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Hi all
I was wondering if anyone has done this course and built a house in Australia. I am trying to find out if this can be done in Australia, what type of trees are available etc. Just in case you think I'm an aussie I'm not, originally from Zimbabwe, living in the UK, moving to Aus next year, any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Steve
Steve,
Don't know of any members on the forum who have built in Australia (though wouldn't be surprised if there are - definitely people from Australia who are members). There is a member from the RSA who build out of eucalyptus and it is gorgeous. He might pipe in here, or search under "South Africa" and I'm sure his post will pop up. don't know if any photos are in the non-members area, though.
Where in Oz are you moving too? I spent some time living in Victoria. Gorgeous country, and in quite a bit different situation than Zimbawe, right now. Condolences on the state of your home.
Whatever trees they use in Australia for framing lumber is probably good for log homes too. The other quality you want is straightness and minimal taper (how fast it goes from fat to skinny). Another clue might be what kind of trees are used for utility poles. Here in the US, Douglas Fir is perfect for all three applications. I'm sure there is some species in Australia that is similar.
A quick google search yielded this link: http://www.timber.net.au/species/
Here's one specifically about native Australian timber. (The above linkie includes a lot of imported species too.) Perhaps cross-referencing the info here might give you a clue to what you should look for. http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/good_wood/oz_pln.htm
Joek,
I am Keith from Owensboro, KY. I am attending the class in Feb. 08. What part of KY are you building? I have a couple of different properties that I intend to build on, all of them are in Western KY. Maybe we could swap ideas after the class. Are there any other members in the Kentucky or southern Indiana area?
Hi Im Chris and I'm taking the Jan. 19-20 class. I'm very excited to build log homes. This seems like a realy cool community and I'm looking forward to getting to know every one.
I just want to say hello and look forward to the Feb 02-03 class. I hope to start my first Log home with in the next year. Have the land , just need knowledge and tools!!!
I'm new at this so I hope this works.
I officialy got old (65 on thanksgiving day) last month and in the spring I want attend the timber show in Portland and go to one of the LHBA classes. Then start looking for land to build on in north central wash.
In my research I have found that the new chinking material is really expencive. I roughly figured I would spend 7-8 Grand chinking a house like this.
Is that the norm or is there a cheaper caulk/chink that is expandable to compensate for the shrinkage or can this be compensated for with mortor?
Thanks Ken
Whoa! $7,000 -$8,000 for chinking?
Some members have built homes for that amount.
Sounds like reason enough for me to stay away
from the commercial stuff. I know Skip's method
and receipe have been hashed and rehashed, but
it seems to have stood the test of time.
Where in NCW? Right now I'm living in Wenatchee (if you call that living). ;-)
-Rick
im just finishing up the outside chinking on my 30x30 and have spent $100 , one more reason to take the class and get skip's secret recipe !you'll save $6800 to$7800 on chinking alone
There are pros and cons to using mortar chinking. Others have already pointed out the biggest pro: COST. The other big pro is that it BREATHES. That is, moisture does not get trapped between the logs like it can with synthetic chinking. (One of the biggest misconceptions about log homes is that people think they should "seal out" moisture somehow. What really happens is moisture gets sealed IN.)
The cons are that it is NOT flexible, and it's harder to have special colors.
With the butt and pass method, depending on how green or dry your logs are, flexibility is not an issue. If the logs are very green, they can shrink and the upper log will pull away from the mortar. This is usually just a cosmetic problem, however. In Skip's house where the class is held, there are places where the chinking has separated enough from the wood to stick your little finger in it, but there is no draft. Apparently Skip didn't bother touching up the chinking because it was purely cosmetic. If you don't like the look, you can touch up the chinking after a year or so once the logs have fully seasoned. It's a time-consuming task, but not difficult. And again, it's WAY cheaper than going synthetic.
Color can also be applied, but it's a real pain in the butt, so most people don't do it. But it CAN be done, and done a LOT cheaper than buying synthetic chinking. It just means more time and effort. And most folks who build a butt and pass log home have a strong appreciation for the natural beauty and simplicity of their home, and don't do it.
Hello everyone
I became a member in March 2002 and have been following the posts and forums since. Great info and fantastic people in the Association. I'm currently working on an addition and the finishing touches on my home (work that may never be complete) but keeps me busy, out of trouble and perfect way to spend time.
Thanks Skip Ellsworth and The Log Home Builders Association.
Howdy My name is Ron and I have been checking this site out for some time now-read most of the threads that interested me. Trying to learn from someone else and there experiences. My neighbor-an ole timer (knows alot-amazing) says learing is expensive. So I have learned alot about trying to stay out of debt -its a great message. My Grandma used to say, "Its not how much you make...It's how much you save..." she is right!
