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hi david, saw your post on here and wonder if you built your log cain yet? i live in laurel mt and an gonna start building mine in the spring. would sure love to hear from you with any suggestions you might have as i can use all the help i can get. thanks a bunch and hope to hear from you. kathy
Hi
My name is Alan. I decided on an alternative low impact lifestyle about ten years ago. I bought an old yacht to restore and convert into a live aboard cruiser. The project took three years to complete. After two years of sea trials in the Irish Sea and a good deal of night classes on navigation and seamanship my girlfriend and I set off from Liverpool Marina. We travelled south, crossing the English the Channel to France and into The Bay of Biscay. That was in 2001 and we are still cruising the Atlantic coast and offshore islands of Europe.
To cut a long story short we found a beautiful and unspoilt part of rural France and made it our base. In Aug 2006 we bought a parcel of land overlooking the river where we keep the boat. It now has two caravans one static one tourer where we have lived for the past six months managing and developing the land.
Now back in the UK looking via the internet for the solutions and answers to problems. The land consists of five terraces cut into a hillside overlooking the flood plain and river Villaine. The largest part of the land is wooded with pine and hard woods. The first time I saw the land and woodlands my immediate response was that this needs a log cabin anything else would be impractical.
So while seeking the knowledge I have surfed myself to this site. Already much useful information has already been gleaned. It is very heartening to find so many like minded people. What I really need is the system of construction and techniques to build a Good log cabin. It is unlikely that I will be able to attend any classes in your part of the world given that I am based In Europe. Can any body help me out here
watery planet I will need a boat
"Do you need any special skills to build your own log home? Is it really as easy as it sounds?
Thanks, Karen"
Hi Karen,
Google Dorothy Ainsworth. After that, maybe pinecone pam could help you out.
They both built the bulk of their homes. Dorothy built two log homes, (not by
choice), and Pam wants to start another one. Of course they had help, but both
Dorothy and Pam were the driving force. Drive and determination can replace a
whole lot of skill, knowledge, youth, and money.
Pam said she had a LOT of people stop by to look, and more than a few stopped
to tell her what she was doing wrong. Interesting how Pams house came out
perfect without leaking air, water, and rodents, and that is a common problem with
the homes of the people who advised her of how "wrong" she was. Strange that
Pam's house didn't settle....
Your log home can be as basic or extravagant as you like, but both Dorothy and
Pam built show palaces!
-Rick
Hey party people,
My name is Stephanie. I'm going to be attending the class this upcoming weekend (Nov 07). Looking forward to it!
Currently I reside in Southern California, but I'm moving to Southeastern Montana next year.
See Ya at the class this weekend. Did they (powers to be) change it to a party? Oh dear, I better bring some party pants:) just kidding. I used to live in SoCal, El Toro and Newport Beach area, for about 10 years. I'm coming from Georgia, so ya all don't wait up for me, ok ;) Seriously, Great Memories will be created this weekend. Take Care , Mike
Semper Fi my Brothers
Welcome doobies.. I mean noobies.
Avoid those mercury laced flu shots and catch the LHBA FEVER!!!!
sick and happy,
Kola
btw what the heck are party pants?
me being part redneck I would think they were camo pants or bib overalls.
??
...or maybe those big billowy MC Hammer pants!
LOL
Thank you for welcoming newcomers to this forum.
I am a real estate agent, and found this web site and forum as a result of having listed for sale a log home that was built by a former student. I have learned some things here, I look forward to learning a lot more, and maybe I will be able to contribute something of value now and then.
kola, I think 2 cents was in the ballpark with a MC Hammers parachute Pants. However with that said, and as an x Marine, trousers are worn by men and pants are for women according to drill instructors at MCRD San Diego back in mid 70's. I own camo and bibovers, but I don't think they will get me into the Marine Corp Ball. OH well, I,m sleepless in Monroe, west coast is 3hrs behind us in Ga. Up since 2am and Class won't start for several hours yet, But i'm excited to be here. See ya all soon. Mike ps To ya alls relief I left the party pants at home
Semper Fi my Brothers
Mr. Mike:
Glad to know I'm not the only East-Coaster who is awake in their hotel room awaiting the beginning of class in a few hours. I'm afraid that by 8:00 PM (at the end of the class today) I may be propping my eyes open with toothpicks...
