Restoration Possible: Log Home Restoration Costs, Mistakes, and Pro Tips
What do ladders, sandpaper, and love have in common? For Joseph Smidt and his family, they were the unlikely trio behind a complete log home restoration and transformation. Read the full “Restoration Possible” story and hear every step, challenge, and triumph along the way.
When Joseph Smidt and his family moved into their log home in 2020, it was love at first sight. Unique, charming, and full of character. But in true Hallmark fashion, the charming exterior came with a plot twist. Under all that charm? A whole lot of work, but also the potential for an epic happy ending. The original stain was darker than they liked, and, truth be told, the house was, well, dirty. Joseph knew a transformation was coming.
Like any sane homeowner, he started calling in the pros. The quotes? A budget-busting $30,000 to $40,000 that they just didn’t have at the time. “Nope,” Joseph thought. And, being an accountant, he did a quick mental math check. $6,000 to $10,000 if he did it himself. Challenge accepted.
Getting Down to Work
It wasn’t glamorous work. Ladders, ladders, and more ladders. Up, down, section by section. Joseph did his homework, digging into Sashco’s best practices, and started by washing the house with Sashco CPR Log Cleaner. A Saturday spent and 8 to 10 buckets of CPR really transformed the wood. It looked much cleaner! But, once it dried, Joe couldn’t run from the fact that sanding was inevitable “How bad could it be,” he said. So, out came the 8-inch rotary sander and 60–80 grit sandpaper, smoothing the surfaces until they were ready for treatment. Because nothing says “summer fun” like sanding a log home for hours.
Above: Joseph Smidt’s log home before he started restoration work.
Next came protection. Borate to guard the wood, Sashco’s ColorFast, and finally, two coats of Transformation Brown Tone Light.
Joe didn’t skimp. He didn’t guess. He researched, he planned, and he felt confident that he was doing things the right way. Because when it comes to protecting log homes, shortcuts aren’t charming, but doing it right is.
Above: Before restoration work started. The hardest part was sanding according to Joesph.
Budgeting and Planning Like a Pro
In the end, Joseph spent around $6,000–$8,000. He rented a cherry lift, thinking it would save time (it didn’t). That $1,000 mistake? Let’s just call it an expensive lesson. The Sashco product calculator, however, nailed it, giving a realistic estimate based on square footage.
Even as an accountant with zero professional restoration experience, Joseph approached the project methodically. No electrical, no plumbing, no fancy renovations, just the guts to tackle the exterior. After all, if a bare-bones treehouse for his son had survived, surely the house could, too.
Above: One of Joesph’s tips—don’t fear heights. You’ll be on ladders a lot, but it’s worth it.
The Method Behind the Madness
Joseph took it section by section. Wash, sand, brush off the dust, stain, repeat. Timing mattered. Sun-drenched areas dried faster, so he had to pay extra attention. Backbrushing each section? Non-negotiable. Skip it, and you risk uneven stain.
The project stretched over most of the summer. Rainy spring days delayed the start, but by July and August, Joseph was carving out 10-hour days whenever he could. By mid-September, he was nearly done, with just the high eaves and fascia left for the following spring. “When I finished a full section with both coats, I could step back and say, ‘All right, cool. I did it right.’”
Were there any “What have I gotten myself into?” moments? Joseph laughs and admits the first sanding session felt a bit like a deer in headlights. Sanding was the toughest part. Washing and staining were straightforward. Prep, that was the real grind (literally! Pun fully intended). Patience and persistence were key.
Above: All done until spring! Joesph is still working on the fascia and high eaves left.
Lessons Learned and Tips for Homeowners
Joseph says he couldn’t be happier with the result of his decision to tackle the project himself and, yep, he’d do it all over again (he’s a little wild like that). Along the way, he picked up some valuable tips (and a healthy respect for ladders) for anyone ready to take on their own log home transformation.
- Be methodical. Section by section, top to bottom, back-brush each coat.
- Respect the sun. Fast-drying areas need extra attention.
- Expect it to take longer than planned. Probably 25% longer.
- Don’t fear heights. You’ll be on ladders a lot, but it’s worth it.
The Reward
We asked him, now that you know how much work a log home requires, would he buy it again? “Absolutely!” he said without hesitation. “It’s definitely a labor of love,” Joseph reflects. But now that he understands the rhythm—annual washing and maintenance coats every few years—the labor feels manageable.
And that, he says, is the secret to log living, understanding that work is part of the joy. The satisfaction of a finished section, the beauty of restored wood, the pride in a job well done, are all part of the experience.
For Joseph, this isn’t just a house. It’s a home. Full of stories in its beams. A project that challenged him, taught him, and rewarded him. A project he’ll share with his family for years to come. And a reminder that with a little sweat and a lot of perseverance, restoration is indeed possible.
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About Sashco Log Home Products
When it comes to protecting and beautifying your log home, Sashco isn’t just another stain on the market — it’s the high-performance choice for serious log lovers. With industry-leading products like Capture, Cascade, and Transformation, Sashco combines cutting-edge technology and rugged durability to keep your logs looking stunning and standing strong year after year. Whether you’re chasing that perfect finish or just want to avoid the heartbreak of costly repairs, Sashco’s got your back. Because your log home deserves more than “good enough,” it deserves Sashco. Made for logs. Made to last. Made to make your neighbors jealous.
