Question - Build or Purchase

[Outdoorsman]

We have had the log cabin dream also and are saving religiously to buy some land near Houston, TX to build our dream home. I am thinking sometime in 5 years I will "retire from my profession" and can start to build on a debt free basis. Alternatively, I will obtain bids from a custom builder. A debt free home with top notch, long lasting quaility is what we are looking for.

I am somewhat of a handy maintenance man, but I have absolutely no experience in building structures, carpentry, framing, etc. other than helping someone else on their projects. Will the course teach me how to build or how to be a general contractor to manage subcontractors who have experience? If it teaches how to build, how successful can one be with large timbers and other complications? Is the course that good? Is a detail description of the course available? I certainly don't mind learning, getting my hands dirty, and saving money.

Seriously, what skills do I need to do this?

Thanks for your advice ahead of time.

[Sean Purser]

Outdoorsman, go to the LHBA (top of this page) website and read the FAQ and look at the Student built homes (pictures). I go to the class next week, but I am hoping to build on my own with very little contracting outside of electrical and plumbing....but like you, I have some background in these types of things. I imagine someone that has built will chime in too.

[edkemper]

Outdoorsman,

Not trying to be a smart-azz but can you walk and chew gum at the same time? If so, you can do this if you want. Seriously.First step is to read everything on the site (at least for most of us that came before you), then the class, then comes the house.

[happyquilter]

Outdoorsman, my newly retired husband and I are headed to the next class in mid January. After looking this site over really well, reading the FAQ's and the forum, plus drooling over the student built homes, I can't wait to get going! I definitely think the general mindset here is to build your own home with your own two hands as opposed to being a general contractor. We don't have construction backgrounds, but I'm pretty confident that any intelligent hardworking person can do this! Hey, there are still a few openings in the class, and you never know when the next one will be. They say it is best to take the class before you even buy your land. It is never too early.

[dvb]

Outdoorsman,
The only real question is, "Do you want to build your own log home?" If you want to do it, you can do it. There are many that have taken the class and gone on to build their house, some with experience and most without. I am like you and have a pretty good understanding of what needs to take place. I read, ask questions, help someone else and then do my own. I am sure if you took the class, you would come out of it with the confidence to build your own log home. The member's side of the forum helps all of us when we get into a spot.

[rocklock]

We have had the log cabin dream also and are saving religiously to buy some land near Houston, TX to build our dream home.

I am somewhat of a handy maintenance man, but I have absolutely no experience in building structures, carpentry, framing, etc. other than helping someone else on their projects.

The answers to most of your questions are here http://www.loghomebuilders.org/
and here http://www.loghomebuilders.org/what-we-teach-our-log-home-building-school

I am 67 and you can check out my log home below. There is even a video that is interesting...IMHO.

This task is not for the faint hearted. It is really hard work. You need to have support of family and a good woman because this is a journey, not a sprint. I am very fortitude to have two 30 something sons that have helped. But I also only work on the home about 6 months a year and we have been at it six years...

My experience is much like yours. So good luck with your decision... Remember, read everything you can, make a binder of the log homes that you like, ask questions in this forum, before you decide.

[blane]

Retired and able to devote myself fulltime to a build I could do it in less than a year! Working a fulltime job with 5 children and pastoring a church it will take me about two and a half to three years but it will be mine and paid for when we are done. I have never built anything before and other than a lot of hard work and sweat it has been a blast. See our blog below for the encouragement that anybody can do this with what is learned at the class.

[Jane Doe]

Read everything on the website, check.

Signed up for the class, check.

Next comes the home!!!

Soooooooooooo freakin' excited!

http://pinterest.com/pin/196047389998572684/

[loghousenut]

We have had the log cabin dream also and are saving religiously to buy some land near Houston, TX to build our dream home. I am thinking sometime in 5 years I will "retire from my profession" and can start to build on a debt free basis. Alternatively, I will obtain bids from a custom builder. A debt free home with top notch, long lasting quaility is what we are looking for.

I am somewhat of a handy maintenance man, but I have absolutely no experience in building structures, carpentry, framing, etc. other than helping someone else on their projects. Will the course teach me how to build or how to be a general contractor to manage subcontractors who have experience? If it teaches how to build, how successful can one be with large timbers and other complications? Is the course that good? Is a detail description of the course available? I certainly don't mind learning, getting my hands dirty, and saving money.