Anyway I too plan taking the class. I own my land in Cody Wy. 11.33 acres beautiful lot. I am going to help a couple share the cost of bringing in power who are buying next to my lot and are ready to break ground and build. So I have water, & power will be there in 2 months. Trying to find a deal on houselogs. Nice people here and great web site.
My take on payments like a 30 year mortgage are you just look at the monthly payment and then say I can handle it. I am starting to see it in a better way. I will still need to go in debt but will be much more frugal about it--thanks to this site and those of us who learned the expensive way!
time is like money... if you dont have it you have to make it
Link below to the best looking home I have seen yet.
http://www.geocities.com/naniorr/mypage.html
I am Larry and my wife Candice are taking the course January 12/13th in 2008. We live in Langley, British Columbia. We have 6 kids (Caleb, Isaac, Lisette, Adam, Jessica, and Brianna) and run a construction company. We build a dozen high-end homes a year in the lower mainland. I have wanted to take this course for years and am excited to finally learn all that I hear about on this site. I have always had a passion for log homes and would love to build one when I am able. Time is my biggest issue while money is secondary. I sense there are a lot of like minded people on this forum who appreciate self-sufficiency, independence, and living with contentment without the plethora of wants of our culture. I guess that is about it so Hello from Canada. Larry and Candice
I attended the log home class last January (2007). It took the better part of a year watching NH land for sale, but my hubby and I just sealed a deal on a piece of land abutting a state forest on two sides. Front and back! (Unfortunately, it was logged recently - hence the reason we could afford a large parcel in such a great location - we won't be using any logs from the property, because they're all gone!). We'll probably be closing in early March - in time to watch the snows melting. We're in no hurry to own extra land we can't get to because of heavy snow cover this year.
Since the log cabin will be our retirement home, that doesn't mean we'll be starting soon, but I told him it's kind of nice have about a ten year window to get ahead on some of the things we insist on having on our own property - like blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and wild flowers. We'll be managing the land for recreation (read: cross country ski trails) and wildlife habitat, but even if it can't be logged again in our lifetime, it will eventually revert back to mostly forest.
On the plus side on buying a piece already logged, we can plan for solar heat and hot water and a nice bright home with NO problem!! We bought a south facing slope.
I have pictures of the land on my facebook site. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=16206&id=655911686 (unlimited picture posting. . . . )
most everything else about me is readily available by googling my real name on the web.
Paula Werme
Michael Simmons---
I first took Skip's weekend class in 1986. I did the apprentiship program in 1987. I made a lot of money when I stuck to Skip's plan.I lost a bit when I did not. Gosh, it has been twenty years !
Extravagance in building or "delusions of grandure" as Skip says are the key downfalls to new builders. You have seen the fancy log homes with loads of compound angles and "tricked out" featurettes and you want to copy that. Tighten the reighns for a minute,,,,,,,,
Listen up ! For the first one--- do as Skip reccommends, keep it very very simple.
Then, after your first one you will have a clearer picture of the obstacles you face. mostly governmental agencies that know no bounds and are a law unto themselves.
Skip has aided me in avoiding the slavery that is implicit in a thirty year mortgage, he is a purveyor of freedom.
The benefits I obtained from taking his courses make the course admission prices pale in comparison, the courses were worth to me many hundreds of times what I paid for them. I have used what I learned not only in log home construction but in ordinary construction , advising others and in obtaining employment , aiding homeless and too much more to mention here. My expertise has taken me to South America, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Utah, Colorado, and now to Afghanistan.
loghomeguy@msn.com
Michael Simmons I would go to AU and help you build, I took Skips course in 1986 and the journeyman program in 1987 Done 30 homes in the last 21 years planning placing finishing,
loghomeguy@msn.com
Michael Simmons,
You're a log home celebrity- having been given a 'Log Home of the Month' award. 30 homes is quite an accomplishment. Be sure to join the members section and stick around.
Andy
Looking forward to learning about log homes! Thank you.
Hello everyone! My name is Dennisa and I live in Forney, Tx., just 25 miles east of Dallas. I am so excited that I found this site. It seems as if there are some amazing people and interesting topics in this forum. For the last 2 days I have been glued to this forum reading everything I can. We would love to be able to attend the class in Feb. but hope there will be one in March as well. Look forward to getting to know all of you!
An Alaskan checking in...seems there are a number of members wanting to build up North. We're *prospective* builders just trying to figure out where and how to go about it and keep getting caught in the "gotta sell our old house", "can't work for this employer anymore move to another city", and "have to pay off our medical bills from our third child" downfalls. The house should be closing by the end of February, at which point we'll have to figure out what we're going to do --spend 7-8 years living in a small cabin while we slowly build the real deal with our own money, or get a building loan and hope that the market doesn't crash around us. Both of which will require another move to a more code friendly area.
