Introduce yourself

[StressMan79]

Paul,

glad to see you here. So you live in WA now? You might be able to get 20 acres for under 1k/acre. You can spend as much as you want. Off the grid will definitely help you to keep initial costs down. Keep in mind that solar is not cheap, and the power you have will be less than plentiful. If you have wind available, you can offset some of the peaks/valleys of solar. It adds cost and complexity, however.

This being said, I could not afford land with power and water. I dream of being energy free (someday).

Once again, welcome

-Peter

[d.ganschow]

Hi:
My name is Don and my brother LeighG told me about this site and we're both signed up for the Dec 6-7th class. We've both been builders since our parents had many rental properties and since then I've gotten my contractors license when I was between jobs. I currently live in Palo Alto and have always wanted to build a retreat but didn't want to pay for it--many of my friends and neighbors who are well-to-do ('m not) already have their million-dollar cabins at various ski resorts and high-end mountain communities. As I researched the site and the idea of building a home without a mortgage really appealed to me. I've always been the kind of guy who looks at things and says, "Hey, I can do that!" I think log homes are very cool and didn't really know that much about them and am grateful I was introduced to your site by my brother and the ideas you put forth. Just the concepts you preach have already opened up a lot of ideas. I am so inspired by the many people on this site and those who have and are building their log homes.

About myself: I work in electronics contract manufacturing, married 25 years, 4 sons (ages 12 - 22 so they'll be a lot of help), enjoy the outdoors and being self-reliant. Currently do not have land I'm planning on building on (I'm stuck at where do I want to retreat to that is not too far away). I enjoy volunteer work in the community (through scouting) and in my church. Member of the 501st Legion for Star Wars costuming and enjoy doing that with my sons where we appear at conventions, hospitals, and non-profit events (I'm a stormtrooper and go by the name of Trooperdad). Here's a link to a few photos:

The Family
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s54/Trooperdad/Family/Familyportrait30.jpg

Photos of me and 2 of my sons at the 2008 Bay to Breakers race
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s54/Trooperdad/Star%20Wars/B2B2008Ganschows.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s54/Trooperdad/Star%20Wars/B2BGanschowshelmetsoff.jpg

I look forward to the class and adding to my knowledge and then getting into a project with my sons and brother. That's me!

Don G.

[ragdump]

Ragdump Hi Don welcome to the LHBA I live across the bridge from you in Newark,But I have 40ac in the mountains above Paradise and I'm collecting logs and clearing land ,still have to attend a class

[d.ganschow]

I've been to Paradise several times at the swimming hole up there on Feather River. I do like it up there. Very nice town. I didn't think about Paradise (but isn't that what we're all after anyway?).

Don G.

[ragdump]

Ragdump Here's my favorite swimming hole it's on Big Kimshew Creek that drains into the Feather River

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd206/ragdump/bigfalls2.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd206/ragdump/Copyofecommerce_thumbnail.jpg

[something_feral]

Greetings all!

I'm excited to be participating, and I don't get excited about much nowadays. I managed to get in on the first class in December, booked the tickets, and now I'm doing the difficult part: waiting. :)

A little about me: I'm a perennial college student (hoping to kick that habit soon) with a need to get away from the shiny-to-grimy cityscapes. I've totally fallen for the idea of building my house with my own hands. I'm hoping to build my cabin off-grid, and keep it that way. I like my coffee in a cup, unhyphenated. Mostly harmless, even sociable, albeit not much of a morning person.

[StressMan79]

glad to hear you'll be joining our little clic. You'll learn tons in the class. You'll want to be a morning and night person for the classes, as you won't want to miss any of the 14* hrs of instruction each day. It might be easier if you got in at the lodge, but I suspect they can't house all 30 or so students.

Anyway, where are you located? You don't sound like you are local, as you "booked [airline?] tickets. There are lots of very rual off-the-grid places available, and where ever you are, a member will be able to point you towards an area "near" you. I am building 6.5 hrs from seattle and 3 hrs from spokane, in NE washington. I'll be starting next spring. Once you get your member credentials, check out the thread http://www.loghomebuilders.org/just-got-backordeal-1 for some pictures and description of a recent outing to my land.

Anyway, enjoy the class and glean as much info as possible from the members. We are all here to help each other.

-Peter

[something_feral]

Hi Peter!

Honestly, I was just planning on camping in the parking lot. I'm on a tight budget at the moment. >_<

Right now I'm in the vicinity of Chico / Paradise, and I see that some of the other people in here are too (I'd be happy to help y'all as soon as I know my way around the material), but I don't think I'm staying in California; the panhandle of Idaho is sounding more hospitable at this point, and the land is affordable for someone fresh out of the gate.

I will check your thread as soon as I have access, thanks!

Cheers!

[clydesdale.nc]

hey Rebecca,
Have you all finished your house in Raleigh? I was wondering because i attended the class in 2005 with my (X) wife and wanted to build my own house one day as well. I have had some difficulty finding the logs however in NC. I live in Hickory, NC and there is some decent land out here at decent prices but still wanting to see some other homes close to where i live.

Can you send me some pictures?

clydesdale.nc@gmail.com

thanks,
nate chaney

[2 cents]

welcome, Ed!

Check out Mike Vowels' home:
http://www.loghomebuilders.org/image-galleries/student-log-homes/mike-vowels

One of the best things about this method of building is that you can set it up to be very low-maintenance. I'm glad you found our little community! Keep reading here and you will learn a lot!

2 cents

[OTG PDR]

Wow, you have a fast time line if you're planning on building inside of a year. Maybe you're just getting the land in that time? Not sure. Anyhoot, good luck to you. I am in a similar frame of mind as you. My son was born late August (2 months old), and I am looking into free energy (zero point energy using magnets), and easy house heating (rocket stove, also doubles as a cooking stove). But we're open to all the options when it comes to living off the grid. We're taking the class Dec. 6th/7th, and sometime after the new year we'll be moving to Spokane County from Vancouver.

This site is awesome. Read as much as possible. Look at the student houses. View the websites people link below their posts. My whole thought process has changed just in the little I have already learned.

Randall

ps. another high dollar expense might be a go-kart or a few...

Hey Randall,

We are just planning on buying the land inside of 2 years, not the whole project!

Congrats on your new son, It is such a gift being a new dad, and I found such energy to get the projects done as soon as possible! Where can I find information on the zero point energy, seems interesting, and I haven't read about it.

I would really like to take the class on the 6th / 7th, but unfortunately, unless someone drops out (crosses fingers) I have to wait until the next class. If you need any help with information about Spokane County - I'd be happy to help, My wife was born and raised on the ourskirts of the County, and I was a realtor here for several years (not a realtor any more, not a very honorable profession it seems)

I've been reading all I can on the site! It's a great resource! I'm sketching my plans now, with the understanding most likely they will change after the class. I just can't wait to get started.

Also, if you need help on your house, let me know, I'm local and have a good back :)

Thanks again,

PDR

[OTG PDR]

sorry repost!

[2 cents]

otg pdr,

one hint, if you are sketching floorplans, think square! (30x30, 35x35, or 40x40). It will all make sense after the class (a LOT of sense).
As someone who was sketching before the class too, i wanted to give you that one tidbit....

2 cents :)

[OTG PDR]

Advise taken...I have a square, with one extension (trying to squeeze in a 3rd bedroom) I hope I'm not damning myself here....

[StressMan79]

OTG,

3 bedrooms in a 1-floor cabin makes for pretty small bedrooms. If you are doing a second floor, it should be easy even on a 30x30 footprint. Also, you can fairly easily build a stick frame addition to your home. Check out Mike Vowels home: http://www.loghomebuilders.org/mike-vowels-log-home he did that. I would leave it to later, though. get your cabin done first and put the kids in the same bedroom for a while.

-Peter

[cidisbell]

Hello there Everyone,

Hi, my name is Cid. I had a log home built in the swedish scribe style (thats what the builder called it). The house did settle, but was designed well to handle that. It was gorgeous and used massive logs (most over 20 inches). The guy who did the shell was from germany and I think I lucked out in finding him because he was a genius. I unfortunately had to sell that house because I relocated. Now I would like to build another log home. I really dont want a massive mortgage and the type of house I want to build, my standards, my taste and the land location will make using a builder/kit very expensive. So, here I am! I am very excited to learn more about building my own log home.

I would love to sign up for the next class! Anyone know when it will be?

Thanks and look forward to getting to know you all!

Cid

[StressMan79]

sounds amazing. Sounds like Steve/Mr. E. have 2 classes this month. That is quite a lot. You try talking for 7 hrs a day. Anyway, I get the impression that they love it, so they keep doing it. I imagine you'll see some more classes before next summer, but that is only a hunch. Glad to see you here. The LHBA methods will allow you to build as complex or spartan as you please--with only a couple of basic tennants.

Anyway, the best way to learn is to read as much of this site as you can and then take the class. You'll save much more than the cost of the class. I am building mortgage free. Here's a hint: property values will have a lot to do with building affordably. You can't build a mortgage free log home in the center of manhattan, even if the home was free. If you have freedom to live where you may, then you have several steps up.

Glad to have you here.

-Peter

[Geezer]

Hi,

I'm Bill and I just registered on the site. I'm interested in log homes and have been for years. So far I haven't seen too much off the site, but enough to realize I can learn some things here and I look forward to that. At present I'm in a holding pattern with where I live and what I'm going to be doing as far as building and where, but I hope to get all that figured out over this winter. I'm thinking of trying to move to the Ozarks and building there. This class sounds like something I would like to do and I'll be making plans to attend in the future. I'm hoping that I can learn from this sight in the mean time. I'm sure I'll have questions as they arise and I can find how to ask them.
Thanks for the site.

[RichardR]

Hello everyone and am I sure glad to have found this site!! I purchased 5 acres some 2 years ago out on San Juan Island with a dream to build a cabin and have that great place to go to as a place of solitude and quiet. Then I found out the high costs of building out on the San Juan Islands and had just about given up on my dream. I hope to take your class soon and get my ideas moving forward again. I reside here in Napa, CA; no grape grower or vitner, just a guy who has recently retired and hopes to build that nice log cabin in the woods someday...........

[clydesdale.nc]

I took the class with (Ex) wife about 3 years ago and have a new found interest in what I started 3 years ago. Currently living in the City and have a decent life but with a desire for more. In the current economic situation, self reliance seems to take priority and so is being debt free. I have been a business owner, investor, developer, and sales manager and see the ways that we all need to improve as Americans. We are truly not free and don't let anyone tell you we are not. I am interested in meeting people close by that I can see what they are doing and bounce ideas off of. I enjoyed the class with Ellsworth, and Steve but I am ready to make some of this happen. Anyone from North Carolina, I would love to correspond with and get ideas on what we are trying to do.

nate

[trigger]

I am new to the site. Subscribe to Log Home Living and for many years now have wanted to put log siding on my exixting stucture and ad full log addition. Is this possible or not? Will it look OK? I would like to find an Amish builder who would be familiar with butt and pass technique as I have read so many downside comment to the kits that are out there. Would really like some straight answers or someone honest that can do the work on the house. I have had some injuries to both my arms so I do not think I could do this myself. But, maybe send a nephew out to see how to do this type of building method and turn him loose on the house that he stands to inherit. Comments please.....All my best Joan

[StressMan79]

I don't know how successful you are going to be finding an Amish guy who is familiar with BnP. Maybe a nephew would do well at a class, but I would expect even if you aren't planning to do the work yourself, you would do well to come anyway. You would learn lots about what to do and look out for, and would be able to tell contractors/helpers what to do. I know nothing about Log siding, except I suspect it is like any other wood siding--you have to protect it and it is made to last so many years (maybe 20). I plan on making a home that requires next to no maintenence, including applying (expensive) protectant every few years.

Anyway, I will say that you have found a den of honesty and uprightness, and if a member will help you out, you have little to worry about. I suspect, however, that most members are trying to get their own houses in order (sorry for the pun), and not really willing to take on an addition project.

-Peter

[Copper Ridge]

Hi. We're new to the site. We bought a handcrafted log home from a guy in Indiana. We're also looking for a timberframer if anyone knows where we can locate a reasonable one in the Western PA, Ohio or WV area. We plan to build in the spring, but for now the logs are just sitting.

[Pamguin]

Hi Steve:
I don't know if you remember me from Dec. of 07, but you were our instructor for about half the class. Dave Gumm and I took the seminar together a year ago, to start the plans for our Dream Log Home. When we left the class, we were absolutely stoked. Here it is a year later and the passion has only grown. We haven't made any huge strides, but over the year we have done the following: Looked for property in NE Washington and West montana; acquired a few tools with the log home in mind (including a few spuds); we got carhart jackets (but still have to sew our patches on; and we obtained all the dowells to start our scale model. As soon as we locate the perfect property, we will order the plans for the 35 x 35 version with a garage to match that size. I have become a critic on log construction and the only thing I have built is a carrot and cream-cheese log home (butt & pass, of course). I have just reconnected with your web site here and wanted to say thanks for the class, it was so invigorating and informative. I hope to make a bunch more progress this year (hopefully property and plans), so will keep you posted. One quick question, where do we hear about the quarterly pot lucks? We would like to attend and start networking with your other wonderful students.

Thanks so much,
Pamguin

[edkemper]

My name is Ed, I'm a married 57 year old gimp and I presently live in Folsom, CA, on the fringe of Sacramento County with my family. We just bought 320 acres in Southern Oregon, just north of Klamath Falls. The drier part of the state. The property is half (160 acres) Lodge Pole Pine and Aspen stands with a seasonal duck pond, and the other half is a large, beautiful, unspoiled valley of wetlands with a seasonal river. We plan on building all our buildings with logs from the property. My wife and I want a smaller sized house, we need a smaller detached cabin/apartment for my autistic son so he can live independently, and we need another small cabin for visitors. Plus the garage and work shop. They all will be wheelchair accessible. I have power lines less than 100 yards from where I want to put the house. I can sell my excess power production to the grid for retail so I am likely going to be connected. As for water, obviously it's only a few feet down and will produce enough so I can keep the seasonal duck pond filled year round and be able to stock it with fish. Obviously few neighbors and the nearest restaurant is 16 miles away. Perfect.

I hope to teach my son to make log furniture. It's be a great career for him and he could build it all from our property's bounty. I promised my daughter she would graduate from her High School so I have almost 4 years before I can move permanently. I've dreamed of building a custom log cabin and now it seems achievable. I look forward to meeting and learning from others. My wife and I are particularly excited about getting to one of the seminars as soon as we can arrange it. I've already started doing research and looking for used tools.

edkemper

[edkemper]

This is Ed, I'm from Folsom. How are you doing in the process of building?

Edkemper

[StressMan79]

sounds ike you know what you want and have a good plan on how to get there. yes, taking the class and accessing the member's section will help immensely. Glad to hve you here. I am building in northeast washington, albeit not quite on 320 acres (only 20).

-Peter

[edkemper]

Got that once in a lifetime chance for this piece of property. Paid for. Now I'm broke and have to build our homes. The works starts now, the easy part is history.

[kylepudden]

Just bought 40 acres in south-central Colorado (Fort Garland area) with incredible views, but many challenges await. Water and power will both be potential challenges, but the structure is why i am here. Looking at floorplans now, somewhere @1500 Sq. ft to start, then maybe add on later when more $$$$$ becomes available. I plan doing as much by myself as time allows, as i will be traveling 9 hours to the property when time/vacation allows. Looking to get the ball rolling after the ground thaws, but still unsure about contruction methods...I am researching "LiteForms.com" for foundation ideas, i like the R-factor and strength introduced by using this method. At 9700 ft elevation, i am either going to have to use large diameter logs or do a log siding with traditional 2X6 walls to get decent R-Factors for the walls. Looking to go Green whenever possible as well as milking any/all TAX CREDITS offered by our Uncle Sam. Advice welcomed! Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Kyle

[brianroy]

My step father is a well driller by trade. He was telling me about a unit that serves as a traditional pump style, and also has an electric pump that can later be instaled to the house. May not be a bad idea to have water on hand in the initial build stages before pluming or even serve as a back-up in an emergancy. Also, I know maine has a "tree growth" plan that saves tax dollars if your property has a lot of trees on it. If you don't plan to cut down much or put just part of it in tree growth it may save on taxes. However if you sell the land and the buyer does not want the tree growth plan all back taxes must be paid. This is an option that should not be considered if you think you may sell the property, you plan on harvesting the trees, or if the tax savings is not that much. Good luck.

