New to the discussion...and super psyched!

[williams_a99]

I'm new to the log home building discussion, but not the log home building dream. I'm planning on signing up for the March class as soon as the funding comes through...probably this week...and I'm extremely excited. My wife and I are in the process of purchasing 42 acres in Heath, Massachusetts and we want to build a home there for us and our two young children (4 and 1). I'd love to hear about and see photos of any project in this area. I have some construction experience and I worked as a stone mason / equipment operator for a few years in my twenties. I also grew up on the farm and have a good deal of confidence in my ability to make this happen...though I'm sure it will be quite an adventure. Right now I'm working as an Earth Science teacher, administrator, and dorm parent at a private school and we live on campus so we are not under a time crunch but we also have summers off, so that should give me lots of time to work on the project. I plan on surveying our new property and looking for timber in the coming weeks, but I would love to start researching places to acquire timber nearby and on a teacher's salary. I don't want to get too far ahead of myself before taking the class, but I would like to line things up enough to get the walls and roof up this summer, if not more. Any advice anyone can give is welcome!

[StressMan79]

You have more time than money. Patience young paduine. Start collecting tools and supplies. Build a shed on your property to keep them in. Build another to sleep in while you build. Avoid a loan... I am disabled, but in no rush to sell, as I own the property outright.

[eagle]

Welcome williams, everyone will tell you wait to start till after the class. best advice for sure. the greatest thing with taking your time is when you are done it's all paid for, which is what I'm after as well.

[Mosseyme]

Are you at South Lancaster or Edgewood? Welcome aboard. You will find a great family here.

[rckclmbr428]

A nor easter? Welcome aboard!

[williams_a99]

Thanks everyone! I know that being patient and taking my time is the way to go, and I will do my best. The property we are purchasing already has a well drilled on it and it has been perc tested. There is a septic design that has already been approved as well....though that was done about 12 years ago and will likely need updating. The building lot has been cleared as well. My "patient" plan is to work on the access road and build a practice cabin and/or shed there this summer, so that those will be in place when we start the big build, and I'll have some practice with the techniques. I have a very strong network of friends and family that are timber framers, plumbers, sawmill operators, excavators etc. and my uncle is a professional estate cleaner / scavenger / handyman...I'm sure you can see why I'm anxious to get going, but as StressMan79 pointed out, with two young ones and a teacher salary I've got everything I need except the $$ to do it without a loan. We plan on getting as creative as we can and trying to save money wherever possible.

[rocklock]

A word of caution... Our method of construction is different from the other means of log home building. Until your friends and family understand this principle - our wall do not shrink... This simplifies all of the other phases of construction... Don't get a loan. If you can live on the property, do it ASAP.
good luck

[williams_a99]

A word of caution... Our method of construction is different from the other means of log home building. Until your friends and family understand this principle - our wall do not shrink... This simplifies all of the other phases of construction... Don't get a loan. If you can live on the property, do it ASAP.
good luck

I've been pouring over the LHBA site and doing other research as well, and I'm a believer. We have a great place to live now...we currently live on campus where we work and don't pay for housing, and that won't dissolve any time soon...so there isn't any real rush. I'm just excited. I hear you...loan free is the way to go.

[Mosseyme]

How far do you live from your property. This is a major issue for doing weekends ect. With the summers off though it won't matter as much except it is so hard to stay away when your are in the heart of the build when it is a long distance. We are 7+ hours round trip from ours. Makes for a lot of hours on the road that we wish we were working.

[loghousenut]

WILLAMS!!!

I wish I was as young and smart as you are. Sit back and relax a bit and take the class... The rest will take care of itself.




PS... Hug the kids for me.

[eagle]

WILLAMS!!!

I wish I was as young and smart as you are. Sit back and relax a bit and take the class... The rest will take care of itself.






something tells me that next class will be sold out quick...

[williams_a99]

How far do you live from your property. This is a major issue for doing weekends ect. With the summers off though it won't matter as much except it is so hard to stay away when your are in the heart of the build when it is a long distance. We are 7+ hours round trip from ours. Makes for a lot of hours on the road that we wish we were working.

It only takes us about 40 minutes to get to the property, so that shouldn't be a problem. We really are in a good position...I'll do my best to relax.

[williams_a99]

something tells me that next class will be sold out quick...

I'm worried about that as well. I should be registered in the next couple of days! Huge bummer if I don't make it in.

[williams_a99]

Just registered for the class!

[loghousenut]

Welcome aboard!

[Shark]

Awesome, take lots of notes and have fun :)

[williams_a99]

Quick question....Since it made me a "member," I kind of thought that registering for the class would give me access to the members side of the forum. Is that not the case? Do I have to wait until I've actually taken the class? If so, can someone explain the reasoning behind that? Just curios. Thanks!

