True North Log Homes
2 reviews 1730 Winhara Rd, Bracebridge, ON +1 705-645-3096 www.truenorthloghomes.com suggest an edit
30 July 2023 19:52
We moved into our True North Log Home two years ago. After attending one of True North Log Homes factory tour informative seminars in Bracebridge, and visiting one of their log homes, we were thoroughly impressed with the quality and natural beauty of their product. True North's factory engineered logs made from northeastern white pine, fit and seal together perfectly in combination with True North's unique locking system. We also appreciated the wide selection of beautiful home plans, as well as the ability to customize as needed.
All the logs required to construct the entire house arrived
pre-designed/cut, stained, and in and of themselves once assembled, provided both the outside and inside finishes, as well as superior insulation. We like the fact that the logs are a living, breathing natural part of nature, and during cold winter days retain the warmth from inside, and in the summer stay cool. Since our lot was located in a very high winds area, directly facing Lake Huron, we realized strength and stability would be important factors, and have found that True North's log structures present a very solid front to stormy weather.
The team at True North Log Homes has always been very supportive. We knew a local experienced contractor, and opted to have him complete the build. The staff at True North was always ready to assist him with any questions, and the build came together well. True North provides exceptional quality, and we were completely surprised by the sheer size of the timbers provided, along with the craftsmanship skills of our contractor to put it all together.
All in all, after two years in, we would do it again in a heartbeat. We absolutely love the spacious indoor-outdoor nature of our new home, and fully appreciate the uniqueness and workmanship of a True North Log Home.
All the logs required to construct the entire house arrived
pre-designed/cut, stained, and in and of themselves once assembled, provided both the outside and inside finishes, as well as superior insulation. We like the fact that the logs are a living, breathing natural part of nature, and during cold winter days retain the warmth from inside, and in the summer stay cool. Since our lot was located in a very high winds area, directly facing Lake Huron, we realized strength and stability would be important factors, and have found that True North's log structures present a very solid front to stormy weather.
The team at True North Log Homes has always been very supportive. We knew a local experienced contractor, and opted to have him complete the build. The staff at True North was always ready to assist him with any questions, and the build came together well. True North provides exceptional quality, and we were completely surprised by the sheer size of the timbers provided, along with the craftsmanship skills of our contractor to put it all together.
All in all, after two years in, we would do it again in a heartbeat. We absolutely love the spacious indoor-outdoor nature of our new home, and fully appreciate the uniqueness and workmanship of a True North Log Home.
07 May 2023 15:38
Our experience with this company was terrible.
We engaged the company to design our dream cottage. As an engineer myself, I had already drawn conceptual plans, which I provided to TrueNorth to start the design process. We then paid TrueNorth several thousands dollars to draw the first set of plans, which could be used for obtaining a building permit. The fee was paid in advance.
TrueNorth then proceeded with the design. I provided not only the conceptual design, fully-drawn to scale in CAD, but also the strict requirements of the Township which must be complied with. I was disappointed when the company's design group continued to deviate from these plans, which were often not buildable due to governmental regulation that I had communicated several times. After four revisions, we eventually landed on a good design, in line with what I had provided them in the first place. But we were still missing the section drawings that were required to submit a permit application. But right before this was concluded, TrueNorth slapped a contract in front of us, requiring a commitment for the full build. Naturally, we had no issues with this, as we fully agree that a contract is required between the parties. But after our review of the contract, we were very surprised with the following:
1). Firstly, the contract was very poorly-written. Quite frankly, it was amateur and riddled with syntax errors.
2). To our surprise, the quoted price for the product was no longer offered on a firm basis. They had inserted wording to state that they could basically change the price to whatever they want, whenever they wanted. Large deposits were also required, so if they presented a large price increase and we objected, they would have the ability to run away with all of the deposit money, in the amounts of several hundred thousand dollars.
3). The schedule in the contract was also not firm any more. It was worded in such a way that the delivery date was merely a suggestion, and they could change the delivery date to whatever they wanted. As we are located on an island that is accessible only 6 months per year, we naturally objected to this wording. After all, we cannot accept delivery in January, when the property is fully inaccessible due to ice.
