Q: How do I get a free price quote on a custom home?
A: Contact us with any plans and sketches, or we can assist you with drawing a preliminary floor plan to price from. In addition we will need to know where you are planning to build, so we can factor the loads for your building site into the price of your custom home.

Q: If I decide to purchase a set of plans and IHC Cedar Home Package, how long will it take to have the order delivered and what are your payment terms?
A: The first step in ordering a package is to place a plan order. International Homes of Cedar, Inc. charges $3,500.00 for stock IHC Plans, $5,000.00 for modified IHC Stock Plans and a fee based on square footage starting at $5,000.00 for a custom set of plans. Plans for custom homes over 2000 square feet cost $2.50 per square foot, and Cedar sided homes are $3.00 per square foot. As you can see, these fees are much less than an Architect typically charges for a custom set of house plans. Plans for multifamily or commercial buildings are quoted on a case by case basis. The plans are engineered to your building site and local codes and the cost is credited towards the IHC package cost. Once you are satisfied the plans meet your needs an order can be placed for the package itself. IHC requires a 35% deposit to secure a position in the IHC factory production schedule, with the balance due 5 days prior to shipment from IHC. IHC also offers a 2% cash discount if the package is paid for in full at time of order. Some customers purchase the plans, but do not order the package for a year or more, however the plan cost is still credited toward the purchase price no matter how long you wait to order. The amount of time it takes for delivery depends on numerous factors, however the normal time frame to have an order shipped, after you approve the final plans, is 6 to 10 weeks for the first truckload.

Q: Can I change the plans before I order the package?
A: Yes, you are entitled to make changes, as 9 hours of CAD drafting time is included with the purchase of a set of plans. Six hours of changes are allowed to preliminary plans, and three hours for final plans. Should your changes require more than the 9 free hours, IHC charges any additional time @ $75.00 per hour. Our experience has been that this rarely happens, as most changes can be done within the 9 allotted free hours.

Q: Can you tell me the average cost per square foot for the IHC package, as well as the finished cost per square foot?
A: Comparing the cost per square foot between different companies can be tricky. You first need to consider what is included in each companies package. We offer the most complete package in the Log and Cedar Home Industry, so you must insure you are comparing apples to apples. Our packages typically cost $40 to $65 per square foot. This compares very favorably with any other building system on the market of comparable quality and completeness. Finished costs typically come in at the low end of the custom home market for a given area.

Q: How long will it take to dry in my home, or complete the exterior shell, once the IHC package arrives on site?
A: This depends on factors such as the size of crew and weather conditions, but with 4 people, a 1500 square foot package can be dried in within three to six weeks if the foundation is ready when the package arrives. We also will be available to monitor the progress on a day to day basis and a toll free 800 number for IHC's engineering department is also available for you or your contractor.

Q: Is cedar hard to maintain, especially the exterior?
A: The exterior of your new home needs to be properly finished as soon as possible, however if properly done with a good quality finish, then it should not have to be re-finished for at least 5 to 7 years. We have experienced some cedar sided homes here in Alaska, that have gone up to 9 years without any exterior maintenance. The interior finish of our homes usually can last up to 20 years or more after a clear satin polyurethane is applied to the cedar timbers.