Prior building experience

[PeeCee]

I was thinking that prior building experience of people who built or are currently building LHBA homes would be a valuable bit of information for when we talk to people on the fence--friends or on the non-member side of the forum. If people could chime in with their pre-build experience it could be interesting.

In my case:
Never used a chainsaw
Did a bit of woodworking
Had a couple months one summer doing finish work
No plumbing, electrical, drywall experience
No concrete / mortar experience
Never operated heavy equipment

Now, I'd say I'm passable at most of those things and getting quite proficient at others.

[sdart]

In our case:
Never used a chainsaw
Never operated heavy equipment
Had renovated and/or built from scratch about 6 bathrooms, so a bit of plumbing as well as tiling, etc.
Had wired a house off grid and set up the electric system
Had built stone walls and done concrete slabs and mortar
Had done a bit of woodworking
Had built a (stick frame) garden shed and before we started the log house also built a small stick frame cabin to live in while we build)

[rreidnauer]

I picked up most my construction knowledge when I was an electrician. Always paid attention how things were put together on the jobsites. Physical hands on is often non-existant, and I just go at it, with a little studying, using basic logic, and what I guess I'll call an innate understanding of basic mechanical engineering. My backhoe was the first heavy equipment I ever operated. (beyond a big Hyster four-speed forklift when I was 16, which BTW, is how I learned to drive stick) ClaireNJ's (now Steve W's) crane? I just jumped on there and in a couple minutes had it figured out. I'm just blessed that I can look at something, and know how it works or how one thing effects another, or how forces affect an object.

What I don't fully understand, I'll study up and find out. Tree climbing and trimming/topping? Despite the risks, I just started doing it after a little reading. Again logic and "common" sense.

[loghousenut]

Had a very complete life so far. Worked everything from construction to drilling rigs to cast iron foundry work to truck driving a little logging and in between bought and sold and remodeled houses and sold firewood for a living. After all that stuff I put in 20 years at the muffin store.

By golly I've done most all of it a bunch of times before. It seems I can do most anything except finish this one little ole house.

[Kennit]

In high school I spent as much time as possible in the wood shop.
Worked as a carpenter for a couple of years after I graduated.
Learned how to operate equipment from my dad (heavy Equipment Operator).
Learned a bit about logging from my uncle (a sawyer for Wayerhaeuser).
Did a total renovation with addition on our stick built house. Only hired out insulation, sheetrock, and cabinets.
Learned a lot about building construction in the fire dept.
Lots of training on operating a chain saw in the fire dept (everyone should wear chaps!).

[rckclmbr428]

Here is a few of the projects I worked on from back in the day
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk122/rckclmbr428/Work%20I%20have%20done/coalmineheritagepark098_zpsc20db569.jpg (http://s279.photobucket.com/user/rckclmbr428/media/Work%20I%20have%20done/coalmineheritagepark098_zpsc20db569.jpg.html)
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk122/rckclmbr428/Work%20I%20have%20done/simpsondeck1_zps8de41a47.jpg (http://s279.photobucket.com/user/rckclmbr428/media/Work%20I%20have%20done/simpsondeck1_zps8de41a47.jpg.html)
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk122/rckclmbr428/Work%20I%20have%20done/ElizFurnComp3_zps89f07ffe.jpg (http://s279.photobucket.com/user/rckclmbr428/media/Work%20I%20have%20done/ElizFurnComp3_zps89f07ffe.jpg.html)
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk122/rckclmbr428/Work%20I%20have%20done/IMG_2499_zpsc94f5b1b.jpg (http://s279.photobucket.com/user/rckclmbr428/media/Work%20I%20have%20done/IMG_2499_zpsc94f5b1b.jpg.html)

[patrickandbianca]

I had almost no experience. A little basic plumbing and I might have changed out one dead outlet.

One thing not mentioned above is the Internet. There are videos and how to for DIY for just about everything. One advantage to building slowly is that there is time to research how to do things, weeks or months in advance.

None of this is rocket science. Be smart, be safe and it always works out in the end.

Patrick

[rreidnauer]

Gawd! I love that curvy walkway.

[rckclmbr428]

Gawd! I love that curvy walkway.
If you notice, not only did we bend it left and right, but in the middle we took it from a 4% grade to level back to a 4% grade to accommodate an overlook

[PeeCee]

Lovely curvy walkway!

