, it all affects the total cost of the project and how long it will take to complete it. 


We have learned over the years how to order the tasks at hand for building a log home.  We know who the best resources are for completing those tasks in the right order, at the right time, and for a fair price.  Time is money and poor planning has craftsmen waiting at the job site for the materials they need.  Or held up because a critical path task isn't completed on time and is now in the way of progress. 


This is important to you because log home construction is not something many people actually have experience doing.  Poor project planning can affect the quality of the build, the value of your investment, and your long term satisfaction in your dream home.  We have done this over 400 hundred times and counting, we have this nailed! (literally)

People Productivity


We think our story is different than what you will hear anywhere else. Our experience with most general contractors is that they are the boss and basically no one else matters. We are aware of many GCs who visit jobs very briefly, bark some orders, and then move onto the next job. That is not the way we run our business.


As we have mentioned time and again here, we are a family business that runs a very lean operation. We know, as you do intuitively, that our people are the most important part of our business. They are the ones with the experience. They are the ones who swing the hammers. They make decisions every day that affects the project. They decide to come to work in the heat (or cold), work hard or not, work fast or not, and to work efficiently or not. They are the drivers that make our homes happen and as such they are very important to us.


We are constantly looking for ways to improve the experience working for World Outdoors. Compensation, time off, bonuses, benefits, proactive safety meetings, parties, you name it, we really try to go to extra mile whenever we can. We consider the people who work on our homes as part of our family and we try to create a great team environment so that they will feel the same way.

Dream

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Contract

Finance

Build

Pricing

Almost always the first question people ask is "how much is it?" Followed by, "What do I get for that price?" We try to keep our pricing model clear and transparent. We don't try to hook folks with a low price only to add thousands of dollars for the basic upgrades everyone wants and generally needs. We don't upcharge for hardwood floors or aluminum clad windows. All our homes comes with them. We don't upcharge for a stone veneer covered gas fireplaces or gutter guards. All our homes come with them. Our pricing is turn-key move in ready with almost everything most everyone would want in their home. In fact there are very few things we talk about as upgrades at all. We are continually evaluating our price point based upon materials cost and perception of our competition. Right now, our price for homes over 1,800 square feet is $145- $175 per square foot. There are some assumptions in our pricing, so if you are picking a home with unusual features it could affect price. Homes with large amounts of deck and covered porch, complex rooflines, or several exterior doors could cost more. Building location is another very important factor. A difficult building site will certainly affect the price. Our price also assumes a crawlspace foundation. If your lot will support a basement, the cost for an unfinished basement is $35 per square foot. Finishing that basement is usually another $45-$55 per square foot. Smaller homes are more expensive to build than larger ones per square foot, and will be priced on a case by case basis, depending on the size and features. The cost of kitchen appliances, septic system and front door in a smaller home is not much different than in a bigger one. The same is true for plumbing, HVAC, and electrical expense. Our homes come fully featured, but there are a few common upgrades that people choose. These include granite countertops, wood burning fireplaces, walk-in tile showers, tankless water heaters, and exterior stone on the foundation. Other things not included in our base price are landscaping, paved driveways, and retaining walls when necessary. The goal here is to be honest and open, and produce the best home we can at a fair price for you. It really is that simple! Give us a call so we can answer any questions you may have.

About Us

Our team of craftsman has been building log and stick-built homes since 1986. To date they have built more than 400 structures in Western North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. In recent years, homebuilding has been a very challenging environment. Many home builders have not been able to make it as business has slowed down dramatically.



We are still here building because a long time ago we decided to build a business that is debt-free and as such has very low overhead. Our sawmill is family owned. We maintain and own all of our own heavy equipment. When times are good, we don’t go buy a new truck just because we want a new truck. What we do is maintain what we have and focus on taking care of our people.



As many other companies have gone under, we keep our heads down and keep working.



Why is this important to you? Many other companies are forced to pass on overhead expenses to you the consumer because of their business model. Instead, we are able to produce a higher quality home at a more reasonable price point. This may make it easier for you to get the bank financing you need it by creating equity in the home before we even start building!

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FAQs

▶ Are log homes energy efficient?

Not all log homes are created and built equally. However, with the right manufacturing and construction practices, log homes are very energy efficient! The thermal mass of logs alone retain heat and radiate it back into the home, controlling and reducing cooling and heating energy demand.

▶ What does “turnkey” mean?

Turn key means when the home is ready to be lived in. A new homeowner only has to move their furniture into the new home. “Turn the key and move in”.

▶ Are log homes cheaper than conventional houses?

Log homes are affordable and tend to cost the same or just slightly more than a conventionally built quality custom house. Budget-minded consumers can save money by selecting an existing plan and limiting costly features such as high-end cabinetry, designer plumbing and exotic flooring.

▶ With so many choices, how do I decide?

People who live in log homes love to talk about them, so ask for references. Log home magazines are a great resource too. Check out Log Home Living, Log Homes Illustrated, Log Home Design Ideas or Country's Best Log Homes for ideas and plans, as well as seminar and home show announcements.

▶ What about a mortgage? Will banks finance a log home?

We have established relationships with banks who know how to value and appraise your investment. Most likely, you will need to work with one of these banks as non-local banks are very hesitant to make a loan for property that they are not familiar with. Please see the "Our Process" section of the website for more details on how we can help you find a bank that will help, and build equity into your home before you even move in.
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Contact Us
World Outdoors Log Homes
PO Box 2128 Marion, NC 28752 888-LOG-8300
Email: world.outdoors@yahoo.com
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