Inquiry

[wiscskis]

Is there anyone who is from Wisconsin that has had a bad experience with their log home builder? I am a victim who is looking for direction.

[JeffandSara]

Wiscskis--

Sorry to hear your problem. I believe if you look back in the older posts in this section there are a couple of stories of people who had similar situations. I don't recall anyone in your state, but as I recall there were lots of general ideas suggested for course of action. Perhaps you will find some helpful information in those, and probably other members (especially some we have here who haven't had kits built but do live in Wisconsin) will have new suggestions for your specific situation if they hear some more details.

Hang in there. Hope you can figure out a good course of action.

Sara

[lishkersch]

Hello Wicskis~

I am sorry to hear about your experience, do you mind passing along the name of the company you used? I am from Minnesota, right on the border of Wisconsin (st. croix valley) so I am looking at companies in both MN and WI right now and would appreciate the heads up! Thank you, and nice to meet you.

Alisha

[dbtoo]

I suggest you pm the name to those who want it. Put please do post the issues that you have had, so that others who are considering kits can have additional fuel for understanding what they need to. Thanks.

[wiscskis]

A couple of things that I would recommend:
Do not start any construction until you have complete plans including schematics for plumbing, electrical, etc.
Do not start any construction until you have had your contract reviewed by an attorney.
Be sure that you look over any new drafts of plans thoroughly when changes are made - our builder made subtle changes we did not look for as we focused on the changes we requested.
Be sure any changes to your contract i.e. suggestions from your builder for adding to or deviating to your existing contract are documented by Change Orders.
DO NOT allow a draw until invoices and lien waivers are provided for the previous draw! Your builder must provide evidence of how your draw was dispersed. Don't waiver from this point. You will be thankful at the conclusion of business.
DO NOT disperse the final draw until ALL problems/issues/corrections are completed. NO EXCEPTION!
DO NOT take the builder at his word. Document everything, including taking notes during preliminary meetings and mail a copy to the builder as a reminder of what was discussed.
Those are some of the key things we should have done, but being unknowledgable at new construction and the process, we neglected to do this.
Karen

[nobleknight]

Hello Wicskis~

I am sorry to hear about your experience, do you mind passing along the name of the company you used? I am from Minnesota, right on the border of Wisconsin (st. croix valley) so I am looking at companies in both MN and WI right now and would appreciate the heads up! Thank you, and nice to meet you.

Alisha

You should be very skeptical at this point. There are numerous horror stories about log kit home/builders. If you like to throw your money away, kits are the way to go. So muck glitz and glitter advertised in magazines hide the real problems. ie air gaps, exploding windows, dropping your roof, operation of screw jacks, builders leaving jobs half finished, wood rot, etc. Remember, dried flower arrangements and leather sofas do not indicate quality construction.

Look deeper and educate yourself. Take the class. Learn what we know.
Make your dream log home a reality.

Tom
nobleknight
class 01-15-05