We at Creasey Log Homes understand the need for quality, informed design at the outset of a log home building project. Although highly educated in a number of areas, even a licensed architect typically does not understand the specialized demands of log home construction. It is for this reason that we offer in-house design services. The end result for you as our customer is a seamless integration between designer and builder offering you a more holistic approach to building with better communication and more informed decisions along the way.
All of our conceptual and construction document production is performed utilizing CADD (Computer-Aided Design & Drafting). The benefits include clarity, accuracy, and quicker editing capability. Information can also more easily be transferred and utilized by our structural engineer operating a similar system.
In addition to design, Creasey Log Homes offers many other pre-construction services as well. A summary of those, as well as further explanation of our design process, follows:
1) PRE-DESIGN
PROPERTY RESEARCH & FEASIBILITY
This is where we take some time to establish exactly what can and can't be done on the property before committing to design ideas that may or may not work based on zoning, critical areas, buffers, and the like. This phase includes work such as:
-Pursue Critical Area Determination (King County only)
-Drainfield Design & Water Requirements (Verify what's been done & obtain copies of approvals)
-Zoning Study
-Research Property Line Setbacks
-Discover Limitations On Building Massing
-Determine Applicable Studies Required
-Wetland Delineation And/Or Mitigation
-Geotechnical Study
-Survey (If Deemed Necessary)
AS-BUILT ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS (REMODELS/ADDITIONS ONLY)
At the same time as Property Research is being done we can essentially "survey" the building and prepare accurate drawings of the current conditions. This will serve as a future basis for the Design phase- i.e., we need to know exactly what is there in order to design accurately around it. This phase includes work such as:
-Field Measure Existing Building(s)
-Draft All Relevant Existing Built Conditions
2) DESIGN
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
Once we verify our limitations and have existing conditions defined we can come up with the overall concept. This phase includes work such as:
-Graphically Define Overall Scope Of Project
-Basic Space Planning
-Determine Essential Elements Of Building Massing (Overall "Look" Of Home)
ARCHITECTURAL DEVELOPMENT
After the overall concept is determined we define it in greater detail. This phase includes work such as:
-Firm Dimensions Of All Rooms & Elements (Windows, Door Sizes, etc.)
-Elevations Defined By Materials, Heights, Window Openings, etc.)
-Preliminary Construction Estimates
3) CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS & ENGINEERING
This phase produces the actual working drawings that are built with or "blueprints." This phase includes work such as:
-Develop Architectural Drawings w/ Notes & Dimensions
-Draft Framing Plans & Relevant Details
-Format All Sheet Layouts
-Perform Plan Check For Building Code Compliance & Quality Standards
-Facilitate Structural Engineering Services
-Revise Architectural Drawings As Necessary To Reflect Final Engineering
4) FINAL CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATES
Once all Construction Documents & Engineering reviews are complete, sufficient detail is established such that the Final Construction Estimate can be performed. Hard-line costs are determined, not only for labor and materials supplied by Creasey Log Homes, but for necessary sub-contractors as well. This phase includes work such as:
-Material Quantity Take-Offs
-Proposals For Labor
-Bid Management; i.e. Communicating All Necessary Information To Sub- Contractors & Reviewing Bids
-Preparation Of The Final Construction Proposal
5) PERMITTING
All materials required for a building permit review are packaged together and submitted to the building department. This phase includes work such as:
-Complete All Relevant Applications
-Create A Site Development Plan
-Package & Prepare Documents For Submittal
-Permit Intake
"When you work with Terry, you can be assured that the job will be tackled above and beyond your expectations. Terry has a passion and a creativity that is contagious. He treats each project, despite the size, with great care and professionalism. His love for his work and eagerness to please is well worth the time and money. " -Julie R., Skykomish River Family Retreat
"Terry Creasey (Creasey Log Homes) is a remarkably gifted builder and an impeccably honest man. He was able to take our cluster of diagrams, pictures, descriptions, ideas, and turn them into an absolute work of art that we call Casa de Arboles (the house of trees).
We had many custom features in mind for our dream home. Probably the most extreme request was flat interior walls that would be easier to clean, easier to decorate, and coincidentally create a remarkable display of the wood grain. To create a light interior, we also wanted four cathedral peaks in the roofline. We also wanted to create a waterfall feature, incorporated into the stone fireplace. When we shopped our ideas around to other home builders, we heard a chorus of "Oh, we don't do that... For that kind of custom work, you'll need to talk to Terry Creasey". From the day we met Terry, we never heard, "We can't do that." With Terry, it was always, "Yes, I've done that..." or "I think we can do that...", or "Let me think about how we can...", usually followed by a 7am wake-up call with his new idea for how we could accomplish the request.
The outcomes of his craftsmanship are remarkable. There isn't a single feature in the house that disappoints us. Terry's standards are so high that any feature he's satisfied with will far exceed our expectations. We never had a moment's concern about the quality of our home's construction. Terry does a lot of log-home renovation and repair, as well as decades of log home building, so he has seen the long-term outcomes of shoddy workmanship or planning mistakes. He has the experience to keep us novice log-home-owners out of trouble.
As pleasing and remarkable as his craftsmanship is, we believe the honesty and integrity of the man and his company is even more remarkable. Due to the complexity of our home, it was nearly impossible to create a contract to cover the unknown costs of features that had never been created before. We essentially built our home with a handshake agreement and the hope that Creasey Log Homes would treat us fairly. Our trust was never betrayed. If a concern arose regarding a budget item or a subcontractor performance, Terry and his company were prompt and proactive in resolving the issue, remaining engaged until the home-owners were satisfied.
Working with Terry Creasey and Creasey Log Homes to build our home has been a remarkable and refreshing experience. Terry is an amazing artist working in the medium of logs. Creasey Log Homes is a family business that has a well-deserved reputation for honesty and integrity. We highly recommend them to anyone who will listen!" -Jim K. & Maggie D., Monroe, Wa
"Alison and I are delighted to recommend Creasey Log Homes. In all our experience of working with them – new construction, remodeling or landscaping - Creasey have been endlessly helpful and committed to giving us very best results. In fact, they go further: they are true craftsmen who have been able to bring an imaginative extra to every piece of work. You can't include creativity as a line item, but it's a delightful extra! " -Donald & Alison F., Woodinville, Wa
I would gladly recommend Creasey Log Homes to others on a regular basis. All of your staff made us feel like our project was important, always showing concern for detail. Terry Creasey is quite the artist/designer! Many great suggestions on the design and build were achieved and our project looks awesome as we have had many compliments from our friends, and even neighbors we don't know just walking down the street calling out to us to say how nice it looks. Thank you for making our home your priority and creating a beautiful end result! We will be contacting you for all future work to our home without a doubt! -Dave & Dawn H., Duvall, Wa