Scott
I too am thinking, i'm usually snoozing by 9pm, How do I not passout as they're giving out some critical info. I can drink a gallon of coffee, and still be asleep in an hour. Reminds me I gotta go down for a cup of java. Later Mike PS any ideas to stay alert that doesn't involve pain, I'm all ears.
Semper Fi my Brothers
Mike:
I tried to stay awake as long as I could last night to force myself to adjust to the three-hour time change, but sitting at dinner at the Clay Oven at about 7:00 last night I was struggling to stay awake (BTW, thanks to Rick for the terrific recommendation - great Indian food, although our server had some trouble). I think I was out cold in bed by 8:15...
Scott, I almost went there last night, but opted for a burrito, which Monroe doesn't seem to have a shortage of. I was out early, dont recall clock turning past 7. Then up @ 2:15,
btw Folks Best Western is ok, however they don't have the Playboy, oops I mean the Fox News Channel. Later Mike
Semper Fi my Brothers
Hello people, I'm Richelle my husband Bryan & I are still fairly new to this site. We hope to attend the class soon. In the mean time we are looking in Alaska for land.We are currently living in GA.
Howly from Midway Texas
My wife just ran across the web-site and looked at some of the pictures and said wow this is real cool. We wood love to do something like this, but the 15 ac. we have is prairie land with some mesquites. Their is a guy down the road from us that been building a house like the ones in the pictures that at first we really didn't know what he is doing, but know we do by see these pictures. My parents has a ranch with some hard wood on it and was wondering if you can use it to build a house out of them are do you need soft wood. One way are another we will do something like this one day like this we really like building a house all natural.
Hey Richelle,
Welcome to the group! My wife and I are planning a move to Alaska as well. Where are you looking? We are considering the Kenai Penninsula, but are open to just about anywhere we can find the perfect piece of land. I hope you can take the class soon; it was the best investment we've made!
Jay,
Thank you for the warm welcome. Bryan & I are also looking for land around the Kenai Penninsula,although we are too are open to a nce piece of land anywhere we can find it.
I'm a teacher, and looking to build log cabin home for my daughter and I. I've been looking around, but I'm not sure what to look for??? Additionally, I want to build it myself, but I'm not sure if that is possible in the location that I want to build (NC)??? I believe I can, but where and how to get educated on the construction is confusing... This is what I want to leave to my daughter when the Lord brings me home... You have a great web sight, but I wish the classes were closer to NC so I could take them....
Trust in the Load always...... :)
If you want to build your own log home, you have definitely come to the right place. Lots of people balk at the cost of airfare etc. when considering taking the LHBA course. I did. But I can tell you without reservation that what you will learn in the class will save you much more in your building project than the cost of flying out to take the class. Not only in many of the money-saving tips you will gain, but also saving you from making costly mistakes. LHBA does offer a no-questions-asked, money back guarantee on the cost of membership as well. And that really does mean no-questions-asked. There is no catch. They are that sure that what you will learn will be worth it. And I have yet to meet anyone who wasn't satisfied that it was money well spent.Quote:
Originally Posted by lhiggins
When they say you will learn "everything you need to know" to build your log home, it's not PRECISELY true. I have no construction experience myself, and I have found that there are LOTS of things I will need to learn before my project is done. In other words, they don't teach EVERY aspect of construction you will need to learn to build your own home. But they teach you everything that is DIFFERENT about building a log home, compared to ordinary construction. To do your own wiring, for example, you would still need to get some books and study up on wiring. But they will teach you how to install wiring in a LOG home (stuff like how do you get outlets and switches in a log wall? etc.) I hope this makes sense, lol.
