FAQ

Q: How long have you been in business?
A: We  are celebrating our 65th year of building quality cedar homes. In fact, there are over 50,000 happy Lindal homeowners around the globe.

Q: Can I have some names of past customers so I can view their homes?
A: This is a very common request for potential purchasers, as we respect the privacy of every Lindal homeowner, there is a short window of time during which a home may be available for viewing.   Therefore, we do not post a list of homeowners or previously constructed Lindal Cedar Homes.  At any given time we have homes under construction at various building stages, please discuss site visit and tour options with your sales representative.

Q: What is the relationship between Janstar Homes and Lindal Cedar Homes, who am I buying the materials from and who is building my home?

A: Janstar Homes Ltd. is a Calgary, AB based company that is the Independent Distributor for Lindal Cedar Homes in Calgary and Southern Alberta.  Janstar Homes has developed three easy pathways to ownership of your Lindal Cedar Home:

1.  ‘U-Build’ Materials Only- The client purchases the building plans, design, engineering services and building materials from Lindal Cedar Homes and constructs the home on their own or acts as their own general contractor.

2. ‘Lindal Lockup’ – Lindal Cedar Homes will provide building materials as above and Janstar Homes will arrange for the necessary permits, excavation, foundation and weather tight construction of the home on the clients’ site.  Why we call this the ‘Lindal Lockup’ is due to the fact this differs from the standard builders’ definition of lockup stage as the home will appear finished from the exterior in the Lindal Lockup, all windows, doors, exterior siding, trim and roofing are install as part of the Lindal Lockup.

3. Turn Key – Janstar Homes will develop and coordinate construction management, building a custom home to the clients’ specification.  The client signs a contract, meets with an interior designer to choose various finish options and takes possession of a completed Lindal Cedar Home.

Q: If I want to add to my home later, is that feasible?
A: Absolutely! In fact, many customers have. It is best to work with Lindal for your addition as we are familiar with your home and its post and beam structure. Your Lindal dealer will be able to make sure your addition blends with the original structure and does not look like an afterthought.

Q: Do you provide mechanical and electrical details on your drawings such as HVAC (heat, ventilation, air conditioning)?
A: Janstar Homes works with various local professionals and Engineers and can assist with obtaining all relevant information require by your local building department Alberta, British Columbia or Saskatchewan.

Q: Do you provide foundation drawings?
A: We provide foundation drawings that outline the walls and locate point loads. For an additional fee we can also size the pads and footings, with an engineered foundation if required.  Soil testing and Geotechnical Engineering may also be required depending on your site which will be determinted at time of your site visit.

Q: What is included in my material package?

A: To summarize, Lindal includes everything that is required to make your home weather tight.

* Design services, Blueprints, Engineering

* The entire weather-tight shell (framing, connectors, fasteners, siding, windows, doors, roofing)

* Interior Finishes (Doors, trim, partition walls)

Q: Can I get the same components at my local building supply store?
A: The quality of materials used in a Lindal home cannot be purchased at your local lumberyard. From the forest to the building site, our strict quality control standards and grading system begins where industry standards end. By kiln-drying the lumber to reduce and control moisture content, we also decrease the chance for twisting and warping that often occurs with green or air-dried lumber. Kiln-drying also reduces the weight, while increasing strength making your construction easier and freight costs lower. We also specify Select Structural grade materials that are typically not available in local lumberyards.

Q: If I order a home today, when will the package be delivered to my lot?
A: Once you approve the final drawings and sign the authorization to ship paperwork, we usually ship your home within four to five weeks. The development of the plans depends on many factors including the style and complexity of the home and the engineering requirements of the site.

Q: How is the package delivered, how is it unloaded, how long does it take and what is the cost of delivery?
A: The materials will be shipped from Surrey, BC  via flatbed truck to areas in Western Canada.  Janstar Homes will arrange for unloading of the materials with a Moffett forklift, the cost of delivery is included in all prices quoted by Janstar Homes.

