Hey Jeff,
I have property in VT with a camper, I'm thinking about attending the class to put a log cabin. Question, should I put the foundation first and bring in the power and phone lines or attend the class 1st?
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Hey Jeff,
I have property in VT with a camper, I'm thinking about attending the class to put a log cabin. Question, should I put the foundation first and bring in the power and phone lines or attend the class 1st?
attend the class first. Then refine your FP. once you have a foundation, you are largely stuck. Make sure it is what you want first! Power and phone would not be as large of a mistake. If it is not too far, then you'll want them, and it'll cost you now or later. I would still take the class first -- your might get a nugget of info that changes where you decide to put the home...
FWIW...
Hey Dan, welcome. I have family that lives there in Columbia Falls, MT. My sis and brother in law. They used to own the Hungry Horse Newspaper-sold it a few years back. I sent my nephew a guitar when he was 12 and he is pretty good now.
Gutair is a ruff business-I have a friend who is darn good take a listen on CD baby-samples he is hard core but likes jazz-but says there is no money in jazz. He quit drywall 2 years ago and day trades on the stock market & plays clubs with a couple of bands.
He used to work with me years ago and?I have known him since the early 80's.?He would do some crazy high work no one else wanted anything to do with-way high.
Must be nice to be able to do what you like. He called me up about 4 months ago and insisted I come see him perform at a place in?Laguna Beach CA. called the??White House. The music was so loud you had to yell to talk to a person next to you. <a href="http://cdbaby.com/cd/normanmerten">http://cdbaby.com/cd/normanmerten</a>?plays samples of the cd no. 9 drive is hard core
It was worth going though-he can play anything and everything. Storman Norman the Monster is what fellow musicians call him. Keep playing
sample of my kinda music -lotta you young folk never heard? music like this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5znh58WITU8&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5znh58WITU8&feature=related</a>
Hi All,
Looking forward to chatting with all of you.
I have already purchased Land and have been looking to build my own Log Home. "Cottage". After lots of research I found your Site.
I seem to be fortunate as in I have 5000+ 40 Year old plantation of Red Pine on my neighbors property.
We have worked out a great deal and I cant wait to get started.
Any chance this course will be offered in the East anytime? If not, I will book soon.
Regards All,
Mike.
Mike,
Congrats on finding the site. I'll be building this spring 45 mins west of Ottawa. You're more than welcome to swing check things out.
There's a couple other Ontarians lurking about here as well.
Unfortunately, you gotta travel west to take the class, but it's soooo worth it, if for nothing else than Skip's famous cookies.
J.
Cody - we are in Phoenix.
We actually plan to build our cabin in the Sacramento mountains of south central New Mexico.
My husband, Pete, will be going to the next class in April - any possibility of you going then? We can hardlly wait!
Hi Cody. I'm in Phoenix, too. Went to the class a year ago and started looking for land in CO & WA when a family illness at the beginning of summer, and then the stock market slowed my plans down.
My house is just now going on the market this week. I'm thinking about taking a look at the Lakeside area to buy or build. It would keep me a little closer to family.
There's at least a couple of other people on the site from AZ besides Joyce (above) and her husband, Pete.
Hi, I just found out about this site a few days ago. Im thinking of going pretty short notice though. Did You really learn everything You need to build a cabin? Also do You have the logs lined up to buy down in lakeside? Im going to at least start seeing what I can buy them for. I have heard here in Az. the forest service used to have a permit system to get Your own logs. That would take some heavy equipment to skid logs that big. well thanks Cody
Cody:
spend a few hours time reading the posts on the forum.
I was truly amazed at how many people the LHBA & its founder, Skip, seem to have had a life changing affect on. I have devoured everything on the public side & can't wait to be able to get into the members side...........and have found nothing but consistantly positve comments from those who have taken the class. There is a wealth of information to be had here, a terrific support system & it seems like really
level headed, down to earth people who want something better for themselves & their families - but not at the expense of everyone else.
