Log home kit assembly contractor

Private landowners who bought a kit, and kit manufacturers or dealers who need local crews to erect their homes.

A fixed price or per-square-foot rate for erecting the shell, often paid in stages as the work progresses. Some builders also manage the other trades for a fee.

• Carpentry and framing
• Reading plans and kit instructions
• Operating or hiring cranes and lifting equipment
• Managing a small crew and schedule

• Many states require a general or residential contractor license; thresholds and rules differ, so check your state licensing board
• General liability insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire anyone
• Heavy lifting and work at height are real injury risks, so plan safety practices and equipment
• Logs settle and shrink over time; check that your contracts and the kit plans account for this
• Building permits, engineered plans and local energy codes vary by county

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your tools, lifting equipment, vehicle and insurance. These are estimates. Hiring or renting a crane rather than buying one can change your costs.

Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on how many kits you erect, your crew size and contract values. These are estimates, and the business assumes at least about 30 hours of work a week.

Many states require a general or residential contractor license, and thresholds differ, so check your state licensing board. Building permits, engineered plans and local energy codes vary by county. Also check general liability and workers' compensation insurance.