[Roxanne]

Hi, Steve!
I'm Roxanne & husband Roy. We've getting closer to our log home dream. We're still trying to find logs. NO KITS!
Really want to take a class. Any idea when the next one will be?
We live in Missouri & have a way to haul logs from Wyoming to home, but still working on finding the logs.
Are loggers the best way to go? The few contacts we've made are not real friendly. Any reason for that?
It seems if they can't mill them for you, they don't want to sell them. Are we doing something wrong?
It's great to finally have a contact for these questions.
Thanks, Roc

[creelady]

I live in alberta, canada on a First Nation reservation and am very interested in building an octogon building for youth gatherings. I do not know the first thing about construction but am passionate to learn or speak with someone who has log construction knowledge. My dream is to build an octogon log building to hold ceremonies in for the youth we work with. I need a person to come to Hobbema, Alberta, Canada and teach us how to build this type of structure. Anyone out there know of someone in this area who can assist me?

[Kola]

Andrea, this may help you "visually".
http://www.loghomebuilders.org/image-galleries/student-log-homes/old-log-homes-built-our-students/octagon-log-home

Wait a bit as there may be some LHBA members in your area that will chime in. Good luck!

Kola

[Wstaple2]

Hail All, it's been awhile

I attended class in Dec 2003 with my oldest son Adam. We had flown out to Seattle from Michigan and spent 4 great days in the Monroe area. I was lucky enough to be seated directly next to Skip and across from Steve and Skip Jr (if memory serves me correctly). Oddly enough one of the things I remember about that class was (I think it was) Skip Jr's father in-law was rushed to the hospital and it caused a slight interuption as a few people hustled off after a few frazzled phone calls.

At the time, my wife and I had a business plan to build a B&B Lodge in the Toutle Valley down river from Mt St. Helen's. I had a huge scale model I built of the lodge showning 32 suites, cafe, great room, gift shop etc etc. In our plan each suite was centered around one of the many NW Indian tribes. Even tho we had planned to be in volcano country, we decided to go with Indian themed education and activites as additions to the lodge. Despite such a large meandering building, Skip's 35x35 blocks made it easy and structurely very sound.

We we're using the "catalog for domestic federal spending" to get a grant for a small hospitality business. After getting quiet a ways thru the system and getting a few capital investment people involved, we bought a cafe in LaConner, Wa. and moved out west from Detroit. We had been put on a 5 yr plan to become part of the local community and run a successfull hospitality business befor we would be granted the funds we needed to buy the land and start cutting logs.

2 yrs into the plann we became blessed with a son, big surprise since the wife was declared sterile in 1999. Time for a big decision... stay on track or get regular jobs. After much nashing of teeth. We decided it was to difficult to attempt to raise a child literaly INSIDE a busy cafe 7 days a week, 14 hrs a day. So we have both gone back to normal 9-5 jobs and have put the "plann" on the shelf. Considering the current state of the economy in the world today, it was probably a good idea.

This past weekend I got talking with a neighbor who is looking to build some homes in a wooded section of his property and lease them out. Kind of a local "Homes for Humanity" kind of thing actually. When I told him of the "Method" I learned from Skip, he was immediately interested. I do "inform" people as often as possible on Skip's teachings and hopefully a few have taken those things to heart. Anyway, that is why I came lookin for the website again this morning.

I was incredibly saddened to read that Skip had past away in August. First thing I thought of was the world has lost a great teacher, a first class patriot and all around wonderfull human being. Skip really made you feel at home in HIS home when you took his class. When you conversed by email, it was like talking with an old old dear, well educated, classy, friend. May his legacy live on thru Steve, Skip Jr. and the rest of us, his students. God bless you Skip.

[325ABN]

Hello Board

My name is Gus

I found this site while looking into various log home kits and modular log homes. Man am I glad I foud you all. With the little bit of reading have done here I have swung in this direction to bulid our log home.

We are a family of 10 when the new baby is born in Jan. Now all of the kids except for the two youngest boys would have moved on and started thier own life s adults by the time we are into our new home. The last two Girls are almost sixteen the one boy who is still at home is five and our last son will be born in Jan.

We currently live in a 150 year old 6 bed room farm house on 4 acres. We will be closing on our land the week after Christmas. The land is 22+/- acres in Acworth, NH, The plan is to be in the new home in about 3 years.

I look forward to reading, learning as much as I can. Are the classes always held in Washington state? Is there a way to reep some of the benifits of the associaion with out go to Washing state?

Thanks

[chadfortman]

Look, listen and learn
A man who works with his hands is a laborer,
A man who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman,
A man who works with his hands, his head and his heart is an artist.
St Francis of Assisi.

Guss,
I think Steve did the class one time up North.
You got take the leap to learn to build and its fun to go out there.
Get ready to take allot of notes sign up for the news letter.
i looked over this site for about 2 years before i took the leap.
I am glad i took the class and if you relay want build take the class.
Enjoy the class it kicks butt

[Yuhjn]

I look forward to reading, learning as much as I can. Are the classes always held in Washington state? Is there a way to reep some of the benifits of the associaion with out go to Washing state?
Thanks

Unfortunatley the classes are only in Washington. Without actually attending the class you'll miss out on pretty much everything :(

I will say this, if there is any way in the world you can get out for a class, do it.

Taking the class doesnt guarentee that you'll build your own log home. But if you DO build your own log home, when you are finished, if you took the class, I guarentee you'll say the cost of travel and the cost of the class was the best money you spent on the entire build process and that it saved you many times that actual amount in your build cost.

[horsetracker3]

Hi all I'm Joe Mullins From Tennessee, me and my wife are dreaming of building a new log home, but we are so new to all this and have very little info. How do we even get started? We have looked into the kits, and even hiring a builder, but most builder around here want in excess of $149k or more to even build a small 1200 sq ft home. We would like to build out own any advice?>

[StressMan79]

Joe,

If you are serious about the log home, the best course of action is to take the class. You will save >> than the cost of the class and even the plane tix out here (WA). Plus, you can buy stock plans which will be ~1/4 the cost of having custom plans engineered for you, depending on complexity. There are several guys in the SE building as we speak that you can glean info off of and possibly will lend a hand as you need it.

Anyway, do you own land? If not, start thinking about what you need and what you want. I wanted to be close to home, but I needed beautiful land with trees and access at an affordable piece. These two were in direct confrontation, in the seattle area. I bought some land ~6.5 hrs away. It is a drive and a half, but for what I needed, it worked. I got 20 acres with a view and water for

[pencej]

This comment has been moved <a href="http://www.loghomebuilders.org/node/5761">here</a>.

[dnwhansen]

Hi, I am a chiropractor in Western Colorado. Hello KOLA, it would be great to meet you someday. I found this site because I wanted to build a tack shed for my daughter's 4H horse and goat gear. We live on a 15 acre place that has some irrigation and a pretty weedy hay field. I am working on developing a gardening place. Our home is an adobe brick home built by a contractor for himself. 80% of it is built like a tank and 20% is built like "what the *#$@* were you thinking. Among other things is the beautiful walk-out basement, FACING NORTH!. My initial tack shed quickly grew to an 18 X 18 small cabin with a porch. However, common sense says I would be better off starting small and make my mistakes on a manageable scale. So I am back to a 10 x 10 scale for the moment. I love the idea of the model first. What do you use to pin the dowels together, soft wood I presume, and is it better to scale 1/2 inch to the foot or 1 inch to the foot? My plans got grandiose as I have an almost brother-in-law that works for a sawmill in Del Norte Colorado and he said he could get me 40 foot logs cheap. (Not as cheap as some of you out there though). I thought I could have the mill cut them in half and build with 20 footers. But now will go smaller. They also do rough cut lumber so I could buy my floor joists, rafters, etc and have all delivered at once.

Driving around western colorado I have notied more butt and pass construction than I had notice before. Some are clearly milled homes built in the 70's? but also some very old ones. What did they use 150 years ago to pin the logs together as I am sure they didn't have re-bar lying around?

I am up to my keister in debt and doing my best not to drown. Trying to right the ship and get things going in a better direction. I would be willing to assist with some labor or a few adjustments if anyone is nearby. I like the supportive and informative nature of the this group as well as the independent spirit. I fall into the Asimov theory that Entropy cannot be reversed and that gradual degradation is more probable than cataclysmic change.

Looking forward to learning much more. I have surfed some of the forum but I seem to get sidetracked easily. Also this is the first bulleting board/forum I have participated in so the techy things get a little confusing to me. When I did my first log in I hit my touch pad on the laptop so at the moment I have no idea what my password is.

[Kola]

dnwhansen,

welcome brother chiropractor! :)

I have to highly recommend you sign up for the class. It's priceless.

Some guys use brad nails to imitate rebar when building scaled down models. (you can nip the heads off them or leave them. I think one or two guys have used a small air nailer. I didn't use any rebar in my model. I glued them together with a gluegun. Almost all of us used
1/2= 1 foot scaling but you could use bigger if you so choose. Most folks bought 1/2' round pine dowels (they are cheapest on the web). I used cottonwood branches that were 1/2' to 3/4' in diameter.

Sounds like you already had a head start on getting good inexpensive logs. I am not sure if they are any LHBA homes going up around your parts but I will keep a lookout and maybe others will chime in.

I was in a similar financial situation as you are now. I just recently dumped off and sold my practice, office building and most of my equipment. (whew). Now I have simplified things and work out of a one room office (as you know, a super low overhead is key, especially during this dollar crashing ecomony we are being sucked into). Stay positive. Things will work out. :)


forgot your password? Email admin or Ellsworth or Steve. They should be able to track down your password or could set it up so you pick a new password.

heres my uncompleted logmodel:
http://s153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/kola58/?action=view&current=55c9b4e0.pbw

Good luck!
Kola

[dnwhansen]

Thanks for the tips. I will be keeping in touch.

[docboos]

Hi all. I'm a Chiropractor as well, now retired (bad cervical surgery). I live in Oklahoma. Still have the desire to build a log home. Two possible obsticles on my part, physical ability, and logs. Not sure where to look for logs in my area, as well as type of log. I'm aware of the log yards in the Del Norte/Southfork area, but have not inquired as to the cost for a few truck loads from there. I would look forward to a class to obtain the knowledge, and to determine what I could do physically. Anyway, nice to meet all of you, and Merry Christmas.

Mike
mlpbboos@cox.net

[KMH]

Hi There,
I'm Ron. Just thought I'd introduce myself. I currently live in Boston,MA...work in R&D for a software company serving non-profits and I just signed up for the next class.
I hope to find land in Maine to build my cabin (hopefully with a little stream to go fishing).
I have done a lot of research but I haven't made any purchases (other than some books). I'm just waiting for the class before I make any decisions.
Never done anything like this before, but I'm not really nervous. I'm just....keeping an open mind.

I am also looking into alternative energy and Maine has several non-profits that help individuals build their own solar modules and help design and install their systems.
They have events on a regular basis, so I thought I'd post this link. There are actually 3 non-profits working together that host the events...anyway, very cheap to go to.
I plan on going to the one in Feb.

http://ellsworthme.org/MESEA/

I've been reading a lot of posts, but this is my first. Just thought I'd say HI :)
--Ron

[tanderson]

Hello Everyone,

I've been addicted to this site for nearly a year. I've read the majority of the postings and looked at so many pictures. Today I enrolled in the January class!!! I'm pretty stoked and I'm really looking forward to the class!!!

I'm planning to build in Northern California, but not certain which part. I've even purchased a 5th wheel trailer for temporary living quarters in anticipation. There are still a lot of things that are "Up in the Air", but the sooner I take this class the better.

Looking forward to meeting some other LHBAers!

Tom

Badges? We don't need no stinking badges!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaxURLFn6jU&NR=1

[Kola]

Brother Tanderson, Congrats on pulling the trigger and signing aboard the merry logship! You shall never be the same. :)

Welcome docboos (Mike). It appears we are having a mini-invasion of chiropractors. IMO, the LHBA methods and self thinking, independant philosophy is well suited to many chiropractors.

The Kola-nut (another crazy chiro)

[llgabie]

Larry Gabie

Hi Tanderson (Tom). I too live in N. California, but will be building in Eastern Oregon. Just attended the class on Dec. 13-14 this year. Wonderful class with great instructors and real equipment demonstrations.

[llgabie]

Larry Gabie

Chad,
I just completed the latest LHBA class on Dec. 13-14 of this year. I now live in N. California, but will be building about 100 miles east of Bend (hopefully starting this coming summer). If you completed your place, I would love to see it sometime. If not, maybe we can trade some labor.

[ifignorance]

Cruising around, and found this, may be worth checking out ( :
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/mat/955431906.html

[chadfortman]

Look, listen and learn
A man who works with his hands is a laborer,
A man who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman,
A man who works with his hands, his head and his heart is an artist.
St Francis of Assisi.

Larry i am in Virginia and tomarrow i chainsaw a large oak.
Its not easy clean up a tree 40 feet high and then chain saw into chunks to carry.
Dont buy montain property unless its flat ore you pay get it flat.
I try do it all my self becuse thats the way i am.
Ow i hope to have the foundation put in by spring ore early summer.
Tomarrow i gone call on a tree cart place to haul my logs when i cut them my self.
I think clearing the land and level it and getting it level takes time.
The building will take allot less time for me.
Lary why did you think i was in Ca sorry i not out there .
But there are allot others you can hook up with i sure.
Lary good luck on your dream and dont let it die

[xbob2]

Hello all! I'm Bob living in the 'burbs of St. Louis and looking for land. Any Missourians here or anyone who took the Dec 6-7 '08 class?
Bob

[xbob2]

hey Feral ... Who were you in class? I wish I had been able to meet everyone who was there. (Heavy sigh)

[edkemper]

Can I just cut the bark around a tree to kill it and let it season intact or do I have to cut it down to season it? If I can kill it by cutting the bark around the tree I can start now instead of waiting for next year.

[Timberwolf]

For more reasons than I can think of right now, but just a summary:

Depending on the species, you won't likely kill it any way. You will have to make a plunge cut with the chainsaw into the heart (dangerous).

Now what you've done is opened the tree up as a buffet for insects to go in in feast. You'll likely have rot in the butt of the tree as it soaks up water from the ground.

That would be ok, if all you want is firewood.

The biggest thing though, is now you have a bunch of liabilities standing on your property. These trees will be subjective to windfall. I wouldn't want to be out walking around in those woods. Like playing russian roulette.

Jason.

[StressMan79]

Ed, what you mention is "girdling" which is a traditional way to kill a tree. A tree needs the outer layer of wood to transport water. without that, It will die. Tanderson is right, however, about the insects. Depending on the area and species, this could be a bad idea or a terrible idea. You'll likely end up with a 50' stick of firewood.l You could start a forest fire and harvest the log later, after seasoning ;).

Actually, LHBA doesn't season its logs for several reasons, but difficulty is one of them.

-Peter

[edkemper]

Thanks for the heads up guys. I gotta arrange for a class, soon.

Ed

[szabotage]

hey guys, my name is mike szabo, and reside in Ottawa, Canada.

I am currently a drywaller and about to change careers in trucking. I've been though many different careers including mechanic, bodyman, and carpenter. I'm also an accomplished airbrusher of nearly 20 years, and metal fabricator building rockcrawlers in my personal home garage. sick of renting and can't afford to mortgage a new home in some boring suburb. everyone has a goal(s) in there life and building my own home was one of them. I'm hoping that some of my skills I've accumulated over the years will help me achieve that goal in an affordable way.

[StressMan79]

welcome mike,

guys who are good with their hands make up roughly 80+% of our members, as the association's goal is to help people build thier own home for cheap rather than paying a mortgage. I think you may have just hit the mother load of info in that respect. On a side note, there have been quite a few Canadians joining lately. Many in your area. If you join, there is a "Trading labor and deals" section in the member's area. Sounds like you could easily take advantage of some labor trades.