I think the answer is to take the class before you go much further - that seems to be the advise given to everyone who is "chomping at the bit" ..... this website reminds me of the old saying " when the student is ready - the teacher will come" -
Joyce
Cody,
I was pounding curtain rod screws into the window jamb with a hammer last week in frustration ... = ) But after spending hours on this site, I got enough confidence to take the class. Oh my. And yes, even I learned how to build a log home. (And swinging a hammer is a big part of it....so, I know I can do at least that!)
There's tons of info to be had here, even without getting into the member's only area. You have to hunt a bit, but it's worth it.
After reading some, you'll see who the people are who really know their stuff and have built or are building homes, and many of them have websites with photos and explanations of their progress. Check them all out! You'll learn *alot*. Vern Street's comes to mind as the final site that made me think I should go to the class. Some of the people I looked for at the time to read were Loghomeguy, Shark, Basil, Rocklock ... There are others with great posts and sites, I just can't recall their screen names off the top of my head ... but you'll see who they are as you start reading.
You can click on their names to track their posts, too. Some you won't have access to, but you will on quite a few.
You get helpful info on finding and buying logs in the class, too. (I don't have anything lined up yet.) If you can go - do it!!!
"Vern Street's comes to mind as the final site that made me think I should go to the class. Some of the people I looked for at the time to read were Loghomeguy, Shark, Basil, Rocklock ... There are others with great posts and sites, I just can't recall their screen names off the top of my head"
Don't forget Mikey!!
Frances
Sorry to hear about the illness in the family, hope things are better now.
Your picture looks like you're working on your forearms in preparation for pounding all that rebar. ;-)
Jason.
See? Loghomeguy ... right at the front of the list! I was trying to think of screeen names. Yup, Mikey's story caught my attention, too ...
Cody, the thing I didn't mention and should have, is that after class you have access to the members area, and ALL of the wisdom and know-how from all these people - and it is extensive, plus if you've got people in your area ... they just might show up and lend a hand once in a while!
Jason - thanks! It turned out as well as it could have, so we were thankful. It just put my life on hold from May through September - didn't want to put my house on the market till we knew exactly what would be happening with my mom. She's fine now - but wow, things have changed a bit since September!
See? Loghomeguy ... right at the front of the list! I was trying to think of screeen names. Yup, Mikey's story caught my attention, too ...
Umm does MIKEY = "LOGHOMEGUY" ?
"Nailed?" laughing ! Listen up VAL ! (Pal)
if you need logs in AZ buy them in MT-ID-OR WA,,,,,, of course I will avail myself to help facilitate your purchase, I cannot imagine that sending them to Phoenix mid-summer 112 degree weather would cause much more than four feet of sweep from sun exposure, we could build a round home,,,,,,,In Sonora MX, and have shrines , walk thru Nogales at night , eat tres leches and learn to change oil,,,,,,,,
of course I will help you pick out logs,,,,,,
I "modeled" mine after the teardrops. I did not replicated a teardrop. It's square sided with a round roof and front. it's bigger than the teardrops where, but I used the rear kitchen Idea and bed configuration, Mine also has a roof gear rack now, and a solar water heater in the roof. It's more off road than a teardrop is, I do like those old relics and would love to rebuild one someday, maybe next winter. thanks for being abservent.
Hey?Mac I think they make kit plans?of the old tear drops. I saw two about 3 years ago in Williams AZ. They said they bought the plans and built them and?were cruising the whole route 66. They were pretty cool, the back hatch lifts up and there is your kitchen and the top had an ac unit on it. If you're by yourself and don't mind being cramped up, it would be a great on site weekend unit to stay in while ya build?your log cabin.? However if I had a choice I think I would like yours better as there's more room and the kitchen is inside. Hey post some pics if ya get a chance.
Did a search and found these, that looked just like the ones I saw. <a href="http://www.tintop-teardrop.com/index.html">http://www.tintop-teardrop.com/index.html</a>
hello again, It took Me a few days took make My mind up to go but I just signed up. Thanks alot for your advice. Maybe We will meet someday. Thanks, Cody
Hello, Anybody out there going to the april class from My neck of the woods? I would sure like to hear from You.
