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By Debbie LaChusa I’ve watched the original Apprentice with Donald Trump’s business overachievers since last season and I just caught my first episode of The Apprentice, Martha Stewart last night. And I must say I’ve noticed a common theme brewing. The tasks are usually lost, and an apprentice candidate fired, due to a lack of marketing and sales. These teams of bright, creative and talented people develop new products, put on events and face other very challenging assignments every week. They don’t always work well together as a team (that’s another story and another article altogether!), but they are generally very proficient at successfully completing their tasks. And they usually impress their high-powered, potential bosses, too. That is until they get to the results of the weekly contests. Even with all their smarts, talent and great new products and ideas, in the end it is revealed they are often missing THE most important ingredient in any successful business venture: an effective marketing plan. More often than not, the team that loses is the team that didn’t market well; the team that didn’t sell as much product. Because in the end that’s what it’s all about. It doesn’t matter how great the product or event is. If no one buys or shows up, it’s a bust. And Donald Trump and Martha Stewart, two of the most successful businesspeople in the U.S., know this. And they make decisions every week on national TV about who to fire because of it. So why is it that all these highly educated, talented people can’t market well enough to get the job done and get themselves a job - which is ultimately what they’re all striving for? My guess is because they were never taught how. And therein lies the reason many bright, talented and creative small business owners and entrepreneurs, with great products and services, also fail in business. In fact, according to Entrepreneur Magazine, 80% of all new businesses fail within the first five years. Ouch! So what’s the solution? Does someone need a degree in marketing to succeed in business? Well, no. But some basic marketing know-how and the ability to put together a marketing plan is a must if a business is to succeed. So what are the marketing basics a new business owner or entrepreneur needs to know? Here are 5 marketing basics that are the cornerstone of any effective marketing plan: 1) Know and understand who you are marketing to, usually referred to as your target market. If you want your marketing message to be effective, it has to speak to YOUR audience. They have to connect with it. It has to be important and meaningful to them. 2) Know why this specific group of people would want to purchase your product or service - the old marketing acronym: WIIFM or “What’s In It For Me?” Focus your marketing message on these key reasons or benefits. 3) What’s your competition look like? You’re not operating your business in a vacuum. Your potential customers have many choices. You need to be aware of and understand what those choices are. 5) And last, but probably most important, you need to understand how your product or service stands out from the competition. How is it better, or different? Why should someone buy your product or service instead of any of their other choices. Give them a compelling reason that ties in with what’s important to them, and you’ve got a much better chance of winning the marketing game. And in the case of The Apprentice candidates, winning the job. (C) 2005 Debbie LaChusa Debbie LaChusa created The 10stepmarketing System to make marketing your own business as simple as answering 10 questions. Learn more about this unique, step-by-step system and get a free 10-week Marketing E-Course when you subscribe to the free, weekly 10stepmarketing Ezine athttp://www.10stepmarketing.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_LaChusa http://EzineArticles.com/?Effective-Marketing:-5-Tips-TVs-Apprentice-Candidates-Could-Use-to-Win&id=84911 normal dosage of ativan ambien india no script long does zolpidem stay your system ambien long term

By Kristy Annely A number of sites on the web provide information about where and how to buy digital scales. The sites that actually sell digital scales require you to follow certain steps and procedures to purchase their product. Some other sites have links to websites that sell the products. From online stores, you can select scales of different brands, sizes, types, and colors. You can buy scales for single and multiple uses. Digital scales at reasonable and discount prices are available online. The only thing to do is to select the required ones and order online. Once ordered and the transactions completed, these scales are delivered to your home or other specified locations. You have to be very careful while shopping online. It is because the scales available through online stores may not have the quality you expect. There are online companies that cheat customers with fraudulent transactions and false information. Some other sites may mislead customers regarding brands and prices. Certain stores offer cheap scales as original branded ones. Such scales may sometimes not be the branded ones. It is necessary to check the terms and conditions with stores before the purchase is confirmed. Another alternative is to get digital scales from local departmental stores and various office supplies. You even get digital scales from stores that sell products for specific needs. For instance, digital scales for individual weight checking are obtained from stores that have fitness products. Digital food and nutrition scales are obtained from various drug stores. In addition, there are many wholesale and retail stores selling digital scales. However, customers have to ask for reference manuals and warranty options along with the scales. Digital Scales provides detailed information on Digital Scales, Digital Baby Scales, Digital Bathroom Scales, Digital Food Scales and more. Digital Scales is affiliated with Best Weight Scales. