Thursday, September 1, 2011

News from Jack: What's New 8/27/11


News From Jack

Honest Abe Convention in Nashville
August 2011

What’s New!

• New Catalogs
• Price Adjustment & New Pricing List
• Notes from Jack, 3

New Catalogs

Honest Abe Log and Timber Frame Homes has divided our catalog into two publications.

Product & Planning Guide
52 pages of photographs and How To information with illustrations including the material package contents for:
• Legacy Collection
• Genuine Select Collection
• Big Sky Series

Floor Plan Catalog
52 pages of floor plans and illustrations plus a glimpse of the Honest Abe Cottages in the works. It replaces the Sportsman Series of recreational cabins.

$10.00 is the cost of the new companion Catalogs. Both catalogs for $10.00 and that includes postage.

Price adjustment & New Price List

Usually, when a new price list is mentioned, rows and columns come to mind. Well, that is a part of what Honest Abe has done with this new “Price Adjustment.” Allow me to explain.

As you may know, Honest Abe Log and Timber Frame Homes offers two distinct types of material packages. The more common one is known as the Legacy Collection. The less commonly known version is called the Genuine Select Series.

The Legacy collection offers a complete dry-in or shell material package. Everything in the package is needed.

The Genuine Select Series offers a less robust material package for those who wish to purchase some of the items that are included in the Legacy Collection.

Look at it this way. If you purchase 150 different items in the material package of the Legacy Collection, there may be only 135 items in the material package of the Genuine Select Series. So, the Genuine Select packages cost less than the Legacy packages because it contains less “material.”

Interior doors are one such line item. Another item is the interior 1x5 baseboard, door and window trim. They are in the Legacy package but not in the Genuine Select package. There are a few other differences that are illustrated in the new Catalogs.

It is important to note that ALL of the items found in the Legacy Collection material package are necessary to complete the dry in of your log home. It is just that you may wish to purchase some of those necessary items yourself.

So what is the change?

Our new price list goes into effect September 1, 2011. It has ALL of our homes configured for the Legacy material package and the Genuine Select material packages. For example:

The Swiftwater. 1276 sf. One story. **
8x8 D Logs
$66,565 = Legacy Series material package
$54,053 = Genuine Select material package
** See Photo Gallery #64 at LogHomesByJack.com. It is the home shown at the top of this page.

To receive a copy of the new price list, send an email to Jack@LogHomesByJack.com. Please include your mailing address, zip code and telephone number.

To set up an appointment to meet with Jack personally, just telephone 800 767-4916, anytime.

To learn more about what is offered by LogHomesByJack.com, please refer to the front page of our web site.

Note from Jack 1: There is a new year end sales promotion in effect. It started September 1 and ends December 31, 2011. See the post here at News from Jack

Note from Jack 2: The Sportsman Cabin Collection has been discontinued. Orders can be shipped until the end of 2011. Check with your County Planning Department to see if they will allow our 4x6 D logs to be used in recreation cabins for rental units and overnight hunting camps. A replacement series is in the works but has not yet been announced. In the meantime, we can configure any of our cabins using 6x8D logs and economical truss roof systems.

Note from Jack 3: Tell us what you want. Ask away. Please do not keep us guessing and wondering. I am a former teacher and coach and tend to talk toooo much. So please, tell us your story.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Sportsman Cabin News Flash from Jack

News Flash:

This message is in response to requests for information about our Sportsman Cabin Collection.

It was announced by Honest Abe Log Homes in a conference call on August 10, 2011 that the Sportsman Cabin Collection will be discontinued effective September 1, 2011.

Part of the issue involving these very attractive cabins is the size of the log we use, 4x6 D log, and increasingly stringent building codes.

So, if you would still like to purchase a Sportsman Cabin from our 12 design collection, now is the time to place your order. Based on current production schedule, we can have the Sportsman material package on you job site in around 30 days. See the "Sportsman button" at www.LogHomesByJack.com.

Remember, that the Sportsman package does not include stain. We offer Sansin Enviro Stain separately from Honest Abe.
• SDF is used on the exterior log walls.
• DEC is used on porch floors and decks.
• Purity is used on interior wood walls & ceilings.