We'll see what happens. Hopefully we can have a home mortgage-free in about 3 more years, either way!
For those of you who have previously attended the class, can you tell me the closest airport to Monroe. Is it Seattle?
Thanks, looking forward to trying to go in Feb.
Yes the closest major airport is SeaTac.
Hi Steve,
I plan on building my log cabin home this summer, I have many questions but don't know where to start...I have harvested 100 logs, 20 feet long and are raw logs, drying for the winter. They have been debarked already. I plan on building and paying for materials as we go along. I really don't want to owe a hefty mortgage upon completion of my home. I am interested in homes that have an octagon shape also. Any answers? It appears that all the classes are back east or midwest, is that true? what is offered near Arizona? I live in Arizona where we get the four seasons. The current temperatures at night can easily reach below zero! We have lots of snow...
Thank you very much Kyle :) How far from Seattle to Monroe? 2 hours by looking at the map?
Dennisa
Sounds like you'll fit right in here if you're the pay as you build type. I'm not sure about the octagon. Some other members may be able to help you there. The only LHBA class location is in Monroe, WA. My son and I flew out from Virginia and it was more than worth the time and expense. We also have some members from Arizona who can give you some specifics about building in that area.
Again, welcome!
Hey Dennisa, I'm Marcus and I'm not too terribly far from ya. I'll be starting my log house in about a year. You really ought to take the class. I was in the first january class. I've been reading and studying log cabin books and methods for a long time, but if I'd have tried building without taking that class, I would have been "Oh So Screwed"
Marcus Ward
Hello Marcus. It's nice to talk to you. Your really not that far away. We (I especially) do want to take the class asap. Trying to work it out for Feb. 08 but not sure if that is going to work. I have a pretty heavy schedule on my weekends for the next 6 weeks. Everyone on the forum who have attended agree with you, that they take so much more than they could have imagined from the class.
You know I actually went to Shreveport last year for the first time to the casinos. Not a big gambler. Had fun though.
So where will you be building your log home or cabin?
Dennisa
Late night flight? 40+ minutes.
Rush hour? Well....
Easy to get there.
*Leave SeaTac and get on I-5 north (confusing signs).
*Go through Seattle.
*Turn R. @ 145th.
*Turn L. on Lake City Way - Bothell Hwy. Wait 15 miles then...
*Turn left into Monroe
*Turn R. on S. Lewis (Monroe - Duvall Hwy)
*Go 5 or so miles. Parking lot is across from the huge barn.
Or:
After you get on I-5 go:
Right
Left
Left
Right.
Pretty easy.
Thank You....:) Enjoyed reading your posts in the forum. The fever (I think you called it) got me last night and I could not sleep. Every chance I get I run to my computer at work at look to see whats been posted. Look forward to taking the class. I can only imagine how my mind will be wandering afterwards.
Hello everyone,
I've been lurking and reading posts for a while now, finally decided to speak up. I have been grapling with the problem of building a house without spending an incredible amount of money for several years now and I think I may have found my anwser. I came across this site while looking at kit home sites and feeling dissastified with them. This site and this method make sense to me. I am inexperenced but am more than willing to learn. One thing I like about this is that it easily lends itself to small simple structures. that is one thing I hate about the houses that are built now, they are too big. Anyway I'm sure that i'll be plagueing all of you with newbe questions in no time!
Cheers!
Edie, there were some pictures of an octagon log home on the old site, I don't think they've made it over here yet. Apparently, it is possible- if you really want to have an octagon. There are other ways to build a more traditional square or rectangular house from short logs using methods taught in class. I think the Sherrods(built using short logs) house is in the new 'student built log homes' section. It is the house with the gambrel roof.
Welcome everyone! Be sure to stick around, search the site a little- there is a lot of good, general information in the non members section that'll probably only whet your appetite for more(take the class!).
Forney Texas! Goodness! I've lived up here too long! I'm from them-thar-parts! However, it's here I built my log house. Yes its do-able. The real deal. Take the class before you twist your brain. Keep it simple. Think outside the box, but don't over-think it. And take lots of notes in class! Lots of us have done it. So can you. Jump in. Welcome to the group!
You should see us (Forney) now. I think we are the 3rd fastest growing town in the state. We have so many schools here and they are wanting to build more. Our taxes are thru the roof. Not enough roads...traffic jams and waiting at red lights FOREVER. Not what I call pleasant. I want to attend the class SOOOOO badly but I may have to send my husband and a friend of his. If there will be a class in March, I could probably work it out and attend but no one has said if there will be one. Pleasure talking to you and hope to again.