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristy_Annely http://EzineArticles.com/?Where-to-Buy-Digital-Scales&id=272634 apo-lorazepam 1mg ambien dose lethal medical articles ambien long term use for insomnia compare ambien to halcion

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_Bertone]John Bertone Mobile phones are great. They allow us to communicate and stay in-touch in a way that was not possible in the recent past. However, this increased connectivity comes at a cost, and if you are not careful you may end up spending money unnecessarily. Here are five basic tips for reducing your mobile phone costs without sacrificing your communications with your family, friends or business contacts. 1. Use a landline wherever and whenever possible. No matter how great a deal you got on your last mobile phone contract or prepaid (pay as you go) offer, the good old fashioned landline is usually cheaper. Save your mobile phone for the times when it is the only alternative. Before making a call on your mobile phone, ask yourself whether this call is really necessary. When you are out of your house carry around a phone card and small change, and take advantage of public pay phones whenever you can. 2. Send SMS text messages Short Message Service (SMS) text messages are usually charged on a per-message basis and are generally cheaper than normal calls. The SMS is the modern-day equivalent of a telegram. If you are creative, you can convey a lot of information in an SMS message and avoid having to make a more costly voice call. If you dont go overboard with the fun of sending SMS messages, and use them only when they are needed, then you can save a lot of money by following this tip. 3. Purchase the phone that you need You may be enticed to follow the fashion and get the latest phone loaded with all kinds of gadgets, but you will have to pay for it. Choose a handset that does what you need. If you only need to make phone calls, then dont pay extra for a phone that has a built-in MP3 player and camera. If you are satisfied with your present phone, then keep it and dont buy a new one. Even if you upgrade to a new or different service plan, you do not have to get a new phone. Choose a SIM only plan and use the new SIM card in your old phone. 4. Keep Track of Your Business Calls If you are using your mobile phone to give better service to your clients, then you can get the costs of these calls reimbursed when you do your billing. Keep a good record of calls that were made for your business and recover this cost whenever possible. Also, if you maintain an accurate record of how much you are paying your service provider, you will be in a better position in case of any billing disputes. 5. Choose the phone plan that best matches your calling habits If you are buying a mobile phone on a contract or upgrading your plan, you may be thinking that you will use the mobile phone only for limited calling. However you could end up using it more frequently as you get used to the convenience. Instead of opting for a plan that has low monthly rates combined with a high per-call rate and no special features look for a contract that combines a reasonable monthly rate with low per-call rates and access to discounts. So if you have been scratching your head and wondering how to reduce your mobile phone costs then follow these simple tips and enjoy the convenience of mobile telephony without burdening yourself with unnecessary expenditures. John Bertone is a [http://www.mobilephonesecrets.com.au]Mobile Phone Specialist who shows you how to compare any mobile phone deal on the market, quickly and easily. In his special report called: [http://www.mobilephonesecrets.com.au]Mobile Phone Secrets Revealed he also reveals how to DRAMATICALLY REDUCE your current mobile phone costs! For more information visit => http://www.MobilePhoneSecrets.com.au Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Bertone http://EzineArticles.com/?5-Tips-On-How-To-Reduce-Your-Mobile-Phone-Costs&id=213307 ambien contraindications schedule to taper off ambien medpersonal ambien ambien buy meridia

