Hi my first day

[mabelle315]

Hi this is my first post. I love the concept of the log builders. I hope to attend the April seminar.....I have some questions and comments....

I noticed most of the photos in the gallery are log homes....that are more primitive looking than the more advertised cabin kits. My question is ....Can one obtain a polished look using the techniques and skills learned at the seminars?

Also, are the costs you list including cost of things like land, clearing, digging, appliances, labor, finishing etc?

I seem to remember reading that these costs are all included....and that is awesome.

I REALLY need and want to turn my life around. I am starting all over again due to some not so kind circumstances....I really want to simplify my life and become self sufficient and debt free. This site certainly does propose some paths to achieve these goals...

Also, if I have a design in mind...can I build a floor plan of my choosing?

I am interested in all comments.....regarding these questions. Thank you.

Cindy

[Shark]

It depends on what you mean by "polished" but you can make your log home any way you choose.
As long as you like the look of chinking :)

The costs really depend on how much work you can do yourself, or if you can trade your skills for other's for work.

Yes most members do choose their own floorplans. We did as well, & happy with how things are turning out.


If you need to turn your life around, LHBA is a great place to start.

[Klapton]

Check out Pam's place. She stained her logs, and I think she might have also used synthetic chinking. Be sure to click on the thumbnails to see the pictures full sized. Her house has a very "polished" look, in my opinion. This does take some extra time and expense, and more maintenance down the road to keep it looking new like that. It's a matter of preference. Some folks don't like the rustic look of weathered logs and mortar chinking.

http://www.loghomebuilders.org/image-galleries/student-log-homes/pams-log-home

If the "polished" look you are talking about is the absence of chinking (the white or gray mortar between the logs), or perfect uniformity that comes from milled logs (like kits), then the methods taught by LHBA will not give this look.

There are HUGE structural advantages to doing it the LBHA way though. And it's a LOT simpler. (Not as complicated -- don't mistake that for "easy" -- still a lot of work.) You don't have to worry about settling AT ALL, and staining / preserving your logs is completely optional. With no treatment at all, a properly constructed butt and pass log home will last long after we are all dead.

[Timber]

No interior bearing framing (if you build as taught)?means a wide open floor plan. I have looked at the 35x35 stock plans and the one with the mud room is in my opinion hard to improve on for me. <a href="http://www.geocities.com/naniorr/mypage.html" title="http://www.geocities.com/naniorr/mypage.html">http://www.geocities.com/naniorr/mypage.html</a>?&lt;LINK to another sample of a not so ordinary home.



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[StressMan79]

she's talking about the outside looking likie a box. There is good reason for making the outside simple... it is "easier" and lends itself well to the BnP method. They recommend just building a square box with a simple gable roof on it.

You don't have to do this, but I would say from what little I know about you that this would be the best place to start. For instance, see

http://www.geocities.com/naniorr/516.jpg

and

http://blog2.johns-guide-service.com/

good luck on your decisions. LHBA will be glad to be a part of your solutions.

-Peter

[loghousenut]

I distinctly remember close to 20 years ago sitting in Skips log house and thinking that everything I previously thought a log home should look like was suddenly open to extreme scrutiny. The class will change your opinions about polish and certain other aspects of loghomeism that that you currently entertain. The class changed my life as it will change yours. Please be assured that people who are in the same boat as you are have been able to provide for clearing, digging, appliances, labor, finishing etc. It can happen to you as it happened to me and my wife

[ChainsawGrandpa]

Well I can identify with that! We had to close our business, got cleaned-out on an apartment building (collusion between a crooked RE attorney (but I repeat myself), and an even more crooked commercial real estate broker. Then the IRS hit us....
I talked with a guy I had gone to school with. He told me about a Skip somebody, who was teaching people to build their own log homes for pennies on the dollar. It took a while but I made contact, told him what had happened, and he said "Well, we need to schedule a class...how about the 17th? That's all it took.
I met some wonderful life-long friends, met my best friend (who by the way taught the class) and by applying his principles I was able to get back on my feet.
My idea of a log home is cheap, and bare. I want a block and tackle permanently attached to the ridge pole so I can drag in the elk, or moose and gut it right there. My wife however, has other plans. The logs will be stained and finished, and it will look like a show place. Hey let's face it...when the place is finished, Donald Trump would be impressed. Maybe my wife and I can negotiate.
-Rick

[cindylou]

I am also brand new to this site. My dream is to have a home, mortgage free, and also become more self-reliant with garden, chickens, etc.
I also have been thru some very trying times in the last few years and really need to simplify my life. I am hoping for the best for you!

Cindylou