timber brained, my experience with the loggers has been good. If you treat them well they will treat you well. I keep in mind they are out to make a living and it is expensive and dangerous work. When cutting long stock they have numerous grades in that log. The butt could be of a high grade worth more than the rest of the whole log. But you need that high quality 12' log included to make the length. So you pay the price and are content, well the client pays in the long run. It just cost more to handle long sticks, and the benefits are worth it. On the other hand how much time is used in the extra joinery of splicing and interupted top plates? Maybe they are even more cost friendly than first thought. Do a cost comparison and include the freedoms given of the longer stock. Long sticks are an open door. Tim