After the Sportsman Cabin Collection . . .

Honest Abe will be offering recreational cabins to replace the Sportsman. Changes include 6x8 D logs and options for beefed up roof insulation. Obviously, this new series will be more costly.

For now, please let me know if you need a price list and let me know soon if you wish to move forward now. Most people select the Ultimate Package, Metal roof and Insulation. It begins with a 25% deposit.

Feel free to call me at any time with your questions. 800 767-4916. Thanks for your attention to this change.

We appreciate your interest in Honest Abe Log Homes. To review your options, contact Jack Hutslar at
800 767-4916 or
Jack@LogHomesByJack.com.

We look forward to serving you. Best wishes.

Sincerely yours,

Jack

Jack & Sally Hutslar
Full Time Independent Dealers
• Honest Abe Log Homes
• Sansin Enviro Stains
• Eagle Panel Systems [SIPs]

• Sportsman Cabin Collection
• Legacy Series
• Big Sky Series
• Genuine Slect Series

Friday, July 1, 2011

Music in the Park in 2011




Music in the Park

When:

Every 4th Summer Saturday
8:00 pm at the Beach Pavilion

Location:

Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Bedford County in Virginia
On Rt 626

Presented by Friends of SML State Park Inc.
$5.00 per person
No parking fee
Children 12 and under FREE

Blue Grass Bands
- - and - -
The Old Dominion Cloggers at each event

• May 28, 2011
With Common Ground

• June 25, 2011
with Down 2 Earth

• July 23, 2011
with Friday Night Band

• August 27, 2011
with Wound Tight

Seating is Limited. Bring your folding chairs.

For Sale: soft drinks, food, snacks, ice cream.

Local Sponsors:

Charlie and Lib Walker

Chopsticks Oriental Cuisine
540 721-8839

Edo Grill and Sushi
540 297-6888

Harvey Dentistry SML PC
540 721-2448

LogHomesByJack.com
800 767-4916

Mayberry Diner & Drive-In Theater
540 296-1480

Mitchell's Point Marina
540 484-3980

Moneta Lions Club
540 297-1407

P.J. Belle, Realtor at Long & Foster
540 297-4111

SML Pilots Club
540 297-6422

Tucks Tire & Auto Center
540 297-5155

Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Click Here for the link.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

RuStick [rustic] Home Series of Conventional Homes


.
RuStick [rustic] Series of Homes


Stick Built "Log" Homes

Honest Abe Log Homes offers a series of rustic homes. The RuStick Home Series meets the growing demand from consumers for homes with a rustic log home look and feel while utilizing conventional construction materials and techniques.

Our RuStick material packages use standard 2x4 or 2x6 stick framing and insulation with the rustic feature of exterior and interior log siding. Honest Abe includes conventional insulation in these packages as well as architectural shingles.

For more information about fitting am economical RuStick "log" home into your life and budget, contact:
Jack Hutslar
800 767-4917 or Jack@LogHomesByJack.com



Sample material package with 2011 pricing shown

The Monroe at 1404 sf
Compare this to the Algood model
$44,943 plus shipping and applicable sales tax
Chalet with a window wall and a loft

The Kenton at 1456 sf
Compare this to the Castlerock model
$49,476 plus shipping and applicable sales tax
Great room with a window wall and loft

The Milton at 1400 sf
Compare this to the Newport model
$44,943 plus shipping and applicable sales tax
Traditional one story 3 BR cabin with great room, front porch and deck

The Kahne at 1876 sf
Compare this to the Appalachian model
$51,592 plus shipping and applicable sales tax
One story cabin with with great room and nice porches

We can provide RuStick home material packages for any of our many floor plans or your plans. See the two Catalog buttons at LogHomesByJack.com or Just Ask Jack.