By Larry Scott Tanning bed ownership means convenience. In an age when we are forced to cram more and more into a 24-hour day, owning a tanning bed becomes the difference between getting the healthy glow we want and looking as overworked as we often feel. An investment in a quality tanning bed means more than just being able to tan any time day or night, it also provides the following advantages: 1 - Over the course of time, a residential tanning bed can be cost-effective, especially if you visit a tanning salon on a regular basis. 2 - Think of all the commute time you will save running back and forth to the salon. If a bed is located in your home, you can fit in time for a quick tan while doing laundry, waiting for a repairman to arrive, or while your children are sleeping. 3 - Speaking of children, with a bed in your home, you don’t have to find or pay for a sitter while getting a tan. 4 - By owning a tanning bed, you have control over the maintenance and sanitation. This will alleviate any concerns you may have with using salon beds and bringing home more than just a nice tan. 5 - Using a bed at home is more relaxing than at a studio, where your privacy could be impaired. 6 - Owning a tanning bed is a status symbol, just like owning a sports car, a big screen TV, or a pool table. 7 - You can share the bed with your entire family without paying the cost of multiple memberships to a tanning salon. 8 - Keeping a great tan year round will make you feel better about yourself. 9 - The UV rays used in tanning beds help minimize the “winter blues”. When looking for a tanning bed, shop around. Prices and styles vary, as do warranties, bulb life, financing options, and care instructions. Satisfaction with your purchase is dependent on doing your homework and getting the bed that best meets your budget and preferences. Don’t forget to allow for the cost of tanning bed accessories, such as goggles, tanning lotion, and replacement bulbs. Larry Scott is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Tanning-Beds-Here.com. He provides more tanning bed tips and free tanning bed supplies information at http://www.tanning-beds-here.com where you can research at any time, day or night, on his website. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Scott http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Own-Your-Own-Tanning-Bed?&id=312011 online pharmacy free consultations cheapest ambien zol zolpidem tartrate cheap ambien cr ambien online description chemistry ingredients zolpidem

By Steve Walker Forty years ago when I started out my career all marble edge polishing was done by hand. Today such work is done entirely by machine but there are still circumstances where hand polishing would be a useful skill to know. Traditionally edge polishing was considered a separate semi-skilled trade. These polishers spent their whole working day rubbing hundreds of feet of marble edges and would develop strange physical deformities, bulging shoulder muscles and a thumb that would curve back and touch their own wrist were the most common! The process would start once the edges to be polished had been identified, large areas of marble slabs, for instance the cladding on commercial buildings would be laid out on huge benches and pattern matched. The exposed edges that required polishing perhaps hundreds of feet, would be identified and marked. One at a time each slab would be propped upright against a bench with the edge to be polished uppermost. Just to hand would be a bucket of water, a sponge and a rag cloth. The work was carried out using various grades of carborrundum stone blocks and to start would be a coarse 60 or 80 grit stone. This would be the longest stage of the work as the edge of the marble would have quite deep wheel marks left by the diamond saw blades from the cutting. The stone would be dipped into the water and then rubbed evenly up and down the edge of the slab always keeping a heavy and steady pressure on. The rough corners of the marble would be also rubbed off to create a small flat corner called an arris. Every now and then the marble had to be dried to check on progress, this was achieved by whirling the rag in the air above the work. This is still the best way of drying large areas of wet stone by the way! Once all of the wheel marks and other deep scratches were removed with the 60 grit he would move on to the second stone, this time a 120 grit, just a bit finer than the previous stone. This stone would be used until all of the scratches from the previous grit had been removed completely and replaced by a new layer of finer scratches. Polishing marble is in fact the process of wearing down the surface with finer and finer scratches until the scratches are no longer visible to the naked eye! This process continues through at least six different grits of abrasive down to a 500 or 600 grit. The final stone used was a very fine block made by the polishers themselves from ultra fine carborundum dust and marble glue, and strangely called snake! At this point the marble surface is still not highly polished. It has just a very smooth honed finish. The final stage is achieved with a hard block of felt and a cocktail of various polishing powders, the most commonly used were putty powder, pumice powder and oxalic acid. One or all of these would be used wet or just damp to provide the final gloss. The most obvious advantage of hand polishing is that this process does not create clouds of dust, as the work is carried out wet, This means that unlike dry machine polishing, there was little serious health risk to the polishers. The quality of the finished polish was also superior to machine polishing leaving a higher polish, smaller arrises and a flat surface. However, hand polishing is a seriously slow and laborious process. Machine edge polishing is much quicker, and within three or four years of the appearance of edge polishing machines the art of hand polishing marble had all but disappeared. Steve Walker has been a craftsman in stone and marble for 40 years and in his long career has practised as a stone mason, letter cutter, restoration carver, marble mason, fireplace designer and manufacturer.He now makes engraved stone house signs. At StoneEngravings House signshttp://www.stoneengravings.co.uk Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Walker http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Traditional-Way-Of-Hand-Polishing-Marble&id=406333 ambien information ambien ambien cr ambien manufacturer mexican ambien

