Cedar Homes - Post and Beam Homes - Custom Homes

Cedar Homes Frequenty Asked Questions

Q: What is a kit home package and how does Cedar Designs/Linwood Homes differ from other competitors?

A: A kit home is meant to package all the necessary precut materials needed to build your enclosed structure without having to worry about buying each piece individually. Linwood manufactures each area of your house, precut for easy construction, and panelizes the exterior walls systems as an option. The package offered is one of the most comprehensive kits available in the industry right down to the windows, doors, roofing, clips, nails, caulking, and adhesives. Linwood Homes also stands out above the rest by offering top quality, kiln dried, precut and panelized framing materials with quality specifications, such as their 15" rafters and laminated glulam beams, and select grade Canadian Western Red Cedar. Window selections include vinyl, vinyl with wood jams, wood case, wood case/metal clad from the largest window and door manufacturer in North America. Interior products are made available through the Maple Homes division.

Q: What styles of home does Cedar Designs offer?

A: We represent and build five different product lines, ranging from traditional styles, timber frame, to log homes. Log homes can be built in full-round, D-profile (round on the outside, flat on the inside) and other profiles. Our homes are designed as Post & Beam construction.

Q: What is post & beam construction and why is it so desirable?

A: Cedar Designs relies upon Post & Beam architecture and construction to support the weight of the roof instead of conventional trussed, stick house construction. It can also be combined with conventional construction for cost and design efficiency. This engineering system allows you to design your dream home with as much open space areas as desired without the interior wall supports that would ordinarily be needed, obstructing the view and limiting the open effect. Click here to view the differences between Post & Beam vs Timber Frame

Q: Can I design my own cedar home or must Cedar Designs/Linwood plans be used?

A: Cedar Designs can help you design that custom dream home you have always wanted. We encourage the use of your own custom designs and plans and do not charge extra for them. Submit competitor's designs or choose from ideas from our variety of plan books, a combined selection of over 200 building plans. We find that the vast majority of our customers will find the perfect design in the plan books and modify the floor plan, dimensions, and square footage to meet their needs.

Q: What is so special about Western Red Cedar?

A: Western Red Cedar is recognized for its superior qualities outdoors. It is pitch free, fine grained, and has natural preservative oils, which allows it to resist cracking, splitting, shrinking, rotting, and insect molestation including termites. Western Red Cedar is graded by quality; number 1, number 2, premium, and select grades. We use only select grade Western Red Cedar, which is the highest quality, graded for its uniformity, beautiful grains, varied color, natural oil extraction, and clear or tight knot features.

Q: What is the cost of building such a quality home?

A: The average Post & Beam home kit (blueprints included) costs between $50.00 and $70.00 per sqft. The cost of construction, including the kit, will vary by area, state and country, but many of our owner/builders (one who does his own contracting) can finish the full consturction for an additional $80.00 to $100.00 per sqft. It is important to take into consideration the construction cost index for your specific area of your state.

Q: How can I get additional information on the Linwood Homes?

A:A: If you would like additional information about any of our services, pricing or plan books (no purchase necessary), feel free to contact us at:

If you would like to purchase a plan book, call to charge with Visa/MC.

Q: HA:ow long have you been in business?

A: Robert and Riki Chodowski of Cedar Designs have been in the design and construction business full-time for over 15 years.

Q: What's unique about Cedar Designs?

A: At Cedar Designs, we offer you choices, custom design (including hybrids) and comprehensive packages at an affordable cost.

Choices - As authorized dealers for Linwood Cedar Homes, Hampton Timber Frame Homes, Maple Homes, Country Heritage Homes, and Cedar Mill Log Homes, we offer the most options available anywhere. You can build a home from one of our plans, or from a plan we custom-design for you. Your home can be Post & Beam with cedar siding, log or timber frame, or you can "mix and match" these different building systems in your custom plan to create a "hybrid home" -- the possibilities are endless. Finally, you can work with a contractor, build your own home, or contract out some of the work while doing the rest yourself. We can help you decide what's best for you.

Custom Design - We can help you design your house "from scratch," work with a plan you've already found, or you can select from hundreds of plans from Linwood, Hampton and Cedar Mill Homes. We can also modify a stock plan to better suit your needs and make the house uniquely yours. In addition, we can combine log, timber frame and conventional elements to create a custom hybrid home for you. And we'll custom-design your home for no extra charge.

Cost - With so many options for materials, there's a good chance we can design the home of your dreams within your budget. Our prices are among the lowest you'll find anywhere for top-quality cedar homes.

Builders- We have our own team of exclusive Cedar Designs builders that may be hired to build your dream home to the lock-up stage generally a savings of 20-40% less than most areas local builders.

Q: What materials are included in your home packages?

A: We offer the most complete, high-quality packages in the industry. Our home kits include all the materials you need to enclose your home, including framing materials, siding, windows, doors, roofing -- even the nails, caulking and adhesives. These packages also include design and construction blueprints. Options include sunrooms and solariums, decking and railings. We also offer cabinets, counters, floor coverings, hardwood floors, appliances, cultured stone, wood stoves, fixtures and other optional interior products. Our interior designer can help you to select materials that suit your tastes and your budget.

Q: What materials are not included in your package?

A: Packages do not include the foundation, electrical, plumbing, insulation, drywall, and the interior items mentioned above, but are optional.

Q: Since your home packages come from Canada, will I be charged a tariff?

A: No. The tariff is applied to lumber only. Since our home packages contain precut lumber that is bundled with roofing, windows, doors and other materials, they are considered "value added" products and are not subject to the tariff.

Q: Can I see a model home?

A: Yes. Please e-mail or call Cedar Designs at (800) 728-4474 or (509) 427-4944 to make an appointment.

Cedar Homes - Post and Beam Homes - Custom Homes