reasonable length of time?

[logsurfer]

Blane got me wondering about another thought I had in regards to time. How long could/should you take to build? Say you won't get PNW type rains...but your standard weather patters throughout the year(s)...Is only a season the amount of time you should let your logs be subjected to the weather before a roof is on? If funds aren't available would it behoove you to wait for $ for logs and roofing at the same time? If you expect it to take you many years what then is a good course of action you would/did/wish you had taken?

[Blondie]

Hi Guys!

Some where in the blog list is the story of a husband and wife who built a 30x30 in three weeks. They used weekends and evenings to do it. They used logs of the lot and did very well.

I realize that everyone is different. But after the foundation is in and you use a telehandler to do the lifting and you get about two guys per side of the cabin...I figure that you can get the walls up in about a week. The roof may take another ten days or two weeks with several guys working on it.

The finishing of the cabin is about what you want it to be. I am looking at a big open space with a kitchen at one end. Others may be breaking up the space for bedrooms and office space. I plan to shoot for a CO with the minimum I can get by with and then finishing the interior at my leisure.

Blondie

[logsurfer]

Hi Guys!

Some where in the blog list is the story of a husband and wife who built a 30x30 in three weeks. They used weekends and evenings to do it. They used logs of the lot and did very well.

I realize that everyone is different. But after the foundation is in and you use a telehandler to do the lifting and you get about two guys per side of the cabin...I figure that you can get the walls up in about a week. The roof may take another ten days or two weeks with several guys working on it.

The finishing of the cabin is about what you want it to be. I am looking at a big open space with a kitchen at one end. Others may be breaking up the space for bedrooms and office space. I plan to shoot for a CO with the minimum I can get by with and then finishing the interior at my leisure.

Blondie

You know, That's exactly what we were thinking of doing as well...Just build the shell and bathroom and kitchen and simply claim that the rest of the 'house' is our bedroom and try and get a sign-off...then after 'they' are out of your hair go on to 'construct' what ever it is that we 'really' want out of the 2nd floor and such...Would/could that work??

[Blondie]

Wallllll, It kinda goes lie this, tell your engineer what you PLAN to do. Then tell him that you do not want the inspector to know.

I plan to have two beams cross about 16 ft from two 90 degree walls at say 9 ft from the floor. Tell your engineer that they are for and the inspector they are for design only. Do not put up stairs, flooring, wiring or plumbing up there. Then as soon as you get the CO, put up 'no trespassing' signs and do what you want. Make it slightly difficult to see the home from the access road and away you go. I will probably use fast growing bamboo to screen my cabin since there is only sage brush in the area.

Blondie

[loghousenut]

Our place will have an unfinished loft and no wrap around porch.

[Timberwolf]

However long you think it will take, multiply by 3 and divide by zero. ;)

[Blondie]

OH YES, MURPHY'S LAW TO THE POWER SQUARED!!!!!! LOL



Blondie

[jasonfromutah]

Building a cabin in 3 weeks, or even putting up log walls in a week is better than I could ever do. Timberwolf has some great advice. From my own experience, everything takes longer than I thought. I mean EVERYTHING! That isn't to say I am not pleased with our progress. I am very happy with it. However, I finally decided that I would do the best I could and try not to push myself over the limit to meet a self imposed deadline. This is one way to get hurt IMO.

If I get too frustrated, I stop and take a deep breath. But that is just me!

It took me 6 months to find and get logs delivered. I thought it would take about a month. I thought I could stack my log walls in 1-2 weeks. It took about 3-4. I thought I could get my roof up in a month. It took about 7 months.

Now, having said this, I am behind from where I thought I would be. But, its been a year since I poured my foundation and I have my walls up, and a roof installed. It hasn't always went smoothly but I am not making payments to a bank and its been a great experience for my family! And yes, it has been worth doing! I am grateful that I found this site and took the class!

[Plumb Level]

Jason - If I can go from foundation to roof on in 1 year, I will be very pleased! Congratulations on your progress.

I'm enrolled for the Sept class, and will be breaking ground spring of 2012.

[panderson03]

Dear Mr Level. breaking ground a mere few months after class might be rushing it a bit. for us it would have been, that's for sure. we took the class in May 2009. we already had land, driveway, well, septic....so going into the class we thought we'd just be able to start building. we were wrong. didn't get started til about a year later and the time FLEW by as we worked the process to prepare for our build. I'll be watching for post of your progress. GOOD LUCK!! WORK SAFE!! E N J O Y THE C L A S S:)

[Plumb Level]

Panderson -
Like you, we already have the land, and my idea of breaking ground will be hiring the electric coop to run electric to the site (seasonal dwelling, a cabin, so I've got to pay for it), and also hauling gravel for the road....got a dirt road built, just need to gravel it. If I get that complete in 2012, I'll be happy. Maybe start the foundatioin fall of 2012, but that will probably push it.

I'm definitly willing to take my time.

Might try to change my handle to Mr Level....kind of like that.

[logsurfer]

Building a cabin in 3 weeks, or even putting up log walls in a week is better than I could ever do. Timberwolf has some great advice. From my own experience, everything takes longer than I thought. I mean EVERYTHING! That isn't to say I am not pleased with our progress. I am very happy with it. However, I finally decided that I would do the best I could and try not to push myself over the limit to meet a self imposed deadline. This is one way to get hurt IMO.

If I get too frustrated, I stop and take a deep breath. But that is just me!

It took me 6 months to find and get logs delivered. I thought it would take about a month. I thought I could stack my log walls in 1-2 weeks. It took about 3-4. I thought I could get my roof up in a month. It took about 7 months.

Now, having said this, I am behind from where I thought I would be. But, its been a year since I poured my foundation and I have my walls up, and a roof installed. It hasn't always went smoothly but I am not making payments to a bank and its been a great experience for my family! And yes, it has been worth doing! I am grateful that I found this site and took the class!

That is great progress! So, just to be clear...you had funds available to make these progressions possible right off the bat???
I am quite sure that such progress will not be as initially pleasing as your build...That's got to be exciting~

[jasonfromutah]

That is great progress! So, just to be clear...you had funds available to make these progressions possible right off the bat???
I am quite sure that such progress will not be as initially pleasing as your build...That's got to be exciting~

Yes, I did have the funds. However, things have been slow over the past few months so we have stalled a bit. However, work has really picked up lately so I am hoping to get back at it- soon. My goal is to be done by next year at this time. Time is an interesting matter. I have too many irons in the fire so to speak.

I am pleased with how things have turned out. But, I am my own worse critic at times and am never 100% happy. Whether its the progress, a tilt in my roof, a gap between logs, I'll always have something to worry about. But I love the whole build process and am happy with our home.

I'll be heading out of the country next month and and spending 2 1/2 weeks in South Africa. I hope to visit "Roy's" home and be ready to hit it hard again when I get back!

This forum and Association is the ONLY reason I am where I am at with my build!!!