Frequently asked questions.

What is the Lindal Building System?

Our homes are pre-engineered systems built Post & Beam structures, with all of the materials for the structure delivered to the site for assembly and finishing by local contractors. Each home is designed and engineered for the specific conditions of the site, making efficient use of resources and materials.

What is included in the Lindal material Package?

We provide all of the design, engineering, architecture services, and the materials for the structure, including lumber, architectural-quality posts & beams, siding, windows, exterior and interior trim, exterior and interior doors & hardware, stairs, railings, decks, and many other related materials. Everything is packed efficiently at our plant in Washington and shipped to your site.

Can I make an addition to my Lindal home after it is built?

Absolutely! In fact, many customers have. It is best to work with us for your addition, as we are familiar with your home and its post and beam structure. OTO Design will be able to make sure your addition blends with the original structure and does not look like an afterthought.

How are the homes designed?

Using creativity, Lindal structural system guidelines, and architectural strategies, we establish your project size, shape, and orientation and provide you with schematic home drawings, shadow studies, 3D models, and Lindal materials kit and services estimate.

Do you provide details including HVAC and MEP on your drawings?

Though not in Lindal's scope of work, OTO design will engage local experts and consultants if needed to help you in getting all HVAC and MEP details finalized.

Do you provide foundation drawings?

Absolutely! However, we need additional information on your building sites, such as topography, Geotech, Survey, ECA, etc

What is included in the Lindal package?

  • Your Lindal package includes:

  • Design services

  • The entire weather-tight shell (framing, connectors, fasteners, siding, windows, doors, and trim)

  • Any of our vast list of quality options and material upgrades

  • Freight and other local services, as provided OTO Design

  • Lifetime Structural Warranty

Can you provide lateral engineering and shear wall analysis?

Yes.

Can I get the same building materials locally?

The quality of materials used in a Lindal home cannot be purchased at your local lumberyard. From the forest to the building site, our strict quality control standards and grading system begin where industry standards end. By kiln drying the lumber to reduce and control moisture content, we also decrease the chance for twisting and warping that often occurs with green or air-dried lumber. Kiln-drying also reduces the weight while increasing strength, making your construction easier and freight costs lower. We also specify select structural grades that are typically not available in local lumberyards.

Once I order a Lindal home package, how long does it take for delivery to my build site?

Once you approve the final drawings and sign the authorization to ship paperwork, we usually ship your home within 8- 10 weeks. The development of the plans depends on many factors including the style and complexity of the home and the engineering requirements of the site. Consult OTO design for real-time estimates based on those factors and today’s production process.

How will my Lindal materials package be delivered to the building site?

We typically ship via flatbed trucks, this can be modified for unique site conditions.

Who will be at the building site at the delivery?

OTO Design Representative will be at the delivery site to supervise and inventory the shipment. At that time, they will report any missing or broken pieces to Lindal for immediate reshipment. Your contractor should be there to offload and place the materials on the site. You should be there also to celebrate the event and enjoy the beginning of the construction process.

What equipment will I need to unload the delivery?

OTO Design will advise you and work with you to get your new home unloaded properly and safely. The site and road requirements will dictate the type of offloading process to anticipate.

How long does it take to unload the delivery?

OTO Design will work with you to get your home unloaded. Generally, it takes about four - Five hours.

What do I do if something arrives broken or missing at the building site?

OTO Design will be there to inventory and inspect the materials. We are responsible for communicating any replacement pieces to Lindal for immediate reshipment. Lindal sends a detailed parts list with the materials and every piece of lumber has a specific part number to verify. A digital photo can quickly help illustrate damage concerns to our Customer Service department.

How do I know you will ship the home I ordered?

We guarantee it! In our 74- year history, the wrong home has never been shipped. If this ever happens, we will promptly reship the correct home.

How will I find a builder to build my new Lindal home?

OTO Design will help you in building your project team, from GC’s to Geotech engineers to landscape architects to any consultant needed for your projects specific needs

Is there a construction manual or guide?

All the information your general contractor will need to build will be on the final construction plans, the GC doesn’t need to have prior Lindal home building experience to build a Lindal home.

How do I find a good contractor to build my home?

When you are evaluating contractors to build your home, make sure they are bonded and insured.  OTO Design will provide you with a checklist for the same and help you through the entire process.

Can I build my own Lindal home on my lot?

Yes, but we don’t recommend it. Building a house is a very specific, time-consuming project. A builder is trained and experienced to make sure you are happy with your new home.

Does it take longer to build a Lindal post-and-beam home than a conventional stick-built home?

The Lindal post and beam home will take the similar amount of time for a builder to complete as a custom conventional home.

Can a Lindal home have a ducted central heating and cooling system?

Yes! It is possible. We can design the house for most HVAC and MEP systems. Including the addition of Solar panels, geothermal systems, etc

What’s the difference between a Lindal post-and-beam home and a conventional stickbuilt home?

