Log Restoration

Running a log home restoration company isn’t for the faint of heart. Log Masters Restorations has spent over a decade in the trenches, turning hard-earned experience into a system that actually works. Read on to see how their team’s lessons can help other businesses work smarter, not harder.

Why Log Home Restoration Businesses Need Specialized SOPs

Nick Smith, Dawn Smith, and Scott Futrell, have been in the log game since 2011, officially starting Log Masters Restorations in 2016. From the start, they realized that general construction knowledge wasn’t enough. Log homes are a different animal. They come with unique maintenance and restoration needs that require specialized knowledge.

“You actually need to know a little bit more about the nuances of log home restoration and maintenance repair, because they’re completely different than a conventional home,” Dawn explains.To build that knowledge, they dove into training, attending Sashco’s Zero Failures courses, both the Wood Science and the Business Focus. For Dawn, a self-proclaimed science nerd, the deep dive into how stains interact with wood was a blast. But beyond chemistry, the course offered practical, real-world advice for running a log home restoration business without losing your hair.

The Big Takeaway? Create Standard Operating Procedures

After leaving Zero Failures, one of the most obvious lessons Dawn and her team took away was the importance of having a standard. They got a vision and were determined to create what became their SOP (Standard Operating Procedures). With branches in Texas, Missouri, and Colorado, and crews traveling across regions, a clear standard wasn’t just a nice, “we’ll get around to it sometime,” kind of thing. It was absolutely necessary.

“If you don’t set up some kind of standard, you’ll have chaos. One guy does it one way, another guy another way, and suddenly you’ve got arguments on-site. The SOP keeps everyone on the same page,” Dawn says.

Starting small, they began drafting a simple SOP in 2021. Over time, it evolved into a comprehensive guide built from 15 years of experience, legal counsel advice, and industry insights. The SOP now helps onboard new crew members, standardize paperwork, and maintain high-quality work.

How Log Masters Documented Field Knowledge into Procedures

Building an SOP isn’t just about writing things down, it’s about capturing real-world knowledge and keeping it practical. We asked Dawn to share how they documented new insights from the field. Here are her tips (Aka, gold! Don’t sleep on this. These are tips that work!)”

1. How did you document new things from the field?

“In the beginning, our documentation system was very simple: Gmail, the HubSpot mobile app, QuickBooks Online, and one shared OneDrive account. Technicians would send photos and notes from their jobs each evening, and I would organize everything into reference material,” Dawn explained.

Over time, this evolved into educational blogs for their website and eventually expanded into a full documentation process using Gmail, QBO, HubSpot, and SharePoint for management, while technicians continue to use Gmail and Google Docs for quick updates.Dawn also spent time researching outside the company, reading Sashco’s blogs, industry articles, and monitoring Facebook log-home restoration groups daily. Initially for marketing, it became an incredibly helpful way to observe how others answered technical questions. Later, she worked in the field for a winter season to better understand challenges firsthand, documenting the nuances that formal training often misses.

2. Who was in charge of putting the SOP together?

Dawn led the creation of the SOP, but it could not have been built without Scott and Nick. They contributed years of field experience, solutions to unforeseen issues, and deep contract knowledge collected over the last 10–13 years. Their experience forms the backbone of much of the technical accuracy. Feedback from technicians and field staff also shaped the SOP. As the company grew, Dawn developed SOPs for new management positions as well. The SOP system is truly the combined result of the company’s lived experiences, lessons, and continuous learning.

3. How many reviews did it undergo?

The SOP system has just recently been completed, and 2025 marks their first formal company-wide review cycle. The week before Christmas, all LMR staff will review the Technician SOP together to finalize revisions before 2026.

4. Who’s responsible for reviewing and updating them regularly?

Dawn currently oversees all SOPs and will continue maintaining them with input from the management team. Each manager and staff member is responsible for reviewing their own SOP and suggesting edits. The company values employees’ insights, and their experience guides revisions over time.