-Peter

[Curt Hicks]

hello my name is Curt and new to the log home building and VVVVVVery glad to have found this web site. Currently living in Japan but born in California and will be returning soon^0^ with hopes of taking this class and building a home right away. I am 29 and have 3 kids with one more on the way (this feb.)^0^ Nice to meet you all Curt^0^

[2e]

Hi, everyone my name is Margaret and after two years and two states I've finally gotten up enough courage to say hello. My husband and I have our property 5.5 acres on a river in Michigan. I found this web site after my husband voiced an interest in building a log home (to my astonishment). I keep talking about taking the class once our budget allows, but my sweety is not very optimistic that the two of us would be able to do it. My glass is still half full and will keep trying to convince my husband that this is a wonderful opportunity. Love reading all the comments and viewing the wonderful pictures of those who have taken up the challenge. Happy holidays everyone.

[StressMan79]

I would encourage you (and your husband) to take the class. one thing they will tell you: "building your log home will be hard, no doubt. But how hard will it be to pay a 30 year mortgage?" Anyway, glad to answer any questions you may have. Oh, and one other thing, we get by with a little help from our friends. You'll find that you'll be able to lend a hand to a neighbor, and that they'll respond in kind. You don't have to "do it all by yourself."

[2e]

Thank you for your words. I know my husband and I would both enjoy lending a hand to a neighbor. Our goal is to be able to take the class later in 2009. Because of that darn economy, especially in our home state of Michigan, we were forced to move out of state. We both have been fortunate to find good job in Wisconsin and have enjoyed making new and good friends here. We have been warmly welcomed and adopted by a wonderful state, but will always be a Michigander at heart.

[chadfortman]

Look, listen and learn
A man who works with his hands is a laborer,
A man who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman,
A man who works with his hands, his head and his heart is an artist.
St Francis of Assisi.

Rember Rome was not built in a day!
Its step by step to get a project done.
Some of us have things easy some of us have it little harder to build.
My advice buy Flat land ore some what flat and some with good trees on the land to build with them.
Enjoy and good luck taking the class

[Juanita]

Hi, I took the class a few years ago and hope to begin building in the spring/summer of 2009. Probably start with the garage at first and use that as well as my motorhome for living quarters. I am from Leavenworth WA. Beautiful Bavarian village. Actually about 20 miles out of town in a small onclave called Plain. My property is mostly flat and usable. Have the well installed and power is near. Gonna go with radiant solar heat/ water with propane backup. Try Radiantec.com. Have a huge generator to get me buy until the power is brought in. I want to do the work primarily myself. Will hire out migrant workers for log peeling and whatnot. Have relative who are electricians, plumbers and whatnot so should get that reasonably too. I am a recently retired cop/detective with City of Seattle and can't say i miss it much. Still packing tho. People tend to think a single woman is easy pickings. Don't think Iwill get over that. Basically gonna dry it in by snowfall and then finish up during the cold season.
Ultimately want to buy a piece of property boardering Yellowstone National Park. The Idaho side. Nothing more spectacular and the wildlife is outstanding. It is truly heaven there.
Well bless ya all and good luck on all your endeavors.

[Solaron]

Alright, guess I need to try this again.

I'm Scott from Cincinnati. I plan on taking a class sometime this year, and then my Dad and I would like to get working on a cabin on some land we're buying. Hi all.

[Blondie]

l am a single girl too, waiting for retirement. I am an ICU nurse and freq use the dumb blonde to my advantage. I know the part of the world you are looking at, a big chunk of absolute heaven. Have thought about the heavy labor and have decided to use migrant help as well... I am down in SLC. Might be interested in a drive up to see what you have going during the summer.
Blondie

[Juanita]

I am impressed. Can't wait to get started but with the current economy I think much of what I am going to do hinges on the sale of my place in Edmonds WA. But I plan on building the 28 x28 log garage (leaving no doors) and after inspection convert to living until I can get my real place built. And hopefully will get the Edmonds place sold by then. Fortunately I don't owe anything on my Leavenworth WA property so thats certainly a plus. Hate to sound stupid but where is SLC? Also do you own property to build on yet? If you would like you can give me a soundout at sinopa@comcast.net
Would like to meet. Maybe we can put our heads together and show the world how women can accomplish a homebuilding project.

[StressMan79]

forgive me if I'm wrong, but I work with Moog, inc out of Salt Lake City and they often call it SLC.

-Peter

[Kerntrans]

Hello All

Just signed up for the Feb. class, can't wait to get going on this. My wife and I are thrilled to finally be able to make it to a class. It's been 2 years trying to make it all come together.

Ken & Tess

[Blondie]

Yup, you are right. Salt Lake City.

[TokyoBruce]

Hi Curt.
I'm an Australian also living in Japan, and going to take the Jan 24/5 class. Wherebouts you living in Japan? I'm planning to build a log house here because buying a house in Tokyo would be a life sentence. No way I can repay that kind of money before I retire. I'm 40 now.
I'd also like to power it with solar and wind power and researching it is really exciting. There is so much information.
I'm really looking forward to the LHB class too. Our first step to self sufficiency is avoiding a life-long mortgage.

Anyway, it'd be great to hear from you and maybe share some ideas.

Paul Dore'
Tokyo, Japan

[Curt Hicks]

whats up Paul^0^
nice to meet you...i ve been living in shikoku (ehime prefacture) for 6rys. my wife is japanese and what an experiance!! way diff. from U.S
anyways we are thinking on moving back to the states in 09` and my daughter (5yrs) said she wanted a "stick house" so that lead me on a search and thankfully i found this place^0^ started looking at "crapper kits" then it lead me to here...but like everyone else on this site i am thinking and planning to be ALL self seficiant w/ a few moderen up grades. Iam a simple man w/ a simple plan^0^
anyways How about you?? wife, kids??? we definitly need to keep in touch...would love to give you a hand on your log house
BTW i use to be a plumber in the U.S did that for 3yrs everything from start to finish soo.....any way i can help let me know^0^

[Burky1325]

Hi Bob, I am Brett. I used to live in St. Charles, Mo and have purchased land to build in northern Mo, near Edina. I plan on building in June '09 and will be attending the jan '09 class in Wa.

[Burky1325]

Hi Curt, Where do you plan on moving when you return to the States? I travel through Tokyo several times a year. Brett

[Riverrat]

Hello my name is Dee. I recently found this site while searching around for log home ideas and I really like it. Thank you for putting it up! I was never really interested in building a kit, and I think the information provided here solidifies my feelings on that. I will be signing up for a class soon. It seems like a great way to break into the scene of building a nice log home the right way.

Anyway I'm 34, live in West Virginia and I spend a lot of time traveling around the US working and playing (mostly playing). I think my next trip will have to be to attend a Log home builder class ;)

[Curt Hicks]

sup brett^0^
first i am planning on going home to Auburn (close to Sacramento)in the foothills
then hopefully not go to far it kinda depends on the prices of land ...i am bankin` on the economiy slow down to bring the prices back to a ballpark figure...but i am keeping my eyes open to any plce in the country with good timber..was looking at Mo. but a little fearful of tornados???!!i dont really know but Mo makes me think of Kansas and Kansas well....O.Z. but let me know^0^
i am waiting to go to class but it looks like not until next fall or winter if they offer class
so what kind of work brings you to tokyo??? do you speak the lingo???

[Curt Hicks]

hey Ed my name is Curt
currently living in Japan but born up the hill from you in auburn
just wanted to ask about the land on klamath???been there one fishing...and seen property for sale on the net but other than that dont know^0^
what was the price per ac. if you dont mind me asking???
i am 29 w/3 kids and one on the way debt free and looking to stay that way
nice to meet you^0^

[Burky1325]

Curt, Yes, we have tornados in Missouri but I dont want to build in Ca because of the earthquakes. Besides, I think they are only allowed to strike mobile home parks here in MO. LOL I work in Taiwan 6 months a year and just go through Japan on my way. Usually only stay 3 or 4 days. I paid $450/ acre for 20 acres of wooded land that is primarily Oak and Hickory which are the most abundant native tress here.

[TokyoBruce]

A Happy and Properous New Year to you and your family Curt.
Mate, thanks for the fantastic offer of a helping hand, but I don't know if I'll be ready to build so soon. Although, I'll certainly keep you in mind when I need advice about plumbing. It's a little bit scary, but incredibly liberating feeling to know that it's possible to build your own house. I mean, owning your own house is the great dream right, but it's always had that nightmare life-long bank loan attached to it. I'm so looking forward to the class.

My situation: married to a fantastically genki Japanese woman, and we have a 7 month old daughter who's just as energetic. I've been in Japan about 8 years, speak conversational (?) Japanese, but want to study more when I get time. I've teaching English at university here. How about yourself? Actually, one of my students is from Ehime. Have you been to been to a bull fight? Apparently it's kinder to the bulls than the Spanish sport - more like bull sumo. Heard that the mikan there are pretty tasty also.

Yeah, gotta keep in touch. If you're ever going to be up in Tokyo, let's exchange contact details so we can arrange to meet up.

Paul Dore'
Tokyo, Japan

[Curt Hicks]

man i wish i was going to the class with you...sounds like its going to be a blast of info in 2 days^0^sweet!!!!
no never been to the bull fights heard about them but no one wants to go with me so...havent been
but anyways same as you i am just good enough to get around w/my japanese i am helping my father-in-law w/church work and just last year started a eng. class for the kids so wen. almost all day is eng. teaching day,also marring people ect. ect.
yes the mikan are good, down here thats about all you see mikans and rice feilds nothing like tokyo...speaking of which i got another mate up in your neck of the woods, he too married a japanese lady, they are in rokkupongi hills (?) mabey you guys could hook up???
so have you found land to buy or still looking?? BTW why is it tokyobruce and not tokyo paul???

[Curt Hicks]

450 per acre nice^0^
cant touch nothing for that price in Nor Cal....everything is a 1000 and up for land out in the middle of no mans land with caynon drives to get to any town...in my area(auburn,no earthquakes^0^) just land starts at 100,000 from .5 to 1 acre lots but thats more in the residance area
serious this economic crunch better bring some prices down or i am out of this state
how about your wood for log house???buying?? or any thing on your land???

[newmexico]

I wanted to thank you for having this wonderful website. It is informative and honest. I wish all of you a great year.
~NM

[tjmash]

hi Paul, if i'm not mistaken we were in the same class and if you are the same person, you told me you are originally from La Cross, Wisconsin. Please let me know.

Tim (Horicon, Wisconsin)

P.s. You will be the first person that i've seen on this forum that took the class at the same time. ITs like the rest of them fell off the face of the earth.

[Burky1325]

I think I got a pretty good price for the land but I also purchased the track from my ex in laws. They have a substantial amount more that is now adjacent to mine, so I will cut the trees from my land and hopefully some from theirs. I haven't decided what kind of trees to use yet. I am waiting until after class in a couple weeks to make those kind of decisions. Oaks and Hickory are abundant on the land.

[shirleyelijah]

Hi all well I am new on the site but I love it, my future husband and I want to build oue home in PA after he gets out of the Marine Corps. He has served 3 tours to Iraq and well honestly I think thats enough. I am looking foward to attending he class and meeting some new frinds.

[pencej]

&quot;KEEP IT SIMPLE&quot;
Welcome Shirley,

Ex Navy here. I know the feeling... spent 4 years of my life deployed. Best of luck with your plans... Gather all the info here and use it as a resource. Where in PA are you. I grew up by Philly.

[quadchic57]

I am so excited to have found your site! I have been a huge fan of log homes for quite sometime and admire the charm and ruggedness of their exteriors. With the complexities of permits and regulations, I'm happy to have found an association who can help us navigate the waters of this process!! I'm looking forward to the class and the useful knowledge this will provide me. Since I love to ride my quad (raptor), I hope one day to open a bed and breakfast using this design and encompass my love of riding into a thriving business!! Many details will have to come into place, but the beauty of the log homes, will certainly add appeal!!
Till Later! Debbie

[spiralsands]

What is a quad raptor? I got a feeling that's not a horse....I was gonna tell you about a great butt and pass barn I saw.....

Frances

[chadfortman]

Look, listen and learn
A man who works with his hands is a laborer,
A man who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman,
A man who works with his hands, his head and his heart is an artist.
St Francis of Assisi.

Quad means four.
Ow Frances i just learned that word myself watching one the judge shows.
Its a fancy name for a 4 wheeler toy.
They look fun but way over priced and outlawed in my road areas becuse they rip up the back roads.

[rckclmbr428]

the "raptor" is Yamaha's line of Sport atv's, (utility atv= racks, 4x4, sport= go fast +jump) started as a 660cc quad, now they have a 700cc and have blessed some of the smaller quads with big brothers succesful name, anyways, big motor goes fast, lots of fun.

[quadchic57]

Yep, go jump, have fun, sand, dirt, snow...it's all good!! I've got the lil older version (04) 660 Raptor, but just blessed the kid (17 daughter) with the smaller version in a 350cc. What a kick!
Laws are starting to eliminate the 2 stroke versions and MOST are respectful of their surroundings. Laws are threatening to eliminate the sport and not give us anyplace to play, but supporters of the sport are in big numbers, so I'm not sure if it would ever completely go away, but shrink the areas of which we play. hehe, didn't mean to make that rhyme!?

[christinex]

Hi everyone,

I'm Christine and I took the class on Dec 6-7. I currently live in Berlin but plan to build in Sweden. Together with my husband I have a small independent record label. I love being my own boss! Currently and I am looking for land, researching, and collecting materials and trying to decide if the the home will be off-the-grid or not.

Christine

[Kola]

Welcome LHBA Christine!

Congrats and good luck in Sweden. For inexpensive remote land, look in northern Sweden.

Kola

[flagxj]

Hello, my name is Gerrit and I live in Flagstaff, AZ. I have been checking out this site for a while and find it very interesting. We are looking to build a log home sometime in the future. I enjoy building and doing stuff myself instead of paying others to do it for me. I have always had more time than money so that is why this site and concept is very appealing to me.

We have 2.5 acres outside of Flagstaff and plan to build on that. Problem is, there are no trees on our lot. We live in a very large Ponderosa Pine forest with a lot of logging operations currently going on. I was wondering if Ponderosa Pine would be a wise species to build a log home with. I was also wondering if there were any other members who live in AZ.

While reading over the County P&Z regulations, the logs have to be certified to a certain moisture content. I don't know if this will hinder my aspirations or not. Anyways, thanks for all of the great info and look forward to learning a lot more in the future. If things pan out and it looks like I will be able to build on my lot like I am hoping, I will definitely be taking the course sometime in the near future.

-Gerrit

[joey6365]

Hi everyone...
I am Joanne and i just enrolled James (my husband) in your upcoming class for Feb 14 & 15, 2009 and we are excited. Building our own log home has been a dream of ours for a very long time . We purchased 8 acres of land with 4 existing homes on it that were actually milled from tree's on this land and they were built in the 40's here in Indiana. The houses needed remodeling and we specifically purchased this land to build that log cabin. I have been searching idea's for quite some time on the web for more "efficient" means of doing this and found your site. SO, thanks....for offereing these classes, from what we have read from everyone, looks like we will be half way there .

[StressMan79]

We have 2.5 acres outside of Flagstaff and plan to build on that. Problem is, there are no trees on our lot. We live in a very large Ponderosa Pine forest with a lot of logging operations currently going on. I was wondering if Ponderosa Pine would be a wise species to build a log home with. I was also wondering if there were any other members who live in AZ.

While reading over the County P&Z regulations, the logs have to be certified to a certain moisture content. I don't know if this will hinder my aspirations or not. Anyways, thanks for all of the great info and look forward to learning a lot more in the future. If things pan out and it looks like I will be able to build on my lot like I am hoping, I will definitely be taking the course sometime in the near future.


yes, ponderosa would be fine, if you have it and it meets the taper/slow growth criteria recommended by the association.

Yes, there are arizonans in the association. I don't know of a state that doesn't have a member in it, or nearby. Surely every region is covered.

now the question(s)
The county regulates moisture content? I have heard of "grading" requirements, but moisture seems excessive. The reason that this hampers you (us) is we generally build with green logs. Drying takes a cover, time, and is mostly un necessary. If you have to build with that regulation, you might look at fire/beetle killed logs, as they will be dry in a year or two from death (in AZ). If it is an association that is pushing this reg on you, you might apply for a deviation. You might anyway, as we would generally find that regulation un-necessary.

