Video walk through of the brand new model log home

Check out my video tour of the Rockbridge log home!

The Pay Off!

WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS!!! Hours are M-F 9AM-6PM, SAT 9AM-4PM, SUN 1PM-5PM Phone 1-800-892-2322
Everyone is welcome to stop by and see our new OFFICE at 163 Absher Park Road, Statesville, NC, I-40WEST Exit 150. The first 25 people that stop by and say that they saw this invitation in the New Model Blog will receive a FREE GIFT!!! Please pardon our 'dust' as we are still in the moving in stages. I hope everyone understands but according to the City Inspector, until we get the final C.O. on the Rockbridge, NO ONE (other than the workers) will be allowed inside. Please be patient, I promise it will be worth your wait.

The move went very smoothly last week! The folks at CARDINAL Moving and Storage are AWESOME! Special thanks to their packers Otto and Angel, and to their movers, 'D' and Hector. All four of them really worked their hearts out, just one day to pack up Mooresville and one morning to move it all to Statesville.

I will post new pictures very soon so be sure to come back for a look or visit us in PERSON!!!

Good News and Bad News...

Moving day has arrived, furniture is going in. We are waiting on the final CO (certificate of occupancy.) We are really hoping to have this tomorrow.

The bad news is that the Rockbridge is not ready for final inspection. The inspectors have orange tape around it and we are not allowed to let people walk through. That means NO open house this weekend. I am so disappointed.

Keep coming back to the site for updates. We will let you know when the authorities tell us we can have you over for a party!

Moving Day is Here and the Open House is Coming

Cardinal Moving & Storage has confirmed a pack up and move date from our Mooresville location to our brand new Statesville location! It all seems so REAL now that we have all the boxes and papers here to start packing. I hope that you will will be patient and bear with us as we will probably go off line early in the week until we can re-establish a connection in Statesville. More than likely, your calls will be re-routed to another office location for the time being. I will still post updates in the BLOG so you may want to check in every day to see our progress.

The 'plan' is to get our office up and operational. Everything will focus on that goal! Painting is complete, along with the hard wood floors and molding. Doors are are installed. Power is being turned on soon. Landscaping is COMPLETE as is the Handicapped ramp and signage.

Remember, we are located at I-40 West, Exit 150, HWY 115, behind Sheetz. Look forward to seeing everyone!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG IN STATESVILLE!!

It has been an awesome week!! Sheetrock installation has been completed and painting has begun! Just wait till you see our colors!!! We even have our very own 'part time' painting mascot, Walle, a rescue dog who was adopted by 'Speedy', one of our painters!

Work continues on the Handicapped ramp and I have included current photos

Landscaping is is full force now. The change has been incredible! Bandy's Landscape Management, headed by Kirk Bandy, has placed almost all of the trees and shrubs which include 14+ Crepe Myrtles and various other shrubs and bushes. All Irrigation zones have been completed in the front of the Rockbridge and will continue on to completion by the end of this week. You will want to check back early next week to see more photos of the 'oasis' that is being created by this hard working group of guys.

We are getting closer to our re-location each day, so watch for BLOG updates! And, don't be afraid to stop by our site at 163 Absher Park Road, Statesville, NC,
I-40 West Exit 150 and see our 'work in progress' !!! If any of your businesses are re-locating in the near future and want to be one of our neighbors, there are several lots available near our new Rockbridge. You can contact Mr. Coleman Absher, Absher Partnership @704-873-8400 for more information. (Tell him SUSAN sent you!!)

Southland Makes Their Radio Debut

This past Friday morning I had the privilege to be interviewed LIVE on the 'Mornings with Billy Buck" show which airs on WSIC 1400/1520 AM (The Piedmont's News/Talk Station). What a blast is was to talk with Billy and Statesville Chamber President, David Bradley about Southland Log Homes, our new Rockbridge and the progress we have made thus far.

Construction is continuing on the Handicapped ramp and Retaining wall at the rear of the office. We also poured a side walk and were able to get our new parking lot paved! The insulation was installed in the office and is nearing completion. Plus I have a few interior photos! Again, the push is ON to complete and be able to move in to the office building. Sheetrock installation begins today! You will want to check my blog weekly as soon it may be the only means of communication I have with you during our move from Mooresville to the Statesville location. I will let you know just as soon as I do! In the mean time, the new owners of our location in Mooresville, New Castle Realty, have been gracious enough to have Southland information available to you during and after our transition.

Moving Toward Move In Day!

We are 'on the move' since my last entry! In the past week we have passed both our Framing inspections (one for Rockbridge, one for Office/Garage). The Rockbridge passed the Electrical Insp. but Office did not the first time. Issue was over a mandatory EXIT sign that needed to be placed, that is done and we are in business now. The Insulation has bet set in the office and the inspector has okayed the work there.

Construction has begun on a mandatory Handicapped Ramp which will be placed in the rear of the office. (photos up). There is quite a bit of work required to pass the inspection on this one including a retaining wall that will be placed up against the Rockbridge and office as a safety requirement for the ramp.

