Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Laverty Log Homes?

We’re a handcrafted log home and timber frame builder out of Baden, Ontario. Earl Laverty started this company in 2005 with one goal: build structures that last for generations using the same traditional techniques European craftsmen have relied on for centuries. No shortcuts. No kit homes. Every build is one-of-a-kind, and Earl is personally involved from the first conversation to the final log.

We’ve built custom log homes, lakeside cabins, and full resort lodges right across Canada — from cottage country in Ontario to getaways in Quebec, and beyond. If you’re in Ontario, there’s a good chance we’ve built something near you. If you’re further afield, we travel.

Who is Earl Laverty?

Earl Laverty is the founder, lead builder, and the person you’ll actually talk to — not a salesperson. He’s been working with logs and heavy timber since 2005 and has spent much of that time not just building, but helping shape the standards the entire industry builds to.

He served six years on the board of directors of the International Log Builders Association (ILBA), including a term as Vice President, and sat on the committee that overhauled the Log Building Standards and developed the Effective Practices and Methods guidelines used by builders across North America. He knows this craft at a level most builders don’t.

“Earl’s craftsmanship for log building is second to none, but equally as important, Earl took the time to understand our goals and needs to help give us advice along the way.” — Corey & Holly, Paris, ON

Is Laverty Log Homes part of a professional association?

Yes — and it goes a lot deeper than just having a membership on the wall. Earl is an active member of the International Log Builders Association (ILBA), the leading professional body for handcrafted log construction in North America. More than that, he spent six years on the ILBA board of directors, served as Vice President, and helped write the standards that govern how quality log homes get built.

For you, that means your home isn’t just built by someone who meets the standard — it’s built by someone who helped set it.

Where does Laverty build?

Across North America. Our shop is in Baden, Ontario, and we do a lot of work throughout Ontario, from cottage country and Muskoka to the Bruce Peninsula, Sauble Beach, and beyond. But we’re not limited to Ontario. We’ve built in Quebec, on the East Coast and we travel for the right project across North America.

If you’ve got a site and a vision, call us, 519-503-2690. Geography is a logistics question, not a dealbreaker.

How does the process actually work?

It starts with a phone call. Earl will talk through your vision, your site, your budget, and what’s realistic — honestly. No pressure, no sales pitch. Just a real conversation about whether this is a fit.

From there, we move into design and planning, hand-select your timber, and build the entire log shell at our Baden shop before it ever leaves for your property. This is the pre-assembly step. Once everything is verified and numbered, we dismantle, deliver, and rebuild on site. Earl and his team handle the construction from start to finish.

Why do you pre-assemble the log shell before delivery?

Pre-assembly means we construct your entire shell at our workshop first, check every joint, every notch, every connection. The logs get numbered, photographed, and disassembled carefully. Then they’re delivered and rebuilt on your site. What looks like extra work upfront saves enormous time — and stress — during the actual build. It’s one of the things that separates a truly handcrafted home.

How long does it take to build a custom log home?

Honestly? It depends on the project. The size of the home, the complexity of the roof system, your site conditions, and our current project load all factor in.

What we will say: we don’t rush. We work on a limited number of builds at a time so every client gets Earl’s full attention. Call us at 519-503-2690 and we’ll give you a realistic picture for your specific project — not a number designed to get you to sign.

Does Laverty build to Canadian building codes?

Yes. Every structure we build is engineered to meet or exceed Canadian national building codes. Earl’s deep knowledge of structural log construction — combined with the rigour that comes from helping write ILBA’s building standards — means we don’t just pass inspection. We build well beyond what the minimum requires.

What’s the difference between a log home and a timber frame?

In a log home, the logs are both the structure and the walls — round or hewn, they’re doing all the heavy lifting and they’re what you see inside and out. In a timber frame, large square or rectangular timbers form an internal skeleton, and other materials fill in the walls.

Both are beautiful. Both are incredibly durable. Laverty builds both, and some of our most striking projects blend the two — timber frame bones with log character throughout. If you’re not sure which direction is right for your build, that’s exactly what the first conversation is for.

