A question about "trading" labor

[TheBeak]

We are working toward realizing "the dream" and moving out onto some property and building a log home. (We are looking strongly at western Montana now..)

We are not wealthy (just barely over dirt poor is probably closer to right), so everything basically has to be DIY/reclaimed/cheap.

We believe we can pull off the "get some land" part of the equation, and we are fairly close to the "lets do this, today" decision - but we will be moving into a state where we don't have any friends, etc. yet, so there is no pool of labor available to us.

Here's what I bring to this community: I'm handy. IMO, really handy. I can plumb, wire, (both "probably" within code, assuming I have a computer to look details up...), work many forms of equipment, and though I'm not licensed to do anything related to homebuilding, I know how to sweat. I haven't paid for a service of any kind in probably 7 years. I work on my cars, fix my computers, cut my own hair... everything... so I know I can do a lot of useful things.... But I'm just one man, with a tiny wife, and a small child - and I have this crazy idea that we can build a whole house out of logs weighing more pounds than I can count. (...and we can't take 5 years to build the thing, since we will need to, well, live in it.)

Here's what I'm trying to figure out:

Assuming I take the class - are there ways I can trade my handiness (and vacation time) to someone/somewhere in trade for the same on my project? Is there equipment out there I can borrow, in trade for some sweat? How many hands are really "about right" for getting the foundation done/logs up/roof on (conventional internal framing, and beyond, I think we can handle alone). What is the reasonable possibility (what is "normal") for getting help in trade for help?

I believe I saw this discussed somewhere as part of the lure of this group, and the class, but how realistic is it to think I could help another member somewhere, and that someone will come help us?

[edkemper]

Welcome aboard.

We don't exactly trade labor. More like volunteering to work for free and help enjoy a couple/few evenings together. Depending on where you land, the more LHBA people around you the more help you're likely to get. However, also know, you can do it alone. In fact, sometimes/often, the best day working often has the fewest "helping" hands. Two working together is probably the most often crew size. Well, except for Ronnie. His crew work like a beehive.

The thing you need to know is, according to your skills list, you can do this, no problem.

PS: My tiny little wife, myself (a broken down old man) and my autistic adult son will be building ours together. Probably trying to do it 100% ourselves.

[rreidnauer]

For log peeling, more people the better. For the rest of the build, I find four to be the magic number, though more are good to rotate shifts with, but four working at any time just seems perfect.

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[loghousenut]

Some folks like a lot of help on the job. I prefer to work alone or as a two person crew. My Son and I have done most of what has happened on our place and it's worked out nicely. I have turned down offers of help. Lack of help or being the new guy in the area wouldn't be what kept me from doing tthis thing.

You'll make contacts on the members side and you'll have ample opportunity to sweat on other builds. Those relationships will be fruitful and multiply.

You're definitely noy the first one to worry about it but I guarantee that you can make it happen if you wamt it to. Class is the first step.






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[Mosseyme]

There is a member currently not far from here that I believe is doing this almost entirely alone. He did have a basement poured by contractors I believe but if you are doing piers it is probably more feasible going it alone. However there are many members in the NW so very likely you would get some help from time to time on some of the more difficult parts.
On the members side you can plan a party for a weekend of working for say stacking, chinking or whatever. You will often get 2 or more people to show up. The time frame might take a little longer than you wish but the simpler you keep it the faster it will go. Some are doing it in 6 months or a year most take somewhat longer, some take a very long time. Each situation is different. I'm guessing this would be your best bet at making it happen. You might want to hold off buying land until you take the class. County and State laws and regulations on building permits and codes vary from nothing to nightmare. Welcome to the family you will find the pot of gold on the member side.

[dazedandconfused]

Wait LHN works alone that explains everything :)

[HardmanGT]

My wife and I moved away from everyone we know back in December. In the last few months we have made some new friends. It just so happens that the neighbors are also building. We have been able to help each other out. We also have become friends with a fellow LHBAer (LogHomeFeverDan) and his build is only about 10-15 minutes from ours!

Things have a funny way of working out for the best!

[loghousenut]

Wait LHN works alone that explains everything :)

A wise man once noticed that I occasionally do not work alone. Perhaps that explains a bit also.

[lynncherl]

We have a member with a cabin-in-progress who is offering to lease it for $400/year for some labor. It's in NE Washington (pretty remote) and offered to members only. Just one example.

Lynn

[BoFuller]

A wise man once noticed that I occasionally do not work alone. Perhaps that explains a bit also.

Seems to me that it's hard to work alone when you're part of this family. Lots of help provided right here. Sometimes it results in actual physical labor, and sometimes moral support, but nonetheless, there is always help.

If Bro LHN had a critical deadline and needed physical help, I think a few of us would show up.

[loghousenut]

If Bro LHN had a critical deadline and needed physical help, I think a few of us would show up.

More importantly, if my surviving widow were to need help finishing our place, it would happen. Been done before.

[John W]

To TheBeak

Just be a good neighbor, sounds like you are, and people will help when the time comes.