Also some of the irrigation system work has begun at the front of the property by our local landscaper, Kirk Bandy and his crew.

As of right now, focus is on the office/garage as we now need some where to go. Our lease is up in Mooresville and we are there just day by day now. We are hoping to hear tomorrow on a 'temporary' CO (certificate of occupancy) on the Office only so that we can occupy is while work is finished on the Rockbridge.

Successful show - and finished garage/office

Thanks to everyone for coming to say hi to me at the Charlotte Log & Timber Frame Expo over the weekend! It was wonderful to visit with some of my blog readers. So many people came in to the booth and recognized me and the Rockbridge from the blog. That was really rewarding. I spoke with so many people, registered tons of people to win the Harley, and gave away a million canvas bags.

The show was crazy! There was so much interest in our product, people were waiting in line to talk to us. Can't wait to see you all again at the model! Bring those free planning guide coupons in to get your free 2008 Southland Planning Guide.

As far as progress on the model:------------------------

Very productive week last week. The logs are all stacked and the house and the garge/office are 'dried in'. Caulking is complete inside and out. Shingle roof is complete on the office. Office logs are stained inside and out and stone work is completed on the foundation of the garage/office. We are just waiting for interior walls and wiring in the office.

The metal roof on the model is 3/4 way complete. They are waiting on completion of the chimney before the rest can be done. And the HVAC is done. Here are some pictures of the ductwork.

One more thing - we have a jobsite dog. I named her Cadie (short for "Stockade" - as in our Stockade style logs.) She has a collar, but appears to be a stray.

Dry in of a log cabin home (Southland log home) defined

We are approaching the day when we can say that the model and the garage/office are "dried in." The term means that the home is at a point that nothing can get in from the outside. Dry in means that you can move things in - dry wall, bath tubs, fixtures, etc.

At Southland our kit comes ready to dry in the home and then some. There are 39 different types of materials that ship with the log kit. (Check out the What's Included page.) Here are some of the biggies: pressure treated sill plates, triple 2X10 rim joists, triple 2X10 girders with 2X2 PT ledgers. We provide all the material from the hard wood floor on the first floor to the interior 2X4 or 2X6 studded walls (2X6 walls are water walls) - including the 2X6 tongue and groove ceiling, the 5" insulation board, the roof sheathing, and the 30 weight roof felt paper. Our "Dry in" kit even includes the exterior doors and windows (HUGE!)

There is a lot more that goes in to a Southland Log Home kit. If you have questions click to email me Susan (office manager) or Jamie (sales) at the Charlotte sales office - 704-658-1501.

Excitement at the Construction Site

Roof/Shingles complete on the office/Garage. Interior and Exterior Caulking complete both on model and office. Stonework nearing completion on the office foundation.

This weekend Statesville had 55 mph wind gusts. The only casualty was the porta john which was thrown 10 feet (thank goodness no one was in it! lol!) The model and office remained in tact.

Sunday night we had 3 of Iredell County's finest at the site when a passerby reported an unauthorized person and vehicle at the site (hmm - I can't imagine that we generate any attention building this thing right by the highway.) They checked everything out with haste and even brought the K-9 for back up!!! All ended well and we thank the Sheriff's dept for all their help!

Log Home Show this Weekend

I won't be around the model much this weekend - I will be at the Log Home and Timber Frame Expo in Charlotte. Come see me there.

Location: 501 South College Street (Charlotte Convention Center)
Times: Friday 11 - 7; Saturday 10 - 7; Sunday 10 - 4

If you come please let me know that you saw my blog. I would love to meet you, and I will give you a coupon for a 2008 Southland Log Homes Planning Guide.

Some specifics on stain and caulk

This week we are finishing the interior and exterior log walls on the garage/office space. I wanted to provide some specifics on this process:
After the logs are stacked the crew caulks between each log. The caulk is a "Southland Tan" color caulk mixed to match. Southland ships caulk with each kit. It prevents infiltration of the logs and increases energy effeciency.

After caulking a layer of stain is applied. It seals the caulk and the log. The stain is like sunscreern. It provides a UV barrier which increases the life of the log. The stain we use is "Woodgaurd". On this model we are using the Woodgaurd stain in the "honey-beige" color. We ship enough stain with the kit to apply to the inside and out. This is a huge money saver because Southland is able to provide this with the kit. Click here for more about what's included.

Roofin' Party Saturday!

Roof is all but complete (completed roof photo) - they ran out of daylight Saturday. When I was there Saturday it looked like a party. There were cars everywhere - workers on the roof and workers on the stonework at the bottom. I am sure it's finished today.

The electrician was there to wire the place. Fans and lights are wired and will be installed in the next couple of weeks. Of course, one of the last things we will do is the actual installation of the hardware and fixtures. You can't very well hang these beautiful fixtures and then have workers coming through with equipment, pounding and dirtying things up. So they'll go in when I say so.

The stove pipe on the chimney has been completed and is waiting inspection before we can begin the rock work.