P>S>- I would love to see your pics. Are they on here?
Dennisa,
The instructors are busy guys- they'll announce when they've decided on the next class date by posting it on the main page. You can submit you email address on the page below to be notified a day or two before its announced on the main page. Hope that helps.
http://www.loghomebuilders.org/alert
Also, seeing is believing, and a picture is worth a thousand words. If you don't mind Pam, here's a picture of your house from rocklock's site:
http://s154.photobucket.com/albums/s274/flintlock1/?action=view¤t=IMG_2536.jpg
Thank you for the link to pam's house. OMG it is beautiful!!! Exactly what I am wanting.
I'm sure the instructor's are busy, but I noticed that they sometimes go a while before having other classes. We just don;t want to miss out and wait too long, if ya know what I mean.
Thanks Greenthumb
I am Michael Simmons. I took the two day course in 1987 and then spent three months in the apprentiship program in 1988. I have worked on log home construction in Washington, Idaho, and in South America (Chile). I have assisted and consulted on over 30 log home projects in my time. Much of my work has been to assist owners who were the victims of shoddy craftsmanship due to settling problems, improper roof coverage of logs andan overall lack of structural integrity. Without the courses it would have been impossible. The Association schooling has provided me with a craft I enjoy and love. I can be reached @ loghomeguy@msn.com no matter where I am in the world. I wish you continuing success.
Michael Simmons
hey greenthumb
do you advise taking the class for someone who has ZERO experience? My husband and I would love to take it as long as we feel it could actually work for us!
Thanks
Hey Kala, welcome to the forums.
I feel a little inadequate in answering this, as I haven't built yet myself- my wife and I are still in the later end of the planning stages. The picture I linked in a post above is Pinecone Pams beautiful house. I do have a limited amount of building experience in regular construction- but not much.
That said, I have taken the class, and am very satisfied with the knowledge I've gained from it- and am confident I can build a log home. Now, the course doesn't cover so much of the normal aspects of construction- electrical, plumbing, framing- but does cover how those relate to log home building and the specialized techniques to tie it all together. There are some threads already on here covering books you can read to gain knowledge of regular construction- as well as helping out members, or working with a habitat for humanity house, etc.
Everyone who knows something about anything started knowing nothing about it at all. Yes, anyone who has the will, can take the class and build a log house. Take the class, bring a notebook, flashlight, umbrella, and an open mind. I'm glad to see you both are interested in the course as it is best(in my humble opinion) for both to be on the same page on construction techniques- as it is so important in the design and planning phases.
Be sure to look through the student log homes section of the site. These guys took the class and built houses afterward too.
I've heard someone mention that it may be better to come with zero experience- so you come with a completely open mind. ; )
Well, I feel I'm rambling now as I tend to do... so if anyone else cares to add their $.02 worth, feel free.
Best of luck to you Kala.
Andy
Thanks greenthumb.
I am excited and ready to do this! My husband is on board too! I have spent hours reading and researching this and other sites. We have land but just assumed we would have to get a mobile home to live out there. This is such a new and exciting idea. Everything about it seems right. More than anything, the finanacial freedom this can provide attracts us. Is it true that (doing most of the work yourself) you can build a nice home for about $30k? (Cost of living in OK is very cheap.)
Cost varies WIDELY based on a LOT of factors. We could easily blow $30k on the kitchen alone if we aren't sensible about it!Quote:
Originally Posted by kala
In recent posts in the member's section, some people posted their approximate costs, and most are in the range of 60 - 100k for 30x30 to 40x40 LHBA stock plan homes. But there are TONS of things that can either raise or lower those costs. If I'm not mistaken, all those people bought their logs, as opposed to those who are fortunate enough to have timber on their property. All of those people had more complex foundations that the pier blocks taught in class (some had full basements, etc.) And among all those people, there was varying amounts of hiring out of labor.
Skip used to teach that you should take the course, and start collecting tools and materials 2 years before you plan to actually build. This gave you plenty of time to bargain hunt for stuff, etc. Many people can't or won't take that much time, and end up paying full retail prices for many things. (For example, some folks are living in trailers on their properties while commuting to work with several kids climbing the walls, lol. You don't want a situation like that dragging on for YEARS, hehe.)
They give lots of tips in the class on how to find bargains, and ways to make your log home as simple and inexpensive as possible. Could one be done for $30k? If the logs were free, DEFINITELY. Even then, you would have to trying pretty hard to KEEP the home cheap as you built it. As many here can attest, it's real easy for things to wind up costing more than you expected.