4). We redlined the contract, a standard business practice, and sent back our comments, including minor changes in wording that would work for us. These comments were flatly rejected. Their sales representative, who was a really nice guy but clearly not their contract manager, stated "Contracts cannot be changed, you know! " This feedback was ridiculous. Around the world, millions of contract lawyers and administrators are working full-time every day to amend contracts and make them amenable to both parties. I explained to him that contracts are agreements between both parties, and cannot be worded in a way that only suits TrueNorth. He became visibly uncomfortable. I respectfully asked if I could meet with TrueNorth's contract manager, as I was confident that if I spoke with the person at the company who manages contracts, this could all be easily solved in ten minutes. He stated that one of the company owners manages the contracts, and he does not speak with customers with respect to these types of issues. If we understand it correctly, it is our understanding that two brothers have recently inherited the business.
After this strange conversation, they completely avoided me, and walked away without a word. They kept all of my money, and never provided me with the full permit drawing package that I fully-paid for in advance.
I find this company's customer approach to be bizarre, amateur, and lacking professionally. I am also an owner of a mid-market business, and I speak with customers endlessly, each and every day. I cannot imagine avoiding a customer or treating a customer in this manner.
I do not recommend TrueNorth to anybody. They clearly do not care about their customers. And if you're considering to build a log home, not much good can come from that.
We engaged the company to design our dream cottage. As an engineer myself, I had already drawn conceptual plans, which I provided to TrueNorth to start the design process. We then paid TrueNorth several thousands dollars to draw the first set of plans, which could be used for obtaining a building permit. The fee was paid in advance.
TrueNorth then proceeded with the design. I provided not only the conceptual design, fully-drawn to scale in CAD, but also the strict requirements of the Township which must be complied with. I was disappointed when the company's design group continued to deviate from these plans, which were often not buildable due to governmental regulation that I had communicated several times. After four revisions, we eventually landed on a good design, in line with what I had provided them in the first place. But we were still missing the section drawings that were required to submit a permit application. But right before this was concluded, TrueNorth slapped a contract in front of us, requiring a commitment for the full build. Naturally, we had no issues with this, as we fully agree that a contract is required between the parties. But after our review of the contract, we were very surprised with the following:
1). Firstly, the contract was very poorly-written. Quite frankly, it was amateur and riddled with syntax errors.
2). To our surprise, the quoted price for the product was no longer offered on a firm basis. They had inserted wording to state that they could basically change the price to whatever they want, whenever they wanted. Large deposits were also required, so if they presented a large price increase and we objected, they would have the ability to run away with all of the deposit money, in the amounts of several hundred thousand dollars.
3). The schedule in the contract was also not firm any more. It was worded in such a way that the delivery date was merely a suggestion, and they could change the delivery date to whatever they wanted. As we are located on an island that is accessible only 6 months per year, we naturally objected to this wording. After all, we cannot accept delivery in January, when the property is fully inaccessible due to ice.
4). We redlined the contract, a standard business practice, and sent back our comments, including minor changes in wording that would work for us. These comments were flatly rejected. Their sales representative, who was a really nice guy but clearly not their contract manager, stated "Contracts cannot be changed, you know! " This feedback was ridiculous. Around the world, millions of contract lawyers and administrators are working full-time every day to amend contracts and make them amenable to both parties. I explained to him that contracts are agreements between both parties, and cannot be worded in a way that only suits TrueNorth. He became visibly uncomfortable. I respectfully asked if I could meet with TrueNorth's contract manager, as I was confident that if I spoke with the person at the company who manages contracts, this could all be easily solved in ten minutes. He stated that one of the company owners manages the contracts, and he does not speak with customers with respect to these types of issues. If we understand it correctly, it is our understanding that two brothers have recently inherited the business.
After this strange conversation, they completely avoided me, and walked away without a word. They kept all of my money, and never provided me with the full permit drawing package that I fully-paid for in advance.
I find this company's customer approach to be bizarre, amateur, and lacking professionally. I am also an owner of a mid-market business, and I speak with customers endlessly, each and every day. I cannot imagine avoiding a customer or treating a customer in this manner.
I do not recommend TrueNorth to anybody. They clearly do not care about their customers. And if you're considering to build a log home, not much good can come from that.