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Ah, summer. The moneymaker! You’re in the thick of the busy season. It’s easy to get caught up and put off planning for leaner times. Don’t make that mistake! One of the wisest ways to prepare for the slower season is to build value-added services into your business now. These four “all-season” money-making services keep your bottom-line consistent and strong all year long.

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You’re ready to restore a historic log home? It’s exciting but requires special knowledge. Therefore, before you dive into any historical preservation or log home restoration project, here’s what you need to know from a restoration expert.

The background

Recently, Mark Nelson of Nelson Restoration worked on a Grand Teton National Park project. Mark partnered with Sashco to provide key decision makers with the best information regarding log structures preservation. A report by Sashco contrasted traditional preservation methods such as mortar and linseed oil with modern products.

Both approaches were discussed in the report, which was compiled with Mark’s input. Modern products are often easier to use and cost less in the long run, even though traditional methods require more maintenance. Also discussed were the environmental impacts of each approach, noting that modern products are typically more sustainable.

The rest of the story…

The report concluded that using modern products to preserve log structures is a viable option. Above all, it gave stakeholders the information they needed to make an informed decision .

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‘Experience is a master teacher, even when it is not your own’ – Gina Greenlee. That’s why we introduce you to new log contractors every month so we can all learn from each other.

Meet Herb Meeker with Meeker Builders. We asked him a few questions (and, let’s be honest, shot the breeze while we were at it).

How did you get started in log home finishing and restoration?

I was a log home builder before I got into finishing and restoring. I was doing traditional custom home building and got frustrated with customers putting mauve and pink flooring in. It just wasn’t me.

A friend invited me to be a dealer for Real Log Homes®. That was in 1984. Log homes were big in California at the time. Then, in 1991, we were at a dealer meeting in Colorado. Rich from Permachink® was there trying to get builders to do restoration as a sideline to their building businesses. There was just such a need for people to do restoration. (We also visited the Sashco plant on that same visit.) Rich and I visited three log homes that needed help. I knew then that log home restoration was calling my name. I came to Zero Failures in the mid-90’s and the rest, as they say, is history.

What do you like most about log home restoration? What do you like least?

I like solving people’s problems with their log homes. It’s fun and interesting to identify what is going on, then making the repair recommendations, and finally doing the project. Seeing something through from beginning to end is satisfying. Through the years, there have been the struggles to find good employees. It can be hard to find good workers, but I have a great crew right now, so I’m grateful.

Tell us about your favorite project

I’ve had a lot of favorites. Last year, we worked on the oldest log home we’ve worked on. (Photo of the finished project above.) It was built in 1883 and used to be the Barton Store out of Redlands, CA. It wasn’t huge — only 23’x17′ — but we had to redo the foundation, replace the bottom two logs all around, then blast, restain, and rechink everything. We used Sashco’s Capture® in Weathered Wood and Log Jam® in Mortar White. The Boy Scouts are pretty happy. It looks great.

What’s your advice to someone just starting out?

Start from the ground up and know what you’re doing. You can’t train someone else to do it if you don’t learn it all first. Plus, take advantage of the resources out there (Zero Failures being one of them, the Sashco people, too). Don’t be afraid or too prideful to ask.

How has your family been involved in your business?

My wife is still 50% owner of the corporation. I have four sons and they all worked for me throughout college. They’ve now all struck out on their own. Two have their own businesses, another is a manager, and another is a paramedic and fireman. I have three grandsons, eight granddaughters, and another grandkid on the way. I’m definitely having to learn about girls after having four sons.

Thanks, Herb, for sharing with us. We’re grateful for your partnership over the years and humbled to count you a part of the extended Sashco family.

Learn more about Herb at Loghomesrestored.com.

In this month’s “Here to help! ”, we’re peeking inside your log home (don’t worry, no need to clean up on our account). This month, we’ll help you understand the ins and outs of proper care and maintenance for interior logs.

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A trip to the southwest and the beauty of the Rocky Mountains were the catalysts for our log home “love affair.” We knew we would not be happy until we had one! Having a construction background, I decided to build our dream log home. That was thirty-three years ago, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Love for Log Homes

Log homes are such unique structures that working on them brings us a feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction. Nothing is more gratifying than the praise and thanks received from satisfied customers.  Walking into a log home is like receiving a big warm hug from someone you love and we feel privileged to work on them, as well as live in the one we built.

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Termite trouble, rot, and water damage. Call us crazy, but we’re betting this troublesome trio probably wasn’t part of the vision when you imagined your dream log home. Good news! Protecting your log home dream is possible. Check out this month’s “Here to help!” article for tips on how to save money, protect your home, and prevent big-time headaches!

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Paul Peebles, our very own log home expert, talks about how to restore a flooded log home in this month’s Experts Corner article. Thanks to Satterwhite Log Homes for providing the photos below from their flooding a couple of years ago.

Blog Post - Restore Log Home

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