-Peter

[StressMan79]

My mom's name is Joanne. Dad called her "Jo;" I call her "Mom." Not that that is pertinent, but hey, you'll soon be a member. We'll be getting to know eachother quite well.

Using your own trees will save you some cash, but maybe not as much as you think. A raw tree is really not that expensive. $200 (or less) would get a REALLY NICE tree trucked to your place. I value local trees just to say "these are local logs." If I can use my own even better.

In the class, you'll learn all sorts of cost cutting (but not quality cutting) methods to build cheaply. Congratulations on taking the first step.

-Peter

[flagxj]

Thanks for the information. After re-reading it, if the logs are more than 19% moisture you have to show that you have compensated for the settling of the home. It does also require that all of the logs are graded and stamped by a certified lumber grading agency. After re-reading this a few times, it sounds do-able but I will probably have to get the logs graded and stamped (which may cost extra money). Anyone else deal with this? What does it take to get the logs graded and stamped and who would be a certified lumber grading agency?

I was planning on checking with the local logging company to see if I could purchase some logs from them. Still in the planning stages. . . I just want to make sure I can do this before I get into it too deep.

Here is a link to the log home spec. sheet that outlines the requirements:
http://www.coconino.az.gov/uploadedFiles/Community_Development/Log_Home_Specifications.pdf

Does this look normal for county regulations where everyone else is building? I live in a development without a HOA. : )

-G

[KingLewey70]

Welcome Joanne and James. The property you are talking about sounds very familiar, I believe we looked at it last winter. Is it right across from the Blackman farm? If so I am very nearby. Roger was telling me about the people that bought it and I told him to give you this site ( not sure if he did) but welcome. If you have any questions just ask Roger for my number. We ended up with land just east of Logansport and will be starting to build this spring.

Travis

[StressMan79]

Thanks for the information. After re-reading it, if the logs are more than 19% moisture you have to show that you have compensated for the settling of the home. It does also require that all of the logs are graded and stamped by a certified lumber grading agency. After re-reading this a few times, it sounds do-able but I will probably have to get the logs graded and stamped (which may cost extra money). Anyone else deal with this? What does it take to get the logs graded and stamped and who would be a certified lumber grading agency?

I was planning on checking with the local logging company to see if I could purchase some logs from them. Still in the planning stages. . . I just want to make sure I can do this before I get into it too deep.

Here is a link to the log home spec. sheet that outlines the requirements:
http://www.coconino.az.gov/uploadedFiles/Community_Development/Log_Home_Specifications.pdf

Does this look normal for county regulations where everyone else is building? I live in a development without a HOA. : )

-G

sounds like you came to the right place!

1) wall logs (most of them) don't need to be graded, per 1)

2) you have to "account for settling" per 2b). Thats easy, there is none, except on the caplog/ridgepole that will result in any settling. This is minor, and approximately the same--no structural impact. Find yourself a good engineer familiar with our methods and get him to write a letter to that end.

It sounds like a set of stock plans from the association reviewed and augmented with species info from a PE would satisfy them. The discount on the plans would pay for your membership fee, and possibly the trip up (incl room and board).

-Peter

[joey6365]

Thanks Travis,
yes, you are right..and no, roger didnt give me this site, i was just skipping around and found it and liked the response it was getting, and it's pretty cool actually that you picked up on this being the property you looked at, i think Roger was telling us about you too, I remember him talking about a travis,...not bad ofcoarse, Roger is a good guy, we really like him. We love this property also, and have done alot to the inside of a couple of the houses, two are ready to rent. We will get your number from Roger, and give you a call....Thanks for your response. Keep in touch

[joey6365]

Peter,
Yeah, if at all possible we want to check out the situation on using tree's from the land, but no, do not want to cut quality, forgot to mention we have 8 kids, so we do know how to cut some corners without cutting others...
and thanks for the welcome

[KingLewey70]

I am sure James will love the class. Ellsworth and Steve are great instructors. The class has really changed my perspective and alot of things. Best money ever spent. The real treat is the members section after class. I really loved your property, tons of potential. I was just there getting firewood saturday, pick up a load nearly every week. Feel free to call anytime, I am off work till Jan 20th.

[joey6365]

Roger was here today, gave us your number, we will give you a call tomorrow and formerly introduce ourselves, have a good nite.

[chadfortman]

Look, listen and learn
A man who works with his hands is a laborer,
A man who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman,
A man who works with his hands, his head and his heart is an artist.
St Francis of Assisi.

Hey did you get out the lot much and geter done yet.
I still in Ohio i about ready to take off soon got get back to Va and clear the land. Did you save those used tires for me ahha just messing with you

[KingLewey70]

Was out there most of the day today. I am sure we could get lots of tires stacked up in the back of your truck. hahaha.
When ya heading back? Have a safe trip.

[chadfortman]

Look, listen and learn
A man who works with his hands is a laborer,
A man who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman,
A man who works with his hands, his head and his heart is an artist.
St Francis of Assisi.

Ow i am bored and ready to head back i think Monday.
I dont know they keep calling for frozen rain it time to get back to warmer VA.
So how far along are you on the clean up.

[Marshbank]

Hi all,

My wife and I took the class back in the Spring of 2004, if my memory serves correctly. Skip was still the instructor at that time. Steve was there as well, I think he was the first volunteer staff member.

We moved back to the Northwest in 2008. We haven't moved forward with building a log home as of yet, but we are finally back in the area we want to build a log home in.

Looking forward to becoming more involved in the LHBA community.

Kevin and Tami Marshbank

[KingLewey70]

Hey Chad if you are bored come on over I have plenty to do to keep you from getting bored. HAHA

[chadquantrell]

Hi everyone I'm located in south central Washington and I'm going to sign up for a class as soon as my work schedule allows. I 've been reading the site and forums for sometime now and I can't wait to get to a class and get this adventure started as I have dreamed of building my own log home for as long as I can remember and up until I found this site I was starting to wonder if it was possible.

[StressMan79]

Chad,

you are darn tooting it is possible. Dick Proennekke did it in his 50's, alone. tens of thousands of pioneers did it. Jusd decide what you want and what you need. If you decide you need 30,000sf, a log structure is not for you. If you think you can live in less than 3,000, you can do it. Very possibly without a mortgage.

Anyway, I used to work for a company in Yakima, and have lots of friends there. I get there once or twice a year. I'm building in NE/NC washington and will be making a blog similar to what so many members have already done to chronicle my experience.

give me a shot to stressman79@hotmail.com if you want to talk more.

-Peter

[StressMan79]

post in the members area, and I'll give you my contact info (or you can just scan the posts--there are several with phone number etc). Glad to hear you are in WA. I am planning on a massive undertaking next spring/summer. If you are in the area, you are very welcome to stop by.

-Peter

[KingLewey70]

Roger was here today, gave us your number, we will give you a call tomorrow and formerly introduce ourselves, have a good nite.
Feel free to call anytime. I am off work until Jan 20th. I think it is great that someone else will be building so close.

[chadquantrell]

Stressman, Thanks for the welcome, it's nice to find a place with like minded folks. My wife and I have been working hard to get out of debt and get back to a simpler life and finding this group just gives us more insperation. I just signed up for the Feb. 14th class and am really looking forward to it. I'm in Goldendale about an hour and a half soth of Yakima on 97.

[xbob2]

hey Brett ... You are going to love the class. Very intense ... a lot of info in a short amount of time. At the end of the day I was tired but lucky to be staying at Wallace Lodge. A beautiful place and the fellowship that developed between everyone that stayed there was special. Maybe I get around to writing up "THE WALLACE LODGE FIRE-PIT STORY!" (fire & firewater don't mix!). I am looking for land in the south central, south east part of the state. Loved my summers there at the S-F Scout ranch in Iron County. All the best! Bob

[xbob2]

Hi Christine, Glad to finally learn your name after talking with you at the Sunday dinner ... I'm Bob the older bearded guy who couldn't keep from asking questions all through class. I wish more people had come back to the lodge after the close of the sunday session. Guess everyone needed an invitation. The on/off grid is something I am looking at too. Resale is a big consideration. Cheers, Bob

[solomonswish1]

Hello everyone;
Just a note to share my sincere and strong desire to build my own log home one day soon. Well, perhaps not single-handed but certainly willing to do as much as she can smarter versus harder. This does not inhibit me in anyway. Have experience with power tools, know how to measure, am quite resourceful, and don't put any stops to accomplishing my dreams. With this said i can't wait to take the first class and any more to learn all that i need to accomplish this. Oh, by the way not only is the log home very appealing and nurturing but can't have one without the stone throughout it as well.
Kudos to all of you whom left a bit of warmth and love on earth, that came with erecting these legacys we call "Home Sweet Home". BTW: Open to any and all suggestions, experiences, trial and errors, etc. Thank you all, and best of wishes.
Nancy Elizabeth

[Timber]

Have experience with power tools, know how to measure, am quite resourceful, and don't put any stops to accomplishing my dreams.< You said
Open to any and all suggestions, experiences, trial and errors, etc. < also said

Thats about all you need. Attitude and faith! look out!! You can do it--you will do it! Welcome :)

[spiralsands]

Hello everyone;
Just a note to share my sincere and strong desire to build my own log home one day soon. Well, perhaps not single-handed but certainly willing to do as much as she can smarter versus harder. This does not inhibit me in anyway. Have experience with power tools, know how to measure, am quite resourceful, and don't put any stops to accomplishing my dreams. With this said i can't wait to take the first class and any more to learn all that i need to accomplish this. Oh, by the way not only is the log home very appealing and nurturing but can't have one without the stone throughout it as well.
Nancy Elizabeth

Hi Nancy, I'm also a woman who plans to build her own. I took the class last January and have my 30X30 stock plans in hand. I love stone too. The land I bought two years ago has lots of round granite stones on it and I imagine when I dig up the area for a foundation that I'll develop quite a rock pile on the side.

Frances

[Sasquatch]

Hey y'all!

My name is Jason and I am an LBHA addict.

My family and I reside high in the mountains east of L.A., were I am currently a slave to the corporate medical monster. I just signed up for the February class and figured it was time to intruduce myself. I've been lurking here for over a year, soaking up the wisdom, insight and humor while becoming inspired. We are desperately trying to divest from this industrial existence and carve out a simple, agrarian homestead somewhere else in the next coupla years.

I ran into Skip's old website a few years ago while researching the true nature of land "titles" in this country. Those articles opened my eyes to so many things that have literally turned my worldview on it's head... kinda like waking up from a loooong sleep. I was so disheartened to learn that Skip had passed on... he was definately someone I wanted to meet and speak with eye to eye. This community speaks volumes to the substance of his character. I reckon Ellsworth is a reflection of that as well, so I look forward to meeting him, and Steve.

Anyway, I am impatiently waiting for the February class and looking forward to meeting and learning from all of the amazing personalities I see here!

[Timber]

Sasquatch, welcome. I am kinda stuck in L.A. also. I do have land in Cody WY. and if all pans out--i am out of here leaving you holding down the riff raff here ;)

[ebewley]

Hey Steve,

I'm working on getting out to your class. I live in Florida near the Ocala National Forest. I am gathering information on building my own cabin from scratch. I'm not sure if the timber in this area is proper for a log home. Looking to better understand what I should be doing at this time besides saving for the airfare and checking for land.

[loghousenut]

Keep reading what you can on this site and get to saving money for the trip to class. Remember, it'll cost less for you to come up here and go to school than it would for me to go to Disneyworld and, believe me, your trip will change your life more than a trip to mouseland would change mine. It took twenty years for me to start on my dream house but I assure you those twenty years were different for me after I took the course from Skip. Keep an eye on this website and get to class as soon as you can. Your questions will change after you have attended the class.

[edkemper]

Christine,

What type of music on your label? If you don't mind me asking.

[edkemper]

Curt,

I know Auburn well. Let me know when you return.

On the (seasonal) Williamson River. mostly catfish. 40 miles north of Klamath Falls on 97. I have a Klamath great broker to hook you up with if you're interested. It was just over $500/per. Half is mostly mid to early growth lodge pole pine and aspen stands. The other half is mostly wetlands with a multi-acre seasonal duck pond with island. It's on the migration route for just about everything walking or flying. I'm betting less than 100 foot elevation change from high to low. Water table is fairly shallow and possibly used by solar to run year round to keep the pond full. Electric 50 ft away so I'm going to be on grid with solar for sell back. This feels like one of those once in a lifetime lotto win. I'm learning a lot and will be taking the class with my wife as soon as we can arrange it so we don't have to take the kids out of school for long. They can stay with family in Seattle while we're in class. Let me know when you come home. Maybe I can help with my research efforts.

Be safe my friend. By the way, my wife is from Tokyo, moved here over 30 years ago. I am a very lucky man.

[battleship]

I HAVE A PLACE IN BLOOMFRIELD MO 34AC RANDY

[dblply2]

Hi all,

I just wanted to inform everyone here that you have all contributed to my decision to take the class come February. I've been visiting the website for a few years now, officially registering last year. I am very much looking forward to learning everything I can about building and becoming debt free. And I can't wait for the class and to meet others who share my dream!

I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to post their thoughts/testimonials here as well as pictures of their beautiful homes.

~ross (WA)

p.s. anyone else taking the Feb. class?

[edkemper]

What are the dates for February's class? Trying to arrange things.

[dblply2]

Check the home page: http://www.loghomebuilders.org/

[edkemper]

Thank you. Am there now. I'm an idiot sometimes. Thanks for the help.

[edkemper]

Just booked our reservations for the February class. I'm kind of surprised at how excited I am over getting it booked. Now, how to sleep tonight. Thanks for the help.

[dblply2]

see you there!

[Curt Hicks]

good to hear from ya^0^
klamath does sound intresting!!!!500/acre and it sounds like you found a nice piece
we are thinking about returning in the summer some time. the little woman is getting ready to deliver #4 baby so after it gets strong and healthy then we will prob. head back to the states. then hopefully take this class A.S.A.P...trying to get in touch w/friends and family to see who is intrested to take the class w/ me...
keep me posted on the solor research i would love to do my log house all solor power
and yes we are lucky to have found wonderful wifes^0^

[Kola]

My hats off to all the newbies and I wish to give y'all a hearty welcome to LHBA. Its great to see new folks signing on to take the class. What really gets me excited is to see that so many people share common goals of self sufficiency and resorting back to simpler days.

The Rural Revival Revolution is in full gear.

as John Lennon sang "Power To the People, Right on!"


Kola

[StressMan79]

when you get back to the states and are done with the class, you can likely look me up (stressman79@hotmail.com) and I can tell you how I rigged up my off-the-grid home (all solar, since negligible wind and no creek). I'd be happy to tell you all about it once its done (starting next summer on the build, likely next with the electric)

-Peter

[PurpleEgg]

This comment has been moved <a href="http://www.loghomebuilders.org/node/5914">here</a>.

[Agape.Ranch]

I have been wanting to attend this class for about four years now, and this year my wife bought the class for me for Christmas.
I am building a non profit camp for inner city children in the depths of the mountains of northern Idaho. It is surrounded by wild life roadless federal land.
The camp will be constructed with the materials on the property (as much as possible.). Everything else will have to be airlifted or back packed in.
This camp will be 100% self sufficient and will allow the children to experience nature how it really was designed to be experienced.
I am looking forward to this weekend with much anticipation. Thank you for still offering the class even through difficult times.

Excited,
Nathan

[StressMan79]

LHBA member since 2006

I don't have any kids, but If I did, I'd send them to that camp.

You and a troop of youngins should be able to get a cabin done in a season. Well, the roof on. You can finish stuff the next summer.

