Before purchasing your Log Cabin it is good to ask yourself what can go wrong.
It is easy for us to declare the simplicity of building our Log Cabins, Summerhouses and Garden Offices. We have years of construction experience behind us, plus we personally design the cabins in house, meaning we know exactly how to build them. We use this knowledge, and the mistakes we have learned from along the way, to know exactly what can go wrong when preparing for your Log Cabin.
Measure, measure, measure
Spirit levels and measuring tape are going to be your best friends throughout your buying and constructing journey. You need to accurately measure what available space you have in your garden to find out which of our Log Cabins will fit.
Measure the space where you want your Log Cabin to go multiple times. Then ask a friend or family member to measure too. This helps eliminate the possibility of mistakes.
Once you have ordered the Log Cabin of your dreams, it is time to prepare your base. Our article “How to build a Log Cabin Base” talks you through the technical elements. Take your time to read the guide, pay particular attention to the section surrounding your base needing to be flat, solid and level.
Build your base a week or two before your Log Cabin’s delivery date. The first ‘what can go wrong’ moment surrounds the size of the base. Make sure your base counters for the size of your cabin, then add 100mm on all sides. Work through your base with the same methodical attention to detail you applied to measuring your garden to make sure your Log Cabin fits on your base.
Budget and finance
The second biggest ‘what can go wrong’ aspect is your budget. It is easy to get so swept up in the excitement of your Log Cabin that you forget to set a realistic budget. This can leave you with a great Log Cabin, but no financial way of decorating it the way you want.
In the planning stages of your Log Cabin, list what you think your cabin will need. This will help you budget for the additional buys; a flat screen for your cinema room, a pool table for your games room or a bar for your party cabin. In addition to the material purchases, budget for labour, such as electricians which you will need to power your cabin.
If budgeting is not your strong point, why not opt for a Log Cabin where some of the things you want are already included in the price. For example, our Pub Sheds have a bar included in the kit. By opting for these styles of cabins you can rest safe in the knowledge there are no hidden costs to your building, as well as knowing your ‘extras’ will fit in your garden room both in terms of size and style.
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail
This old cliché, made famous by Benjamin Franklin, is true. Once you have ordered your Log Cabin, start to prepare for the delivery of it. We have made the actual delivery that much easier with our delivery tracker, but once we have left, it is down to you.
When you first order your Log Cabin, you will be given details on how to enter our customer login area, where you will find a copy of the assembly instructions. Take time before the delivery to read through these to ensure you have everything you need to build your cabin.
On the day, set out all of the tools you will need so you don’t have to keep going back and forth, or searching through your toolbox. A tip we were sent by a customer was to put your instructions in a plastic cover so they can be wiped clean during building. The last thing you need is your tea, coffee or cold beverage spilling on your instructions and rendering them unreadable.
Not treating your timber
The last ‘what can go wrong’ tip is not giving yourself enough time to fully treat your cabin. Leaving your Log Cabin untreated, exposes it to the elements and allows moisture into the timber logs. This leaves it vulnerable to rot, fungal decay and weakness.
Each individual timber log is designed to allow for the natural expansion and contraction process. The weight of the roof and subsequent logs, to help prevent gaps appearing. Even if fungal decay doesn’t set in after leaving it untreated, the absorption and expulsion of moisture in your spruce can make the cabin wood move more than it naturally would. This movement can result in holes appearing in your Log Cabin over time.
Make sure you take the time to properly paint your Log Cabin; including the ends, floor and roof boards. Anything timber that is exposed to the elements. Pay particular attention to the logs around your windows and doors, this is where water tends to concentrate.
Pick a weekend where the weather is predicted to be nice so your cabin has the perfect environment to dry.
By following our handy ‘what can go wrong’ guide, you can avoid simple mistakes. These mistakes have been made by ourselves over the years, and customers. Which is why we can confidently give you the knowledge to avoid them. To view our range of Log Cabins, visit our website or give our sales team a call on 01234 272 445.
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