6 Questions to Ask Your Log Home Restoration Company

A log home’s a cool deal, but keeping it solid and looking good takes some real effort. You’re dealing with caulking, fixing logs, or even swapping them out, and that’s where a good company comes in. Let’s cut through the noise—here are six questions to ask so you know they’re legit and won’t leave your place a wreck.

1. How Do You Check My Log Home’s Shape?

Start by asking how they figure out what’s wrong. A decent crew will walk your whole cabin or house, checking every inch for trouble—rotted wood, bugs chewing through, water sneaking in, or sun beating it down. They’ll zero in on tricky spots like corners, windows, doors, and the bottom logs where water loves to sit. Look for them to spot cracks, logs pulling apart, soft spots, or weird colors that scream decay.

2. How Do You Pick Repair or Replace on a Bad Log?

Ask how they decide if a log’s worth saving or needs to go. If it’s just a small rotten chunk, they might carve it out and stick in a new piece that fits right. But if it’s a mess—deep rot, soaked through, or bugs everywhere—they’ll yank the whole thing and put in a fresh log cut to match your wood, size, and look.

3. Do You Use Those Heat Cameras for Hidden Trouble?

Log homes can get cold drafts or spike your heat bill if something’s off. Ask if they use thermal cameras to catch stuff you can’t see. These gadgets show where heat’s slipping out or water’s hiding in the logs, pointing out bad caulking, insulation holes, or early rot and mold. If a wall stays chilly longer than the rest, it might mean dampness they can fix before it’s a nightmare.

4. What Caulk Do You Use to Plug the Gaps?

Logs shift and shrink over time, leaving gaps for water, bugs, or cold air to sneak in. Ask what caulk they slap on to seal it up. Good ones pick stuff that holds up to sun and stretches with the weather. Some stick tight to wood, staying put even when logs move with heat or rain. Make sure it keeps out moisture and pests for years.

5. Can You Match the Fixes to My Home’s Style?

You don’t want a patch job that looks like a bad tattoo. Ask if they can match new logs or repairs to your place—same wood type, shape, finish, and corner cuts. A solid company makes sure it blends in so your home still feels like one piece, not a patchwork quilt.

6. What Should I Do to Keep It Going Strong?

Restoration isn’t a one-time fix—you gotta stay on it. Ask what they say about keeping it up. They might suggest checking for new cracks or gaps now and then. Some recommend scrubbing the logs with a safe cleaner and a soft brush to ditch dirt or mildew. Also, ask about pest stuff to stop bugs from eating your wood alive. A few even offer checkups to catch issues early.

Keep Your Log Home Rocking

Getting your log home or cabin fixed up keeps it looking sharp and standing tall, whether it’s new or an old beauty. A good crew helps you fight off weather, bugs, and time. Track down a solid restoration outfit and ask them straight up what they can do for your place.