-Peter

[Sirenbliss]

HELLO,
I am a single mom, living in Shippensburg, Pa. I have about 6,000 dollars to invest in building a log cabin home. My brother is skilled and has built homes in the past though he's not a licensed builder and he says he would help me once I find the land and get a permit.
Can you please tell me what I need to do to get started? I have to be out of my apartment by May of this year and want to start looking asap for land and getting my home built... HELP. What should I do?
Also-- how do you get a free mobile home to stay in till your home is built?
thanks! -- Melanie
www.poetmelaniesimms.net

[Curt Hicks]

hey thanks for the offer Peter^0^
have no idea about solar (or elec. for that matter) but it cant be to diff. w/ all the info on the net and also w/all the good people and ideas on this site...for sure will be hooking up w/u in the future...kinda started my solar research and for earth4 energy.com...it was on sale for 50 bucks so i bought that. not a lot of info but just enough to get me going

[Blondie]

Hello,
In my humble opinion, YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE! First, I suggest that you take the "fabulous class," then spend the weekend reading this entire website for more information. Many of the answers are here waiting for you. I am single Mom too, waiting to build my first as well.

Blondie

[StressMan79]

LHBA member since 2006

first, you'll need gumption. Either that or a bunch of money. you can't buy much land for 6k, let alone easy land. As a general rule, if you want to sell your property ever, log home buyers want at least 5 acres. That and you'll want to be able to move around and move logs... this is really hard to do on sub 1 acre suburban plots.

If you can find a place for cheap where you can actually live while you build, that is best. there are members in florida with land in New york, and I live 7 hrs from my property, so we can't maintain our jobs and live on the property. If you can, you'll get done a whole lot quicker and save all that rent.

Oh, on the 6k. That is really not that much, even for a down payment. Also, banks are leary of lending--even (maybe especiially) on raw land. You may have to wait 1 yr, move into a cheaper apartrment, and save as much as you can--and get to know lots of people who can help. Many will gladly offer, and you can help each other out.]

How old and what gender is your child? a 16 year old manboy will be much more help than a 2 year old girl.

In my opinion, taking the class is the best way to learn the basics and know exactly what you need. You'll get into the member's area (which, btw has LOADS more info than what is here). You can buy the stock plans, which will help you get a permit. And you'll be much more advised of what you will need as far as tools and supplies.

As far as the trailer, search CL. You can buy a used camper for the price of 1 month's rent and if you have a friend with water/power, you could live in his driveway until you build. You can find mobile homes that are livable for free. One place to look is CL. You have to know a trucker to move it. Either that or you have to pay one... or maybe you are one... Anyway, if you can haul a mobile home and have a place to put it, you can live in one for free.

[kyle]

Melanie,

Use this single mother's story for ambition... http://www.dorothyainsworth.com/

She has a truly amazing story and when you read the tragedy that struck when her dreams were almost complete you'll be amazed at her will to achieve her dreams!

As for the $ factor don't be detered, be determined! I'm about an hour and half west of you and bought 5 mountain top acres with a gorgeous view of Bedford County 3 years ago for 10k. My recommendation to find affordable land is don't look in realtor mags or sites. Usually the more time you spend planning the less $ you'll need.

And yes if you are serious about building a log home...take the class before you do anything!

[gypsykat]

Kyle,
Now I am curious - how did you find your land?

[brianroy]

hey Peter,
or others?... Do you have any idea what a trucker would charge to move a trailer/mobile home? I know a lot depend on distance and so forth, but is there a typical rate per mile to do that? What would be a ballpark figure? Some older mobile homes don't even look safe to move. Not sure? I agree CL is a good place to find these. Another resource for those in Maine or NH is Uncle Henry's swap and sell it guide. It comes out every week and has tons of stuff, including a section for free stuff. If you are from Maine, you know what this is.

[StressMan79]

LHBA member since 2006

People are HUNGRY.

I put an add on CL to peel all of my logs, a straight rate of 500. I got 30 replies. I put an add to haul all my stuff to my land (7 hrs one way) $500 + gas. I got 20 replies. People need money. If you have some, and can arrange to let the MH sit for a while, you can arrange help for CHEAP.

I'd say if you have to move it a short distance (50 miles or less) put an add on CL in the "Gigs" section for $100 plus gas. Remember, gas will be ~2.75$/gal/6mpg or ~46 cents/mile.

Good luck. Remember, many ppl have rigs that they would rather make 100 for a day's work than let sit and earn nothing.

-Peter

[missedcue]

My wife stumbled across this website this evening and it has changed our outlook on our future, but I feel that a little explanation is required.

We got married in 2006 and wanted to buy a house. Not having money for a house we rented in Philadelphia for a few years. The only places that we could afford to rent were terrible houses in worse neighborhoods. (Three weeks in a row one of us couldn't get home from work because there had been a murder on our block and it was barricaded with police tape.) Not only did we live in the ghetto, but I didn't want to put any money into our rental to make it more livable. Why should I give my landlord more free money? We both wanted a house, but weren't able to save anything. Having had enough of our less-than-perfect life in Philly, we decided to teach English in Japan for a year in order to save some money. We've sacrificed all year and have been able to save enough for a modest down payment, but even with housing prices falling all around the country we still won't be able to afford much in an area that's commutable to NYC.

I have read 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad', and I have the same views that have been taken on LHBA. Investing in real estate is great, but you have to have that initial investment, and then the market has to rise. After a frustrating year of searching real estate web sites and having real estate agents basically laugh at our budget. We were getting pretty down. With one month to go before the big move back to the states we had resigned ourselves to the idea of renting and saving for a few more years.

Then my wife found the LHBA website, and lucky me, she was more excited at the prospect of building our own log house than I was. I've been perusing the site all night and I am very excited to take the workshop and start looking for land to build our first home.

[StressMan79]

LHBA member since 2006
Glad to have you on board. Building your own home is not for the faint of heart. Realize too that you aren't going to find land "commutable" to NYC, either. For instance, my land is 6.5 hrs away. It is beautiful, remote, and off-the-grid. It was also affordable. None of these were available closer (especially the affordable part).

Anyway, good luck in your jorney. Maybe you guys can score a layover from japan during a class weekend. If your stars align.


-Peter

[spiralsands]

How long has it been since you've been to the suburban NYC area? If a two hour commute is what you consider normal, then you may find something up to the northwest of NYC in a reasonable price. That is, a 'NY' reasonable price. However, if you look even further north and west toward the Monroe County, Herkimer, Montgomery and Fulton Counties, land prices become a little more exciting. I looked at some beautiful and cheap land in Monroe County. Ended up buying 23.5 acres in Fulton County 3 miles from the blue line. Of course you can't commute to the big city for jobs but working and living near Manhattan is totally overrated anyway. It's much better to live out in the country between smaller cities like Utica and Albany where you can actually get tickets to stuff you want to see. Did you ever try to buy tickets in the Metro area? You gotta have plenty of first born sons to give away just to see a concert or something.

Frances

[missedcue]

Thanks for the advice Spiralsands. The only problem is that I'm and actor, and I need to go into the city daily for auditions. Eventually my wife and I would like to live in the country, preferably hidden in the woods somewhere, but right now we both want to focus on our careers, before we have kids, and that means we need to be near the city.

I am hoping that we will learn enough land grabbing tricks that we will be able to find something that will suit us.

~Chris

[NM bound]

Greetings!

Pete & Joyce from Phoenix, AZ (better known as Valley of the Sun) checking in. Pete is signed up, tickets bought, Lodge reservations made & countdown has started! After 25+ years - we are tired of the heat, traffic, crowds, & crime. The plan - prior to the financial/housing meltdown of '08 - was to sell our Phx home & use the equity to build a log 'kit' home (hey - we didn't know better) on our lot in the beautiful Sacramento mountains of south-central NM in early 2010. Last year we put in the septic, water, driveway & built the garage. This summer we will build the loft - so that with the RV we have- we should be pretty comfortable while we build the house! However, with plummeting house values, we were looking at pushing those plans our 2-3 year or more :( Then we found this site :) Since we have already renovated both bathrooms & the kitchen & have several other projects on the list before we put this house on the market - we are pretty confident that we can build our own place- & hope that when Pete has completed the class - that we will KNOW that we can & get our retirement plans back on schedule!

We look forward to getting to know all of you & share our adventures!

"When you know what you want, and want it badly enough, you'll find a way to get it!"
Jim Rohn

[loghousenut]

Joyce, why aren't you going to class? My wife and I went together months before we were married (twenty years ago) and neither of us regrets it a bit. I don't think I could get away with being such a "purist" to the style and the lifestyle if the woman I love were not sharing the entire experience. More than once she has caught a problem or caught me when my thoughts weren't clear. You need to go too and see if you can both take some time and check out the local scenery around the school. Call it a second honeymoon if you want but there's a bit to see and you'll be amazed at how many log homes you'll see.

[NM bound]

I am not going for several reasons.........first - I convinced him that he should take the class & do it NOW. second - he is the builder & I am his very willing assistant -go-for - etc. third- we each have our strengths.....his is more physical - mine is more research ( long before we get to NM this summer to work on the loft - I will have read every post in the member's forum & probably 'bugged' you all to death with questions. I am known to friends & family as the super shopper & have found fantastic bargains that have allowed us to do thousands of dollars worth of renovations in this house for hundreds........so now the hunt really begins for a whole new set of things to find for a 'song'. fourth - we have a family of furred, finned & feathered friends that make it difficult for both of us to be gone. We will have just returned
from a trip the Sunday before Pete leaves on Friday. So it would be tough to leave again.

We were in Seattle (have wonderful friends in Port Townsend) just this last Aug. Wish I had found this site prior to that trip :) Don't take me wrong - your question is completely valid & if we were not doing this mostly on the spur of the moment - I would have found a way to go also. But since classes are not on any kind of regular schedule & the post I read somewhere that there was dry spell of NO classes for 5 years - everytime I went to the LBHA soite I was afraid I would see "class full" - I just had this really strong feeling that we needed to do it now. We can hardly wait as it is - don't know what we would
do - if we had to wait months or more to have access to Skip's wisdom! I am so sorry that he is gone! He most have been an incredible person!


"When you know what you want, and want it badly enough, you'll find a way to get it!"
Jim Rohn

[fisherwoman]

I am from Canada, in North Delta, half an hour from the western US border. I have an American boyfriend who is in Seattle and I own a trailer on Black Mountain Ranch (near Mount Baker) so I am in the US a lot. I attended the class last weekend (Jan. 24/25 2009) with my daughter. I thought that building log homes might be something that we could do together. She has already helped on a cob building last spring.

As I said in another forum, I don't have the land yet and haven't decided on the US or Canadian side. There are pros and cons for each. I was interested to read about ideally needing five acres of land. That will be killer expensive and most likely pretty remote. I was hoping to buy something close to me so I can build on weekends only as I still have to work to support my family. My goal is to build and sell, build and sell a few times and then retire. This surprised me as I have never in my life wanted to be my own boss. I hate uncertainly and am obsessive about having money in the bank and knowing where my next pay cheque will be coming from - not a good personality for speculating. I think that my dream has been helped along by not liking my job/boss right now. I have worked in the same job for almost eight years now and am in a rut so big that I am almost wedged in.

I noticed that there is a new member who is a 'fisherman'. I am sure that he actually fishes. I don't fish and am a vegetarian. I only became the Fisher Woman when I married Mr. Fisher. Even though we divorced and he died, I remain the Fisher Woman.

Thank you all for the wonderful welcoming community that there is here. I am sure that I will be using this site a lot as the years go by. First to ask a million questions and then, as time goes by, to be the 'wise voice of experience' (hey, a girl can dream).

Jill - the Fisher Woman

[Tom Featherstone]

All the more reason to go as a couple, my wife Linda has no "Regrets" about all that she gained during our class, in fact at one point during the class she had a clearer understanding of what was going on at that moment.... it's an incredible amount of information to absorb alone and it was worth every penny for both of us to be there!

Tom

[YogaMike]

Hi everybody. I'll make this brief so as not to bore any body on my first posting. I am resurrecting an old dream of long ago. In the early eighties I took the class from Skip and felt that I had found my calling. I used to go to the monthly meetings. I was the one that brought the large Gai's Bakery cookies. Skip seemed quite fond of them. As my wife and I were young and quite busy raising a new family, the many details of life allowed me to take the bitter choice to put the dream on the back of the highest shelf to collect dust. All these years me and my property (SW corner at the base of Mt. Rainier) have been waiting. Cabin site cleared, holes dug, and many beams (3 by 12's, scored on a deal, years ago) stacked under tarps. I should be committed for what I've done.
Any way as I became tired of waiting for time and money to work my way I decided to recommit to my dream before my head explodes. About 8 months ago I stumbled on this site and have been a devoted side-line observer. I'm presently trying to put the details together to take the Feb/March class, as I believe it would be good for me to check out anything new and to help with motivation. I look forward to the experience of doing my first log home more than any thing else I can imagine. Also, connecting with people with similar goals. Thanks LHBA for the opportunity to get that out publically.
YogaMike.

[loghousenut]

I have built several log structures over the years but am just now starting our dream house. You'll get er done and remember, they don't give you extra points for a good time in this event.

[YogaMike]

The words of encouragement are greatly appreciated, LHN. If there's ever a chance to see pics of your
log work I would love to see them. As far as extra points...those just might have to be self-rewarded.

[spiralsands]

I am not going for several reasons....fourth - we have a family of furred, finned & feathered friends that make it difficult for both of us to be gone. We will have just returned from a trip the Sunday before Pete leaves on Friday. So it would be tough to leave again.


I TOTALLY relate to the pet babysitter issue. I'm chomping at the bit to go up to my land in NY this spring and am obsessing about how I'm going to farm out the care of two dogs, four cats, six birds, four giant goldfish and a over grown pleco. I'll be bringing two dogs with us and have been juggling in my mind which ones get the two coveted spots in the back seat of the truck.

Frances

[NM bound]

[quote=NM bound]I am not going for several reasons....fourth - we have a family of furred, finned & feathered friends that make it difficult for both of us to be gone. We will have just returned from a trip the Sunday before Pete leaves on Friday. So it would be tough to leave again.


I TOTALLY relate to the pet babysitter issue. I'm chomping at the bit to go up to my land in NY this spring and am obsessing about how I'm going to farm out the care of two dogs, four cats, six birds, four giant goldfish and a over grown pleco. I'll be bringing two dogs with us and have been juggling in my mind which ones get the two coveted spots in the back seat of the truck. )


HI:
If you were a tad closer - I would be happy to help. At the moment I have two happy Bichons sleeping on my desk as I type- my own, Bear, & his little sister, who is spending the night while her mom is out of town.
There are 6 family & friend members in our Bichon pack........so on any given day I have had 1 - 10 white fluff balls playing! oh boy ~ taking 2 & leaving 2 at home - you are going to be in the dog house! What kind of feathered friends do you have? We have the same 'mix' of kids - you just have a bigger family!

We are so excited about this whole new saga in our lives...........can't wait for Pete to get back from the class. If he thinks it would be beneficial & if there is another class before we actually start the building process, then I will combine a trip to our friends in Prt Townsend & take the class, too.

Joyce


"When you know what you want, and want it badly enough, you'll find a way to get it!"
Jim Rohn

[spiralsands]

[quote=NM bound]
HI:
If you were a tad closer - I would be happy to help. At the moment I have two happy Bichons sleeping on my desk as I type- my own, Bear, & his little sister, who is spending the night while her mom is out of town.
There are 6 family & friend members in our Bichon pack........so on any given day I have had 1 - 10 white fluff balls playing! oh boy ~ taking 2 & leaving 2 at home - you are going to be in the dog house! What kind of feathered friends do you have? We have the same 'mix' of kids - you just have a bigger family!

We are so excited about this whole new saga in our lives...........can't wait for Pete to get back from the class. If he thinks it would be beneficial & if there is another class before we actually start the building process, then I will combine a trip to our friends in Prt Townsend & take the class, too.

Joyce

My birds consist of 4 white ring neck doves and two cockatiels. I can take the cockatiels to someone's house but the doves are in two large outdoor flycages. I do have a local cousin who I am going to recruit to take care of those that stay at home, the cats and the birds...but the dogs are a different story. It's like picking between children with different emotional and physical needs. Who to go, who to stay. My bearded collie can actually stay home at the house but he loves to crash through the underbrush at Winterwood looking for imaginary sheep. So I hate to deny him. The dobie absolutely has to go with us because she's elderly and I fear kenneling her. The last two are high strung and young female pibbles who both would benefit from a change of scenery and a chance to run flat out in the front pasture. And both of them would be devastated to be kenneled.

