Our Process

What is a milled log home?

All log homes have a warmth and beauty in rural settings, but not all log homes are equal. The two basic types of log homes are hand-scribed and milled.

Hand-scribed log homes are built with whole, hand peeled logs. The builder scribes (copies) each log onto the log below it, then carves out a groove to the scribed line, so that when the upper log is placed onto the lower log, it fits tightly. The corners are hand notched as well. This method, produces a beautiful end product when done well, but is extremely labor intensive and very expensive.

Milled log homes, like those from Highway 72 Log Homes, use timbers run through a planer to make every log uniform in size (ours are 6’x8′ or 6’x6′). Highway 72 Log Homes logs are flat on the top and bottom, and rounded on the inside and outside. We machine notch the corners to give a strong, tight fit. The logs are cut to length, with window and door openings all done. They are assembled at the building site, much like Lincoln Logs from your childhood. These are beautiful, durable and low maintenance buildings. Milled log homes are quickly assembled and don’t require nearly the time and labor as scribed homes, which means that they are very reasonably priced…especially when compared to scribed log homes.

What is needed to start the planning process​

Planning Process​

  Questions to ask yourself
  Things to consider​​
   Ways we can help you plan​

7 step plan: ​

  1. Start with Inspiration
    Research floor plans to identify what you like. Even though Hwy 72 builds fully custom homes, these can be a great starting point to shape your wants.
  2. Understand Your Space Needs
    Measure rooms and furniture in your current home to get a real sense of scale—what feels comfortable, what feels tight, and what you’d change.
  3. Map Out Your Ideal Layout
    Sketch out the rooms you want at approximate sizes. Arrange them in a way that fits your lifestyle—thinking about flow, function, and how you actually live day-to-day.
  4. Design for Functionality
    Place furniture within your layout and ensure there’s plenty of room to move comfortably. Think through high-use areas like kitchens, living spaces, and entry points.
  5. Plan Key Features Thoughtfully
    Consider important elements like windows (light, airflow, symmetry, and egress), heating systems, fireplaces, stair placement, and kitchen layout—these details shape both comfort and efficiency.
  6. Refine & Visualize
    Walk through your home mentally. Picture daily routines, furniture placement, and how each space connects. Adjust your plan until it truly feels right.
  7. Bring It to Life with Hwy 72
    Put your ideas onto a simple floor plan (grid paper works great), noting room sizes, windows, doors, and key features—then connect with the Hwy 72 team to start turning your vision into reality.

Preconstruction Planning

  1. Discuss Build
  2. Preliminary Price Estimating
  3. Go Over Blueprints
  4. Clear Site
  5. Site Development
preconstruction-planning4

Construction Steps

  Option 1- We build you a custom log home kit for you or a contractor to put up

   Option 2- We build the kit and put it up for you.​