Seriously, what skills do I need to do this?

Thanks for your advice ahead of time.

Outdoorsman, I'm thinking that LHBA is aimed directly at YOU. Very few of the members who have built, including myself, were experienced builders before LHBA. This is not a class that will help you spend six months lining up the Bankers and Lawyers with a 30 year mortgage to a turn key retirement home. If you are successful using what you learn at LHBA class, you will earn, with sweat and dollars, whatever you end up with. You will learn how to build your own, completely code legal, log home with your own hands. Hire a bit of help if you want to but most people build their house. Handling large timbers is not the problem... WANTING to do it is the problem. If you WANT to do it, you will learn how in class.

If you're still with us after reading everything you can find on this site, it means you are looking in the right place. I have two pieces of advice:

1... Take the class sooner instead of later. There are changes that need to happen and they are easy changes if you start now.

2... Both you and the Boss oughta take the class together. If you are not COMPLETELY on the same page, it won't work. If you both feel the same way after class, you will head off like a herd of wild armadillos and nobody will be able to stop you from your dream.



I, and my Wife are certainly glad we took the class. My Son is glad too.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/Rafters9-2010228.jpg

[LogSurfer2]

Hello Outdoorsman,
My husband and I also began reading everything we could on this website & forum back in Jan. 2011. We both have always stated that we would "love to have a log home"....of course we both felt it was just a dream and would never happen. We don't own a home, we earn modest incomes (for our area) and have never built anything more than a dresser.

But the hope & encouragement we have obtained here helped us to sign up for class and we both don't ever want to look back! In response to what you both want from your log home....I can say, given the proper planning & time (which sound like you have as stated in your 5 year goal) you can go as bare bones or high class as you want, and many have! A few go for a very rustic "trapper's lodge" type place, but many want some very nice & long lasting upgrades. I'm sure you've been through the galleries, and have many ideas of what you want, and you can have all that with planning & thrift! Just spend a little time on craigslist for your area and search for things like sinks, kitchen cabinets, granite, building/construction materials, doors, windows, etc. It is truly amazing what people will sell for very reasonable to free....I have seen a mass of very high quality new-ish windows, matching, in all sizes for $600.00. They were double paned well-known brand and I was SOO tempted to get them. But alas, we have no land, a few small debts to get rid of, and savings needed to put down on land. So for now, we would have been storing them for QUITE some time!

All this just to say, keep your head up & if you can dream it you can do it! If your wife is on board and supportive, and especially if you two work well together, you can do this and it will be very satisfying! We need more people in this country who believe that they can provide for themselves something other than an 8 hour a day paycheck! Unfortunately, many of us grew up in the age of ever-increasing convenience & the ideal of paying others to do what we can do for ourselves! Starting with microwaves & packaged meals, we slowly lost the art of cooking (at least my generation) and on to many companies & industries that provide everything we need to "survive", furniture, clothing, medicine, healthcare, housing....get what I mean?

Oh, and responding to your questions....the class will teach you the majority of what you need to know to build the log structure. It will not teach you how to wire a house, or do the plumbing. It will definitely give you enough to know how to do it and from there you add and teach yourself (or hire out) the other portions that you want or can't do yourself. What skills you really need are somewhat decent health, if you want to build mostly yourself, and a passion & positive attitude to get what you want. No one else will do that for you, and hiring sub's can often produce more headaches & problems than just doing it yourself!

Sorry to be so long-winded.....but I feel like you will be with us for the long term and I hope I am right....and here's hoping we see you on the Members side soon, where the real fun begins ;)

[happyquilter]

So, Outdoorsman... Will we see you at the next class in one week? For my husband and me, it was a big decision to take the class. We are recently retired and living very frugally and cautiously for a while. At first, only I was going to attend the class to save money, but the members here convinced us we should both go. I'm glad we made the decision to both attend the class. I have no doubt that we WILL acheive our dream of building a beautiful cozy log home!

[buck_cooper]

Shari posted.
Any intelligent hardworking person can do this!

I didn't know anybody said anything about being intelligent! I may be in trouble. Ha Ha
Buck

[Outdoorsman]

Everyone,

Thanks for all the positive and motivating comments! I believe we can do this based on what has been stated. I am very motivated. I can't make this seminar but will continue the planning and education that everyone suggested. I will stay tuned to this site every week or so. I really appreciate all the help.