I can see that I'm one of the less experienced people here. Sure makes me feel better about asking my silly questions--and very appreciative of how generous everyone is with their advice.

I agree with Patrick on how invaluable the Internet is.

For me, another great resource has been local contractors who appreciate the financial restrictions I am working under and have let me use one or two of their experienced people for parts of the build (e.g., the foundation for #2). I had no idea about how to make forms, but the man who came out to help taught me how to do it and worked with me for a couple days--400 dollars very well spent.

[rocklock]

Being of advanced years I have done lost of stuff but mostly small stuff like enclosing a garage or making furniture. I have used chain saws but never owned one until about 6 years ago. I hate plumbing and electrical because there are so many ways to screw up. And even though you do it right it looks like you are still learning.

So we are still learning. I have done small tile jobs but I will soon be tiling two bathrooms.

I also hate water treatment but I guess I need at least one more machine but we'll see.

The best bit of knowledge that i have is math and a little physics helps as well.

And I have a PHD in wheelbarrelolgy. I also can drive a fork truck really well but we used a boom truck. O well. I was a land scraper a long time ago and have been a gardener forever.

[ivanshayka]

I had 6 months of roofing experience. Helped out with my brother's build a little. And a little with my bro-in-law.

[hemlock77]

Gee where do I begin. Started building forts with my two older brothers when I was 6-7 yrs old. At one point we had one that was 4 stories, until the silly code people made us knock it down to two. Good thing they didn't lift the carpet and discover the washing machine top which accessed the basement :) Took wood shop throughout high school. Helped out om my uncles farm in the summers, building and fixing stuff was a daily chore on the farm.

Starting in high school I worked for my sister in laws dad doing remodeling, gofer type stuff mostly. Started taking on side remodeling jobs Since age 25 to supplement income during winter months. I currently drive various fork equipment at work, so for me a telehandler is child's play. Though in actuality, I am just a cook.

[dazedandconfused]

I had no real knowledge of any building stick or otherwise, I had some basic tools, screw driver hammer etc, never owned or operated a chain saw, most times I have to google the terms people speak of to know what folks are talking about but slowly I am learning, the mind is a sponge, I keep telling myself that even the very best started somewhere, so I built a practice shed, although I know some of my helpers were shaking their heads at how unprepared I was. :) I learned and slowly built my confidence, I know now their isn't much I can't or wont try to do, that being said I subbed out foundation, septic, well, and part of roof.

[Plumb Level]

I wish this thread was on the non-members side, I think it would be good for some to read.
..
Chainsaw - Got quite a bit of time on one
Heavy equip - no time, but have operated a farm tractor with loader quite a bit
Plumbing - very light plumbing. Changed a toilet, changed a faucet, installed a dishwasher, basically just switching out what was already there.
Electric - same as plumbing. Changed switches and lights as needed
Remodeling - I did our 1/2 bath
Repair - Dismantled the whole back end of our 5th wheel, rebuilt the framing, and repaired the floor from water damage from a roof leak.

[PeeCee]

Perhaps if one of the moderators thinks it should go over....

It's fine with me.

[rocklock]

About felling trees. I hired a fella to clear and fell the trees on my property. He took the time to educate me on the proper way to aim the trees.
Cut the notch neatly in the side you want the tree to go.
Fit the saw flat and use the bar handle to aim the tree.
Adjust the notch to readjust the direction. Only cut about 1/3 of the tree in the notch.
Start the back cut. As soon as possible start inserting plastic wedges behind the saw to prevent the tree from sitting on the saw.
Aim the back cut at the point of the notch so the hinge is minimized.
Continue the back cut and pound in the wedges. I generally use two or three.
The tree will fall exactly where you aim it. The hinge will be less than one inch.

It still is a rush to fell a big Doug fit or hemlock. I have not felled a non symmetrical tree so none of this stuff works for those trees. I have felled several alders here and my aim is not nearly as accurate.
I have a video in my log home.

[Mosseyme]

you are right, the hemlock here growing on the side of the mountain above the creeks is very asymmetrical. Branches heavy to the open side usually down hill. always has a curve for the first 4-15' sometimes more. So will it want to go with the weight of the branches or with the curve or with the tipped back a little at the top? It is always a guess. Could be part of why it took so long to get them all down and dragged in. It has been a challenge that we are probably lucky to have survived. I believe Thanks to a very special lady that has a connection with our God that .
seems to be very direct and affords those she loves with the protective benefit of that Love and devotion.

