PLANNING

DESIGN

PERMITS & FINANCE

DELIVERY & CONSTRUCTION

step one
PLANNING

Often when developing a budget, researching the cost associated with developing the land does not get the attention it deserves. Plan ahead and speak with city officials about building permits and the cost to obtain them. Under most circumstances, your contractor can assist in obtaining permits and will provide you with most of the cost, but we recommend performing your own research ahead of time to avoid any unexpected expenses or delays in construction.

When selecting your property, research whether water, power, and electric are already on the lot. It can cost thousands of dollars to hook into utilities. It is considerably less expensive hooking up to utilities already stubbed into the site, rather than having to go into the street to make a connection. This involves the cost of digging up to and into the street as well as repairing it. A site with lots of trees means at least some tree removal, which can be expensive and therefore should be factored into the budget from the outset.

Always have soil tests done on the part of the site where you plan to build before you commit to the location and begin building. Finding out during construction that the area you plan to build on is bedrock or has underground water will throw you off budget, especially if you need to pick a new location.

If you do not yet own land, your local Lindal dealer can help advise you on your best options.

sustainable
Building a Green Home

Lindal homes are widely recognized for their relationship to the natural environment, but our commitment goes far beyond capturing breathtaking panoramic views. For us, the goal is to do everything possible to preserve the world that our homes celebrate. Sustainability and environmental stewardship is reflected in everything we do—from design to materials, site selection, building techniques, and beyond. If it’s green prefab homes you’re seeking, Lindal is your ideal partner.

For over twenty years, Lindal Cedar Homes has worked with American Forests Global ReLeaf program to plant trees to replace those harvested for our homes. Lindal has led green home building efforts in the use of energy efficient windows and detailing, in the use of engineered wood and other sustainable materials. The company has been recognized by local and national news outlets, was the first to be Green Approved by the National Association of Homebuilders Research Center and the only single family home selected for TIME Magazine’s Green Design 100. Lindal’s dealers have received special training to become Certified Green Professionals, and today many Lindal owners choose to build off the grid or seek green certification for their homes.

Read about the first green-certified home in Seattle.


Guide to Green Prefab

Green homes offer organic environments that are a joy to live in. In order to successfully build a green prefab home, it’s essential to be realistic and control costs to avoid winding up in the red. Former Lindal Cedar Homes CEO and green home consultant Michael Harris wrote a series of articles for Inhabitat – The Green Guide to Prefab – to discuss the ins and outs of building an affordable green dream home.

In his articles about prefabricated homes (did you know that their roots are in the mobile home, Michael discusses how to site your green prefab home to maximize eco-efficiency. He also offers tips on how to choose a prefab home that fits your lifestyle. Other articles focus on budgeting for a prefab home project and a discussion on whether time can be considered a renewable resource when building a prefab home. We hope you enjoy and learn from these informative articles which take a deep dive into the process of designing a green prefab home.

green from the ground up
CORPORATE CULTURE

  • Our company has more than 75 years experience designing and delivering green modern prefab homes for many types of environments.
  • We are committed to using a plentiful, renewable resource from younger timber stands.
  • In nearly 20 years, we have planted over 100,000 trees in the names of our customers in partnership with the American Forests Global ReLeaf program.
  • Our manufacturing process optimizes the use of material in the factory and greatly reduces on-site waste.
  • Lindal has a history of innovation in material planning, we are the recipient of 18 building technology patents, and we maintain an ongoing research and development process.

eco-conscious
PLANNING & DESIGN

  • We will help you create an environmentally-intelligent site plan that considers everything from the lay of the land to existing vegetation and even the microclimate, including the sun and wind.
  • Solar gain, controlled by overhangs or natural vegetation, reduces energy consumption and creates happy, sunbathed homes.
  • Natural ventilation maintains indoor air quality and helps reduce cooling costs.
  • Our team understands what it takes to design and build energy-efficient homes.
  • Lindal professionals and local independent Lindal dealers are familiar with local regulations. Many are  National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Certified Green Professionals, thoroughly trained in the NAHB’s green home building standards.

energy efficient
FABRICATION & CONSTRUCTION

  • The Lindal building system is a continually-refined assembly of components that are designed to be used together, enhancing structural integrity and reducing infiltration.
  • Engineered building products are stronger and consume less material.
  • Lindal green prefab homes package specifications include advanced framing, EnergyStar™-rated cedar-framed windows with energy-efficient glazing, and other resource-efficient upgrades. Well-considered options enable you to tailor the components to the climatic conditions of the site and to your own desire to build green.
  • Prestained siding and other components can use low-VOC stains, if desired.
  • Preassembled interior and exterior rails reduce waste and on-site labor.
  • We provide help with planning for energy-efficient products, both in your Lindal package and beyond the building phase.
  • Your Lindal building package can be delivered in one load, saving time, money, and gas—a major advantage over the many necessary trips to the local lumber yard when you’re not building a Lindal home.