Q: How can I be certain that you will ship the exact home ordered?
A: We guarantee it! In our 65 year history, the wrong home has never been shipped. If this ever happens, we will promptly reship the correct home.

Q: What is included in the package I get from Lindal?
A: Your Lindal package includes:

• Design services
• The entire weather-tight shell (framing, connectors, fasteners, siding, windows, doors, trim)
• Any of our vast list of quality options and material upgrades

Q: Do you have a brochure that explains the unique building components I receive in my Lindal homes?
A: Our planbook set, Lindal Living, do an excellent job. In fact, Lindal Planning dedicates pages to specific topics such as how our materials are chosen and processed and options to the choices you can make for siding and other materials.

Q: Who is responsible for being at the delivery?
A: We arrange the delivery to your site to supervise and inventory the shipment. At that time, they will report any missing or broken pieces to Lindal for immediate reshipment. Your contractor should be there to off-load and place the materials on the site, as the truck driver does not provide this service. You should be there also to celebrate the event and enjoy the beginning of the construction process.

Q: What kind of equipment do I need to unload?
A: We will advise and work with you to get your new home properly and safely unloaded. The site and road requirements will dictate the type of off loading process to anticipate.

Q: If everything arrives on the truck, do I have to wait to put the subfloor down until the package arrives?
A: You will want to wait until your materials arrive, as the subfloor is part of your Lindal home package.

Q: How long do I have to unload the home?
A: We will work with you to get your home unloaded. Generally, it takes about four hours.

Q: What do I do if something arrives at the building site missing or broken?
A: We will be there to inventory and inspect the materials. They are responsible for communicating any replacement pieces to Lindal for immediate reshipment. Lindal sends a detailed parts list with the materials and every piece of lumber has a specific part number to verify. A digital photo can quickly help illustrate damage concerns to our Customer Relations Department.

Q: How can I be certain that you will ship the exact home ordered?
A: We guarantee it! In our 65 year history, the wrong home has never been shipped. If this ever happens, we will promptly reship the correct home.

Q: Do you have builders who will put this home up?
A: All Lindal home packages are sold through independent local dealers, Janstar Homes has their own crew also, and can recommend local builders.

Q: Can I deal direct with the factory?
A: We only sell through local independent dealers. They are more readily available to meet your needs, and are more knowledgeable about local conditions that affect the ability to complete your dream home. We have service teams dedicated to assisting the dealer on the local level as well as internal representatives available to assist your dealer with your dream home project. The success of your project is our top priority.

Q: How detailed a construction guide do you provide?
A: Prior to delivery, you will receive a very detailed new home construction guide to share with your general contractor. Each part of your package is also numbered to match the guide and make the building job more efficient. We do not sell a ‘wood pile,’ but rather a detailed plan that keys all the part numbered pieces into place.

Q: How can I choose a competent contractor?
A: When you are evaluating contractors to build your home, make sure they are bonded and insured. Ways to find more information on their abilities include:

• Ask for and check references
• Check with your local Better Business Bureau and ask other new homeowners about their experience
• Talk to your local Lindal dealer who will have a list to from which you can start the interview process

Q: Do you have customers “do-it-yourself” without a contractor?
A: Yes, but we don’t recommend it, uless you have previous construction experience. Building a house is a very specific, time-consuming project. A builder is trained and experienced to make sure you are happy with your new home.

Q: Does it take longer to construct a Lindal home than a conventional home?
A: The Lindal post and beam home takes about the same amount of time for a builder to complete as a custom conventional home. Although, more care is typically required due to the vaulted cathedral ceilings.

Q: Will my dealer or someone from the company be at the delivery?
A: Janstar Homes  will have a representative present during the delivery site to supervise and inventory the shipment. At that time, your dealer will report any missing or broken pieces to Lindal for immediate reshipment.

