newbe with newbe questions

[project]

I am about 3 years away from building my house so im just going over ideas. Im not signed up for the class yet but will be when time permits. I live in Tx but will be building in Arkansas where I have 50 acres of timber to work with.. I have close to 100 pine trees with 18to 20" bottoms and straight as a utility pole with alot more of various sizes and also have a timber king bt20 sawmill on sight to cut my lumber. Givin that I have the trees and can cut alot of my own lumber, could a 30x40 with a loft bu built on a budget of $55000? Im wanting to stay at that or below so I can pay cash and have no house pmt.. Thanks ..

[rreidnauer]

Well, you have the materials for the superstructure, so what's left? The two big ticket items are the foundation and roof. Expect foundation price to rise with the amount of slope you plan to place the home on. The roof can vary in cost widely, depending on several factors, like whether you'd want to use exposed rafters and T&G ceiling vs. hidden trusses and drywall, or SIP's vs. dimensional lumber built-up with fiberglass batts, R-panel metal roofing vs. slate, etc.

But to answer your question more directly, if I had your situation, I could do it on that budget.

[blane]

You have a sweet set up with your logs ready to go and a saw mill and land. With all those in factor I could build with that budget.

[project]

The spot where Im building is pretty unlevel, about 8' drop in 100' but Im in the process of building a rock wall and backfilling and leaving a gentle slope for runoff. I already have a wide variety of woodworking equipment and can do my own tongue and groove lumber and cabinetry as well... Thanks for all the input..

[JeffandSara]

Hi, Project--

Sounds like you're sitting in the catbird seat with that set-up. Many of us have built successfully and relatively cheaply with a lot fewer resources. Good luck to you, and do definitely take the class. :D

Sara :)

[blane]

Wait untill you take the class before you do any backfilling for a house sight. You will understand why I say so after you have been through the class.
The spot where Im building is pretty unlevel, about 8' drop in 100' but Im in the process of building a rock wall and backfilling and leaving a gentle slope for runoff. I already have a wide variety of woodworking equipment and can do my own tongue and groove lumber and cabinetry as well... Thanks for all the input..

[project]

Wait untill you take the class before you do any backfilling for a house sight. You will understand why I say so after you have been through the class.

Thats gonna be tough.. Im already up about 3 feet. I have been pushing a little at a time for the last year to pack it and let the rain settle it as i go. I.guess i could stop and wait to do the rest.

[blane]

The weight of an LHBA home is more than a typical kit built home. They recomend building on original grade. LHBA will give you some options on your foundation that may still work but you might want to hold off untill you take the class before doing any more backfilling.
Thats gonna be tough.. Im already up about 3 feet. I have been pushing a little at a time for the last year to pack it and let the rain settle it as i go. I.guess i could stop and wait to do the rest.

[project]

The weight of an LHBA home is more than a typical kit built home. They recomend building on original grade. LHBA will give you some options on your foundation that may still work but you might want to hold off untill you take the class before doing any more backfilling.

Not a problem. Where the house is going to sit only has about 18" or so of fill so im still just a little above the original grade..I cant wait to take the class so I can get started..

[loghousenut]

Take that class, Project...

You have a heckuva head start there. Land, trees, mill, brains. Toss in the love of a good spouse and you are THERE!

How you view the project will change once you take the class. It'll be a good change. Take the class as early in the process as you can so you'll enjoy the whole thing longer.

[project]

a friend of mine built his house from the trees he cut from his place and while it has been a pretty good house for the last 10 years it has had some problems.. Things Im wanting to avoid by taking the class.

[loghousenut]

What kind of problems? Rot in the lower logs? Uneven settling? Windows cracking or doors sticking? Twisting logs causing gaps that allow the wind to blow through?

Probably none of these but once you've taken the class you'll never have these problems either.

[project]

Mostly settling and the walls leaking in a hard rain between the logs.. It has all been resolved now but was a pain for a few years..
What kind of problems? Rot in the lower logs? Uneven settling? Windows cracking or doors sticking? Twisting logs causing gaps that allow the wind to blow through?

Probably none of these but once you've taken the class you'll never have these problems either.

[LogLover]

in 1972 a couple buddies of mine built 2 log homes in northern MN - started the day HS ended.
They too had some minor issues they had to work through in the first few seasons but I bet for the last 35 years at least they have not not an issue other than routine maintainence every now and then. My dream started then and sadly went on hold until recently.
I remember helping them a bit that summer ... gas was 0.22 a gallon. lol ... the drive at around 100mph average took no time. Today .... ouch.
They built using some ideas from books and I think Mother Earth was one.
Times change eh. But log building seems to have escaped most of that thing ... which is why it's so dang cool

[drummer boy]

I live in central Arkansas, building in south Arkansas and have the same situation (logs,land,equipment paid for) EXCEPT I took the class. After the class I changed everything. Do you mind saying were you are building? I am doing my foundation this summer and cutting logs in the winter of this year. Maybe we can help each other complete our log homes after your class. All these folks are right...stop everything until the class. You will not regret it.

[project]

I live in central Arkansas, building in south Arkansas and have the same situation (logs,land,equipment paid for) EXCEPT I took the class. After the class I changed everything. Do you mind saying were you are building? I am doing my foundation this summer and cutting logs in the winter of this year. Maybe we can help each other complete our log homes after your class. All these folks are right...stop everything until the class. You will not regret it.I will be building in Dennard.. I live in east Texas right now but go to arkansas every chance I get..

[Cruiser]

Drummer Boy / Project,

We are not far from you either in N. MS (just south of Memphis). Anytime either of you need a hand, let me know. Drummer boy, I hear you are headed to Blane's place this week. Blane and his son are doing a great job. I'm sure you will learn a lot. We did when we went. You will really enjoy yourself. Blane has a wonderful family. Stay safe on the drive and working.

[drummer boy]

Thanks, we head out on the third right after I preach Sunday. I am bringing my own work crew. All seven kids are going with us. I can't wait.

[project]

Cruiser, when the time comes I might just take you up on the offer... This has been 10 years in the making and it cant get here soon enough..