By David Crowton DADDY WHY DONT YOU LOVE ME NO MORE? The true Story of the Crowton Family United States citizens who are naive to the ways of the Child Protective System and the courts, or perhaps not wealthy or connected, may inadvertently find themselves subjected to a nightmare. Many entities profit from the time a child first enters the system . What are some of the techniques CPS Every day across America, citizens of the United States log onto the internet and inquire whether there might be child molesters and other kinds of sex offenders living somewhere in their neighborhood. Yet, the State of Michigan has made sure that David and Hege Crowton’s children get to live with one. After taking away David & Hege’s children with a false petition and keeping them away because he admitted to needing help with drug use and because of the State’s failure to provide the services required for them to have their children returned, the State of Michigan refused to remove their children (including their 5 year old girl) from a home where the children would cohabit with a child molester. The biological son of the foster parents assigned to the Crowton children was convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct (Second degree multiple) for doing something very sick to an innocent little 5 year old girl. Sources say that the foster family had gone to court to acquire “grandparents rights” and force the visitation of their grand-daughter. They were granted under the condition that the child be under supervision. According to the police reports (which are public information available through the Livingston County courthouse), at least one visit resulted in the 15 year old biological son of the foster parents inviting the visiting 5 year old girl up to his room. There, he had his way with her while his parents and David’s children were in another room. For one reason or another the State of Michigan doesn’t believe he ever touched David’s children. They apparently also are putting a lot of stock into the idea that he never will. Amazingly, the State of Michigan believes that the same child molester who sexually abused a 5 year old girl who visited the home never once touched the 5 year old girl he lived with and babysat on numerous occasions—David’s daughter. They believe this in spite of the fact that a police report shows a “similar complaint” about sexual molestation coming from David’s 5 year old daughter. They have chosen to rely on “forensic interviews” by total strangers (rather than someone the child would trust) to determine he had not abused her. Note: A Study of 630 cases of alleged sexual abuse of children from 1985 through 1989: Using a subset of 116 confirmed cases, findings indicated that 79 percent of the children of the study initially denied abuse or were tentative in disclosing. Of those who did disclose, approximately three-quarters disclosed accidentally. Source: Sorensen & Snow, 1991. After the sexual abuse, sources say the foster family’s “grandparents rights” were terminated. It seems quite odd that the State of Michigan would end the Grandparents rights of this foster family partly because of their failure to protect this little girl but then approve the placement of David’s children in this same home. The Ombudsman, a state-appointed office set up to oversee the state’s Child Protective Services, reviewed this case and subsequently recommended a policy change forbidding this from occurring in the future [ Read report ]. In spite of all this, steps are now being taken for this foster family to adopt these children. They refused to grant adoption to the children’s Norwegian grandparents who are available and waiting with open arms to adopt them. The adoption to the foster family is VERY close to being finalized. Their fate is to ultimately be decided by the same judge that allowed the placement of these children into this foster home, judge Elizabeth Pezzetti. Pezzetti was recently re-elected as a probate court Judge in Oakland County. State Representative Tim Pope, who was on the Health and Human Services Committee in the state of Oklahoma and has vast experience in dealing with Child Protective Service laws, has investigated and reviewed the entire file. He found that State and Federal laws have been broken by the State of Michigan Child Protective Services (FIA). Click here to read one of the letters he wrote asking a Michigan State Representative for help. The following is a statement from Tim Pope about this case: “I have gotten to know David and Hege Crowton pretty well and I am convinced that they have been dealt a very bad hand from the Child Welfare Agency (that title is a real joke). David and Hege have had their rights repeatedly violated and I hope that somehow justice can prevail and they can get things put back together. Unfortunately, to make these kind of people accountable for their actions you must get them in court and that takes a lot of money - money that they do not have. I served for a number of years on the Oklahoma Department of Human Services committee in our State House and I can promise you that, if something like this had happened here, heads would roll and the people who perpetrated this crime in the name of the state would probably be put in jail.” Tim Pope, Former Oklahoma State Representative This is an OUTRAGE and must be stopped! To read more about this horrific tragedy you can go to www.BookCrow.com to order a copy of the book by Author David Crowton The author of this artical has been an activist for family rights for many years and has had many victories for families around the country. David has now written a teel all book called: Destruction of the American family. 