Q: Do you have contractors who will build my home?
A: All Lindal home packages are sold through local dealers. Each local dealer can provide references to builders in your area.

Q: Can Lindal Cedar Homes have a ducted central heating and cooling system?
A: Yes! It is possible. Just make sure that you specify this request at the beginning of the design phase.

Q: Why should I buy a planbook?
A: Our planbook is a very useful home planning tool. Living Dreams shares the stories of Lindal homeowners and the processes they went through to bring their dream home to life. Their experiences are full of valuable insight for any custom home building project. It is also comprehensive planbook that helps you decide what materials you want in your home, from the style of floor plan to siding, window and door options—even kitchen and bath amenities. Explore the benefits that our quality features can add to your project…

Q: Why not give the planbook away?
A: Our planbooks are a very valuable resource and would be a bargain at twice the price. The planbooks are an award-winning publication and you will find the many full-color photos and specific details a tremendous aid in planning your Lindal Cedar Home. And at $20 (plus shipping and handling), you will find them well worth the investment! If you take the time to visit your local dealer, you can save even more. Order now or call your dealer to arrange for a visit.

Q: How do I get started?
Your local dealer is the best overall resource to help you get started!  While you are visiting with our dealer, be sure to order the  Living Dreams planbook which helps you in situations that begin where you are today, by telling the story of Lindal owners and the processes they went through to bring their dream home to life. It is also a comprehensive workbook that helps you decide what you want in your home… from floor plans to siding to kitchen amenities.

Q: Can I have my own architect draw my floor plans and have Lindal just ship the product to me from those floor plans?
A: Your architect will need to work with the design team at Lindal to create your floor plan. Due to our unique patented building process, detailed part numbering system and lifetime structural warranty, your local architect will not be able recreate our system. We work with architects on a regular basis and your project will benefit from that symbiotic relationship.

Q: Can I just buy a set of floor plans from Lindal?
A: When you decide to invest in a Lindal home, you invest in a complete package. That package includes your personalized floor plans, in addition to a weather-tight exterior shell, interior framing, doors and freight. We sell quality homes, not just floor plans.

Q: How many times can I change my home design before you ship my home?
A: Until you authorize us to ship the home, you can change floor plan as many times as you want. Our typical production system allows for a Preliminary Plan and one amendment to produce the Permit Plans. However, we have a design track that accommodates additional work when required. Once we have ‘frozen’ the design with your authorization, we put our pencils down and the floor plan design work is done.

Q: Does my deposit entitle me to own the plans that you draw?
As with all house plans, the drawings are copyrighted property of the designer. So the drawings will always remain the copyright property of Lindal Cedar Homes and/or Janstar Homes. You own the right to build your plan on a single-use basis, with our home package materials.

Q: Will I get my home any earlier if I order one right out of the planbook?
A: If you order a planbook model “as is,” it will shorten the time from when you place your order until you sign the authorization paperwork that prepares your home for shipment. We have developed the Lindal Prime program in which you choose one of the most popular Lindal home plans. You take advantage of personalizing your home while shortening the planning process. Otherwise, the time it will take to put your package together for shipment will depend on the choices you make and the amount of custom work to be done. Your local dealer can assist you in this assessment.

Q: Is there one time of year that is better to order a home from you?
A: No matter when you are thinking of building  your home the answer is always, “Start today!”.  The more time you have, the easier the decision process and the less stress on you.  In Western Canada it is possible to build year round, basements can be poured in the winter up to – 20 C.

Q: Where do I start?
A: Order the planbook, “Lindal Living Dreams“, it helps you in situations that began where you are today by telling the story of six Lindal owners and the processes they went through to bring their dream to life. “Lindal Planning” is a comprehensive workbook that helps you decide what you want in your home from floor plans to siding to kitchen amenities. Of course, your local dealer is also a great resource to help you get started.

Q: Do you have any plans for one-level homes?
A: Yes! We have several options. You can even search the plans online.

