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BOOSTING BUILDER PROFITS, Although many builders have to be talked into their first log home, once the first job is done, most of them are hooked. Some even give up the "stick" side of their business to specialize in log construction. Much of the credit goes to the log home manufacturers that design, engineer, and mill log home packages that not only meet buyer expectations, but also enable the builder to deliver consistently high-quality homes without a lot of wasted time, materials, or resources. Northeastern Log Homes is one log home manufacturer doing just that. A Leader in Log Homes Northeastern Log Homes is a leader when it comes to comfort, custom design, competitive pricing, buildability, and resale value. The company is always on the lookout for advanced materials and components, and has introduced gluelam beams that span wider distances, AdvanTech subflooring and roofing, truss joists, and other engineered products.
"The homes we’ve designed and produced since our founding in l972 continue to improve over the years in terms of quality and ease of maintenance," says Jonathan French, president of Northeastern. "Much of the credit goes to the creation of the Log Homes Council of the NAHB, which has contributed to raising quality standards, most notably with log grading standards, consumer protection, mainstreaming log homes, appraising, and making it easier for consumers to finance their log homes." Northeastern specializes in complete packages that include all the actual home components — subflooring, windows and doors, all roofing materials, decking, interior walls, stairs, railings, and fasteners. The homebuyer provides site preparation, foundation and masonry, septic and water systems, heating, plumbing, wiring, finished floors, and kitchen and bathroom cabinets and fixtures.
The company uses national brand-name products that enhance builder and customer confidence, including Andersen low-e windows and Frenchwood doors, as well as Morgan and Therma Tru doors, Owens Corning roofing materials, and Schlage locksets. Homes are manufactured at the company's facilities in Kenduskeag, Maine, and are sold direct from the factory. Complete package prices range from about $33,000 to more than $100,000. Buyers can choose from a starter home series, a vacation home series, the Sportsman's Cabin, or a premium home series. Better for the Builder’s Bottom Line Northeastern offers the independent builder the support and efficiency of a large company. "We take care of all marketing, sales, design, design revisions, pricing, and engineering," says French, "and we provide a complete log home package that eliminates having to purchase components locally, coordinate deliveries, and deal with delays and unanticipated price changes." All the components arrive at one time, and the logs are all precut and numbered.
Northeastern's sales and marketing programs include staffing model homes, exhibiting at home shows, advertising, and providing publicity. These activities generate leads and qualify buyers ahead of time. To enhance customer confidence, Northeastern this year introduced its Four-Star Promise to underscore its commitment to superior service, custom design, quality, and its EasyBuild Package to ensure smooth, hasslefree construction and customer satisfaction. Northeastern also helps customers with financing, custom design, and design revisions. Many of Northeastern’s designers and engineers are former builders who use the latest CAD technology. The bottom line? Northeastern's log home packages and full range of services can increase the builder's bottom line by boosting the customer base and reducing subcontractor wages and benefits, labor shortage problems, risk of theft, and waste disposal costs. An Experienced Builder Weighs In Larry Fausey of Central Pennsylvania has been building Northeastern Log Homes exclusively since l976. "When I built the first home, I was impressed with the way all the logs are cut and numbered, and the fact that the trucks arrived with their own crane," Fausey explains. "It speeded up delivery and eliminated the need to hire an extra crew for unloading."By including all the building components in its package," Fausey continues, "the customer gets a more accurate picture of the total price, and the local contractor does not have to run around buying materials, which slows down the job and adds to the cost." Fausey advises: "When evaluating a log home company, the true test is in the quality of the components that do not show after the house is completed. For example, Northeastern's double- roof system is fully vented and surpasses energy requirements. That means there are no callbacks and the homeowner benefits in terms of maintenance, durability, and energy efficiency." For more information about Northeastern Log Homes, call 1-800-624-2797. For more information about building systems, contact the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Building Systems Council at 1-800-368-5242 or visit www.buildingsystems.org. |
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