As Log Masters Restorations grows, staff see how their contributions also advance their own careers and help shape a workplace that values feedback, perspective, and boundaries. The 2026 KPI process will measure how effectively the SOPs work, whether they’re actively used, and where improvements are needed as products and techniques evolve. SOPs are only effective if they’re used, and KPIs provide real data, not assumptions.

The long-term goal is to stabilize the structure, strengthen what already works well, and ensure no one gets complacent as the company grows. Over time, this system will be passed on to the next generation of leadership.

Practical Advice for Contractors

Log Masters Restorations is generous with their tips for anyone building their own SOP or looking to improve operations:

Start with the basics – Focus on the core tasks for each log home project before expanding to more complex scenarios.
Document scenarios and solutions – Keep track of challenges you encounter and how you solve them. This becomes the foundation of your SOP.
Engage your team – Field staff may have practical insights that don’t show up on paper. Their feedback ensures that procedures are realistic and effective.
Be proactive, not reactive – An SOP isn’t just a guide; it’s a tool to anticipate issues and prevent costly mistakes (ahem, like broken specialty windows, more about that to come).

Patience is key – Mistakes will happen. Even after 15 years, new situations arise. Take time to adjust and refine your approach.

Case in point: a $10,000 specialty window destroyed during media blasting. Ouch. Expensive? Yes. Avoidable? Absolutely, thanks to covering windows with Ram Board going forward (now a standard part of their SOP). “Mistakes are opportunities to improve,” Dawn notes (and occasionally, to start questioning every life choice you’ve made before 10 a.m.).

The benefits of the SOP are tangible. Better structural organization, consistent recordkeeping, fewer callbacks, and smoother client communications (Who would take a hard pass on that? Nobody? We thought so.). The proactive approach ensures the team is prepared, and clients are satisfied. They even credit it for helping maintain the company’s five-star reputation.

Their Advice to Others

For Log Masters, the key to long-term success is simple: start small, document everything, engage your team, and be patient. Training, like the Zero Failures course, and collaboration with industry peers help build knowledge, while the SOP keeps it practical and actionable.

“Be patient with yourself. There’s always a new scenario, even after 15 years. Engage others in the industry, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Start small, keep records, and let your mistakes teach you. That’s how you build something that works,” she says.

Building a successful log home restoration business isn’t just about skill. It’s about strategy, patience, and learning from every single project. Log Masters Restorations proves that taking the time to document, standardize, and actually involve your team isn’t overhead. It’s not busy work, and it’s definitely not a waste of time. It’s an investment that actually pays off. For contractors looking to level up, their story is a solid reminder that the right system doesn’t just keep chaos and wasted dollars at bay, it builds a smoother, smarter, and more profitable operation that can handle whatever a job throws your way.

Learn more about Log Masters Restorations at logmastersrestorations.com

*_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.}

When most contractors turned down the job, Alex Bowman said yes.

The project? A massive, weathered Swedish-style log cabin restoration perched 10,000 feet up in the rugged canyons above Oakley, Utah. We’re talking remote! Miles of dirt roads from civilization and way beyond cell service.

For most contractors, it was too far removed, too risky, too rough. But for Alex, founder of Elk Country Paints, it was precisely the kind of challenge that fuels him.

“I live in the forest most of the time,” Alex said. “That’s where I belong. I built a service that helps people who can’t find anyone willing to go out and do the job.”

From a “Simple Roof” to a One-Man Mountain

The project started with what seemed like a straightforward task. It didn’t take long for Alex to realize that there was nothing straightforward about it. The homeowners wanted him to repaint a steep, intimidating metal roof (like, legit scary).

It was a tough ask to begin with, but within days, the crew bailed, leaving Alex to finish the job solo. For everyone else, it was too much. For him? Just another challenge to conquer.

The project tested him to his limits, both physically and mentally. Long days on the roof turned into sleepless nights, fighting pain and exhaustion. But he didn’t quit.

“It was probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever gone through in business and life,” Alex said. “But I never gave up. I feel like I earned that home.”