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By Charles Richey Many people suffer daily from the effects of acid reflux, to one degree or another. Unfortunately, the constant strain of this condition on the body can lead to premature aging. The reflux of stomach gas and fluids during the night, even on a modest level, inhibit proper sleep patterns. It is a known fact that sleep is the most important factor affecting the aging process. If you do not get enough quality sleep at the R.E.M. level, you face each day with low energy, which can be described as a form of chronic fatigue. This syndrome will eventually drag you down and make you feel and look older than you should. It may even shorten your life. Many people are not even aware that they suffer from this condition. Acid reflux or gerd (gastroesophageal reflux disease) occurs when the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) relaxes and allows gas and fluids from the stomach to move upward into the esophagus. The LES is a ringed muscle at the bottom of the esophagus. It opens in order to allow food to enter the stomach, and then closes in order to keep the digestive fluids where they belong. It is when this muscle is too relaxed or damaged, that the contents of the stomach can escape up into the esophagus thereby causing acid reflux. The medical community would have us to believe that drugs are the only answer to the problem of gerd. Of course this is not true. Antacids are, at best, a temporary fix and are loaded with harmful ingredients such as sodium and aluminum. PPI drugs (proton pump inhibitors) like Nexium and Prilosec should only be used for eight weeks, at most. It says so right on the label. Furthermore, these drugs only mask and hide the symptoms and they have hundreds of harmful side effects. The acid reflux condition can be the result of poor eating habits or even the aging process itself. We all know that certain foods can trigger indigestion; tomato sauce, raw garlic and onions, chocolate, coffee and alcohol. The ingestion of these foods can make you acidic in nature, resulting in acid reflux. Yet most of us cant resist one or more of these items on a daily basis. Besides eliminating trigger foods from our diets, there are many natural herbs and supplements that can be helpful in staving off this malady. Chronic indigestion can also be caused by a lack of hydrochloric acid. Some people produce insufficient amounts of stomach acid as they grow older. Besides the proper digestion of food, hydrochloric acid is necessary to keep harmful bacteria, which are found in the digestive track, in check. Without this defense, infections can develop which make the acid reflux condition even worse. This particular condition can be improved with hydrochloric acid supplements, or even ingesting small amounts of apple cider vinegar. Although these conditions are different in nature, they both cause acid reflux and can result in premature aging. Other things that should be considered in dealing with this condition are: * Smoking cessation (Smoking creates an acidic body) * Loosing weight * Eating small portions of food throughout the day * Chewing food well and eating slowly * Eating at least three hours before retiring There are many subtle changes in lifestyle which can remove the threat of the acid reflux condition. By eliminating this unnecessary and harmful strain on the body, one can live a more healthy life. Getting better quality sleep will increase your chances of retaining life-force, which means living a longer and more youthful existence. 2006 Wind Publishing For more information on how to heal acid reflux the natural way, go to: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com Charles Stewart Richey is a self-educated expert on how to cure acid reflux disease by natural means and has written an extensive report entitled, REFLUX GONE FOREVER, Natural Acid Reflux Remedies. For more information on how to heal acid reflux the natural way, go to: http://www.refluxgoneforever.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Richey http://EzineArticles.com/?Acid-Reflux-and-Looking-Younger!&id=292920 suicide ambien actos aciphex aciphex nasacort ambien actos ambien prices for ambien and lunesta

