Monday, December 27, 2010

photo gallery of Wallace home in ND



Another harsh winter day wind and snow

This is the foam plywood built up roof ststem


Full log dormers with beam rafter porch roof system

Early Nov. snow fall is  taller than the truck

Beam post and beam rafters
The sunroom is held up with the big beams and posts what a great look from their basement walkout

The rustic stairs before the spindle and handrails

The bay window was installed on the second floor of the garage

Elegant log home with plenty of space

rustic staircase 

At Home In Ohio Magazine article from LOG HOME IDEAS

Mike Hompertz of Patriot log Home Builders in the extreme cold winter of 2002 built the Jack And Pauline Deraway log home. After the interior and decorating were completed it was featured in LOG HOME DESIGN IDEAS











Photo Gallery  of  Log Home in process
 Log home builders front view with roof on of Derway home

Mike HOmp0ertz-log home builder up on gazebo roof


Front view other side


Christmas card from Happy home owners Jack and Pauline Derway of the featured home



Hochstetler and my North Dakota experience
Written by Mike Hompertz

I received a phone call in July to build a log home from Sue Wallace as they were driving back to N. D. from Hochstetler milling located in Ohio. Sue and Dave told me they were hoping to get started on their log home before winter. I knew this is somewhat of a challenge to under take, let alone they  both have full time jobs that are quite a full plate in itself. But they took the bull by the horns and were able to purchase the home they desired,got the basement foudation done so that we were able to show up by the end of September. This was actually no small feat considering the out side obstacles which they encountered.

In Dickinson, N.D. their is a construction boom going on because of the oil wells. There is a so  lack of housing ,which has made a housing explosion every tradesman is busy . Dave talked to me once and told me he couldn't get a basement in til November , I must say that concerned me starting that close to winter,but through Dave's persistence and some luck of timing ran into some guys that had a opening to pour his foundation. 

We also had another obstacle, Hochstetler milling  closed in September for two weeks to set up their annual Log Cabin Days .I mentioned my concerns to Mike O 'Neil in sales of Hochstetler the difficulty of starting in November in N.D. and asked if their was any thing that could be done. He said he would check. He called me back that day and said he talked to Levi,owner and founder of the company who mentioned that the milling of the  logs was done during Log Cabin Days, so  the guests could see the process, what the logs go through before they are milled and shipped.
logs finished up at mill during Log Cabin Days
Inside the mill at Log Cabin Days Milling the logs for the Wallace home

 
They assured me they would be shipped to N.D. by the end of September which just got me excited. Knowing the logs were going to be milled I called Dave and Sue and told them I was going to Ohio to film the progress of the logs being milled .it also gave me a opportunity to visit family that lived close by in Ohio. I went to Log Cabin Days and met many of the Hochstetler staff which I enjoyed because of allthe phone conversations I have had with many of them it was nice to put a face on these pleasent and cheerful voices, I had a very nice time their looking at their facilities and their life styles, I would suggest it as a wonderful stop for the family to spend the day.

Plenty of Amish Charm at log cabin days in Ohio


When I got home I had less than 10 days to pack my tools and clothes and get the house in order for the winter. We had figured it would take approximately two months  for us to build thishome. The package model is the  Mckay with an added  breezeway and garage. On top of it we were facing shorter days of daylight, less time to work. We left Wisconsin September 25 th, the semi's were showing up the 27 th and I try to be there to unload the trucks. Find a place to stay in N.D. was going to be difficult because of the influx of all the oil well people that had consumed all the motel complexes, I got to give it to Dave and Sue for their generosity of welcoming us into their house it was over the top!!! 

We started right in and did the subfloor with floor trusses and the logs showed up on the trucks and started laying our 1st. courses of logs, We did the traditional have the homeowner putting the 1st. logs down while we video this exciting moment and put it on you tube video which everybody gets to enjoy. See the homeowner put down the first log here.

It took us three days to stack the 9 foot walls on the main house,then proceded to get all the beams in the second floor system by notching them into the logs,which also includes notching for all the electric so that it is hid from plain sight.