[rreidnauer]

Yes, once you attend the class, you'll gain access to the member's side. I would suppose the reasoning behind that is to prevent one from registering, gaining access, and then cancelling. A second reason may be, after attending the class, one is less likely to start threads questioning things that are covered in class. (this 'recurring questions' phenomenon is clearly present on the public side) You'd be on the same level as the rest of the members once you've taken the class, and it makes the forum operate much more smoothly.

Hope that answers your question.

[loghousenut]

Yup, once you've been to class, the other side will make sense to you. You'll love it and you won't be sorry.

[williams_a99]

Yes, once you attend the class, you'll gain access to the member's side. I would suppose the reasoning behind that is to prevent one from registering, gaining access, and then cancelling. A second reason may be, after attending the class, one is less likely to start threads questioning things that are covered in class. (this 'recurring questions' phenomenon is clearly present on the public side) You'd be on the same level as the rest of the members once you've taken the class, and it makes the forum operate much more smoothly.

Hope that answers your question.


Thanks, that's what I figured. I'm just anxious to get planning....any suggestions on things I could get started on before attending the class?

[Blondie]

Well, to honest, the class will change how you look at just about everything. It would be better to spend time looking at the things that won't change with the class than just spinning your wheels in frustration. Why not take a look at some masonry stoves; like temp cast, or soapstone....there are tons to look at. I did not say buy. I said LOOK. Look at heated floor systems. Solar hot water, solar powered well pumps. Check out the variations of foundations from crawl space to full basement. Take a look at SIPS and check them out.


That should give you a few minutes coverage.

Blondie

[Shark]

Start saving $$, (think Dave Ramsey and budget). Until you get to the class, its the best thing you can do :)


Thanks, that's what I figured. I'm just anxious to get planning....any suggestions on things I could get started on before attending the class?

[rreidnauer]

I second Shark. Instead of worrying about the build (property, materials, tools), concentrate on preparing matters before the build. (increase cash reserves, reduce expenses, pay off loans, get "light on your feet")

[loghousenut]

I say purchase a membership at the Muffin Store. More on that subject on the members side... I guess there's no big rush after all.





Don't go accusing me of SPAM. Nobody takes me seriously anyhow.

[williams_a99]

Well, to honest, the class will change how you look at just about everything. It would be better to spend time looking at the things that won't change with the class than just spinning your wheels in frustration. Why not take a look at some masonry stoves; like temp cast, or soapstone....there are tons to look at. I did not say buy. I said LOOK. Look at heated floor systems. Solar hot water, solar powered well pumps. Check out the variations of foundations from crawl space to full basement. Take a look at SIPS and check them out.


That should give you a few minutes coverage.

Blondie

Thanks Blondie! I'm already on that train though. I bought Tom Elpel's book a couple of weeks ago...I already owned some of his primitive skills videos...and I've been pouring over it. I've been researching all kinds of stuff and I will continue down that path.

Also, my major priority is paying off what little debt we have and trying to get "light on my feet." Excellent advice from everyone. Thank you. If you can't tell I'm a bit of a go getter.

[Kola]

Get out of debt, stay out of debt...... and lace up your bootstraps and get ready for the journey. It's blood, sweat and tears all the way but is there any other way?

HELL NO! :o

[edkemper]

The biggest challenge you face until class is trying to bring down your blood pressure. Relax. We know because we all were right where you are. The class will pretty much blow your mind. You think you have an idea what you want but EVERYTHING will change. Starting about 10am Saturday morning. By the time you get to Sunday night, you might still remember your name.

The best advice has already been given really, no debt and safe your coin. After the class, everything will change. When you get access to the member's side, is when the real study begins. You won't believe the lunatics we have in the family. You also won't believe what our family has to offer you and yours. The member's side is where you get the everyday details and find there isn't anything you can ask that someone doesn't have the answer to and probably short cuts along the way.

Lace up your boot, glad you're set for the class.

[williams_a99]

The biggest challenge you face until class is trying to bring down your blood pressure. Relax. We know because we all were right where you are. The class will pretty much blow your mind. You think you have an idea what you want but EVERYTHING will change. Starting about 10am Saturday morning. By the time you get to Sunday night, you might still remember your name.

The best advice has already been given really, no debt and safe your coin. After the class, everything will change. When you get access to the member's side, is when the real study begins. You won't believe the lunatics we have in the family. You also won't believe what our family has to offer you and yours. The member's side is where you get the everyday details and find there isn't anything you can ask that someone doesn't have the answer to and probably short cuts along the way.

Lace up your boot, glad you're set for the class.

Getting more excited every day.

[edkemper]

We all remember with a smile.