That perseverance didn’t go unnoticed. Impressed by his commitment, the homeowner asked Alex to take on the entire log restoration itself (initially just a “clear coat,” but as every pro knows, it’s never just a clear coat).

The Reality of Remote Log Home Restoration

By the time Alex returned the following year to tackle the home’s complete log restoration, he once again found himself without a crew. “The work is grueling”, he explains. It’s long hours, heavy labor, camping out when hotels are too far away, and the mental grind that breaks many before the job is done. But for Alex, that hardship is part of what makes the work meaningful.

“People call me crazy, but I talk to homes. They tell me what they need. I build a personal relationship with the home,” he said. “When I came back to that cabin, it felt like it had accepted me.”

Weathered Wood to Cascade Finish

Alex began by washing the logs with CPR Cleaner & Brightener, cutting through years of dust and mountain exposure. Sun-beaten walls received extra attention, and from there he went to work with his preferred method, sanding with a pneumatic orbital sander using 40–60 grit, a process he swears by for achieving smooth, even results (mad respect from us for that!). “I know there are faster ways, but nothing does the job like a pneumatic orbital sander,” he said.

Elk County Paints Remote Log Cabin Restoration in Utah

While washing, hidden log rot revealed itself (we’re looking at you, rail posts). Those areas were rebuilt using putties, which Alex calls one of his favorite parts of the job. “It’s like a work of art trying to match what’s there,” he said. “When I’m done, I can’t believe how much it matches the contour of the original log.”

Finally, the home was finished with Cascade Clear Coat, applied in two coats on areas that needed extra protection from the intense mountain sun. “Some of those walls were so sunburned they were just drinking it up by the gallon,” Alex explained.

Looking Ahead: A Long-Term Log Home Maintenance Plan

Alex and Elk Country Paints continue to work with the homeowner on a long-term maintenance plan, because no one wants to go through another complete restoration when simple upkeep can preserve a log home’s beauty and protection for years. “We’d never want to see someone have to restore when it’s so easy to maintain your project,” Alex said.

The Alpine House stands today as one of his proudest accomplishments, not just for its stunning view of the Uinta Mountains, but for what it represents: perseverance, craftsmanship, and heart.

A Passion for the Craft

Alex credits much of his continued passion and growth to his connection with Sashco at Zero Failures to the hands-on education he’s gained through our team (we’re not blushing; you’re blushing).

“When I use your products, I can hear Jim from Sashco talking in my head,” he said with a laugh. “It just lights a fire in me ten times more. You can’t fake that kind of passion.”

In the end, for Elk Country Paints, the Alpine House story isn’t just about logs, stains, and perseverance, it’s about heart and one determined craftsman who refuses to quit. Add to it a homeowner who believed in him, a log home that found new life high in the mountains where few dare to go and you have the makings of an epic success story.

For log homeowners, it’s a reminder of what’s possible when you care for your investment with the right products and people. For fellow pros, it’s proof that true craftsmanship still thrives one crazy-tough project at a time.

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*_About_{Sashco Log Home Products}***

Ah, summer. The moneymaker! You’re in the thick of the busy season. It’s easy to get caught up and put off planning for leaner times. Don’t make that mistake! One of the wisest ways to prepare for the slower season is to build value-added services into your business now. These four “all-season” money-making services keep your bottom-line consistent and strong all year long.

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You’re ready to restore a historic log home? It’s exciting but requires special knowledge. Therefore, before you dive into any historical preservation or log home restoration project, here’s what you need to know from a restoration expert.

The background

Recently, Mark Nelson of Nelson Restoration worked on a Grand Teton National Park project. Mark partnered with Sashco to provide key decision makers with the best information regarding log structures preservation. A report by Sashco contrasted traditional preservation methods such as mortar and linseed oil with modern products.

Both approaches were discussed in the report, which was compiled with Mark’s input. Modern products are often easier to use and cost less in the long run, even though traditional methods require more maintenance. Also discussed were the environmental impacts of each approach, noting that modern products are typically more sustainable.

