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.
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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.
Hey Everyone!
Well, I've been browsing this site (and the old site) for at least 4 months or so. I'm currently a student at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and I too aspire to build my own log cabin someday, with the help of my enchanting g/f of six years. We're planning to move South when we are both done with school, and building our own log home is something that we've discussed in great detail over the last couple of years. I'm very happy with the site, and it seems like everybody has an open, positive attitude toward the quality of life. We have both decided that building will be an experience that MUST be shared together & we both look forward to attending the class someday. Just as it takes years to build, it may take years to join, but I'm sure that the experience will be rewarding when we take the leap. Just wanted to introduce myself & I look forward to chatting a bit on the forum!--Brett H.
Hello, this looks like a good place to find information, I am looking forward to using it. I am planning on building a medium sized log house or cabin in the mountains of WV in the future. I haven't decided whether I will cut my own logs or buy them. Of course I would like to do it mystelf, it is kind of scary, to think I might get it wrong. I can use all the suggestions I can get. Earl
Hi will I just found this site...I am seriously thinking of taking the class in Feb and signing my husband up as well and if I can convince my brother to fly here from Idaho then him as well. I am disabled and have very limited use of my upper body so I am not sure it would be worth taking the class for my self. But on the other hand I hate being left out!!! My husband is presently out looking at property and we will be buying this week in the Northern Idaho area. So he doesn't know about this class as of yet. But I plan on informing him tomorrow. The poetenial land we are thinking of buying is 10 acres with a very tiny log home and I suspect it was a kit. (AND I MEAN mouse tiny!!!) So the plan is for my husband to live in it tell the one we build is finished. We have a severely Autistic 5yr old grandson so I plan on staying here until our son finishes school so I can help him and his wife with there sons. I figure I will be here at least 18 mos. so it gives plenty of time for building. Of course we will have to wait to start in the spring. I know potenially we could use trees from the property however don't they have to set and season for a while? How long? and what is the best type of trees to use?? Any info will sure help. I am hoping there will be some people who are from the Idaho or even Eastern WA who have taken the class or will be taking the class . Perhaps willing to help us build. Anyway I am excited it has been a dream of mine to have a log cabin ....a dream I truthfully did not think would come true. Now I feel it will really happen. We want to not have a mortgage payment so we know there is hard work ahead. However we also realize it will be worth it~!!!Thanks for listening
Donna
Hi, Donna. We're neighbors - I'm near Northport, WA, and though I have not yet started to build, I have my land and have taken the class. I'm sure I speak for SO many LHBA members when I say TAKE THE CLASS! There is much to be learned about the LHBA method of building, and Elsworth and Steve will make it very clear (they've been teaching and building for a long time).
You are in a good area for trees (logs). I used to live in Coeur d'Alene and also in Sandpoint. Please don't concern yourself with what species of tree to use - it's a relatively insignificant point and will be covered in the class (again, you're in a good area).
I'm sure you've already noticed, but there are a lot of people on this forum who can and will give you advice and support during your build. And once you join you will be allowed access to entire new forums (members'). If you're truly excited about the prospect of building your own log home, I'm sure I again speak for many members when I say don't let the dream die...take the class and discover what many people have learned about the correct way to assemble a log home. Joining the LHBA was some of the best money I've ever spent. Please sign up and take the class as soon as you are able. You will not EVER regret it. Welcome to the neighborhood.
Ken
Thanks Ken for your kind words. After writing my intro...the next morning I registered my husband and I for the class.We are both very excited!!He is snowed in right now at Sandpoint so PRAY the snow will let up so he can make the land deal and come back home safe so we can attend that class!!!I am hoping to learn many wonder points at building our cabin. We want it simple and nice. I don't see any reason why that is not possible.Say we here is Northport?? Thanks Donna
Hi, Donna. Glad you got the two of you signed up. Northport is along the Columbia not too far west of the Idaho border. My mailing address is Colville, but I'm 33 miles out from there and only a few miles from Northport. So's we don't tie up the forums, here's my email address: akguy_1@hotmail.com We can chat there if you like. Again, welcome to the 'hood. Ken
Hello all. My name is Russell and I have been interested in log homes for a long time now. I stumbled across the web site about a year ago, and it just added more fuel to the fire. Now I just need to get my wife on board :)
Well I will be taking the class the middle of feb. hope to be in the members section by the end of the month. I think I have convinced my wife that log homes are the way to go. She is the one that signed me up for the class. Hopefully I will be around more in the future.
Primitive