Time and cost expected?

[TX Mama]

Hi all,

Just found this site. We love log homes, but had some concerns about the "kits" which I see are well-founded.

We will be moving soon to East Texas and have to make some decisions, and quickly. What I am wondering is, realistically, how much time might be needed to build a log home to the level of being able to live in it. We have not joined or attended the class yet, have no real plans or sources lined up, or anything else by way of preparation, but we do have construction experience and can possibly get helpers.

The other question involves the cost to be expected. If we build our own home, we are looking at about 1600 sf, a fireplace, central air, 2-3 bedrooms, and 2 baths. Nothing fancy as far as floorplan (2-story seems most reasonable and fitting though) but I would like a wraparound covered porch to give a pretty wide overhang. We are moving with all appliances, and I can calculate running utilities myself, since that will depend on the site selected. I can also do without kitchen cabinets and use open shelves.

These are probably very general questions, but ... we are planning to move and own a home with no mortgage. Up until now I have been looking at inexpensive homes on acreage with an eye to doing fix-up work since most need work. I just wanted to know what to expect in terms of a log home, since that's what we'd really like anyway, and if it is at ALL possible. The other possibility is to move to a property and more slowly build our log home over time. Our current timetable (slightly flexible) is needing to move within 3 months ... so I am very doubtful that we can accomplish anything as far as building in that time, unless perhaps we hire a builder and I don't know what quality the work would be in that case.

I asked about cost so I can decide if we can do it ourselves over time, and thus maybe "settle" for something we wouldn't really want to live in long-term. Still, I'll need to know cost and expected time-frame to make a decision.

We are wanting to raise livestock and have a garden as well, so ... some effort and expense may be needed to build structures and so on, again depending on what is already on the property we choose. LOL, I have a lot of things to consider and really a relatively short time to make the decisions.

BTW, most of the logs in the general area are pine. Some places have sweetgum, oak, and other trees, but pine predominates most of the areas we are looking at. I did find at least one log dealer in Texas from an online search, but again, I don't know if pricing would drive the cost too high.

With the economy and housing being what it is, it appears to be a lot more economical to buy than to build, but I really don't want to let this dream go without at least checking into it.

Thanks!
TX Mama

[Shark]

I suggest you read as much as you can on this forum.
Many of your questions are asked frequently.

Cost & timeframe will vary so much that nobody can give you a perfect answer.
Personally, we took the class, planned for a year, & built for about 1 and a half years.
We are now living in our place & super-happy :)

There are members that have spent less than $50K, others have likely spent more than $200K. It really depends how much you do yourself, how much you sub out, & what materials you put into the house.

You say you have a 3 month timeframe?
You might consider just finding a place to rent then take the class, & plan accordingly. Or if you find property, you could always live in a trailer while you plan your log home.

Either way, take the class, it will be the best thing you can do, it definitely was for us.

[loghousenut]

Our method of building a log home is usually a long term commitment that results in a lifestyle change. If what you see grabs you by the guts, then keep reading and imagine your long-range plan.

If you are moving in three months and are prepared to buy and are interested in what you see here, you might consider buying a place with enough acreage to accommodate a second home that you build as you can. You may plan to live in the original house as you build, split the property, and then own the log building and it's acreage free and clear.

What my family did was buy a 6 acre piece of ground (too small to divide) with an ugly trailer house and it's existing well and legal septic system. We are living here in comfort, on the property that overlooks the building site and can build as slowly as we want. When the new place is finished we will have a demolition party and clear the ugly trailer out to make room for the shop. The time frame in our case has involved living here for the past 16 years as we paid the place off and got financially ahead of the game, however the original plan was to start building within a year of moving in and that would have worked out nicely also. Obviously I wish that we had finished the place years ago but am loving every step we take at this time and am happy to have my 18 year old Son doing most of the work as he learns how to build his own future.

[Yuhjn]

As has been said we cant estimate time and cost for you, since there are a large number of variables involved.

We can tell you that you can save money by spending more time, and you can save time by spending more money.

Some people have built from scratch to live-in-ready in a few months. Other's have taken 10 years. It all depends on your situation, time, experience, manpower, and cashflow.

[2 cents]

If you really want to do it you are in the right place!
If you are really serious about it, just start reading everything you can here, and definitely take the class.
(Can't do it without that!)
Here's another discussion about building costs. Like others have said, it can vary a lot depending on circumstances, but by reading other's experience you can start to get an idea of what your experience might be like.
http://www.loghomebuilders.org/cost-building

Good luck, let us know how it goes.