[jasonfromutah]

Sounds like you already have the right attitude. It really sounds easy, and is easy, to make a verbal commitement to build a home. It is possible to
do, it just takes determination and giving up a percentage of your leisure time. Rocklock said it best when he mentioned your spouse needs to be on
board with the plan. I sent my wife to the class and it was worth every Penny. Now, when I mention my weekend will be tied up, she understands.
When I found four new vinyl windows for $120, she made a 3 hour trip to pick them up! You can do, it just takes hard work and commitment!!!

Oh, another item... You will have about 1000 or more nay sayers who will think you are crazy. I have my floors almost in and am siding my 2nd gable this
weekend. Now, I have a lot less critics! Its worth it for sure. It will sure be nice to have it finished next summer (if all goes well)!

[Jane Doe]

Naysayers... never understood them much.

"No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit..." ~ Helen Keller

... Or built a log home :D

Keep the optimism - your accomplishments depend on it!

[edkemper]

Outdoorsman,

Out of curiosity? Why did you pick that name? Is it because you hunt, camp and fish? Probably a bunch of family activities? Why? Because doing for yourself is what you know is right. When you get down to this, you build your own, you live the life you learn. You buy one, you haven't really learned much on what this is all about. We build houses and an all but lost American life.

But that's just a personal opinion.

[Outdoorsman]

Outdoorsman,

Out of curiosity? Why did you pick that name? Is it because you hunt, camp and fish? Probably a bunch of family activities? Why? Because doing for yourself is what you know is right. When you get down to this, you build your own, you live the life you learn. You buy one, you haven't really learned much on what this is all about. We build houses and an all but lost American life.

But that's just a personal opinion.


edkemper,

You are mostly correct. I love the outdoors, mainly shallow water fishing in the Matagorda area around Port O'Connor, Texas. I think I could really spend full time planning, designing, and building a log cabin/house once I retire and have the money set aside. I am debt free and want to stay that way!

I need to take the course, but I have some doubt that the end product will have the quality I am looking for (as a self builder). I am continuing my research in my spare time and checking this site on occassion. I hope you guys had a wonderful experience this last weekend at the seminar. I envy each of you.

[edkemper]

Outdoorsman,

Look through the gallery of member's homes. They are not professionally built houses by contractors. Most of the builders did most if not all of the construction by themselves and friends. The hard thing to understand is this is nothing close to brain surgery. Our style is less "educated" than any other style I know of. There is absolutely no need to "spend full time planning, designing." However, "building a log cabin/house" will require either full time for a short period of time at a greater expense or a longer period of time building slow and cheap. I'm guessing the average start to finish is between 2-3 years on most of the houses in the Gallery. Try to find one of them you wouldn't be proud to say you built it yourself.

Research is a good thing. We all did a lot of that before any of us signed up for the class. Just this last monday, we added a boatload (small boat) of new members that just returned from last weekend's class. It's a constant source of entertainment when the Monday after a class rolls around and we hear about them finally understanding our way and excited to start their own journey. By the end of this week, those that attended last weekends class will be the newest group to be talking to people just like you and recommending you attend the class.

I think a very important point to remember, none of the members profit one penny by recommending the class. We have absolutely no profit motive in our recommendation to take the class. However we are an absolutely insane group of friendly people that are all about community and family. Any questions you have after the class, and there will be a boat load, will be not only answered on the "Member's Only Side" but will likely be far more detailed than anything you'd get anyplace else.

Here's the real rub: We even have a few fairly small ladies in the family that have built or are building their own houses. I don't want to insinuate that if a girl can do it so can you, but I do want you to see that just about everyone "could" build one of our houses, if they want.

Then you'd have more time for fishing. Just make sure you share your fishing spot with me. :rolleyes:

[loghousenut]

I need to take the course, but I have some doubt that the end product will have the quality I am looking for (as a self builder). I am continuing my research in my spare time and checking this site on occassion. I hope you guys had a wonderful experience this last weekend at the seminar. I envy each of you.

Hey Outdoorsman,

You're looking to end up with a house that makes folks go oooh and aaaah, with a wide-mouthed stare as they walk though the great room, right? Our place is gonna end up that way and I'm sure we're at least as incapable and ignorant as you are. haha. Take the class.


Number one Son... And he's the BRAINS of the outfit!


http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/Rafters9-2010131.jpg