The glass windows and the entrance door for the office are in.

Garage/Office space Goes Up In No Time Flat

Roof trusses have been installed, sheathing and felt are being laid today. After a week of freezing rain and snow the weather finally broke. We were able to double up on work crew and get a bunch of the garage/office completed in the last 4 days. The walls are up.

Check out these photos:We went from this to this in just 4 days!

In the next 30 days you will see the garage/office become the priority in order to get us moved in as a work crew by March. The electronics/network portion of the operation comes in Feb. So the office will take priority over the model home for a little while.

Work on the model home portion of the project is kind of slow right now anyway. The chimney will go up when the mason gets the rock shipment. That is being complicated by weather and other commitments.

Snow Day Pictures

Today with a break in the local weather the City came out and were finally able to install the water meter and tap that we paid for last week. ! Despite the 4" of snow a week ago and the freezing rain and ice and cold temps this week, my new 'office' is taking shape! we doubled up on the work crew to make up for the lost days resulting in the office walls almost all the way up and in place!

New snow day pictures as a result of 4 days of trapsing through the frozen tundra. Charlotte doesn't get snow very often - this may be the only time this model will see snow for a while.

Fireplace Insert Arrives

Fireplace insert was installed over the weekend. I took pictures, so check the photo gallery. It was so odd to watch them install the insert because it's huge. It didn't look like it was going to fit in to the space that was cut out. But 3 strong men put it in there and it fit perfect. Now they can start installing the wonderful natural stones we have selected.

Oh, and the fireplace grate is here. This thing is a hand finished solid steel and cast iron log grate. Wow it is so beautiful. The pictures I have of it right now are good, but it is still covered in cellophane.

As of today the plumbing is roughed in and electrical in roughed in. The inspector has to come and look at the roughed in work before this stuff can be covered up.

We applied for the water meter and water tap on Friday (today is Monday.) That will be installed soon. The pipes will run under the property, and now we have paid to tap in to that line. So that will happen soon. Since this will be a model home we only have to have running water in the kitchen, then of course in the facilities in the office.

At this point I can picture living in the house, the bedrooms and kitchen have a place and a shape. The home has a face. Before it was more kind of "sticks". I can see the size of the bedrooms and the closet. I can see the beautiful open timbers.

Plumbing, electrical, showers, floors, and SNOW!

The floor framing system was installed on schedule this week. Now that we have a floor they will be stacking logs for the interior walls tomorrow. I don't know how many log courses will be stacked by the end of the week, but I will get some pictures. (A course is a row of logs - each log makes a course when they are all in place.)

The plumbers and electricians have been here on and off. The showers are inside now.
The most exciting thing that happened this week was the snow. The house saw it's first snow this week. Snow is rare here in the south, so I made sure I got lots of pictures. Be sure to check the photo album by clicking the link on the upper right hand corner of the page.

Floor System

The floor framing system arrived for the 24 X 24 office (our office will be in the space that would be a garage if this were a family home.) It had to be shipped separately since normally garages are built on a slab, and therefore would not have a floor system. Right now the masons have completed the foundation and are beginning the floor framing system.

The completed floor for the office (garage) portion of the model will be covered in pad and an industrial berber.

Pics will be coming at the beginning of next week.

Fireplace Install Begins

They cut out the space for the fireplace . Fireplaces in log homes are usually built by outside builders - we are using Stone Haven out of Denver, NC
The fireplace we have chosen will be built from this Dutch quality stone that Stone Haven makes. The style is Ledgestone in a natural blend colorstacked with dark mortar. This is a light colored stone and we chose it because of its outstanding beauty and appeal.

My understanding of the fireplace (since it is not built yet) is that we are getting a 42" Vanguard Winston woodburning fireplace with Herringbone brick. This means that some part of the structure (I think where the firebox goes in) is brick, then the rest is stone. I know that it will be installed using a dry stack application with dark mortar. This will cause the natural stone to visually "pop."

It is already framed and the insert will be installed this weekend. The stonework will begin early next week.

Should be beautiful. I will post some pics in the photo gallery as soon as I have them.
Stone Haven is providing us with an exclusive coupon that will allow new Southland Log Home customers to purchase their fireplace at a substantial discount. You can always call me (Susan) for more information about this if you are interested - 800-892-2322.

Beautiful large windows in this log home

The building process of the model is already in the final stages. I am amazed at how quickly everything is being completed. The interior framing is finished, and all of the doors and windows will be completed by the end of the day. The large windows in the great room are gorgeous and really add to the visibility of the model from the interstate. I noticed them last night when I drove by at dusk. I can just imagine building this home in the mountains or by a lake and being able to look out of the large picture windows at sunset. The builder is going to place a spotlight in front of the deck so the construction can be viewed at night! Later today, the site will be cleaned up and the scaffolding removed so it will be ready for visitors to come and check out the construction progress. Next on the schedule is putting the fireplace in and then on to the metal roof. We are almost ready to start building the garage, which will be home to my new office. Get ready for us, Statesville!