I ended up taking the class alone last January after my daughter decided she couldn't go because of her college studies. I had already paid for the two of us and had to get a refund for her. Despite that, I really enjoyed myself. Before I came back to the LHBA website, we had gone to a 'log home show' and came away disgusted and confused. My daughter said it perfectly as we drove home, "I don't want a 'log-look' home." There were log modulars, log facades, log timber frames, springs, jacks, techno house leveling systems, yadda, yadda....
That night I went beck to the web site and got signed up for the e-mail alert for class. Since the class, I've done the same thing you're doing now. I fixed up this existing house to make it attractive for resale. I wasn't going to sink any more money into it but it keeps chewing through my income with necessary repairs. This week it's the air handler that needs to be replaced. It feels like fixing the car transmission a week before you trade the car in.

Frances

[2 cents]

This comment has been moved <a href="http://www.loghomebuilders.org/node/5989">here</a>.

[NM bound]

Frances - I have to ask. What is a pibble? I thought I knew most dogs-but I guess not all. Is there some way to put a platform over the floorboard area of the back seat - so that there would be room for 4?? Is it a long drive?



Yikes- airhandler - not good!): We are spending the weekend working on the sunscreen &amp; it's support system in the backyard. It covers about 3/4 of back over the Koi ponds,?stream &amp; fountain. Not fun - but MUST be done before temps hit 90+.? When does Spring - spring?at your farm?



Our?Amazon?parrots (Lilac Crowned &amp; Double yellow nape)?live in an L aviary that goes around the corner of the house under the fig tree. It is covered &amp;? has heaters in the winter &amp; has misters &amp; fans in the summer.



Later:



Joyce?

[shirleyelijah]

Hi steve I need some advice, My spouse and I are trying to attend the next open class he is a Marine so to try and schedule it is difficult. I am a nurse and we REALLY want to start the process to building our home but we have no idea how or were to start. Can you please help us? I know we need to attend the class should we both attend or just one of us? should we start looking for logs tools etc...? or wait till after class. Honestly our intention is to ask former class members for help i was reading about the volunteers comming to help and honestly we need the help i am ambitous and would like to build the house fast, proper but fast. we have a 14 year old would like to give her a home before she leaves for college. can u help us. Thank you Shirley shirleyella1@aol.com

[shirleyelijah]

Kelley hi can you help me my name is Shirley and I am going to attend the next class. I wanted to talk to someone who has gone to the class. Do you really think it is worth it? See i am a nurse and my fiance is a Marine we r on a real tight budget and want to know that we are paying this good amount for something worth it i am scared but I really want to buid my home. I have a 14 year old and want to give her a home before she goes off to college you know? So i really want to know that I will not be wasting my time and money i guess i am just scared. if you can help can you e-mail me? shirleyella1@aol.com Thank you for your time.
Greatfully and hopeful
Shirley

[loghousenut]

Shirley, Save your money and try to get into a lifestyle that will allow you the time and money to build a house for/with your daughter. Your perception of what you want in a home will probably change during the first day of class. If you want to get a head start, keep your eyes open at yard sales and flea markets for the tools you'll be needing and investigate land that is log home friendly. Definately know that the class is worth every penny and you should both go together.

[StressMan79]

I did not take my wife. I regret it. I have spent days explaining topics that S&E cover in just a few minutes. I would say that in addition to finding land, etc (if only to know your market to know when you come across a good deal), you should read these forums. There is a whole lot of very valuable info on here, from log peeling info to building info. Much of it is on the non-member side.

Anyway, the help you get from members in the members area and the physical help is great. I have a couple of members who will be at my project for weeks on end, and a couple more that will be out for a weekend or two. This combined with the cheap hired help available where I am building makes for an inexpensive and quick build. I am currently budgeting 6 weeks of on-site work to get the foundation in, walls up, roof on and insulated. I don't believe you could make much faster progress with a team of 10 full time guys. Once you start the interior, manpower will become more effective timewise. Basically, you can only lift one log at a time, but you can sheetrock one area, plumb another, and do electrical in yet another.

Also, the help that members can do will be best suited for the log work anyway (unless you get one of the many skilled tradesmen-members to help). They will all know how to stack the logs, procedure for fixing them in place, etc.

In short, depending on where you are, you could possibly get a livable home built in a summer. with the economy the way it is, you can get help AMAZINGLY cheap. I have people committed to a weeks hard labor for $500 cash and food/lodging at my place. Pretty good. So save up your cash, take the class, read the forums, research the real estate market, and pull the trigger when you and your family are ready.

[edkemper]

The cost of the class is what most of us see first. Once you read through this entire list. (which I have) the cost starts to seem a real bargain. It was a leap of faith when we paid for our class coming up in two weeks. Now, we are so excited and having my wife there to listen and not expect me to be able to reproduce the class for her will be a major help in this process. She won't understand everything but together we'll be the team we need.

I hope you both can get to a class soon. The excitement is huge.

[loghousenut]

Way back a thousand years ago, when they had just invented sand, I thought $35 was a big investment. Then on the other hand when called my Dad and told him I was going he said "What kinda school can it be for only $35?". I tend to think that if the class cost $400 or $1200 the discussion would be the same. Just bear in mind that nearly everyone you talk to that has been to the class will testify that it changed their perception of housing and most would say that it changed their life and was worth every nickel. Glad I went.

[gururaj_pare]

My name is Guru. I live in San Francisco bay area.

I am a regular reader of this forum. I like the idea of building my own log home.

My dream is to build a log home (my primary home) in Los Gatos Mountains. As of now I am just gathering information.
I would definitely take the class in the next 2-3 years just to learn and appreciate the art of building your own home. There is a voice in the back of my mind that keeps telling me that I cannot do it and it is not as easy. I am just being practical and not getting too carried away by dreams.

[StressMan79]

It is do able. You can build your own home in a year or two. They will tell you in the class: "this is hard work, no doubt. But is it harder than working for 30 years?"

You need to decide what your priorities are. I know one member who spent a winter in an 8x8 garden shed. I'm guessing that if you are living in SF, you make some decent (for the rest of us) money. Save some. I saw a news story of a lady who built an 8x8 "mobile home" on the back of a trailer, and parked it at a friend's house. She showered there, but other than that, lived in the home. You can build one of these for 500-1000 bucks, have next to no utilities, and save your salary (I'm guessing ~100K?) for a building project. Take the class, network with other members, buy your land and in 3-5 years, you could be debt free. Sell the first one and in 5-10 years you can retire.

Oh, one of the biggest issues with building your own place is the codes you have to jump through. They were never written for owner builders of log homes, but are applicable none the less, just ask your local code enforcer. In washington, they can't do much to you, save not giving you a Certificate of Occupancy. But if you ever want to sell, you will be hard pressed without a CO (banks don't like to loan money wihtout one). Anyway, you will be able to balance the issues and bounce ideas off other members in the member's area.

Anyway, you CAN do it, get as much money as you can saved (I might recommend changing it to gold--paper has no backing) and take the class. You'll learn more than you will in a 3 credit class without the cost or time.

-Peter

[edkemper]

Guru,

We're from just outside Sacratomato. Temporary home of the Govenator. The wife and I will be going to the Feb 14th class and are very excited about what we're going to learn. It'll be one of those 3 day weekends stuffed into two days. A huge amount of helpful information and tricks of the trade. Gaining new friends. But probably the best thing that comes with the weekend is access to the members only areas. I've read every single post here, now I want the rest. Access to new future friends and a lot more helpful details.

We got our land and we hope to start the process of collecting supplies and materials. From our own trees/logs to the type of lighting is all up to us. To be able to live there without the cost of buying our power. Pretty cool dream/plan this late in life. A new type of excitement.

[sabrinafair_34]

I've been on this site for a few months now, but I dont think I made a formal introduction. I'm Suzanne, searching for land in Western North Carolina. I live at the coast now, havent liked it since I got here, and anxiously waiting the move home. Actually I'm going up this weekend to look at some land and I hope its what I'm looking for. Southern exposure, perfect for a passive solar log cabin. I'm looking forward to taking the class too. I've always been handy, remodeled with my dad and build a few things as well. Sounds like this method is exactly what a single person (with occasional help) could use to build a beautiful structurally sound home. I have a ton of questions that I'm sure will be answered in the class. That's the next step!

Thanks for such an informative group.

Suzanne

Searching for land, gleaning all the info I can get
Suzanne

[Timber]

Guru, We're from just outside Sacratomato. Temporary home of the Govenator. The wife and I will be going to the Feb 14th class and are very excited about what we're going to learn. It'll be one of those 3 day weekends stuffed into two days. A huge amount of helpful information and tricks of the trade. Gaining new friends. But probably the best thing that comes with the weekend is access to the members only areas. I've read every single post here, now I want the rest. Access to new future friends and a lot more helpful details. We got our land and we hope to start the process of collecting supplies and materials. From our own trees/logs to the type of lighting is all up to us. To be able to live there without the cost of buying our power. Pretty cool dream/plan this late in life. A new type of excitement.



Howdy,? I live in? Los Angeles county//? true story about Arnold--or according to his friend. Met a guy on a jobsite that is a friend of Arnold's--goes to his home often--gets to eat free at one of the restaurants he owns--this guy is a cabinet maker. Says he meet?Arnold years earlier in the 80'S? on vacation in??Rio De Janeiro and became friends.




Said his worker was arrested for battery to his wife--so knowing Arnold he calls him up asking?for some inside help to get the charges dropped etc---silence on the phone??......????? then Arnold says? hey---your my friend right------yea-----when you have no food? or shelter call me......??in other words--don't call me to get some buddy of yours out of jail!....The cabinet maker said he waited a few months? before he called Arnold again!---let him cool down------so I tell this story to a drywall contractor friend of mine --when I get?to the part about no shelter no food call me----my friend says --hey, get?me that phone number!? Arnold's a billionaire, you know that right?

[firetrail]

Hello All...
I am a little taken aback right now. I just read on the opening page that Skip has passed away last August?
I have a hard time believing that.... I guess, because he is just too good at outfoxing everything... and I suppose that applies to death as well. I do not mean to be rude... he is a very dear friend of mine...and I just cant assimulate this very well.
I wonder.... is this true?

I have taken Skips classes two different times, and many of my family have attended... and built. I cant count the monthly log house meetings and dinners... and just the friendly times at the house.
I still believe that Skip forcast so many things, including the turbulent times our country is in now... he hit the nail on the head with that forcast, and many other things as well.
Where is Chip? Where is Skips wife?
Oh, I just cannot believe this...
Sorry to all for the loss. He really is a legend in his own time... and in my mind.
Valerie Carsen
Firetrail7@yahoo.com

[gururaj_pare]

Hey edkemper

Good to know that there are people close by who are also dreaming about log home.
I am sure it is worth while to take the class. Its a great skill to know.
I am reading all the posts here and preparing mentally for the big task. Good luck with your class. I have read that the member group is like a family. People help each other and you can rely on people.
Will join the member club someday soon.

[gururaj_pare]

It is do able. You can build your own home in a year or two. They will tell you in the class: "this is hard work, no doubt. But is it harder than working for 30 years?"

You need to decide what your priorities are. I know one member who spent a winter in an 8x8 garden shed. I'm guessing that if you are living in SF, you make some decent (for the rest of us) money. Save some. I saw a news story of a lady who built an 8x8 "mobile home" on the back of a trailer, and parked it at a friend's house. She showered there, but other than that, lived in the home. You can build one of these for 500-1000 bucks, have next to no utilities, and save your salary (I'm guessing ~100K?) for a building project. Take the class, network with other members, buy your land and in 3-5 years, you could be debt free. Sell the first one and in 5-10 years you can retire.

Oh, one of the biggest issues with building your own place is the codes you have to jump through. They were never written for owner builders of log homes, but are applicable none the less, just ask your local code enforcer. In washington, they can't do much to you, save not giving you a Certificate of Occupancy. But if you ever want to sell, you will be hard pressed without a CO (banks don't like to loan money wihtout one). Anyway, you will be able to balance the issues and bounce ideas off other members in the member's area.

Anyway, you CAN do it, get as much money as you can saved (I might recommend changing it to gold--paper has no backing) and take the class. You'll learn more than you will in a 3 credit class without the cost or time.

-Peter


Hey Peter

Good to hear from you. I understand that it is not a easy task. I have a decent job and make decent money (otherwise you cannot survive in SF bay area). For the life of me, I cannot sign up for a million dollar home and get into the rat race for 30years. I don't want to worry about loosing my job for the rest of my life.

In Los Gatos, there is no buildable land less than 250K. I need a few more years. My plan anyway is to take the class, learn from other members, find the land, get a more practical building plan (nothing fancy) and go from there. There must be some way to get CO. Like you said if makes sense to check with the authority before hand.

[StressMan79]

Holy crap. I work for Boeing, and make good money. I still couldn't bring myself to buy land for 250k. How much do you get? I know areas where you can get 500 beautiful acres for that kind of cash. How much you reckon the home will be worth once it is done? I would think my (20 acres of) land and house(s) would be worth less than 250 when done.

Like my mom said... "housing should be bought for shelter, not for an investment."

Anyway, good luck, Guru. I look forward to you taking the class and being a member. BTW, you will save MANY TIMES the class cost (especially if you are working with a 500k budget!) on your home.

-Peter

[Yuhjn]

I would think my (20 acres of) land and house(s) would be worth less than 250 when done. -Peter


Actually this will have more to do with location than anything else. A big beautiful log home on a fat piece of land that is 3 hours from the nearest hospital is worth a lot less than one 10 minutes from town.

Also to an extent the amount of land doesnt matter that much. For example if you only had 10 acres where you area instead of 20, and you built the same home, they would carry very close to the same value unless you can subdivide the land.

[t.shank2]

Greetings to everyone here.

I'm a new member, and have given much thought to building a log home. I'm a high school student preparing to go off to college. Part of my "life plan" is to find work in Alaska (I know it sounds cheesy and naively romantic, but I've given it serious thought) and live in a house I've built myself (in other words, a log cabin). My question to anyone here is this:

Assuming that I can find work that pays for the college debt--and find a wife who shares my dream :) --is this a plan that will be financially feasible and secure and allow me to start and support a family relatively early in my life? I understand that there are many factors involved, but I just want to know if it's realistic to build a cabin to raise a family in. Also: what is a wise way to go about it? After college, find a job, live in an apartment while saving money, buy the land then build the cabin?

Any advice would be appreciated, and this seems like the right group of people to clear up any misconceptions I might have.

Thank you,
Shank

[ChainsawGrandpa]

Sure, it's very feasable, but most all of that possibility lies with your own ambition. This is just a group for support, encouragement, comraderie, and instruction.

Jerry was sixteen when he built this one:

http://www.loghomebuilders.org/log-cabins-small-log-cabin-built-jerry

-Rick

[GT.]

<a href="/user/tshank2" title="View user profile."> </a>

t.shank2
//// Assuming that I can find work that pays for the college debt...? ////



http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/lee115.html

[dietech]

hello,
My name is Brian Steinwand, i live in the southeast part of washington state, the tri-cities. I've lived here for the past 30 yrs or so. luv the sun!. plan on buliding my log home and retiring here.

[gururaj_pare]

I would think my (20 acres of) land and house(s) would be worth less than 250 when done. -Peter


Actually this will have more to do with location than anything else. A big beautiful log home on a fat piece of land that is 3 hours from the nearest hospital is worth a lot less than one 10 minutes from town.



I agree with Yuhjn. I might get 1-3 acres of land for 250K. It is 40 miles from my current work and 10-15min from the downtown. In future I will figure out a way to work from home 2-3 days in a week. We sure will have some cars that can efficiently run on renewable energy in the next 4-5 years and so I won't be guilty of burning 5 gallons of gas a day to drive the distance.
Nice conventional houses in the bay area sells for around a million. I don't care for how much I can sell it for because I will be living in it for a while.

[JD]

Shank,

It is very feasible! It will require lots of hard work, patience and planning but it's definitely possible. It's all about time and money. If you have plenty of one you don't need a lot of the other. Take a look at this article which explains this theory much better than I can. http://www.loghomebuilders.org/how-build-log-homes-rich-dad-poor-dad-method

My best advice, other than to read everything on this site, is to take the class to learn all about the possibilities of this building system. Welcome to the forum.

