We built our dream home, an 1810 reconstructed log home using 2 1/2 old log homes and 'additions'. We searched for a year for just the right builder. We thought we found it in Leatherwood. Not only were they in our same town, Fairview, but old log was their specialty - the perfect marriage - or so we thought! After first moving into our home, we experienced several problems almost immediatly. The limestone tile in the bath cracked all across the floor. We have had a constant leak in our walls when it rains hard. We have a leak in our roof and several logs that have rotted from improper chinking that we must replace. They refused to correct any of our problems, even with a 1 year warrenty! Now, we have lived there for almost 6 years (we moved in Oct 31, 2001). Earlier this year, after several calls, I contacted Vic Hood (the owner) and asked him 'Why has our poplar siding and all the window facings rotted?' He came out and determined 'I don't know'. He admitted that this was unusual and that the siding should last for 50+ years. He replaced a few boards as a gesture of good business. Well, a few months later and all of the siding, window facings, all painted wood on the house has rotted to the point that we must replace all 'painted wood' to a tune of $33,000.000. Even our insurance company said that this was blatant neglect by the builder. The cut ends were not primed, and where they used a nail gun the siding has cracked at each nail head and water seeped in further causing the wood to decay. Our dream home is still a dream, but with a few nightmares tucked in. The sad thing is that we had to go to Alabama to see their work, and they were excited to have a home right around the corner to show future customers. They even wanted to get This Old House magazine to do an article. We are in the process of designing a garage, and Leatherwood will not be a part of our next project. I wouldn't trust them to build an outhouse!
Pros: in my same town
Cons: quality, customer service, warrenty
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