The rest of the story…

The report concluded that using modern products to preserve log structures is a viable option. Above all, it gave stakeholders the information they needed to make an informed decision .

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‘Experience is a master teacher, even when it is not your own’ – Gina Greenlee. That’s why we introduce you to new log contractors every month so we can all learn from each other.

Meet Herb Meeker with Meeker Builders. We asked him a few questions (and, let’s be honest, shot the breeze while we were at it).

How did you get started in log home finishing and restoration?

I was a log home builder before I got into finishing and restoring. I was doing traditional custom home building and got frustrated with customers putting mauve and pink flooring in. It just wasn’t me.

A friend invited me to be a dealer for Real Log Homes®. That was in 1984. Log homes were big in California at the time. Then, in 1991, we were at a dealer meeting in Colorado. Rich from Permachink^® was there trying to get builders to do restoration as a sideline to their building businesses. There was just such a need for people to do restoration. (We also visited the Sashco plant on that same visit.) Rich and I visited three log homes that needed help. I knew then that log home restoration was calling my name. I came to Zero Failures in the mid-90’s and the rest, as they say, is history.

What do you like most about log home restoration? What do you like least?

I like solving people’s problems with their log homes. It’s fun and interesting to identify what is going on, then making the repair recommendations, and finally doing the project. Seeing something through from beginning to end is satisfying. Through the years, there have been the struggles to find good employees. It can be hard to find good workers, but I have a great crew right now, so I’m grateful.

Tell us about your favorite project

I’ve had a lot of favorites. Last year, we worked on the oldest log home we’ve worked on. (Photo of the finished project above.) It was built in 1883 and used to be the Barton Store out of Redlands, CA. It wasn’t huge — only 23’x17′ — but we had to redo the foundation, replace the bottom two logs all around, then blast, restain, and rechink everything. We used Sashco’s Capture^® in Weathered Wood and Log Jam^® in Mortar White. The Boy Scouts are pretty happy. It looks great.

What’s your advice to someone just starting out?

Start from the ground up and know what you’re doing. You can’t train someone else to do it if you don’t learn it all first. Plus, take advantage of the resources out there (Zero Failures being one of them, the Sashco people, too). Don’t be afraid or too prideful to ask.

How has your family been involved in your business?

My wife is still 50% owner of the corporation. I have four sons and they all worked for me throughout college. They’ve now all struck out on their own. Two have their own businesses, another is a manager, and another is a paramedic and fireman. I have three grandsons, eight granddaughters, and another grandkid on the way. I’m definitely having to learn about girls after having four sons.

Thanks, Herb, for sharing with us. We’re grateful for your partnership over the years and humbled to count you a part of the extended Sashco family.

Learn more about Herb at Loghomesrestored.com.

In this month’s “Here to help! ”, we’re peeking inside your log home (don’t worry, no need to clean up on our account). This month, we’ll help you understand the ins and outs of proper care and maintenance for interior logs.

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A trip to the southwest and the beauty of the Rocky Mountains were the catalysts for our log home “love affair.” We knew we would not be happy until we had one! Having a construction background, I decided to build our dream log home. That was thirty-three years ago, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Love for Log Homes

Log homes are such unique structures that working on them brings us a feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction. Nothing is more gratifying than the praise and thanks received from satisfied customers. Walking into a log home is like receiving a big warm hug from someone you love and we feel privileged to work on them, as well as live in the one we built.

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Termite trouble, rot, and water damage. Call us crazy, but we’re betting this troublesome trio probably wasn’t part of the vision when you imagined your dream log home. Good news! Protecting your log home dream is possible. Check out this month’s “Here to help!” article for tips on how to save money, protect your home, and prevent big-time headaches!

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Paul Peebles, our very own log home expert, talks about how to restore a flooded log home in this month’s Experts Corner article. Thanks to Satterwhite Log Homes for providing the photos below from their flooding a couple of years ago.