JD

[tsikirk]

Its my first forum being a part of, I seem to read a lot of them on this site. Lots of good info. More the less Im fro the Black Hills of SD. I used to cut a lot of pine beetle trees down for people and usually just bucked them into firewood. They are PP and always have a sweep in them. I started keeping some of the logs and built stick frame house using the logs for deck uprights, hand rails, corner wraps, etc. Mostly just accent stuff with that turned out really cool. What I have been wanting to do for as long as I can remember was to build a log cabin/house. This is now my plan, got a spot picked out and have been reasearching different techniques and designs. I wont do a kit, not that I am against them but seems to not be for me. I am planning on doing this for a very minimal cost and time considered and tools needed for other scribed methods, that is why I like this method and I like the look when its done and size of the logs used my R-value should be pretty high compared to the kit stuff. I also plan on using a lot of recycled materials and obtaining a roughcut saw, but know a guy that can mill me boards when needed. I plan on doing a small log house 700sq ft with a loft/bedroom up with battens and stick frame 2nd level. I think that using PP Im going to have a lot more short sections due to the sweeps in the logs, so my question is to use this style of construction what would be the proper way to hold the logs together in the middle of a run, or do I need to just have longer logs? Can I leave a little sweep in them and if so how much. What tools should I start aquiring that I can possibly find used. Lots of questions which Im sure I'll get out there at a later time. Roof system engineering, tricks, suggestions to make learning a little easier. I'm a trail and error guy but always listen to suggestions. Have a good one.

[Yuhjn]

Its my first forum being a part of, I seem to read a lot of them on this site. Lots of good info. More the less Im fro the Black Hills of SD. I used to cut a lot of pine beetle trees down for people and usually just bucked them into firewood. They are PP and always have a sweep in them. I started keeping some of the logs and built stick frame house using the logs for deck uprights, hand rails, corner wraps, etc. Mostly just accent stuff with that turned out really cool. What I have been wanting to do for as long as I can remember was to build a log cabin/house. This is now my plan, got a spot picked out and have been reasearching different techniques and designs. I wont do a kit, not that I am against them but seems to not be for me. I am planning on doing this for a very minimal cost and time considered and tools needed for other scribed methods, that is why I like this method and I like the look when its done and size of the logs used my R-value should be pretty high compared to the kit stuff. I also plan on using a lot of recycled materials and obtaining a roughcut saw, but know a guy that can mill me boards when needed. I plan on doing a small log house 700sq ft with a loft/bedroom up with battens and stick frame 2nd level. I think that using PP Im going to have a lot more short sections due to the sweeps in the logs, so my question is to use this style of construction what would be the proper way to hold the logs together in the middle of a run, or do I need to just have longer logs? Can I leave a little sweep in them and if so how much. What tools should I start aquiring that I can possibly find used. Lots of questions which Im sure I'll get out there at a later time. Roof system engineering, tricks, suggestions to make learning a little easier. I'm a trail and error guy but always listen to suggestions. Have a good one.

You sound like the perfect candidate for LHBA building. I can answer a few of your questions, but honestly you'll be best served by taking the class.

You probably dont want to break the runs other than for windows and doors. It can be done, but not recommended. There are people who have used a modified version of the LHBA techniques to build with logs sitting vertically, because they only had very short logs. Ultimately you can make almost anything work, but some ways work much better than others.

As far as the bend in your logs: If I'm not mistaken logs without bends are favored for aestetic reasons, not structural. I'm sure that's within reason, if your logs are so bowed you end up with a round house, that might be a problem. But in general as long as you dont mind the walls being bowed out, it shouldnt hurt.

That said, you do want your logs to have similar bend as you stack, which will make log selection more difficult. You'll also want the bends going out and not in.

Again though, your best bet is to take the class. Much of this, including the tools you need, is covered there. You can also ask specific questions about your particular logs. You might even take pictures of them and bring them to class... and afterward you can post them on the members forum and all will comment.

Good luck!

[kgb33]

Hi Everyone

Long time lurker and finally posting on this very informative website that hopefully will give me early retirement !

I'm a 40 something married guy from the UK currently living on the outskirts of Calgary . And working as a Truck driver .
My dream is to retire in 5 to 6 years and build my own log home out in BC with equity I have in my current home. Still in the early stages of course but will hope to take the course in the next year or so In the meantime I will try and gain as much knowledge as possible .

Kevin

[StressMan79]

BC = british columbia to N. americans...
Calgary is a town in Alberta.

Are you thinking of moving across the pond?

In any event, I would suggest dumping the home now, as the equity won't increase in the next 5 years, and you can rent for much less. That is what I am doing. Also, take the class sooner than later--that way you can start looking for what you need (tools/materials, etc).

-Peter

I just wanted to make you aware of the level of obliviousness we have to british areas...

[kgb33]

Oh right.. I re read it and still assumed that it was clear and understandable.

OK start again ...

I'm from the UK living on the outskirts of Calgary Alberta Canada and would like to move to British Columbia Canada.

I'm not sure I agree with you on the equity thing though The market is different here in Alberta to the states and seems to go cycles. Also we are in the process of doing a few upgrades as well as getting the mortgage down as much as possible which in turn will increase our equity.

[keithd]

I'm Keith from way down in Lafayette, LA.
I just retired as of Jan 2nd.
Looking forward to attending the Feb 28th class.
Would like to make contact with other attendees prior to the class. I'll be flying in to SEA on Friday the 27th and will be renting a car. Am looking for one or two others to share transportation costs and possibly lodging. Haven't made sleeping arrangements yet, but would like to share room costs if a room with two beds is available (maybe even at Walace Falls Lodge?).
email me at KeithDupl@aol.com

[edkemper]

If you haven't already attended the class, you must. I got enough before lunch on Saturday to more than cover the cost. I drove 1000 miles in two 10 hour days (thanks to weather) to get there and it was worth every mile and hour. Then I had to drive home 800 miles while looking at everything differently. From the logging trucks in Washington and Oregon to the number of corners in any particular house along the way home. It'll take a few days to empty enough of what I learned to let the rest soak in. Damn that was fun and full of help.

[Kola]

Welcome EdKemper!

Wow, you did some driving. I am glad you took the class.

Your life will never be the same. :)

Kola

[Inga]

HI there! Inga, here.....
Seems a lot of you guys are up in the Pacific Northwest, am I correct?
I just moved from a little north of Sandpoint, Idaho....back in the Eastern High Sierras again now...loving the sun and high altitufe once again. But, because of land and costs, I am thinking about Northern New Mexico or Southern Colorado mountains to make my new home.

Seems I read that some folks are building these homes very inexpensively. Does that invovle buying land that has enough cuttable trees on it, then and milling them by oneself?

What about me? I have a background in architecture, but these days, I have some health issues. Do you think a gal can do this on her own?

~Inga

[chadfortman]

Inga,
Getting land with trees on it does cut down on cost to build.
And allot other things add up. Does the land perk for septic.
Mine dosent so it cost me some more but i got my land cheep for my area and thats why.
If you want to build it and are not the kinda person to give up easy you could build it. And if there hard parts you can always find help from friends and family.
It all comes down how bad do you want to build it.
My property is at slant little harder to work then buying flat land. But i am in the mountains were a log home fits in.
Inga read all what the site has to offer and see if it for you.
Nothing in life is easy that you relay want becuse your gone have to work for it.

[NM bound]

Hi Inga:

You may want to incude the mountains of south central New Mexico.........That is where we will build. Found land much less costly than in northern NM, AZ or southern CO. The Sacramento mtns are beautiful - but since you are a bit further south... the winters are milder-which is great unless you are a winter sports person! Labor costs are less as well....
Good luck in your search!

[spiralsands]

Does that invovle buying land that has enough cuttable trees on it, then and milling them by oneself?
What about me? I have a background in architecture, but these days, I have some health issues. Do you think a gal can do this on her own?
~Inga

Inga, I am a single woman planning to build my own log home. In July 2006, I bought my land in upstate NY. In January 2008, I took the LHBA class. Last month I bought my house plans and this Spring, I am going up to my property to map it and to mark trees to use for my log home. When the time comes for actual construction, I hope to have a timeline and strategy for each phase of the job. I don't expect to do everything myself but I don't think anybody who builds these homes ever does it alone. Many have family, friends and contractors contributing time and skills. Also association members frequently help each other out with labor and information.

Frances

[yobfish]

Hi, I'm Yob from south korea. I'll be flying in with my wife for the upcoming class. I first found the LHBA website several years ago, but finally I'm going!

Because it is not easy to cross the Pacific often, I would love to see and learn as much as I can in everything about building a log home and other forms of natural building, such as cob and roundwood construction. So I plan to visit owner-built homes around the area (Pacific Northwest and even perhaps So Cal) before heading back home in mid-March. Can any of you suggest anything I can do to do this? Any word of advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you!

[edkemper]

I waited until I was convinced this was the way to go for me to take the class. I did as much background as I could so I wouldn't waste time learning the obvious.

Steve and "Mister E" (you'll learn what that means in class) will infect you with exactly how easy (so to speak) this is and how to make a modern beautiful home with the expense account of a log cabin like the Unibomber's.

I think you'll find more than enough to digest and will return with a clearer picture of your options. Debt v. Ownership. You will never be the same after you go through the class.

Welcome home. Ed

[Yuhjn]

Calgary is a town in Alberta.

Just wanted to point out that at a population of over a million people in the metropolitan area alone, Calgary is much more than a "town".

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Calgary_skyline_cloudy_2004-08-30.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary

[StressMan79]

whatever. a "place" in Alberta

-Peter

[Dunkndonuts]

Wait a minute. Calgary is Cowtown, especially in the east end of the city, by the stockyards. Whoa, what a stench around Stampede time, but the loveliest cowgirls you'll ever see...and I bet they all dream of living in log homes, it's that kind of an outdoorsy kind of town.

[XD_45]

Hello all,
I have lurked this forum on and off for a few years now, so i just wanted to introduce myself and thank you for all the past knowledge i have gained here.
I live in the North Eastern U.S.
I built my own 28'x40' log home 4 years ago from milled logs, but it was not a kit. I read that even with a kit, you still have to do a lot of trimming and cutting, so i figured it made more sense to just do it all myself.
With no prior experience, my project tuned out with none of the horror stories associated with some of the name brand kits i have read about. It actually turned out real nice.
I still would like to attend one of the classes you offer when i can find the time.
So for now, hello, and i look forward to getting to know the community.

Ron

[StressMan79]

that weren't a kit, eh? Where did you buy them? I am just curious. Yes, the fact that you did it yourself likely saved you LOTS of heartache, as you doubtlessly paid closer attention to detail (and it is details that fail, not logs) than a kit company will. Do you have any pictures! Sheesh! We need our fix of log p0rn!

Welcome to the forum. There is a growing contingency from the NE USA.

-Peter

[blackgrizzelyadams]

Its really good to see your still hanging in there
time flys when your having fun i see it been four
years since i attended class
you guys keep up the great work

[Dmcintosh]

My Name is Danny, I'm a musician from Montana.
Haven't attended the class yet, out of my price range for the time being, I hope to though. I'm building this summer near Glacier Park. Cant wait to break ground, and a sweat!
-Danny
www.dannymcintosh.com

[albslidell]

Welcome to the LHBA forum, blog etc. Nice tunes!!! I?love guitar?&amp; goof off on mine, and one day I may learn to play it.



Make sure and read the home page on why not to build a kit log home. There are a lot of very nice homes built by the average?person here.



Best wishes and keep commin back. Oh and if you take the class bring that guitar and do some home? town pick'n for um.? Ps what are ya building in the picture?



Jesus Bless Al B. Slidell.

[Dmcintosh]

I cant go anywere with out that guitar, so if I make to the class you can bet I'll be bringing it. The project in the pic is last years winter project. it's a woody of road camper modeled after the 1950's tear drops. I'll post some pics if I can figure out how.
Thanks for the welcome.
keep on playing!

[loghousenut]

I cant go anywere with out that guitar, so if I make to the class you can bet I'll be bringing it. The project in the pic is last years winter project. it's a woody of road camper modeled after the 1950's tear drops. I'll post some pics if I can figure out how.
Thanks for the welcome.
keep on playing!

Great winter project aside... It kinda lacks the traditional teardrop shape (I'm kinda observant in that annoying way).

[countrymovers]

Hey Jeff,
I have property in VT with a camper, I'm thinking about attending the class to put a log cabin. Question, should I put the foundation first and bring in the power and phone lines or attend the class 1st?

[StressMan79]

attend the class first. Then refine your FP. once you have a foundation, you are largely stuck. Make sure it is what you want first! Power and phone would not be as large of a mistake. If it is not too far, then you'll want them, and it'll cost you now or later. I would still take the class first -- your might get a nugget of info that changes where you decide to put the home...

FWIW...

[Timber]

Hey Dan, welcome. I have family that lives there in Columbia Falls, MT. My sis and brother in law. They used to own the Hungry Horse Newspaper-sold it a few years back. I sent my nephew a guitar when he was 12 and he is pretty good now.



Gutair is a ruff business-I have a friend who is darn good take a listen on CD baby-samples he is hard core but likes jazz-but says there is no money in jazz. He quit drywall 2 years ago and day trades on the stock market &amp; plays clubs with a couple of bands.




He used to work with me years ago and?I have known him since the early 80's.?He would do some crazy high work no one else wanted anything to do with-way high.



Must be nice to be able to do what you like. He called me up about 4 months ago and insisted I come see him perform at a place in?Laguna Beach CA. called the??White House. The music was so loud you had to yell to talk to a person next to you. <a href="http://cdbaby.com/cd/normanmerten">http://cdbaby.com/cd/normanmerten</a>?plays samples of the cd no. 9 drive is hard core



It was worth going though-he can play anything and everything. Storman Norman the Monster is what fellow musicians call him. Keep playing



sample of my kinda music -lotta you young folk never heard? music like this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5znh58WITU8&amp;feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5znh58WITU8&amp;feature=related</a>

[Rush]

Hi All,

Looking forward to chatting with all of you.
I have already purchased Land and have been looking to build my own Log Home. "Cottage". After lots of research I found your Site.

I seem to be fortunate as in I have 5000+ 40 Year old plantation of Red Pine on my neighbors property.
We have worked out a great deal and I cant wait to get started.

Any chance this course will be offered in the East anytime? If not, I will book soon.

Regards All,

Mike.

[Timberwolf]

Mike,

Congrats on finding the site. I'll be building this spring 45 mins west of Ottawa. You're more than welcome to swing check things out.

There's a couple other Ontarians lurking about here as well.

Unfortunately, you gotta travel west to take the class, but it's soooo worth it, if for nothing else than Skip's famous cookies.


J.

[NM bound]

Cody - we are in Phoenix.
We actually plan to build our cabin in the Sacramento mountains of south central New Mexico.

My husband, Pete, will be going to the next class in April - any possibility of you going then? We can hardlly wait!

[Valerie]

Hi Cody. I'm in Phoenix, too. Went to the class a year ago and started looking for land in CO & WA when a family illness at the beginning of summer, and then the stock market slowed my plans down.

My house is just now going on the market this week. I'm thinking about taking a look at the Lakeside area to buy or build. It would keep me a little closer to family.

There's at least a couple of other people on the site from AZ besides Joyce (above) and her husband, Pete.

[Codeman]

Hi, I just found out about this site a few days ago. Im thinking of going pretty short notice though. Did You really learn everything You need to build a cabin? Also do You have the logs lined up to buy down in lakeside? Im going to at least start seeing what I can buy them for. I have heard here in Az. the forest service used to have a permit system to get Your own logs. That would take some heavy equipment to skid logs that big. well thanks Cody

[NM bound]

Cody:
spend a few hours time reading the posts on the forum.
I was truly amazed at how many people the LHBA & its founder, Skip, seem to have had a life changing affect on. I have devoured everything on the public side & can't wait to be able to get into the members side...........and have found nothing but consistantly positve comments from those who have taken the class. There is a wealth of information to be had here, a terrific support system & it seems like really
level headed, down to earth people who want something better for themselves & their families - but not at the expense of everyone else.
I think the answer is to take the class before you go much further - that seems to be the advise given to everyone who is "chomping at the bit" ..... this website reminds me of the old saying " when the student is ready - the teacher will come" -

Joyce

[Valerie]

Cody,

I was pounding curtain rod screws into the window jamb with a hammer last week in frustration ... = ) But after spending hours on this site, I got enough confidence to take the class. Oh my. And yes, even I learned how to build a log home. (And swinging a hammer is a big part of it....so, I know I can do at least that!)