By Yaroslav Shakula In the world of dating, body language is very important. A wave of scientific research studies on psychology and communication have shown that when it comes to dating, body language can communicate more to a current or prospective romantic partner than words, facial expression, or vocal tone. Learning the art of body language reading can help you understand how singles flirt and how romantically committed couples display their feelings to each other. The more you know about dating body language, the more accurately you will be able to know what your partner is thinking and feeling. You may even discover that your own dating body language can clue you in to your own feelings in confusing situations. A large part of the art of dating is learning to navigate the world of physical attraction. There are many ways to tell when you are attractive to somebody that you are dating, body language being one of the most accurate and easy to discern. The basics of body language reading on the subject of attraction are very simple, but if you are not in touch with the realities of dating body language you might miss some of the most classic tell-tale signs of attraction. The most obvious way to tell if you are attractive to someone is not by listening to what they say, but by watching how they behave. If you are talking to somebody and their torso is turned towards you, you probably have their full attention. If you notice that somebodys chest is pointed towards you, they are probably paying attention to you even if their face is turned elsewhere, or they are speaking to or with somebody else. Displaying an open chest to somebody is a sign of interest, which usually goes hand in hand with physical attraction when it comes to flirting or dating. Even from across a room, singles flirt by turning their bodies towards each other. This is a subtle way to let somebody know that you are interested on almost subconscious level, and it is a popular technique in bars and at parties because it is so subtle that it does not invite face to face rejection. If you notice that somebody is turned towards you for a long period of time, this may be a subtle invitation to strike up a conversation. This simple act of body language reading can help you determine who is a fruitful prospect, even among strangers. Learning to read body language can be a great help when determining who is interested in you, or how to display your interest to somebody else. However, it is important to remember that just as no two people are exactly alike, no two people will send exactly the same physical signals of attraction. Reading body language can give you clues, but it can never tell you exactly what somebody is thinking or feeling. The best way to use your knowledge of dating body language is to consider it a way to make an informed guess. Read somebodys body language, then try following up on your hunch, but do not rely on body language alone as a way to tell what somebody is up to. Everybodys signals are slightly different, but knowing about general trends in body language can help you figure out one possibility of what a romantic partner is trying to communicate. Yaroslav Shakula is the editor-in-chief of I Hate This site which is probably the best place for people to express their opinion. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yaroslav_Shakula http://EzineArticles.com/?When-You-Are-Dating-Body-Language-Can-Tell-Your-Secrets&id=129325 buy phentermine yellow phentermine 37.5 mg without prescription can i buy phentermine online phentermine no prescription usa

By Al Hearn 1. What is the best log home company? There are over 300 companies that offer log home kits and packages. Each is different than the others. Most have been in business for a number of years, offer a good product, have considerable experience, and have satisfied customers. They vary by wood types used, building methods, floor plans, milling and drying techniques, warranties, customer service, package options, and pricing to name just a few. To summarize, there is no “best” company. You simply have to do your homework, narrow down your choices to four or five, based on your own criteria, and then make your final selection based on which company feels right to you. If you do this, you’ll not make a mistake in the company you choose. 2. What is the best wood type? Like log home companies, wood species all have different characteristics. Some are more dense and sturdier, some less dense but more energy efficient, some are more insect resistant but still need protectant (like all wood types) anyway, some are more expensive because it has to come from far away, some accept stain better, some are less likely to crack (check), and some are easier to work with (lower labor costs). Then, is there one wood type that is best? Nope. Again, do your homework and choose the wood type that you feel best about. You probably won’t go wrong, regardless of which type you choose. 3. Are log homes more expensive? Yes, and no. Log homes are not inherently more expensive than any other type of house. However, most log homes are custom homes, unlike the cookie-cutter spec homes built by developers using the same sub-contractors, same plans, in the same development. Custom homes that are built to unique customer requirements will always cost more, whether they are log homes or not. Therefore, most log homes will cost in a range of 10% to 30% more than a typical spec home of the same size. 4. What will my log home cost to build? Building a log home is not so much different than building a more conventional home, except that your walls (and usually only first-floor walls) come as a “kit” of stacked and joined logs. All other construction can be almost exactly the same as for any other home. However…log home buyers don’t want just any other home. They want cathedral ceilings, full masonry fireplaces, metal roofs, wrap-around porches, heavy timber railings and stairs, tongue-and-groove wood floors, energy-efficient windows and doors, and wooded