Help with making the big decision

[m2244]

How about something geared toward "Help with making the decision to jump into this huge commitment to build a log home from scratch". What are the advantages? Can I actually do this? Are people willing to help if I help them?
There are a lot of questions to answer other than the typical how-to stuff. And in a lot of cases (like mine) there is a wife to convince.
What do you think?

[panderson03]

welcome.
ADVANTAGES
working really hard for 2-3 years building a log home of your own is much less time intensive than paying down a 30 year mortgage
working with your wife on the shared goal of building a log cabin can result in quality 'together time' and strengthen a marriage by providing a medium for the two of you to work toward a common goal
building your own log home can result in discontinuing 'gym' membership, as log home building works a wide variety of muscles
building your own log home can result in learning a lot of new skills (plumbing, electric, cement, excavation, etc)
by building your own, you KNOW and have a direct involvment in the quality and integrety of the end product. for example, there will be no doubt as to the strenght/integrety of the foundation as you had a hand it
DISADVANTAGES
if wife is not on board 100%, taking on a life changing goal such as log home building can put a lot of stress on a marriage
building your own log home can be very time and labor intensive.... it can also be very addicting.... building may take up time and resources away from other very important priorities
its a lot of work, can be physical and/or emotionally exhausting

[edkemper]

The cost of the class for both you and your wife to attend is about equal to a couple of months of interest on your home loan.
Can you do it? Yes. The details of what is required is both provided in the class and on the member's side of this site. Look at the pictures of the log homes the member's have built. Do you really think the people that built them are any different than you? Few were home builders before they started.
Invest the cost of the class in a dream. You are the only one that you have to convince.
Welcome to the site.

[loghousenut]

How about something geared toward "Help with making the decision to jump into this huge commitment to build a log home from scratch". What are the advantages? Can I actually do this? Are people willing to help if I help them?
There are a lot of questions to answer other than the typical how-to stuff. And in a lot of cases (like mine) there is a wife to convince.
What do you think?



In my learned opinion there is only one way to solve your dilema. It must be her idea to make it work. If you drag her along (with even a gentle tug) into a project and lifestyle change like the one you are proposing, you are begging for disaster. If you think it is hard to get going on this frist log house, imagine what it is like to muster up the gumption to build a second log house with the new gal and even less money.

I have seen the "gotta be her idea" syndrom in action many times. A year or two ago my wife rolled her eyes when I mentioned to a friend that I was gonna build a 6" thick front door. She rolled her eyes meaning that she would see it as wasted effort and possibly never fully apreciate the coolness of the project. This last spring when we stopped in to share some hospitality with recently moved in fellow builders Jim and Pam, my wife glommed onto their 6" door like it was made of triple layered chocolate and wouldn't let loose of it. She loved it. I will have my manly door.

Trust me when I say you both want to be on the same page... The same line... The same word... You want to be on the same letter and both looking forward to the same future. This is not a project that will bring you closer. This is a project that can bring out the worst in people if the ducks are not in a row.

My family has it easier than almost everyone on this forum who is building. We have been happily married for twenty-some years. We are still in love. We both have good stable jobs. We own our own home. We are building the new place 30 yards away from the ugly mobile where we have lived for 17 years. We don't have to travel "to the property" with all the tools and the generator, etc. Still, as easy as we have it, there are marriage-wrecking stresses that pop up once in awhile. If those problems were piled on top of "Hell, I never wanted to do this ayway" it would have already failed.

When you both get all giggly inside thinking that you have finally found the secret you have been looking for, follow whatever gave you that feeling. If it is the notion that you can build a future with your own two/four hands and get out from under the mortgage, we'll see you in class. Just be certain that she is there beside you, or pulling you slightly forward, all the way.