We then put the down stair partition walls up and had the electrcians run their wires so we could put the 2x6 tounge and groove flooring on the second floor, at that point we stacked the second floor logs full gables and shed dormer across the length of the house. It took the two of us three days.

My nephew Jeremy Sinur and I started cutting and putting up the decorative and structural beam rafters which stay exposed with tounge and groove on top with a foam plywood sandwhich roof system. After we had put the foam roof on we framed up the breezeway and garage walls. The prints only showed a single story breezeway and garage. We offered Dave and Sue the option of putting a second floor above each so  would be able to enter them from their second floor loft.This gave them an extra 600 sq.ft.  They loved the idea and boy did it turn out nice!

Some of the walls upstairs were changed from the print by homeowner request. It sure made a nice flow through the house. With the extra full logs left over from the package I suggested  putting up full log dog house dormers instead of 2 x 6 with plywood and half log siding. This gave tails , a better house, and is so much nicer inside. They loved it.

Our last big building project was to assemble the sunroom off the dining room.  I made another suggestion to the homeowners , the sunroom beams which were on the print  to be used inside the sun room I thought they would look more impressive  holding up the sunroom outside , as it is a walk out basement. 
 
 The final touches, our last days on the job, were siding the garage and breezeway,installing the windows and doors,plus trim,and the spindles and handrails inside and out ,it just looked so complete,especially the loft and staircase along with the beam stairs. 
 
It took me and Jeremy about 60 days to complete our part of the dry in .Not many men would attempt this in the harsh weather conditions and I wonder how many  could do. not it I know what kind of diligence and fortitude it took! Let alone the 30 below zero cold days ,the gumption to stay with it, t he physical endurance that it required . I had to keep sight of the ultimate goal ....to not only finish but to be so very proud of our accomplishment and to have the homeowners appreciate us putting our hearts and souls into every step of the home! I know we achieved this.

I again would like to thank Dave and Sue for bringing us into their home and believing in us to give them the very best home that could be built.

Thank You Mike Hompertz Patriot Log Home Builders
© 2010 Patriot Log Home Builders

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Mc Kay Hochsetler log home with garage and breeze COMPETED DRY IN

back of home showing sun room with deck on both sides, under deck supported by large  beams on far right you can see the attached breezeway and garage with added bay window to second floor (this was an option provided by patriot that is not part of the print)

 
The front of the McKay , double car garage , added the window on the second floor ( read about the second floor that Patriot added to the breezeway and garage ) 2 dormers with a deck that spans the length of the house. They choose a very nice leaded glass door which made this log home much elegance and class!

Back door entrance which shows the beautiful bay window that I gave them
INTERIOR walk threw of McKay model with added Breeze way and attached garage


EXTERIOR walk threw of McKay Hochstetler log home

© 2010 Patriot Log Home Builders

Dry in construction contract EXAMPLE

Dry In construction Contract example ©


Patriot Log Home builders
908 parrot lane Wausau WI 54401
608 547 4129 
Mike Hompertz

Date:

Homeowner name:MR AND MRS LOG HOME LOVERS

Address :THE PREFECT LOCATION

Phone:

Other Notes: _____________________________________________________________________________

Home square footage: approx. 2000 ,
Log style:

Notes: additional rooms, decks, breezeway,garage etc

________________________________________________________________________________



Tentative start date:ASAP

Price based on final prints__x__ Price based on plans or preliminaries__(check one)*

Draw Schedule

Monies can be wired directly into account for ease and immediate payment, it is to be understood that until payment is received, work will not commence.

• Acceptance deposit of $1000.00 paid on date, ---------------, payable immediately after signing.


• Time slot deposit of $3000.00 payable when your log delivery date is firmly established, this ensures the arrival on that date of myself and crew to begin your log home project. __.? 2011____ Date paid on, arrival date time slot ______n_________.