lots with a view. The cost of these features can be estimated and added to the cost of your land and your log kit (don’t forget labor) to arrive at an estimate of your total cost. Our Cost Estimator calculator can help you. 5. What is the best log style (profile)? There are round logs, rectangular logs, half-round logs, milled, and handcrafted and a variety of different styles of each of these. Your choice may be partially influenced by the style that is popular in your area. Round is popular in the West, rectangular “square”) in the Southeast. Machine-milled logs can be hand-hewn to resemble handcrafted logs. Handcrafted logs can be hewn to shapes other than round. Some folks don’t like round logs because of the uneven exposure to sun and weather, and dust on inside walls. Others don’t think square logs look authentic enough. Half-round (”D” logs) are a good compromise for many people. To chink, or not to chink? Drip edge, or no drip edge? V joint or no joint? So, once again, there is no “best” log style. The best style is the one you like best. 6. Why are prices so different between log home kits? Comparing prices from different log home producers can be maddening. The problem is that no two “kits” are exactly the same. Some are very basic, containing only the logs. Others can contain every log, window, door, two-by-four, trim piece, and board that you’ll need to complete your house. And there is everything in between these two ends of the offering spectrum. So, the trick to comparing prices is to fully understand exactly what is contained in each package, and attempt to compare on an “apples-to-apples” basis. Some kits might include random-length logs that must be cut at the site (lower package cost - higher labor cost), instead of pre-cut logs. Another variable is the quality of material being offered. If two kits both contain windows as part of the package, one might include high quality energy-efficient (expensive) windows while the other includes a lower quality product. 7. Can I act as my own contractor to save money? Yes. But the question is do you want to do it and are you qualified to do it. Although being your own contractor can save you 15%-35% of your total home construction cost, you should know what you are getting yourself into. You should know something about construction and building techniques, have some knowledge of local building codes, be very well organized, know sub-contractors in your area, be a tough manager, and be willing to spend a lot of time at the building site. Hiring a general contractor who has experience in building log homes, knows sub-contractors, and has project management skills can easily be worth the money you think you’ll save by doing it all yourself. 8. What log drying method is best? Every log home producer has a method and philosophy of how logs must be prepared for the building process. The purpose of drying is to reduce the possibility of shrinkage, warping, checking, and insect infestation. It makes the wood more stable. Some companies advocate air drying, some prefer faster kiln-drying, some say a combination of both is best, and some don’t dry their logs at all. The fact is that no two logs are alike and drying techniques can have different results between different individual logs. Some logs may dry only on the outside, some through and through. Although there are no published studies regarding the effectiveness of drying methods, it seems to make good sense that logs that will be used in the construction of a home should be air-dried for at least a year, or kiln-dried for a time that insures that the center section of the log has been dried. 9. What log stacking and joining method is best? If you visit a log home show or visit log home manufacturer web sites, you quickly get introduced to the various methods by which logs can be joined together. Each method is designed to tightly attach one log to another in a vertical stack, and at the corners, so that no air gaps exist, even if the logs settle later. Various techniques are used. Examples are: flat-stacking, coping, tongue-and-groove, or old-fashioned chink-style construction. To attach stacked logs, companies may use thru-bolts, screws, spring-loaded rods, or spikes. Insulation between logs can be foam, chinking, foam tape, or caulking material. Each of these systems has been designed to work well with that particular company’s logs. There are no scientific studies that show one system is better than another, so, again, go with your own feelings. 10. What problems can I expect when building a log home? Some of the possible problems you might encounter as you plan and build your log home are: financing difficulties (usually because the bank doesn’t understand log homes), construction delays (for a variety of reasons), cost overruns (primarily due to poor planning or mid-course changes to plans). The key to minimizing the possibility for problems is to know exactly what you want, realistically budget your project, line up financing well ahead of time, and make your plans and stick with them. Regardless of how well you plan, some problems should be expected. Simply deal with them if they occur and don’t let them create unnecessary stress in what should otherwise be a very enjoyable adventure. Al Hearn is owner and operator of Log Home Advisor (LogHomeAdvisor.com), a popular and growing web site for log home lovers. 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