Small cabin
600–900 square feet of floor area. A single-story cabin with straightforward access.
$8,000–$13,000Exterior work & example prices
Know what the range covers.
Floor area is a starting point, not a measurement of the logs. Wall height, old coatings, access, and the amount of damaged wood set the written price.
Mid-size cabin
1,000–1,500 square feet of floor area. More wall length, with some raised work areas.
$13,000–$21,000Large cabin
1,600–2,200 square feet of floor area. Longer walls or a second story with accessible working space.
$21,000–$32,000Included in these examples
Exterior log cleaning, preparation for stain, up to 60 linear feet of chinking or caulking repair, and two coats of exterior stain. Labor, materials, and ordinary site cleanup are included. We protect adjacent windows and planting before work begins.
Log replacement, stripping stubborn old coatings, decks, interior work, and special access equipment are not included in these ranges. The inspection identifies them so they can appear as separate lines in the estimate.
Replacement log ends commonly add $180–$320 per linear foot of replaced log, with a 4-foot minimum repair allowance. Longer runs of chinking repair commonly add $8–$16 per linear foot beyond the included allowance. These are examples, not a remote diagnosis.
What each part means
Cleaning the logs
We try a small area first. Dirt and loose finish come off before we decide whether any old coating needs a separate removal step.
Replacing rotted ends
Soft or crumbling wood is marked during the inspection. We agree on what to remove and the shape of the replacement before cutting.
Chinking & caulking
Chinking is the flexible material in the wide gaps between logs. Caulk closes smaller joints. Loose material is removed and the joint is prepared before a new seal goes in.
Applying stain
We show a small color test on the prepared wood. The final shade depends on the old wood beneath it, so a color chip alone is not the decision.
A few useful details
Can you price it from a photo?
A photo helps us understand the concern, but the written estimate follows a visit. We need to see the wall height, access, finish, and extent of softened wood before putting a price on the work.
Can the work happen in winter?
We can inspect accessible walls when conditions allow. Exterior washing, sealing, and staining need suitable temperatures and dry wood. The spring 2027 work list is open now for April–June; we agree on a working window after inspection.
A range is a beginning.
An inspection turns the size of the cabin into a scope and written price.