Sarah Shaffer, Author at Sashco

Are you leaving money—and reputation—on the table? If you’re applying stain and calling it good, you might be!

The best log finishing contractors build long-term relationships, not just one-time jobs. And that starts with helping your customers stay ahead of log home maintenance before their place looks like it’s been through the wringer. Here’s how to build a no-BS log home maintenance reminder system that keeps your calendar full, your customers happy, and their homes protected.

Set expectations from day one.

Don’t let the homeowner think “stain = done for life.” Tell them the truth. Log homes are high-maintenance, beautiful beasts. Let them know that even with top-tier Sashco stains and sealants (like Capture + Cascade or Transformation), regular inspections are key, and recoats aren’t optional if they want to avoid big repairs. Tell them upfront what to expect. It’s also a great idea to leave them with a care guide that contains all the necessary information, like:

What log stain system did you apply?
When they should plan for a check-up (typically 2-3 years, sometimes sooner if their place takes a beating from the sun).
What signs mean it’s time for log home maintenance and when it’s time to call you.

If you’ve done a good job and they have your info handy, they’ll call you instead of going to someone else when it’s time for maintenance.

Keep solid records.

When setting up your log maintenance reminder system, every house you touch should be added to your files (seriously). Minimum details should include:

Customer contact info
Product system used
Date of application
Notes about exposure (for example, south wall full sun, north wall shaded)

Set reminders for yourself. Two years. Three years. Five years. Figure out what works for the stain system and the exposure, then come up with a plan to follow up and snag that repeat business everyone wants!

Grow Your Business with a Proven Maintenance Reminder System

Reach out before things go bad.

Nobody wants to hear from you when their stain is peeling off, and they’re facing a $10k+ re-do. Be the guy who reaches out when all it takes is a maintenance coat. Little things go a long way, a simple call or text saying, “Hey, it’s [your name]. I hope you’re doing well! It’s been three years. How’s that south wall looking? Need me to take a look?” Or, offer a low-cost inspection and wash. That small job today could save your customer a big expense later, and it keeps your name at the top of their list.

Use whatever system works—but use something.

You don’t need fancy software. Use Google Calendar. A spreadsheet. A paper planner. The point is, don’t rely on memory. Set your maintenance reminders so you follow up on time, every time.

Be the guy who protects their investment.

When you check in, focus on helping them avoid costly problems rather than selling them something they don’t need. Talk to them in a way that makes sense to them. Let them know that getting a log home maintenance coat now is way cheaper than having to do a full re-stain down the line. Plus, it’s a heck of a lot easier to stay on top of things than to play catch-up later! That’s the kind of contractor they’ll trust, and that’s how you build repeat business.

Let’s be real. Sashco stains and finishes are top-of-the-line, but nothing lasts forever on a log home without maintenance. Be the contractor who helps customers stay ahead of the game. You’ll keep them happy, and you’ll build steady work that fills your schedule so you can chase cold beer, not cold leads.

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Meet the Craftsmen Behind Rocky Ridge: Passion, Precision, and Pride in Every Log Home Project

When it comes to restoring log homes, few things are as rewarding as seeing history preserved and beauty brought back to life. That’s exactly what Rocky Ridge Log Restoration is all about. Founded in June 2024, this emerging company has already made a significant impact with its commitment to craftsmanship and quality. We caught up with the team behind Rocky Ridge to learn more about how they got started, what drives their passion, and the tips they have for others in the trade. Here’s what they had to say.

Q: What’s your company’s specialty, and how long have you been in the business?

A: “Rocky Ridge Log Restoration started in June 2024. The venture began with a thought, and then I discovered the Zero Failures course at Sashco’s headquarters. I met a lot of amazing people, and the thought became a reality. At Rocky Ridge, we specialize in all aspects of log homes, but we mainly focus on rot repair, blasting, staining, and some chinking.”

Q: What’s one project you’re especially proud of?

A: “I am proud of all my projects! I take a lot of pride in my work. One of my jobs I take real pride in is the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge job, as it is a massive resort that brings in people from all over the world. I just find it so cool that I was able to work on those 100-year-old buildings (I would’ve never thought that a year ago when I first started this venture).”

Q: What’s your favorite Sashco (or product-specific) tool or material, and why?

A: “I am a big fan of the Sashco Capture/Cascade combination. They have created a variety of nice colors, and by layering them, you can discover even more beautiful combinations. The clear coat is honestly my favorite as it really finishes the whole restoration as the homes really shine and look brand new again!”

Q: Any tips or advice you’d share with other contractors?

A: “A lot of these contractors have a lot more experience than I do, and I have learned a lot from them! One tip I would say, as I have been an employee for longer than I have been an employer, is to treat your employees great and they will put in great effort.”

Q: What do you enjoy most about the work you do?

A: “I really enjoy the transformation part of the house. Taking something that is worn out and needs attention, then transforming it into something beautiful, and ultimately having clients fall in love with their home again. That’s the best part of the job for me, and I get to see some pretty cool country and animals (bears)!”

Follow Rocky Ridge Log Restoration on social media!

We need to have a talk about your butts.

No, not those butts — I mean butts in log homes, sometimes called butt-joints. These things cause a lot of trouble in the log home business because, too often, they are not designed correctly. That’s a problem because a poorly designed butt-joint can allow water and bugs into your home or behind the log siding, leading to rot and insect infestations. Yuck. After decades in the industry, I have found that close to 90% of water damage and rot are caused by leaky butt-joints. In most cases, when I have been called to a home that leaks water, I have found that it is the butt-joints that leaked — sometimes for years! The problem begins when builders butt two logs tightly together during construction. It looks tight, so it must be right, right? We all know that after a couple of years, the logs shrink, opening up those joints, and this lets in the water. Bad situation! One common indication that this has occurred is a little bit of daylight showing from inside the home. Follow these easy steps for effective butt-joint repair.

Step One: Bring out the circular saw.

Place two blades into a circular saw (I use one of the small 5 ¼” rechargeable saws) and tighten the arbor. Make sure both blades are turning in the correct direction.

Step Two: Carefully cut.

CAREFULLY plunge-cut the butt joint to open it up to ¼” wide from top to bottom. While doing this, try to keep the blades in, or on, the end of either the right or left log so you cut off the very end of one log or the other. Cut as deeply as you can into the log, but not down or up into the logs, or above or below them. For safety, I do not tighten my saw arbor completely. This sounds more dangerous, but it’s not. If you leave the arbor snug but not tight, the saw blades will spin on the arbor when the saw is in a bind and prevent the saw from kicking back.

Step Three: Clean your checks.

Carefully clean out any checks that extend into the butt joint. I use a multi-tool with a cutting blade.

Step Four: Insert backer rod.

Add backer rod to the checks and to the gap between the logs and caulk. This configuration allows you to add the caulking INTO the gap between the logs and not just smeared ONTO it.

Step Five: Sealing your joints.

Caulk over top of the backer rod with a good quality sealant like Conceal^® or Log Builder^®. Be sure to tool it smoothly. If applied correctly, this will be a durable seal that should last darn close to forever.

You might also find this helpful: How to Caulk a Log Home

*_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.}