| Here are some tips to help you narrow your | | | | and easy to use, although may not contain |
| search for plans for your new log home.Use | | | | features that are specific to log homes. |
| your old home to help you plan your new home | | | | Others are more robust, more expensive, and |
| | | | more difficult to use. Use Google or other |
| One of the ways to help you decide on a plan | | | | Internet search tools to find sources for |
| for your new home is to take a look at your | | | | this type of software.Search for standard |
| present home and use it as a reference point | | | | plans |
| for your new plans. Treat your new home plan | | | | |
| as an "adjustment" to your old home plan. | | | | It's possible that there is already a home |
| Make a list of the features you like and | | | | plan out there that closely meets your needs. |
| dislike in your current home. Add features | | | | The Internet is one of best resources. A |
| you don't have now, but would want in your | | | | seach for "log home plans" will result in a |
| new home.Organize your plan selections | | | | wide selection of plans, primarily from log |
| | | | home companies. Log home magazines are |
| Start a scrapbook that includes pictures and | | | | another good source for plans.Modify standard |
| drawings of the styles of log home and | | | | plans |
| features that appeal to you. Common features | | | | |
| will start to appear in many of your | | | | Any log home floor plan can be modified to |
| selections. For example, if your scrapbook | | | | suit your needs. You don't have to choose one |
| photos show mostly handcrafted log homes, you | | | | of the standard plans offered by log home |
| can concentrate your search on log home | | | | companies. You can use the plan from one |
| companies that specialize in handcrafted | | | | company as the basis for creating a plan to |
| construction.Start with a simple plan | | | | be used by another company. Plans for |
| | | | conventional homes can usually be adapted to |
| Draw a rough layout of individual rooms for | | | | log construction.Your log home company can |
| your new home, with the rooms represented | | | | help |
| only by boxes. Use the dimensions of your old | | | | |
| rooms as a reference. Arrange the boxes in | | | | Log home companies have in-house designers |
| the general pattern that you would want. | | | | to help you create or modify a plan. They use |
| Account for hallways, closets, and storage | | | | sophisticated professional software for this |
| spaces. This will give you a good idea of not | | | | purpose. Be aware that you may have to make a |
| only your general floor plan, but also your | | | | few compromises in your plans to accommodate |
| overall home dimensions.Use your computer as | | | | certain log construction requirements.Al |
| a design tool | | | | Hearn is founder and operator of Log Home |
| | | | Advisor (LogHomeAdvisor.com), a popular and |
| There are a variety of home design software | | | | growing web site that provides information |
| products available that can make your | | | | and advice for log home lovers. |
| planning easy and fun. Some are very simple | | | | |