I always like to do stuff myself, either because I want to do it my way, or I FEEL like I do it better than the person helping. But I'm thinking with a large project like a house, I'll take whatever help I can get. There's probably an addition to the saying, "You don't learn anything the second time you're kicked by a horse." That reads, "You don't learn anything after you peel your first log."

And it's always amazing what people will do for whatever is on the grill and in the cooler at the end of the day!

[LogHomeFeverDan]

I love that sentiment, "Amazing what people will do for whatever's on the grill and in the cooler at the end of the day!". It really sums up the "mindset" I was raised. Hard honest days work and breaking bread at the end. I know technology is good, but I miss those days. I believe we'll get back closer to those times and thoughts as our dream of building our own log home becomes a reality. It would also warm my soul to be able to travel around this great Nation and maybe even across the big pond to visit and shake hands with fellow LHBA builders!

[patrickandbianca]

TheBeak,

I am in the final stages of our build in Montana near Livingston. Distances are vast here and members are few and far between. I had another member offer to help and I turned her down because I was using an unsafe crane to stack logs and I was worried about hurting someone.
My point is, don't build one of these PLANNING to get other members help. I lot of members do help other members and I view that as bonus labor, but don't plan on it. People are busy. Life gets in the way.

I have done 95 percent of this by myself. 3.5 years of two days a week with some breaks of a few months here and there.

Most of the state only requires a septic and electrical permit for up to a fourplex, so that part is certainly nice.

If you take the class and move to Montana I can probably help a few days.

Patrick

[kiminflorida]

Im in East TN and am hoping to find someone around the Sneedville area to help build. I live in Florida but am able to get up there pretty regular and will be able to be a helper if there is someone out there that is interested in building a 16x20 cabin. I haven't taken the class and know nothing about logs. Some experience with stick built construction and hoping this may help.
If anyone is near Sneedville, Tazewell, Rogersville, Johnson City, Morristown and can give me a price to oversee the project with a helper or two. I would like to hear from you. If anyone can give me an idea on how much it will cost building this way, I would love to hear from you. Kim

[edkemper]

Patrick,

You will gain fond memories of the build even though you are so long into it.

We plan on doing the same. We have limitations and a need to do things ourselves. We'd be happy if we got one log per day. In not that many days, the walls are up. Having some heavy equipment will allow us to handle whatever weight it is we need lifted. We have a big enough truck and trailer to haul our own trees (limited number per trip) from a cutting site within 20-50 miles. The West Coast still leads in lumber cut.

But we'd like to be able to say that my wife and I basically built the entire place with our own hands.

[TheBeak]

TheBeak,

I am in the final stages of our build in Montana near Livingston. Distances are vast here and members are few and far between. I had another member offer to help and I turned her down because I was using an unsafe crane to stack logs and I was worried about hurting someone.
My point is, don't build one of these PLANNING to get other members help. I lot of members do help other members and I view that as bonus labor, but don't plan on it. People are busy. Life gets in the way.

I have done 95 percent of this by myself. 3.5 years of two days a week with some breaks of a few months here and there.

Most of the state only requires a septic and electrical permit for up to a fourplex, so that part is certainly nice.

If you take the class and move to Montana I can probably help a few days.

Patrick

Thanks for all the responses guys, I really appreciate the input. I think my biggest worries are getting the actual tools to do the job more easily, but it seems that many things can be rented. Patrick, thank you for the offer, when we manage to get this ball actually rolled I will put the feelers out, but I believe that given what everyone is saying that we can do it ourselves.

The big stoppage for us right now is figuring out if the cart or the horse should/can come first when it comes to making our big move - but that is well outside the scope of this forum. You guys will be a great resource once we get there, its the getting there we are struggling with now.

We have found beautiful property's that we love, but until we get family/work/other issues a little more sorted, we are stuck down here. Why so many choose to retire here is beyond me - we cant wait to escape.

[Mosseyme]

Fla. born and breed but prefer being a visitor from the Smokie Mountains now.
We have been at it for 3 years since we took the class and are just ready to get a log on the basement walls. Some are much faster, some are a little slower. I remember having thoughts of 2 years to get the roof on way back then. In the end if we live long enough we will have a beautiful log home that these 60 something old folks built 95% of on their own, even from the felling of the logs and milling of the lumber. There are many folk out there in our age range doing the same.

[blane]

Do you plan to take the LHBA course?
Im in East TN and am hoping to find someone around the Sneedville area to help build. I live in Florida but am able to get up there pretty regular and will be able to be a helper if there is someone out there that is interested in building a 16x20 cabin. I haven't taken the class and know nothing about logs. Some experience with stick built construction and hoping this may help.
If anyone is near Sneedville, Tazewell, Rogersville, Johnson City, Morristown and can give me a price to oversee the project with a helper or two. I would like to hear from you. If anyone can give me an idea on how much it will cost building this way, I would love to hear from you. Kim

[chazers18]

I dont think Deadlines knows LHN...




No disrespecting anyone else here, you all are a great bunch of folks who know how to push at the right time. to keep the sanity.







If Bro LHN had a critical deadline and needed physical help, I think a few of us would show up.