For Donna and me, we needed to decide whether a project like this was something we actually COULD do. For us, even if we had decided that we really couldn't pull it off, we would have saved ourselves from a huge, costly mistake of trying to do something we really couldn't do. So even if we hadn't decided to go ahead with our dream log home (and we ARE going to go for it!) it would have been money well spent, if only to know for SURE that we could or couldn't do it.
Whatever you decide, I wish you success.
Lhiggins,
As a North Carolina resident, I can tell you that I took the course in October, 2007 to learn how to build log homes.. It was well worth travelling cross country to meet Steve and Ellsworth. They are really knowledgeable guys and will teach you what you need to know - Dont forget - its not only about the log home building, it's about the change in thinking - FINANCIAL INDEPENDANCE - These guys are great - and they have my respect. My eyes are wide open right now and I am just getting started; we are looking for property in NC and we are planning to build asap. Make the effort - goto Washington State and TAKE THE CLASS.... It is well worth it...Oh - and yes - YOU CAN BUILD IN NORTH CAROLINA - I'm doin' it.....THE EDUCATION IS THERE FOR THE TAKING....STEVE AND ELLSWORTH MAKE IT SOMETHING THAT IS APPROACHABLE FOR ANYONE THAT HAS THE WILL AND DETERMINATION TO GET IT DONE.... Take my word for it... book it, take it, then build it....
My husband and I live in Virginia (fairly close to the VA/NC border) and we are attending the class this upcoming weekend. Any nervousness or apprehension I was feeling about our decision to do this were just squashed when I read your post. Thank you!
Glad to hear it. One thing that will be said by Ellsworth or Steve - "I'm sure that all of you have log home ideas and plans - throw them out - we will teach you how to re-think your designs." Remember - the most efficient shape is a square........you'll see it in the math..
Have fun - let's talk after you take the class - we are probably not that far apart and can help each other.
Regards,
/Jack
I am so glad I found this site, there seems to be so much and I don't know where to start lol. Well actually I do, of course its by saying "HELLO, I am very glad to be here". But after this I'm clueless, can anybody recommend to me getting together starting information? I would love to take the classes but I guess at the moment there is none?
Hey, welcome to the forum! Glad you're here with us!
The home page and forums have recommended
reading. That's always a great place to start.
Also, just start reading the old posts in the forums
and see if building your own log home is really for you.
This is an important step because:
1. The class is far too expensive if:
*you're not sure if this is really for you,
*you just want some questions answered,
*you just want to some good friends and comraderie.
However if, after reading the forums and looking at The Log Home(s)
of the month you decide it is for you, then you will be able to take
the class and put your plan into action.
Of course, my opinion of the class is; triple the price and it will still
be the bargain of a lifetime, but only if you take action.
It's easy to get excited (it's hard to NOT get excited) about having a log
home that comes without a mortgage, but sit back, take your time, soak
in the forums, and photos, and plan your move.
-Rick
Awsome! Thanks Rick
Hey Steve,
It was a pleasure to meet you and Ellsworth this weekend. You guys have put together a very credible and understandable process for log home building. I am enthused about the opportunity to go home and try to share these ideas with my family. We have a fairly good sized parcel of land in central MN and have talked about building a sort of community of homes for the extended family. We intend to start with a home for my folks and after the primer this weekend I do think it's very do-able. Now the real fun starts!
Hey to everyone who was at the Nov 17 - 18 class. It was good to meet you all. Thanks for the interesting perspectives and questions along the way!
See ya!
Mike B.
Hi, Im Ryan from Ohio. My wife and I are currently planning a move to Missoula where several of our friends live. I'm looking forward to jumping on the first available date for a log home building class sometime in January or February with the exception of Jan. 21st and 22nd because of some classes I have to take in Missoula. Anyways, looking forward to seeing you all this winter and building on some of my ideas.
Thanks, Ryan