Total price $40.0000

Balance of construction after depoists $36,000.00

DRAW SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS ( to be determined for each contract, here is an example on a  )
25 % $9000.00   log stack completion
25 % completion of roof framing
25 %  main house roof sheeted, closed in completed
25 % when job duty list is completed

Homeowner obligations:

• Foundation completion, porch piers

• Final Print

• Permits

• Temporary 220 or 110 electrical power supplied by power company

• Portable toilet

• Fork truck (min. 6000 lbs) required for unloading log home package and material handling during construction.

• Special handling when/if necessary i.e. crane

Builder’s obligations:

• Complete “dry –in” construction which includes all services marked on the attached P-01 form

• Comply with building codes

• Provide quality workmanship and professional conduct

• Guarantees all work against defective construction or craftsmanship for a period of one year

• Building of this contract to be completed in a timely fashion

• Keep job site clean, reduce left over material to a few piles. Dumpster is a good idea; if present it will be used.

Changes or extras

Any additional work must be accompanied by a “Change Order” provided by PLH executed by both homeowner and PLH. 50 % deposit required before work will be started, the balance required after completion.


Ordering

In the event that the homeowner requires additional services such as ordering, pick up of material, etc…PLH reserves the right to charge a fee to cover gas and a reasonable cost to compensate for time

Delays

Delays do and will occur; weather can prevent the crew from working such as rain, snow and sub zero temperatures which may stop production. When snow removal by the crew is required, homeowner will reasonably compensate builder for his time. This is to be negotiated before work is started to both parties satisfaction. When a delay, that is beyond the control of the builder, such as caused by an unforeseen event, such as a delay of materials arriving on job site, homeowner and builder will agree if compensation is appropriate to builder or work something equitable out between them.

Signature page

Homeowner ______________________________________________________(date)_____________



Patriot Log Home Builders_______________________________________________

Mike Hompertz

908 Parrot Lane

E-mail: patriotloghomebuilders@yahoo.com

Cell 608 547 4129

Web site: www.patriotloghomebuilders.blogspot.com


No other party shall be implied in this contract unless specifically named herein. Contract is strictly between the parties named above. I the under signed fully understand the context of this contact; I have had an opportunity to question any items I do not understand to clarity of understanding and have agreed therefore.

*If price is based on plans or preliminaries , price may be subject to change if square footage has changed



JOB DUTY CHECK OFF FORM

All services to be performed are checked below, according to prints or plans, all that apply are checked.

1. Frame exterior basement wall/s_x____

2. Install sub floor, includes joist, girder, sill, plywood _x__

3. Log stack, erect all exterior logs included on print and delivered in package or 2 by framed exterior walls with half log siding __x___

4. Framing of all interior walls__x___

5. Studding of support walls only_____

6. Support beam/s and /or ceiling beams _x____

7. Conventional ceiling joists (does not include T G)___x__

8. Rough stair framing , first to second floor __x___or beam stairs

9. Gable -ends __x____

10. Roof system __x____

11. Plywood roof decking ( does not include roof flashing)__x___

12. Dormers _x____

13. Cornice __x___

14. Cut and frame door and window rough openings provided by homeowner __x___

15. Trim exterior window and door openings __x___

16. Set windows only (nail flange style)__x___

17. Set exterior door, excludes overhead garage doors__x___

18. Drill holes in log walls for receptacles and switches as per print__x___

19. Porch, decks, posts and porch roof__x___

20. Garage_x____

21. Frame fireplace_____

22. _____



23. Other_____ __________________________________________________________________



24. Other ________________________________________________________________________



Walk through will not be performed after daylight hours.(Please do a walk-through with builder as often as needed for your satisfaction) Do not sign off on this check list until you are fully satisfied with the builders work and jobs performed.

I’ve personally performed a walk through and have visually inspected all the above services. I hereby verify that all work has been completed to my full satisfaction.________________________________________________________ (homeowner name and date)

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Patriot Log HOme builders finishes up in ND

INTERIOR walk threw of McKay model with added Breeze way and attached garage


EXTERIOR walk threw of McKay Hochstetler log home