A savvy guide that takes you from dreaming of a log home to actually building and living comfortably in one. Industry insider Roland Sweet reveals tips and insights about the various facets of designing a log home, selecting a log-home producer, and evaluating log packages. Plus you"ll get real-world advice on calculating costs, what to look for when buying land, making energy-wise decisions, the importance of assembling a team that shares your vision, working with a builder, and much more. An invaluable resource, complete with photos, advice from log-home owners and an extensive and useful appendix. Table of Contents 1 - Keep Your Eye on the Prize 2 - Learn the Common Log Home Myths and Why They Are Myths 3 - Understand Wood 4 - Think Green 5 - Do Your Homework 6 - Gather Ideas 7 - Decide on the Look 8 - Calculate How Much House You Can Afford 9 - Know When and How to Compromise 10 - Anticipate the Unexpected 11 - Buy Your Land Before You Buy Your House 12 - Make Sure You Can Build on Your Land 13 - Assemble Your Dream Team Early 14 - Design for Yourself and Your Lifestyle 15 - Design for Protection 16 - Design for the Future 17 - Think Inside the Box 18 - Choose a Company that Offers the Look You Love 19 - Understand How Your Log Producer Provides for Log Settling 20 - Know What"s in Your Package and What Isn"t 21 - Understand What a Log Home Costs 22 - Get to Know Your Dealer 23 - Visit Several Actual Log Homes by Your Producer and Builder 24 - Hire the Best Builder, Not the Cheapest 25 - Determine Your Level of Involvement 26 - Expect Delays 27 - Don"t Forget Furniture 28 - Landscape for Beauty and Wildlife 29 - Have Realistic Expectations 30 - Move In and Move On Appendix - Preserve Your Home"s Good Looks - Warranties: Buyer Be Wary - How Your Log Home Happens - Cost-Estimating Checklist