Plans for purchase

[BillnChristi]

I'm half way through reading the public threads, so have a couple of questions that have come up along the way.

So, the plans that we're able to purchase after class...do they include info for plumbing and wiring rough-in's? I know the class teaches what the most efficient design is regarding electrical and plumbing (like having plumbing fixtures in close proximity to each other--wet wall or whatever), but is anything included in the plans?

I am wondering because hubby (and I sometimes) keeps wanting to draw out floorplan ideas, but I've read enough to know that we'll more than likely throw those out after the class, but he needs something to do and he doesn't like to read. LOL Some folks are just "do-er's" I guess. But, in the name of keeping things simple, I don't want to start formulating ideas that have all the plumbing near the back right side of the house and then come to find out the plans have the utilities coming in front left. I hope that makes sense. I know you can change the plans, but hope not to.

Also, I know this probably depends on the codes in the area we wish to build, but what costs are involved once we purchase the plans? Do we still need to pay an architect, or only if we choose to change the plans? And, I am assuming we'll still need to get an engineer to "wet stamp" the plans, right? My brother does have an engineer "friend" that will do that for us for a nominal fee.

Christi

[BillnChristi]

Must be another of those "touchy subjects," hence no replies yet. LOL Argh! I can't wait to get access to the Member's Forum!!!! Guess, I'll just go back to my reading. *sigh*

[loghousenut]

We were too smart to use LHBA plans. Instead we paid extra for a slightly modified LHBA plan. Our plans show where the electrical and plumbing will be going but, of course, that will change as we are install the rough plumbing and electrical.

You are right on schedule with this question but the answer doesn't really matter yet. Sit back with a cup of coffee and a nice warm computer in your lap and peruse the rest of the threads on this forum. Then go through the photo gallery again and see all that stuff you missed on the first run. Do a google image search for "cool bathroom" and "log kitchen" and "cozy great room" etc etc etc. Start filling your computer with saved photos of all the cool ideas that have to be in your dream home. Make a list of all the unanswered questions that need to be asked in class. Draw floorplans til you and the Spouse can't possibly argue about it for another second!

Follow the above plan and it will keep you busy til class. By the middle of the second day of school you'll realize that there really aren't too many questions that need answering til you get home and process things a bit. Then you can go through the members side of this forum and start rolling up your sleeves for the dirty work ahead.

No matter what floorplan you guys draw up, it will change after class. It is a fine exercise but keep it in perspective. The smart money will bet that one of the LHBA plans will grab you by the throat and take you all the way home. We woulda saved $1000 or more had we used the LHBA plans and we still would have adapted things to be exactly how they are turning out. This is the first log building I have built using any kind of drawn plan at all. The main purpose of a set of plans is to keep the building inspector happy and give you an idea or two about how to attach what, and where it oughta be attached to make the entire thing legal. The LHBA plans will do that. They are complete and they are legal. They will allow your building inspector to approve a building style that he'she has likely never seen before.

I guess I may as well go all the way and tell you to take the class and get the plans. How come I don't get a commission for this?

Ain't this fun???!!

It gets better.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/Rafters9-2010068.jpg

[BillnChristi]

Great advice, LHN! Thank you again. Nice logs, by the way. What species are they? I'm sure I've read somewhere what you're using, but can't remember. And gotta ask....what are the gaps for on either side of your RPSL? I haven't noticed anyone doing that before. Hope it's not another creative diversion from the LHBA method that's going to cost you money. heheeehe

[Thomas Pannell]

Could someone who received their plans recently advise how long after the confirmation e-mail they received them? I ordered on 4 July and got a confirmation e-mail which just said status was "processing" on 7 July. Just curious how long this may take.

[Cruiser]

I would guess you will have them by the end of this week or the first of next week.

[Scoutman]

I ordered mine on 30 June and received them 12 July. And the package was opened. Hope everything is in there.

[Scoutman]

BillnChristi, everything you need will be in the plans. However, you will make changes based on your own preferences/desires/likes. For example, the gable ends (front and back sides) will not be my front and back sides.

[BoFuller]

I don't remember the date but it took less than a week. Ordered around June 20 and had them before the end of the month.
We hired a draftsman to make a couple changes, like switching the front door with a window on the side. We want a full length front porch, so what they call the side will be our "front". Then we will go with about 12 foot overhang on that side of the roof. The draftsman is sketching in the piers for the support beams for the porch roof extension. Also had him scratch the stock second floor and use the optional one (our septic is only approved for 3 bedrooms. He is about finished with that and then I email them to an engineer to stamp before I submit to county. The draftsman is also sketching up our isomtrics for plumbing, as well as slight modification to electrical (according to local code). The plans are as complete as they can be and still cover 50 states. You will have to make some minor changes according to your local code. But like LHN said, drool and dream and take the class and get the plans. Sweet deal!