This is our 36x36 two days ago. Roof will be done within a week.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/Rafters9-2010465.jpg

[loghousenut]

What kinda bugs are you breeding here anyway. I know the post above this one (titled "Her Idea...") is long and rambling and dull reading. But why is every paragraph printed separately as a quote. The only quote was the top one and the rest should have been just one long, boring response. I coulda deleted it but thought this might be a quirk you'd want to fix. Heck ,the next guy might wanna post something worth reading. Thanks, Ron.
PS. If it's not foolproof us fools will always have trouble with it.

[rreidnauer]

You left out the [/quote] tag at the end of your first paragraph.

[loghousenut]

You left out the tag at the end of your first paragraph.[/quote]

When I posted this one there was automatically a quote thingy already there. If I am to be expeceted to watch to be sure the coding is already included in the post, it will probably affect the quality of my writing. If you folks can stand the sacrifice of loosing 10% or 20% of my wit and pathos, I'll redirect a bit of my attention to learning more about computer programing and troubleshooting.

[RJones]

That is a beautiful home so far! It is exactly what I want to build, except I want to put a covered porch around two sides of it. I would love to see the inside and floor plan.

[loghousenut]

That is a beautiful home so far! It is exactly what I want to build, except I want to put a covered porch around two sides of it. I would love to see the inside and floor plan.
Thanks. It is a very slightly modified version of the stock plan that the association sells at a screaming deal rate. You'll be able to see it after class and I don't know how to draw it.

Basically, half the house is great room with open cathedral ceiling. The other half is master bedroom and kitchen with a bathroom, laundry room, and half bath between them and a loft above. We will leave the loft open but plumbing will be above the master bath allowing a bath and two bedrooms later if we want them.

[TCMuskyman]

dude, you have to cease this teasing us about all we'll be able to see/do/know after that phantom class we all positioning for.
It just ain't right ya know ..... what if it never happens?! You better be totally off the grid cuz we will be a lookin' fer ya. ;-) lol

[chadfortman]

I give you clue on were find loghousenut he hides in the Aile at Costco near the muffins.
Hes the guy that over sees that customers don't poke hole in the plastic over the muffins.
He is the man last of his tribe. Keeper of the muffins ahahha Ok just joking with LHN
Your place looks cool and Good Loghousenut cant wait see you stain it and get it done..
Tcmuskyman its simple and it hard all at one time. If you can stack blocks and square something as close you can get it you can do it.
Only thing i found hard dealing paying off government official to get a pass to build anything.
Whats harder to pay some interest to live in something you don't own ore pay as you go and to build a home you own?
Why most today people aren't happy today with life because they go to work and don't see the end results of there work.
Nothing ventured nothing gained seya

[TCMuskyman]

ChadF .... so he's the 4'9" bald guy with that big tuft right square in the back of the noggin' eh! I saw him this morning .... silly muffin covers had no holes but someone melted the bottoms....sheesh, he wasn't payin' attention. Maybe log dreamin' I guess .... ;-)
Kinda feel fortunate I guess as ok with zilch on a mortgage presently .... like many say I guess the waitin' on a class is hardest part. Kinda like gettin' locked in that candy store over night but the glass cases all locked and all that nummy stuff is inside the cases winkin' at ya.

[loghousenut]

dude, you have to cease this teasing us about all we'll be able to see/do/know after that phantom class we all positioning for.
It just ain't right ya know ..... what if it never happens?! You better be totally off the grid cuz we will be a lookin' fer ya. ;-) lol


You guys are a bunch of whiners and snivelers. Who cares when the next class is, if you are like me (don't worry, you're not) it'll be 20 years before you build your house anyway. Just sit back and relax and enjoy the process. It is not a destination... It is a journey. Take the class and cease your doubting. If these guys can build a log home... ANYONE CAN... Even you! As for the detestable Costco muffinman comments... Just keep spelling the name right and know that you are pretty much on the mark Hahahha.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/walllogs9-09022.jpg

[TCMuskyman]

OMG --- you really are starving. Headed to Costco right now to see what I can get fer donations and will load on truck and get to you A S A P.
;-)