What is a Scandinavian log home, and why does it matter?

Scandinavian full-scribe is the technique Laverty specializes in. Each log is individually scribed — traced and carved by hand — so it fits the exact contour of the log below it. No gaps. No chinking. No filler. Just wood sitting perfectly on wood, the way it’s been done in Northern Europe for centuries.

The result is a home that’s exceptionally tight, naturally energy-efficient, and genuinely beautiful in a way that factory-built homes can’t replicate. You can see the craftsmanship in every joint. That’s not an accident — it’s the point.

What joinery techniques does Laverty use?

Whatever the project calls for. We’re confident and competent with dovetail notches, shrink-fit saddle notches, round log structures, square timber connections, compound valley connections, and hand-cut wood joinery. We also specialize in complex open timber and log roof systems — trusses, valleys, heavy purlins, rafters — the kind of structural work a lot of builders shy away from.

Earl and his small team of artisans use European hand tools and time-honoured techniques to shape every log. This isn’t assembly line work. Each piece is handled, measured, and crafted individually.

What’s a full-scribe log home?

Full-scribe means every single log is individually scribed and carved to fit tightly against the log below it, preserving the log’s natural round shape. There are no flat cuts, no standard dimensions — each log is unique, and each joint is unique to match. It’s one of the most labour-intensive and authentic forms of log home building, and it’s what Laverty does.

What is CLT and do you build with it?

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is an engineered wood product — layers of timber bonded together in alternating directions to create panels that are extraordinarily strong and stable. It’s well-suited to contemporary designs, off-grid builds, and projects where a cleaner, more modern aesthetic works alongside natural wood character.

Our Quebec getaway cabin is a CLT project — you can see it in the gallery. If you’re interested in CLT construction, it’s worth a conversation.

How much does a custom log home cost in Canada?

We’ll be straight with you: custom handcrafted log homes are a significant investment, and we’re not going to give you a number that turns out to be wrong. Every Laverty build is entirely unique — different size, different species, different site, different roof complexity. The cost of your home is specific to your home.

What we can tell you is that you’re not paying for a factory product. You’re paying for a structure built by hand, by people who care deeply about the craft, using timber chosen specifically for your build — and engineered to stand for hundreds of years. Call Earl at 519-503-2690 and have the real conversation. He’ll be honest about what’s achievable within your budget.

Is a handcrafted log home a good long-term investment?

A well-built log home using traditional techniques can stand for several hundred years with proper care. The thermal mass of solid logs regulates temperature naturally — cool in summer, warm in winter — which can meaningfully reduce energy costs over time. And unlike a conventional home, a Laverty build tends to become more impressive with age, not less.

More than the financial side, though: people build with us because they want to leave something behind. A place that outlasts them. Something their kids and grandkids will still be gathering in long after they’re gone. That’s what we build.

Where do you source your timber?

We handpick every log locally and sustainably. We’re looking for timber with the right character — the right grain, the right shape, the natural beauty that makes a Laverty home look the way it does. We don’t accept whatever shows up. Each log is chosen because it belongs in your home.

We protect finished timber with professional treatments — quality, low-VOC wood finishes that preserve and protect while letting the wood breathe naturally.

Are log homes energy-efficient?

Yes — and Laverty homes particularly so. Our Scandinavian full-scribe technique creates an inherently tight shell, and we engineer a double-gasket system at every joint to prevent drafts and water infiltration. The thermal mass of solid logs does the rest: absorbing heat through the day and releasing it at night, keeping the interior comfortable year-round with less mechanical help.

Building in Canada means building for Canadian winters. We know that, and every detail of how we build reflects it.

How do I get started?

Call Earl. That’s it. No contact form maze, no waiting for a sales rep to get back to you. Earl answers his phone, and he’ll give you a real conversation about your project.

We work on a limited number of builds at a time — that’s deliberate. Every client gets Earl’s direct attention, not a project manager reading notes off a screen. If you’re serious about building a log home anywhere in Canada, this is where the conversation starts.

Phone: 519-503-2690

Location: 2961 Sandhills Rd, Baden, ON, Canada