Q: Most of the world uses Metric. Is this a problem for you?
A: No, all of your Lindal home plans will show both Metric and Imperial measurements.

Q: Is your design capability any more sophisticated than using a local custom builder?
A: Lindal Cedar Homes has been producing custom homes for 65 years. The post and beam building technology we employ has virtually limitless design flexibility and cannot be duplicated by the local custom builder. In addition, our home design library includes thousands of Classic, Contemporary and Traditional home plans to meet every lifestyle. We also welcome your own ideas as one-of-a-kind projects are no stranger to our company.

Q: What makes your solid cedar home different than other log homes?
A: Our Solid cedar homes are made from kiln-dried timbers that are machined to a smooth surface on both faces. This double tongue and groove, friction fit system provides you two distinct advantages: The kiln-drying allows for almost no settling. A regular log homes has to provide gaps at the tops of doors and windows. The surface of the Solid Cedar walls are smooth and not rounded as in traditional log homes, making an easy to clean surface that easily accepts interior finishes and fixtures.

Q: Why do you use glu-lam posts?
A: A glu-lam post is more dimensionally stable, providing a major advantage over dimensional lumber; it will not warp and twist. The posts also match our glu-lam beams for aesthetic harmony.

Q: What is the difference between post and beam and conventional construction?
A: Lindal post and beam construction is designed to carry all of the weight of the home on the post and beam structure, limiting the weight on perimeter walls and interior partitions. This allows large open spaces and rooms to be modified more easily. Conventional construction bears weight on interior and perimeter walls making modifications more difficult.

Q: What makes Lindal post and beam construction different than other post and beam companies?
A: Lindal uses a unique grade of architectural glu-lam posts and beams. Compared to conventional post and beams, the glu-lam post and beam is more stable and does not shrink and twist. Our beams also use a white glue which provides a more finished look, adding to the beauty of your new home.

Q: Are your homes prefab (prefabricated) kit homes?
A: Our homes are custom designed and crafted around a building system incorporating post and beam construction technology. We further detail the plans and high quality materials with a part numbering system, where every piece of lumber has a place. So, our system differs from true prefab. But our system provides a flexible and accurate approach to building a custom home not found at your local custom builder or in the prefab market.

Q: Are structural panels used in a Lindal home?
A: Structural panels, when required by local codes, are used as prescribed by engineering, and work very well with our naturally strong system. Lindal post and beam construction is a system that, in and of itself, readily withstands onslaughts of extreme weather. We have had great success in our homes overcoming hurricanes and earthquakes.

Q: Is there a difference between a Lindal home and a manufactured home?
A: The major differences are quality, choice and service.

• We provide industry leading quality materials backed up with our Lifetime Structural Warranty.
• Lindal also has 65 years of experience providing custom homes with a multitude of options and material choices. First, you will choose from thousands of floor plans that can be modified to fit your lifestyle. And the entire home package is assembled at your home building site.
• Our flexible post and beam system is supported by our experienced dealer network providing local support and services.

Q: Is a Lindal Cedar Home a kit home?
A: When you purchase a Lindal Cedar Home, you are buying a complete home building materials package, not just a kit. This package is customized to fit your needs, your site and your budget. After all, it is not a wood pile, it is a lifestyle.

Q: Do I pay extra for using all your ‘in house’ design and architectural services?
A: When you work with Lindal to build your home, you invest in a package. In turn, we invest in your project. The house design and architectural services are part of that package. In addition, the typical package is an entire weather-tight shell (framing, connectors, fasteners, siding, windows, doors, trim) with many options and upgrades available (decking, SunRooms, interior liner, etc.). All components are designed to be easily integrated into your custom home.

Q:Is the price I get from your dealer when I sign the contract a guaranteed price for a delivery?
A: Yes it is! As Lindal provides a lifetime structural warranty there are sometimes a few cases where changes must be made to meet local codes or conditions, and these may adjust the price. These items can readily be discussed and identified by your local dealer in the planning phase.

