View Full Version : Same old question?
Huck Berry
08-26-2009, 09:23 PM
I'm sure that you guys heard this many times before, but I just have to ask.
Is the class really worth it?
It is hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that I can learn everything I need to know about building a log home in just 2 days.
Like most people time and money are pretty important to me and I hate the idea of wasting either.
Also if anybody has a good sales pitch I can throw at my wife to convince her it can be done I would greatly appreciate it!
Thanks for your time!
StressMan79
08-26-2009, 09:50 PM
If that is your REAL NAME...
The class imbues you with wit like this (throw tomatoes now)
you may have hit on the favorite topic of members, especially ones on this site.
The class is totally worth it, you learn how to build a home that you can afford, likely without a mortgage.
You learn everything your need to know about the finer (and courser) aspects of LOG BUILDING, and the member's section provides expertise on all aspects that AREN'T covered in class. It gives you expert advise on plumbing, electrical, drywall, board and batten, etc. Also advise on land purchases, and (volunteer!) help when you actually begin your build. Some volunteers are experts, but most are using your house to learn on.
I believe you get a great deal on the stock log home plans that you could not begin to buy for the price elsewhere, if you live near seattle, you get lifetime invites to member's meetings, where food is usually provided and they usually have pretty good door prizes (no guarantees, but I have won a nice set of files and vise grips and an embroidered carhardt jacket).
Anyway, if you are serious about building your own home and like the look of log, then the class is for you. You learn all you need to know to make a log structure in class--and the confidence to tackle this project.
MAKE SURE YOUR WIFE IS ON BOARD, BRING HER WITH!
One member told me that the process takes many marriages. It is very stressful, but as Doc Brown says "if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything"
-Peter
Timber
08-26-2009, 11:02 PM
I?had that same feeling. I have no building experience-at least not in houses--I know i can stack a log home--i even believe i can do a ICF?foundation-before the class-well
I was like you. They teach you to do it simple-simple is easy-some go to the extreme-cause they have a large family and dont want a standard home-or want to sell a custom-or??? yes the class will teach you what you need to know-even the foundation with piers
loghousenut
08-26-2009, 11:06 PM
Is it worth it, my first thought is OF COURSE!! My husband and I took the class 20 years ago and we are finally putting the knowledge to work. Yes, you can learn all you need to know in the 2 day along with this forum and the class workbook you will receive when you go.
We of course took forever to get going as life happened things kept coming along so we finally realized we wanted to pay off our 6 acres (took us 12 years) and then begin our building which we start breaking ground March 22, 2009.
We are now putting up our first log, how did we get those logs?
My husband is great!! He was able to acquire the logs 60 of them from 26'-16' at the butt for FREE. They were 3 1/2 hrs away and he went over on his days off and dropped the trees in exchange for cleaning up someone's property. The only cost we had was his travel gas and the log truck to get them here $2,500. Our footprint is 36X36 1900 sq foot. We are building the house by ourselves (with our 17 year old son). The process is slow as we both work full time and it is something we (he) can handle and with all of this we are NOT financing any of this we are paying it out of pocket.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/P1000702.jpg
hemlock77
08-27-2009, 04:25 AM
Worth every penny many times over. My backround prior to the class was in food service, prior to the class my building knowlege was limited to episodes of "this old house" and "hometime". ?The class gives you the ?knowledge, resources and confidence necessary to build a log home. Were not finished building yet, but we are getting there.?
?http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u64/hemlock77/010-3.jpg
Stu
?<a href="http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u64/hemlock77/">http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u64/hemlock77/</a>
Shark
08-27-2009, 04:51 PM
Yes it's worth it.
Have a look at all the student homes in the gallery at the top of the page.
We finished ours & are happily living in it now.
Great course!
ChainsawGrandpa
08-28-2009, 01:02 PM
Depends.
If you're curious, then no. That's a lot of money, and a
weekend of your time. You had a fun weekend, and
learned some valuable info, but that info has no value if
you don't put it to use.
If you're serious, then yes, it's an incredible bargain!
I used the class to "read between the lines".
I took the behavior, mindset, and attitudes, and applied
them to gathering land and materials. My guest house is
stick framed. The materials surfaced at a great price
right as I was ready to build. I applied what I learned
and the guest house is FINALLY getting closer to being
finished. Total luxury, 810 square feet, and about
$18,000+ cost. The bad news is that I probably could
have passed on the cheap materials, and used logs,
and maybe paid several thousand dollars less for the
building. What you pay is up to you. My price was low
(for the land too!) because I just won't pay more. Of
course, your mileage may vary.
-Rick
Yuhjn
08-28-2009, 06:13 PM
Depends.
If you're curious, then no. That's a lot of money, and a
weekend of your time. You had a fun weekend, and
learned some valuable info, but that info has no value if
you don't put it to use.
I have to disagree with this. Unless you are very broadly defining "put to use".
There are actually many members who have never built aa log home, who took the class and had a life changing experience.
Personally I find myself applying the kind of mindset I found taught in the class (between the lines) to things not involving construction at all.
I'm honestly not sure I know anyone who would not benifit from the class, even if they never build anything.
Skip had an approach to things, clearly evident in LHBA techniques, but it went way beyond that. Skip's Tips are often life lessons as well.
srobert7
08-28-2009, 06:30 PM
I, of course, will echo everyone's thoughts in that it's definitely worth it. Perhaps a little different from most of the others, I had to convince my husband to go to the class! We knew we wanted to build a log house, but wanted to find the best (and cheapest) way to do it. Luckily, my research lead us to LHBA. I did all the research and was convinced we needed to take the class. Eventually, I was able to convince my husband that we should take the class, I think he agreed just to appease me! After those 2 days, he was 100% behind it, and that the two of us - with no construction background - could do this, do it well, and do it cheaply!
Go for it!
Bronco
08-30-2009, 09:23 AM
I think so.I now have more in my tools then in my LOG HOME
http://s403.photobucket.com/albums/pp114/paka-nama/?action=view¤t=006-4.jpg
Jim
edkemper
08-30-2009, 10:21 AM
Between the tools and the home, it's probably still many thousands cheaper than if you built a stick home or kit.
Beautiful place you built.
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