There's tons of info to be had here, even without getting into the member's only area. You have to hunt a bit, but it's worth it.

After reading some, you'll see who the people are who really know their stuff and have built or are building homes, and many of them have websites with photos and explanations of their progress. Check them all out! You'll learn *alot*. Vern Street's comes to mind as the final site that made me think I should go to the class. Some of the people I looked for at the time to read were Loghomeguy, Shark, Basil, Rocklock ... There are others with great posts and sites, I just can't recall their screen names off the top of my head ... but you'll see who they are as you start reading.

You can click on their names to track their posts, too. Some you won't have access to, but you will on quite a few.

You get helpful info on finding and buying logs in the class, too. (I don't have anything lined up yet.) If you can go - do it!!!

[spiralsands]

"Vern Street's comes to mind as the final site that made me think I should go to the class. Some of the people I looked for at the time to read were Loghomeguy, Shark, Basil, Rocklock ... There are others with great posts and sites, I just can't recall their screen names off the top of my head"

Don't forget Mikey!!

Frances

[Timberwolf]

Sorry to hear about the illness in the family, hope things are better now.

Your picture looks like you're working on your forearms in preparation for pounding all that rebar. ;-)

Jason.

[Valerie]

See? Loghomeguy ... right at the front of the list! I was trying to think of screeen names. Yup, Mikey's story caught my attention, too ...

Cody, the thing I didn't mention and should have, is that after class you have access to the members area, and ALL of the wisdom and know-how from all these people - and it is extensive, plus if you've got people in your area ... they just might show up and lend a hand once in a while!

Jason - thanks! It turned out as well as it could have, so we were thankful. It just put my life on hold from May through September - didn't want to put my house on the market till we knew exactly what would be happening with my mom. She's fine now - but wow, things have changed a bit since September!

[Loghomeguy]

See? Loghomeguy ... right at the front of the list! I was trying to think of screeen names. Yup, Mikey's story caught my attention, too ...

Umm does MIKEY = "LOGHOMEGUY" ?

"Nailed?" laughing ! Listen up VAL ! (Pal)

if you need logs in AZ buy them in MT-ID-OR WA,,,,,, of course I will avail myself to help facilitate your purchase, I cannot imagine that sending them to Phoenix mid-summer 112 degree weather would cause much more than four feet of sweep from sun exposure, we could build a round home,,,,,,,In Sonora MX, and have shrines , walk thru Nogales at night , eat tres leches and learn to change oil,,,,,,,,

of course I will help you pick out logs,,,,,,

[Dmcintosh]

I "modeled" mine after the teardrops. I did not replicated a teardrop. It's square sided with a round roof and front. it's bigger than the teardrops where, but I used the rear kitchen Idea and bed configuration, Mine also has a roof gear rack now, and a solar water heater in the roof. It's more off road than a teardrop is, I do like those old relics and would love to rebuild one someday, maybe next winter. thanks for being abservent.

[albslidell]

Hey?Mac I think they make kit plans?of the old tear drops. I saw two about 3 years ago in Williams AZ. They said they bought the plans and built them and?were cruising the whole route 66. They were pretty cool, the back hatch lifts up and there is your kitchen and the top had an ac unit on it. If you're by yourself and don't mind being cramped up, it would be a great on site weekend unit to stay in while ya build?your log cabin.? However if I had a choice I think I would like yours better as there's more room and the kitchen is inside. Hey post some pics if ya get a chance.



Did a search and found these, that looked just like the ones I saw. <a href="http://www.tintop-teardrop.com/index.html">http://www.tintop-teardrop.com/index.html</a>

[Codeman]

hello again, It took Me a few days took make My mind up to go but I just signed up. Thanks alot for your advice. Maybe We will meet someday. Thanks, Cody

[Codeman]

Hello, Anybody out there going to the april class from My neck of the woods? I would sure like to hear from You.

[NM bound]

Hi Cody:

My husband, Pete, is going.(Phoenix) He will fly out the afternoon before & back early on the day after class. What airport will you fly out of?
this is my email (would give you his - but half the time my own msgs don't get through the Boeing security)
jjankiewicz1@ cox.net

maybe you guys could share a ride - possibly a room?





Hello, Anybody out there going to the april class from My neck of the woods? I would sure like to hear from You.
"When you know what you want, and want it badly enough, you'll find a way to get it!"
Jim Rohn

[missyspotty]

Hi there everyone, thought I'd best introduce myself before asking my first question!
Well, I've decided to go for a mid-life crisis LOL and become a mature student in the US. I have a bunch of dogs that I'll be bringing with me so I was planning on buying some land and parking an RV or something on it to live in---that was until I found this site, now I'm having all sorts of log-cabin inspired plans...my mom thinks I'm completely crazy as it is, how on earth am I gonna break this to her???!!!

[StressMan79]

where are you going to school? How many dogs do you have? That Dalmatian doesn't look like he'd be happy in an RV! maybe 20 acres in the north woods would be good for him! Anyways, sounds like you have found the place to make your desired lifestyle happen.

I don't know About keeping those dogs in an RV parked somewhere, though. Maybe if you have a friend with a big fenced yard that will let you park close to campus. Then your dogs would have a place to run.

In any event, welcome to the association. great to have you.

[Sherm]

Hi Codeman, My wife and I are not from your area but gonna go to the class in April, will be flying in the day before, we are looking for someone to share a ride from the airport, we are staying at the B&B. Look forward to meeting you.

[DDaniel]

I am planning on doing the course as soon as I can convince the wife we need a life style change. Have a great time.


David
Somerset England

[chadfortman]

David,
I lived in St Johns Wood London and grew up there 3 year left in 91. I think i might have some Brits in my family back ground. I miss that place so much but way way to expensive.

[missyspotty]

Hi StressMan, sorry I didn't really make myself clear about the dogs. I have 6, all of which have always been outdoor dogs, I have spent most of my adult life on farms and am used to being outdoors from morning to night and the dogs have always been around me (getting under my feet LOL) and have had their own outdoor sleeping quarters at night.
I believe 6 dogs is the general max. allowed without a permit and they aren't noisy or anything as long as they have their freedom to dig, chase rabbits etc. Their last sleeping quarters was actually an old converted mobile home next to the house, during the day when I was all dirty thru doing the usual dirty outdoor jobs I used to go in there for a break and I noticed how much they loved it so I put their beds in there and it became their home, they were always free to come and go as they pleased and that is just the way of life they are used to.
When I go off to class they will stay behind, I would always make sure someone was around at all times as I don't think you can be too careful nowadays. Where I used to live there was a spate of dog-nappings from secure areas, it was happening when the owners were out, it's kind of made me a bit paranoid and so I've always had live-in help or similar just for security.
At the moment I've several options re: college, I'm actually looking at a program of related study (animal related) but not all at the same location. It is currently between Colorado, California and Florida. I'm deciding the best compromise based on things such as land prices, travelling time and general logistics and the fact that only certain colleges are authorised for international students. I think the best bet so far is Florida but obviously the main problem there is land price and finding somewhere away from neighbors. I've actually just found a really interesting possibility, it is only 3 acres but has SR frontage and is completely landlocked by state and federal land and the owner will finance too. I'm going to look in to that one further I think, paws crossed!!
Michelle.

[Garrett Smith]

Hi Steve,
I really wanted to attend the class. Can I be put on a list in the case somebody cancels? Is there any other way I can get some information to get me started? I have the land I need and I'm excited to start building my log home. If I can't attend a class, maybe I can build the log garage as a starter. What is your recommendation for me at this time?

Very interested,
Garrett Smith

[Garrett Smith]

I am thinking about taking the class but it is full. What are some of the valuable things you learned at class and why is it worth it?

[Garrett Smith]

Hi Scott,
I am interested in taking the class this year, but it is full. I have the land to start, but lack the full understanding of why this class is so great. Can you give me some input about what makes it so good? If I can't get into the class this year, I would at least like to make as many preparations as possible this year. What can you suggest? Is there a list of tools I should be looking for?

Thanks,
Garrett Smith

[StressMan79]

at info@loghomebuilders.org
they can put you on the cancellation list. I think they are pretty good about refunding tuition, so once in a while someone cancells for one reason or another. You might get in.

However, I don't know what you can do without the class. I wouldn't recommend doing much (log related), maybe digging a well and moving a trailer up there for temporary (rent free) living.

-Peter

[wildmantaz]

Hi, My name is Shawn and I am very interested in building my own log home some day. As of late, I have been getting into log furniture, and having pretty good success so far. Everything I build is currently out of Eastern Red Cedar. I have made 3 beds, an entertainment center, and a pub table. There will be a lot more to come in the near future. I would love to build my own log home from scratch some day. Currently I am a Mechanical Engineer. Used to be a Residential Designer. I'm looking for all the information i need to build this log home I've been designing for 2 years. Yes I have been working on this for some time. Well anyway, looking forward to talking to all of you and to, hopefully, get a good start in the right direction.
Thanks,
Shawn

[StressMan79]

Shawn,

welcome to the forums. you'll find tons of useful people and topics discussed.

Unfortunately, much of your design will likely get reworked once you take the class.

BTW, I am also a Mechanical engineer (stress analyst) for Boeing.

-Peter
stressman79@hotmail.com

[smith3567]

Hello everyone!!
I am so glad we found this site. My husband Dean and
I (April) purchased some land last year and would really like to put a log home on it. We live in Arkansas and have 2 beautiful children. We realize after searching that we simply cannot afford to have someone build us home with what we paid for land. We hope to come take your class and become members and hopefully build our dream home!!! The houses that are pictured here are just beautiful!!!!

[StressMan79]

Probably the best investment you can make towards your dream of home (not bank) ownership/financial independence is the class. You can learn how to prioritize your life and build your home for cents on the dollar compared to a similar sized stick frame home ('log' homes are typically even more than stick frame).

Anyway, glad to have you with us. does your land have electric/water? how big is the land? HOW BIG ARE THE KIDS!? These are all questions that will make a huge difference in your log home building dreams.

FWIW, if you have two 8+ year old boys, and don't plan on a bigger family, then I would stick with ~30x30 footprint, you can start soon. boys will basically automatically dig this endeavor. Girls may take more convincing, but I have known some that would also jump right in.

Start saving money, networking with people near your property and near where you currently live. If you need a "first step" then try to get a free/cheap mobile home at your land and get your septic figured out. Then you can live rent free.

Also, you will note that many members are 'end of the world as we know it (EOTWAWKI)'types. I would hedge my bets. Guns, bullets, and tools don't lose value, if you can pick them up for a good price. so at the very least, you can get your money back out of them. If you have some extra cash, buy a new (used) tool, or 1000 rounds, etc.

I don't mean to scare you, but I don't know anything about you yet. many ppl want to know "I am signed up for the class -- what should I do till then?" I just wanted to fill the gap

Again, welcome.

[Seusslvr]

Hi I just wanted to introduce myself , we are planning on attending the seminar in the next couple of mos. We are very excited and motivated to begin...SOON... ! We are in the process of looking for suitable land in Oregon and Washington states. We'd like to build in the next year, maybe even this summer.

We'd love to help out and gain some hands on expirience if any of you are in our general area, let us know when you are staring to build.

Hope to be meeting some of you soon at the meetings....
GOTTA GET to that seminar!!
Susan :D 8)

[panderson03]

My husband and I have dreamed of a log home for a long time. we have our land, septic, driveway, well, electric, phone. Just need to build! had planned on a 'kit' until I found this site. you present some very interesting ideas and certainly challenge what I thought we knew (and how long we'd have to keep working to pay it off!!).

is anyone out there from MN, IA, ND, SD, WI?

would love to see what you've done and hear your story!

thanks for a very informative forum!

[cindylou]

Hello everyone here from the deep south. I live in northern Mississippi and found this site while googling for building your own home and living a simpler, debt free life!



My family has some land in northern Arkansas that I could build on.? That is a great help financially, and belive me I need that!



My biggest question : Has any single woman built her own log home?? If so, I would love to hear from you.



I am interested in any type of sound home that I can build mortgage free and am working to get debt free...almost there!? My youngest child graduates from college this May!!!!



I truly want to have a mortgage free home, no debt, and living a? much simpler life!? I think that the way most Americans live is not really living at all, especially these days.



My biggest concern, really biggest fear, is that I will not be able to build a log home by myself.? I am not a?wilting southern flower by any means and I know that Dorothy Ainsworth built her home basically?all by herself.? I think she is a wonderwoman!? Just would love to know that other single women have done it and how.



Sorry for the long introduction.



Cindy?

[spiralsands]

Hi CindyLou. You and I have alot in common. I am a single woman and my one and only, my daughter, just graduated college in December. I have property up in the Adirondack foothills that I will be building on. I took the class in January of '08 after being disgusted by a log home show here in Tampa, Florida. After taking the class, I began doing renovations to my existing home to make it more marketable. I singularly replaced all my windows, rebuilt an entire bathroom from the studs in, installed a roof vent fan and right now I'm constructing two new doors as was taught in the class.

I will be building my own house. Of course, I will not be doing everything by my self. No one here does EVERYTHING by his or her self. Even Dorothy Ainsworth had her son and big strapping boyfriend helping her. I have my daughter who I have learned is perfectly capable of holding up the other side of a piece of drywall while I screw it into the ceiling! She has also helped me lift a double window into place. (However, she cannot boil an egg to keep from starving. That's my fault I guess.) I too want to live mortgage free and will be hiring various contractors to do whatever I need to have done if it is better than trying to do it myself. I get a little anxious sometimes too. I'm not totally confident all the time. But whenever I start feeling like that, I just consciously dismiss those fears and replace those thoughts with constructive plans for getting those doors planed.

A lot of women log onto this sight and express the same concern that they "can't do it". I don't think I ever read a post by a man who would say the same thing. Men had hammers and wrenches put in their hands as children. What did your mom put in your hand? A spatula? A dust rag? Directions to sorting laundry? Growing up "girlish" equated to cutting off your legs at the knees. You don't even know you can walk on your own. Well, you can. You put on your pants, climb the ladder, swing the hammer, cut the wood, call your old friend about how to fit a tub drain, ask the guy in Lowe's about constructing a new roof vent, take photos of problems that stump you, print them out, carry them to Home Depot and show them to everyone in the plumbing department. Then you buy the tool, buy the tile saw, buy the chainsaw, buy the hardware and if you buy the wrong one, you bring it back. Also, buy a few books, masonry, framing, electrical, plumbing, find some do-it-yourself sites online. Ask a couple of guys about how to do something. As time goes on, and you've been at it a while, building stuff, fixing stuff, you're going to find that you know more about how to do things than a lot of men do these days. It's why the guy at Lowe's last week was shocked when I told him I was building my own doors. All I needed from him was to find out where the glue was but he needed more details and wanted to give me instructions on whatever it was I was doing. Building doors was a little beyond his repetoire.

In a nutshell, the more you learn and do, the more confident of your skills and abilities you will become.

Frances

[Loghomeguy]

<img src="/sites/all/modules/tinymce/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-tongue-out.gif" alt="Tongue out" title="Tongue out" border="0" />?? Are milled logs logs, or are they timbers?

[rgdula]

When I was peeling my logs, my daughter asked, "how many trees are we going to peel today." I said no trees today. She had a puzzled look on her face. I told her that when it is vertical it is a 'tree'. When it is horizontal it is a 'log'. We peeled 10 logs that day.

[drtechs]

Hi Steve & Everyone Else,
My name is Ray, new to this forum, and VERY appreciative for it's existence. I am thinking on moving to Oregon, building a smaller Log Cabin, live off the grid, and start to live life. I did post in this general discussions section and all comments are welcome.
Thx Again