[blane]

We started drawing up plans on our own before we took the class and thought we had it all figured out. Then, after class we through our plans out and bought the LHBA plans. These plans are very detailed and have a complete material list and unless you modify the plans they show plumbing and electrical. As someone who has no real building experience I felt it best to stick with what has been tried and true. Maybe next time I will try something different but I will never stray far from LHBA methods.
Hubby may want to kick back and rest a bit because after he gets started there won't be any time for that. Enjoy life before it gets busy:)

[Thomas Pannell]

Hey, got my plans package on the 15th, 2 days after my question, and been drooling over the study plans ever since.

[BoFuller]

Hey, got my plans package on the 15th, 2 days after my question, and been drooling over the study plans ever since.

I sort of would like to build everything in there. Shed, garage, 35 X 35, and on and on. If I could just win the lottery and retire!!! Ha!

[Thomas Pannell]

I think I may eventually build them all plus some. It will take some time but not a fortune. Once I shed this stick house I'm living in, I will be able to go pump logs to my heart's content. When Ellsworth & Steve gave out those patches that said "Certified Log Home Builder", even though I know it's not worth the thread it's sewn with, they may have doomed me to be a log building monster!

[loghousenut]

It keeps getting better. Pump those logs you LOG BUILDING MONSTER!!!!


PS... Find an avitar to go along with it and I think we may have found a name for you Tom... LBM



http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/Sawmillarrives5-2011012.jpg

[BoFuller]

I think I may eventually build them all plus some. It will take some time but not a fortune. Once I shed this stick house I'm living in, I will be able to go pump logs to my heart's content. When Ellsworth & Steve gave out those patches that said "Certified Log Home Builder", even though I know it's not worth the thread it's sewn with, they may have doomed me to be a log building monster!

I hear that! Go dude!

[blane]

How do you like your saw mill LHN?
It keeps getting better. Pump those logs you LOG BUILDING MONSTER!!!!


PS... Find an avitar to go along with it and I think we may have found a name for you Tom... LBM



http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/Sawmillarrives5-2011012.jpg

[loghousenut]

Sorry I haven't posted with the results of the sawmill test. Got the new track welded up, painted, and mounted in it's permanent place. Haven't used it on the new track but what little we did on the short track impressed us. Won't know much till we really run it through it's paces enough to learn what we oughta learn. That should happen in a week or three and I'll pass on my ignorance in a new HF Sawmill thread.

A couple of weeks ago I ended up with a big ole hot tub that had to sit on something moderately solid and level. I grabbed a junk Doug Fir log and cut three 8' long timbers of various thicknesses and the job was done. It was fun and saved digging the ground til level. I think it'll turn into another tool I can't live without.

[WillowFireWoman]

May I get a price range. We work on a cash basis and need to know how much to bring.
Thanks Debra

[jrdavis]

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I think I missed something
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May I get a price range. We work on a cash basis and need to know how much to bring.
Thanks Debra

[BoFuller]

??????????????????
I think I missed something
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Me too. Where did that come from?

[Timberwolf]

May I get a price range. We work on a cash basis and need to know how much to bring.
Thanks Debra

I think i might know. Debra is wondering how much to bring to class for purchasing plans. For that, i suggest contacting one of the admins, maybe they could get you an upper price range.

[edkemper]

I doubt seriously that they bring a supply of these plans when they travel. After the class, you can always send a money order for them. I also doubt the instructors are running the daily operations of the store that maintains an inventory of products for sale. But I'm just guessing.

[BoFuller]

I doubt seriously that they bring a supply of these plans when they travel. After the class, you can always send a money order for them. I also doubt the instructors are running the daily operations of the store that maintains an inventory of products for sale. But I'm just guessing.

Yeah, it's a rather large pacage and with all the options available, I don't see how they would bring them. Now if you had a specific package in mind, they might possibly bring one. I don't know.

[Admin]

We actually don't sell stock plans at classes. The stock plans are a members only item, so we don't publish details about them in the open forum. Purchase is not required, the class will explain how to obtain plans from several different sources.

We used to sell LHBA T-shirts, hats, and keep out signs at the class, but haven't the last couple years. We've just recently restocked, and will have them at the next couple classes. If you're interested in something like that, then the price range is $2 (stickers) to $30 (a pair of keep out signs).

Best regards,
-The Mgt.