Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Only Buy From Log Homes Council Members

Aug. 5, 2010 - PRLog -- Building your dream log or timber home is one of the largest investments you will make in your lifetime. Competing for your business are more than 300 companies in the United States, Canada and beyond, ranging from large companies and small mom and pop shops to local sawmills.

How can you narrow the field to only reputable companies? Limit your choices to members of the Log Homes Council. Why? Because the companies that belong to the Log Homes Council have voluntarily adopted membership requirements that protect consumers during the buying and building process. Here are the top 10 reasons to only buy from Log Homes Council members:

10) Part of a Prestigious National Association
The Log Homes Council is part of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Often called the ‘voice of the housing industry’ in the United States, NAHB is a trade association that encourages policies that make housing a national priority. Since 1942, NAHB has been serving its members, the housing industry, and the public at large. The Log Homes Council is part of the NAHB through the Building Systems Councils, an association of manufacturers, vendors and builders who create log, timber, modular and panelized single- and multifamily homes and commercial structures. As the trade association for the housing industry, it is fully funded by member dues. The association and its individual councils receive no government funds whatsoever.  

9) 33 Years of Wisdom & Experience
Founded in 1977, the Log Homes Council is one of the oldest organizations dedicated to promoting and improving log and timber building technologies. Many of the original charter members are still active in the association today, bringing a wealth of wisdom and experience to log home design, construction, maintenance and preservation.

8) Sponsor Scientific Studies to Advance Log & Timber Construction
The Log Homes Council has sponsored numerous scientific studies to improve the technology and performance of log structures. This has included measuring the thermal performance log construction (good news—log homes stay cool in summer and warm in winter!), measuring sound transmission through log walls (good news again—log homes are quieter than their stick built counter parts), measuring the fire performance of log walls (yet more good news, logs tend protect occupants longer than stick framing) and much, much more. Visit the Tech Notes and Library pages of this website for whitepapers and more technical information.

7) You’re Guaranteed Quality Logs & Timbers
To belong to the Log Homes Council, a manufacturer must grade their logs and timbers by third party agencies to ensure the quality of those logs and timbers. This ensures the logs and timbers used in construction meet national and regional building codes and the engineering requirements behind them. The grading of logs and timbers was one of the motivations behind the founding of the Log Homes Council in 1977.

6) Provide Construction Manuals
Constructing a log home is far more complicated than just stacking courses of logs. To ensure homes are built to meet national or regional building codes, all council members are required to develop and provide construction manuals to builders and contractors. The construction manuals detail how the manufacturer’s building system is to be employed in the field, including fastening schedules, floor and roof building techniques, and more.
   
5) Provide Free Information to Consumers  
All council members agree to offer free information to consumers to help them make informed decisions during the buying and building process. This includes the funding of this website, which provides detailed information to consumers through its Buyer’s Guide, the Perfect Path to Your Dream Home. (Please note individual plans books from manufacturers may require a nominal fee for shipping and handling.)

4) Abide By a Strict Code of Ethics
All members of the council have adopted a strict ethics code. Upon joining the council, members voluntarily agree to produce well-designed, model-code complying structures. Members also agree that financial obligations and commitments regarding business activities with their customers would be in writing, with copies distributed to all parties concerned. Member companies assume the responsibility to keep informed on laws, regulations, legislation, building codes and other essential information that affect the log and timber industry.

3) Compete Fairly for Your Business
Members of the council abide by the free enterprise system, where companies compete on a level playing field for their clients’ business. Members agree that they will not attempt to injure, with malicious intent, either directly or indirectly, the professional reputation of other members, nor to indiscriminately criticize another member’s work in public, or take unfair advantage over fellow members. Each member agrees to conduct his or her business in a manner that avoids controversy, but that if controversy arises, to resolve the dispute through non-litigation mechanism wherever possible.

2) Ethics Committee Will Attempt to Resolve Any Disputes
After hearing all sides of an issue, the Log Homes Council Ethics Committee will suggest ways to resolve the issue and prevent future conflicts. The LHC members may also receive a warning with specific recommendations on bringing the company into line with accepted industry practices.  If an agreement cannot be reached, the Ethics Committee will advise all parties to pursue legal solutions. If, however, a member of the Council fails to live up to the expectations of the council, the Ethics Committee has the right to revoke or suspend the membership of a member company. Any decision of the LHC Ethics Committee may be appealed to the Building Systems Councils Board of Trustees.

1) Complaints Against Non-Members Are Monitored
While the Log Homes Council has no way of mediating disputes with non-members, a file is kept on all non-member complaints. The Ethics Committee reviews this file when considering a log home manufacturer for membership.

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The Log Homes Council is a national organization with membership comprised of manufacturers of log homes. The council is part of the National Association of Home Builders. Companies that belong to the Council adopt membership requirements that protect consumers during the buying and building process. When it comes to making your dream home come true, only trust members of the Log Homes Council.