Package Contents Include:

Subfloor System:
Foundation (by owner)
Treated Sill with Vinyl Termite Shield
Joist (2"x10" @ 16" o/c)
Subfloor Girder/Ledger
Subfloor Decking (3/4" T&G Advantech OSB)

Exterior Wall System:
Studs & Plates (2"X4")
Fiberglass Wall Insulation
Exterior Wall Sheathing (7/16" OSB)
Protective House Wrap
Exterior Log Siding (your choice of round or flat)
Interior Log Siding (to match the exterior)

Second Floor System: (not included in all models)
Support Post
Girder/Ledger
Joist (2"x10" @ 16" o/c)
Decking (3/4"" T&G Advantech OSB)

Interior Wall System:
Studs & Plates (2"X4")
Interior Wall Paneling (1"x6" T&G)
Baseboard/Ceiling Trim (1"x5”)
Stair Stringer (2"x12")
Stair Tread (2"x10")

Roof System:
Rafters 2"x10" SYP (some models have roof trusses)
Ridgepole 2"x12" SYP (some models have engineered LVLs)
Sheathing (7/16" OSB)
Roofing Felt (30#)
Architectural Asphalt Shingles
Fascia Trim (1"x8" Western Red Cedar)
Overhang Rafter (2"x6" SYP)
Soffit Framing (not shown)
Overhang Ladder Framing
Soffit/Vents
Soffit & Eave Trim (1"x6" T&G)
Ceiling (1"x6" T&G)
Fiberglass Roof Insulation

Porch & Deck System:
Porch/Deck Pier & Pier Post (by owner)
Porch/Deck Framing (2"x8" Treated)
Decking (5/4"x6" Treated)
Porch Post/Plate/Angle Braces (4"x6" Eastern White Pine)
Porch Rafter (2"x6" Eastern White Pine)
Porch Roof Decking (1"x6" T&G)
Roofing Felt (30#)
Architectural Asphalt Shingles

Window & Door Units:
Insulated, Double Hung, Tilt-Sash Wood Windows
Insulated, Wood-Grained Fiberglass Exterior Doors
Interior Doors & Trim

Other Items Included:
Gable End Framing, Sheathing, House Wrap, Siding
Exterior Stain & Topcoat

See our standard floor plan designs at www.LogHomesByJack.com.

For more information about these RuStick homes, including all home designs shown in our catalogs on line as well as your own designs, please contact:
Jack Hutslar
800 767-4916
Jack@LogHomesByJack.com

Log Home Price Comparisons: News from Jack March 17, 2011



The purpose of this post is to provide the comparative costs of the basic material package for several options of the Algood model, an Honest Abe Log Home.

This version of the Algood shown above is a 1404 sf log cabin with two bedrooms on the main floor, a loft and deck. There is no covered porch in the basic material package design. The mud room under roof to the right is NOT in the basic material package.


Great Room with stairs to loft

Material package comparative pricing for the same Honest Abe home design

Algood Model by Honest Abe Log Homes
1404 sf version

Log home price options

• 6x8 D logs - $60,561.00
• 8x8 D and round logs - $62,621.00
• 6x10 and 6x12 flat logs - $62,621.00

Ask Jack for the current pricing for ...

• 8x8 D Western Red Cedar [WRC] logs
• 8x12 D logs EWP or WRC logs
• 10” to 14” round Big Sky logs

RuStick stick built log home - $43,276,00

Timber frame home – $65,318.00

Not included this pricing are . . .

• Shipping to your job site
• State sales tax where applicable

• Covered porch
• Added garage and/or carport

• Added reinforced beam[s] to clear-span basement rec room area without posts
• Added matching door and windows for a basement

• Interior all wood door or doors for basement
• Added framing material for a basement

• Added matching wood siding for interior walls
• Interior wall stain [Ask Jack about Sansin Enviro Stain]


Loft. Bathroom can be added.

Here is the process below . . .

• Meet with Jack and go over your “Want List”
• Settle on the material package content for now as best we can.

• Jack will provide you with the "initial estimate" for your material package
• Deposit to get your floor plans started is $2,500.

• Review the floor plans drawings for change.
• A 50% deposit puts you at the top of the list for drawing floor plans, assembling the material package and shipping.

• We can set a delivery date that works for you and the builder. The material package will come on 1 or 2 18-wheeler trucks.
• All price adjustments related to changes in the material package content are calculated and shown in the final 50% payment.