[Steve Wolfe]

I was lucky to have a Dad that loved to build decks and sheds. He was also an electronics guru and knew auto mechanics inside and out. There wasn’t much that he couldn’t fix so I guess I inherited that trait. Most things come natural but I’m not afraid to ask for input or do some research. I still misread a simple tape measure at times and tend to take short cuts that end up causing a little grief along the way. I don’t care for plumbing or tile work but have done a few projects around the house. If I had a weakness it would be in the finish work. Even when I measure five times to cut once there are times I still have to cut twice. I look at it as “Where there is a will there is a way.”

[Tom Featherstone]

I think it started sometime around "Lincoln Logs & Legos".... We were All brainwashed from the start!

[rreidnauer]

I wonder about that inherited trait thing. It sure skipped over my father, but my paternal grandfather was a craftsman and an artist. He built wood boats (gawd, I'd kill to get my hands on one) and painted a lot. (mostly shore scenes and old barns) My maternal grandfather was an uneducated man. Nicest guy I've ever known, but had very little to say. (probably due to lack of education) Still, that didn't stop him from building his own two-story home, which he, my grandmother and uncle lived in until his death. I like to believe some of their talents have been genetically carried over to explain some of my abilities which come so naturally.

[logguy]

I, too, have Lincoln Log and Lego experience. For me, this LHBA thing is all the result of not having enough Lincoln Logs to build the structure I always wanted as a child.

Chainsaw - Yes--chaps are a must.
Heavy equip - I've pushed over my share of trees with my John Deere 2640 w/loader
Plumbing - not enough to know what I'm doing without extensive study (too infrequent)
Electric - not enough to know what I'm doing without extensive study (too infrequent)
Remodeled a bathroom, put in a hardwood floor, cut a hole in the wall and installed french doors (incorrectly!).
Crappy drywaller but getting better out of necessity (I have three rental homes)
Professional seven-wire electric fence installer--my wife raises sheep. I am the hired hand.
Professional augger destroyer. There is a shortage of sheer bolts in this local area because of me. I even broke the spinning shafty-thing right off at the PTO! Lucky to be alive.
Prep and Foundation - not a clue--help! I finally just dug a trench all the way around my barn so the water doesn't get inside!
Designed and built a 32' high barn with hay loft three years ago that is still missing some metal, trim, gutters and misc hardware
Designed and built a counterweight pulley system and swingarm that helped me get 200 bales of hay up last month
Designed and built a 30x20 deck/carport, 10' off the ground, with connecting 6x15 and 6x40 decks around the front and back of my house, built-in BBQ/smoker (also 10' off the ground) one 20' staircase, one 10' staircase, and 4, 110v exterior lights/wiring switches and outlets.

[jasonfromutah]

This is a great topic. I didn't have a lot of experience when I started the build. I had did some framing and sheetrocking and some small projects.

However, I found that if I was willing to ask questions and listen to good advice, I could do this. I have also hired out some of the work (plumbing). Plumbing, foundations, and electrical do not interest my at all. Therefore, I am hiring help!

Human nature makes many people reluctant to take the road less traveled. If you have ambition and desire you can do it. If you don't, you will need a lot of $$$ to go out and buy one!

[LogHomeFeverDan]

Grew up on a camping resort so I've worked "around" many aspects of construction.

Never operated heavy equipment.
Chainsaw cutting firewood for the resort.
Built a number of deer camp structures. Built a number of "stick built" ice fishing shanties.
Novice DIYer for electrical, plumbing, drywall,etc etc. I think I can handle most any task, it just takes me a while to have it look good! (=;
No concrete work unless you count pouring in a bag around a post. <ducking>
Worked with a finish carpenter for a period.

That about sums it up for me.

[spiralsands]

I grew up without my father and 2 older brothers at home so one day my mom put a crescent wrench in my hand and asked me to fix the bathroom faucet. From that day on, I was called "the handy one".

The Air Force taught me the rest of the stationary engineering toolbox. Florida hurricanes taught me about chainsaws, demolition and reconstruction. YouTube taught me about fixing my home appliances and digging wells. And of course, the LHBA class not only taught me about how to build a log house but it also energized me to come home and get the party started.