Q: What will my finished (turn-key) cost be as a percentage of the Lindal package cost?
A: The cost of your home depends on many variables in addition to the Lindal package. Of course the Lindal package price will also vary depending on size and choices you make. Other variables including local labor costs and the lot price and development will be key in what percent the Lindal building system will be of your total project cost.

Q: How much does a Lindal Cedar home cost?
A: Lindal homes are exceptionally well priced and offer a tremendous value. We have numerous homes pre-priced based on standard building conditions.  Variables which may modify the price include the lot, location, the package and the finishes. Without knowing these factors, a price can not be determined with any certainty.

Q: Is freight included in the package price?
A: Yes. Your package price also includes: design services, a weather-tight shell, interior framing and doors.

Q: Do I pay sales tax on the Lindal package?
A: Yes, for Alberta deliveries the GST is 5.0%, BC now chages 12%. A GST rebate of up to 36% of the GST/HST, to a maximum -may be available.   For deliveries to other provinces or states please contact us for details.

Q: How do I pay for the package?
A: Lindal requires a 15% deposit with an order and a pre-payment of the balance prior to releasing the home package shipment from the plant.

Q: Do you offer financing?
A: We work with many lender to set up a construction loan to build your home, we work with mortgage brokers from many lender that are specialized in construction financing.   ATB Financial has a self-built and a builder-built mortgage program.

Q: Can I buy my own windows locally?
A: You can opt to do that. However, when most customers start comparing window prices, they decide to purchase Lindal windows. First, they are custom-made to perfectly fit your home, making your home easier to build; local supply would likely be custom. Second, the pricing structure for our windows makes them very affordable. We stand 100% behind the quality we provide, but we cannot guarantee other product warranties.

Q: How long will you hold the price if I order my package today?
A: The price is guaranteed for 60 days. Due to Lindal’s large inventory and buying power, we usually do not have a price increase more than once a year. Lumber conditions do change, however, and sometimes we have been able to go two years without a price increase while other times it has been six months.

Q:Is my deposit refundable if I decide not to go through with this project?

A: If you cancel the process, valuable time and resources were already invested into your home. Your deposit refund will depend on wherein the process you are, and becomes non-refundable after a certain point.

Q: Can you suggest a lender who gives mortgages on your homes?
A: We work with several national lenders, including RBC, Scotiabank, ATB and local credit unions.  Depending on your location and individual needs, we can recommend a suitable lender.

Q: Do you accept high ratio loans?
A: Yes.

Q: What is a Construction-to-Permanent Loan?
A: Often, getting approved for a construction loan can be tricky. In many cases, two loans are required: one for construction and one for permanent financing. Usually you will have to pay closing costs on both loans, not to mention the extra paperwork, time and hassle involved. A Construction-to-Permanent Loan combines both construction and permanent financing into one loan with one closing and related costs.

Q: Is there a way to use the equity in my current house as a down payment on my dream home?
A: Yes, you may obtain bridge or interim financing. This enables you to use the equity in your home as the down payment on a Construction-To-Permanent Loan. And during construction, there are no monthly mortgage payments on the Bridge Loan. This lets you live in your existing home while you’re building your dream home. Your Bridge Loan is not due until your new home is finished or you sell your existing home.

Q: Can I buy a piece of land that is unserviced and save some money?
A: Unserviced ‘Raw land’ is readily available in Alberta, Saskatchewan and BC.  The municipality in which the land is located will best answer what is required, Janstar Homes will assist in obtaining all necessary information required to obtain the necessary approvals.

Q: We would like to purchase a Lindal home that has already been built or with a fast possession date. How can I find a list on the market?
A: We typically have an inventory of homes under construction to chose from, many of these homes are not listed on our website.  The best way to receive immediate information regarding our inventory is to contact our sales department and request an updated inventory list.