• Need clearance and off loading space to bring in 1 or 2 18 wheelers.
• Builder provides a fork lift on delivery day that will handle 4000 pounds.

• Final payment is due before the truck can be off loaded.
• Need room to do that off loading. Possibly off load from the road or another lot if fork lift cannot get in and out of your driveway OK.

• Logs are precut, numbered, wrapped and labeled.
• We provide a construction CD for your builder to study. Reference Notes are on the floor plan drawings. Wall chart for logs.

• Assistance gladly provided for builders and self-builders by telephone.

More information. Go to

www.LogHomesByJack.com . . .

• See “News from Jack” for the latest news, tips, updates and information.

• See two Catalog Floor Plan Buttons for current and previous catalog.

• See Photo Gallery button for nearly 1,000 photos showing exteriors, interiors and construction. Photo Gallery files are numbers for your convenience. Updates can occur at any time.

• See latest Honest Abe News at www.Twitter.com/JackHutslar

Need a contractor or builder?
We can help with my network.
Contact Jack Hutslar at 800 767-4916

Show Time

Visit our Booth at the
Smith Mountain Lake Business Expo
Downtown Moneta on Rt 122 on the Bedford County side of the Lake
• Friday, April 29, 2011
• Noon to 5:00 pm

Bring us your floor plans and questions!

A portion of our profits go to support the SHS Scholarships Program I started for my high school.

For more information, contact:

Jack Hutslar
Based at Smith Mountain Lake
Authorized Dealer for Honest Abe Log Homes
800 767-4916
Jack@LogHomesByJack.com
www.LogHomesByJack.com

Jon Dowell, Builder
Triad - Based in Gibsonville NC
336 543-5697 [m]
jon@JDinteriors.org
www.jdinteriors.org

Sally Hutslar, Realtor
Based at Smith Mountain Lake
Serving 8 county Roanoke Valley area
866 384-7080
Sally @naysi.com
www.SMLHomesAndLand.com

News from Jack March 2, 2011


News from Jack

Call Jack if you are considering a Log Home, Timber Frame Home, Recreational Cabin or Commercial Structures for lodges, developments, rental units, offices, restaurants, stores, condos.



• Log Home style = all styles and sizes.
• Timber Frame Homes style = 2 distinct post & beam styles.
• RuStick stick built “log” home style = all styles and sizes.
• Hybrid log - timber frame - RuStick structures.

PLUS: Additions. Garages. Staining. Chinking. Caulking. Repairs. Renovations.

See our two floor plan Catalog buttons for models and recently updated Photo Gallery button with over 700 exterior and interior photos at www.LogHomesByJack.com.

Honest Abe Log Homes will modify our plans, combine plans, or you can bring us your own plans.

Contact Jack Hutslar at
800 767-4916
Jack@LogHomesByJack.com

www.LogHomesByJack.com

Best wishes for all of us to have a very good March 2011.

Livingston model



Pricing for Livingston model featuring our Big Sky 10” round logs.

See the Photo Gallery at www.LogHomesByJack.com. These Livingston Photo files show Honest Abe 6x10 chinked logs, see numbers . . . 78, 44

For Big Sky log homes from Honest Abe, see the following items in the Photo Gallery at LogHomesByJack.com, see numbers . . . 74, 19, 16, 15

Material Package details:
• Subfloor. Porch with round posts. Deck.
• 10" round log walls with Swedish cope corners
• 2nd floor system with round joists + 2x6 T&G
• Purlin roof system without shingles or metal roof
• Gable end material
• Dog house and shed dormers
• Interior partitions, 2x4s and 2x6s
• Trim for doors, windows, baseboards
• Wood doors, interior
• Stairs to 2nd floor [Big Sky] and basement
• Stain for exterior and interior
• Wood for interior walls
• Windows and doors, standard
• Premium wood and clad windows not included
• Half log siding on the upper level
• Basement with 2x4 partitions, 1 door, 4 matching windows

Price: $161,906.96
plus shipping
plus state sales tax where applicable

Shell or Turnkey construction estimates cannot be determined until we know where the home is to be built.

See Material Package Pricing Details for other homes here at News from Jack.

Jack@LogHomesByJack.com
800 767-4916