Lindal post and beam construction are designed to carry all of the weight of the home on the post and beam structure, limiting the weight on perimeter walls and interior partitions. This allows large open spaces and rooms to be modified more easily. Conventional construction bears weight on the interior and perimeter walls, making modifications more difficult.

Design and Planning

What is Lindal’s copyright policy on designs and images?

All Lindal designs and images will give you ideas about how your Lindal home will look. They are protected by copyright law, and you may use them only to design and construct a home using Lindal’s premium building materials. Any other use, including without limitation the preparation of new plans based on Lindal’s plans, is strictly prohibited. Renderings and photographs may show premium upgrades available from Lindal. The scale of floorplans varies. Consult your local independent Lindal dealer for updates and pricing. All rights reserved.

With so much glass, are your houses expensive to heat in the summer?

No. The Lindal windows are energy efficient with the highest industry rating for their ability to prevent air and water infiltration under the toughest test conditions. State-of-the-art low-E argon glass is our standard for comfort, energy efficiency, and reducing fading of draperies and furniture fabrics.

Are your homes expensive to heat?

No. Relative to heating prices in your area, it is usually lower than comparable homes. Due to the quality of materials, construction methods, and custom-made windows, a Lindal home addition is an energy-efficient home.

Do you have one-level homes?

Yes! We have several options. You can even search for the plans online. First, be sure to register, and then search our home plans to find the floor plans that meet your search criteria.

When is the best time to order a home?

No matter when you are thinking of delivering your package, start today! The more time you have, the easier the decision process and the less stress on you.

If I order a home out of the plan book without making changes, will I get it faster?

If you order a plan book model “as is,” it will shorten the time from when you place your order until you sign the authorization paperwork that prepares your home for shipment. We have developed the Lindal Favorites program, in which you choose one of the most popular Lindal home plans. You take advantage of personalizing your home while shortening the planning process. Otherwise, the time it will take to put your package together for shipment will depend on the choices you make and the amount of custom work to be done. Your local dealer can assist you in this assessment.

Do I own the floor plan once I’ve paid my deposit?

As with all house plans, the drawings are copyrighted property of the designer. So the drawings will always remain the copyright property of Lindal Cedar Homes. You own the right to build your plan on a single-use basis, with our home package materials.

How many changes can I make to my home design?

Until you authorize us to ship the home, you can change the floor plan as many times as you want at an hourly change order fee. Learn more about our process here.

Can I buy floor plans from Lindal?

When you decide to invest in a Lindal home, you invest in a complete package. We sell quality homes, not just floor plans.

Can my architect design the home and have you build it?

Your architect will need to work with OTO Design to create your floor plan. Due to our unique patented building process, detailed part numbering system, and lifetime structural warranty, your local architect will not be able to recreate our system. We work with architects on a regular basis, and your project will benefit from that symbiotic relationship.

Can you convert measurements to metrics?

All of our Lindal home plans show both metric and imperial measurements.

Home Building Systems

How Are You Different From a Local Custom Home Builder?

Lindal Cedar Homes has been producing custom homes for more than 70 years. The post and beam building technology we employ has virtually limitless design flexibility and cannot be duplicated by the local custom builder. In addition, our home design library includes thousands of classic, modern, and traditional home plans to meet every lifestyle. We also welcome your own ideas, as one-of-a-kind projects are no stranger to our company.

Is a Lindal Home a Manufactured Home?

Not really, it’s a systems-built custom prefab. The major differences are quality, choice, and service.

  • We provide industry-leading quality materials, backed up with our Lifetime Structural Warranty.

  • Lindal also has more than 70 years of experience providing custom homes with a multitude of options and material choices. First, you will choose from thousands of floor plans that can be modified to fit your lifestyle. The entire home package is assembled at your home building site.

  • Our flexible post and beam system is supported by our experienced dealer network, providing local support and services.

Are Structural Panels Used in Lindal Homes?

Structural panels, when required by local codes, are used as prescribed by engineering, and they work very well with our post and beam system.

Are Your Homes Prefabricated (Prefab) Kit Homes?

Our homes are custom designed and crafted around a building system incorporating post and beam construction technology. We further detail the plans and high-quality materials with a part numbering system, where every piece of lumber has a place. So, our system differs from a panelized prefab. Our system provides a flexible and accurate approach to building a custom home impossible with a panelized system.

Are Your Homes Kit Homes?

yes, when you purchase a Lindal Cedar Home, you are buying a complete home building materials package that is delivered to your build site. This package is customized to fit your needs, your site, and your budget.

Why are Lindal’s post and beam construction different from that of other companies?

Lindal uses a unique grade of architectural glulam posts and beams. Compared to conventional post and beams, the glulam post and beam is more stable and does not shrink and twist. Our beams also use white glue, which provides a more finished look, adding to the beauty of your new home, Contact us for a product EPD.

Why Do You Use Glulam Posts

A glulam post is more dimensionally stable, providing a major advantage over dimensional lumber: it will not warp and twist. The posts also match our glulam beams for aesthetic harmony and are sustainable.