Hi Cody:
My husband, Pete, is going.(Phoenix) He will fly out the afternoon before & back early on the day after class. What airport will you fly out of?
this is my email (would give you his - but half the time my own msgs don't get through the Boeing security)
jjankiewicz1@ cox.net
maybe you guys could share a ride - possibly a room?
"When you know what you want, and want it badly enough, you'll find a way to get it!"Quote:
Originally Posted by Codeman
Jim Rohn
Hi there everyone, thought I'd best introduce myself before asking my first question!
Well, I've decided to go for a mid-life crisis LOL and become a mature student in the US. I have a bunch of dogs that I'll be bringing with me so I was planning on buying some land and parking an RV or something on it to live in---that was until I found this site, now I'm having all sorts of log-cabin inspired plans...my mom thinks I'm completely crazy as it is, how on earth am I gonna break this to her???!!!
where are you going to school? How many dogs do you have? That Dalmatian doesn't look like he'd be happy in an RV! maybe 20 acres in the north woods would be good for him! Anyways, sounds like you have found the place to make your desired lifestyle happen.
I don't know About keeping those dogs in an RV parked somewhere, though. Maybe if you have a friend with a big fenced yard that will let you park close to campus. Then your dogs would have a place to run.
In any event, welcome to the association. great to have you.
Hi Codeman, My wife and I are not from your area but gonna go to the class in April, will be flying in the day before, we are looking for someone to share a ride from the airport, we are staying at the B&B. Look forward to meeting you.
I am planning on doing the course as soon as I can convince the wife we need a life style change. Have a great time.
David
Somerset England
David,
I lived in St Johns Wood London and grew up there 3 year left in 91. I think i might have some Brits in my family back ground. I miss that place so much but way way to expensive.
Hi StressMan, sorry I didn't really make myself clear about the dogs. I have 6, all of which have always been outdoor dogs, I have spent most of my adult life on farms and am used to being outdoors from morning to night and the dogs have always been around me (getting under my feet LOL) and have had their own outdoor sleeping quarters at night.
I believe 6 dogs is the general max. allowed without a permit and they aren't noisy or anything as long as they have their freedom to dig, chase rabbits etc. Their last sleeping quarters was actually an old converted mobile home next to the house, during the day when I was all dirty thru doing the usual dirty outdoor jobs I used to go in there for a break and I noticed how much they loved it so I put their beds in there and it became their home, they were always free to come and go as they pleased and that is just the way of life they are used to.
When I go off to class they will stay behind, I would always make sure someone was around at all times as I don't think you can be too careful nowadays. Where I used to live there was a spate of dog-nappings from secure areas, it was happening when the owners were out, it's kind of made me a bit paranoid and so I've always had live-in help or similar just for security.
At the moment I've several options re: college, I'm actually looking at a program of related study (animal related) but not all at the same location. It is currently between Colorado, California and Florida. I'm deciding the best compromise based on things such as land prices, travelling time and general logistics and the fact that only certain colleges are authorised for international students. I think the best bet so far is Florida but obviously the main problem there is land price and finding somewhere away from neighbors. I've actually just found a really interesting possibility, it is only 3 acres but has SR frontage and is completely landlocked by state and federal land and the owner will finance too. I'm going to look in to that one further I think, paws crossed!!
Michelle.
Hi Steve,
I really wanted to attend the class. Can I be put on a list in the case somebody cancels? Is there any other way I can get some information to get me started? I have the land I need and I'm excited to start building my log home. If I can't attend a class, maybe I can build the log garage as a starter. What is your recommendation for me at this time?
Very interested,
Garrett Smith
I am thinking about taking the class but it is full. What are some of the valuable things you learned at class and why is it worth it?
Hi Scott,
I am interested in taking the class this year, but it is full. I have the land to start, but lack the full understanding of why this class is so great. Can you give me some input about what makes it so good? If I can't get into the class this year, I would at least like to make as many preparations as possible this year. What can you suggest? Is there a list of tools I should be looking for?
Thanks,
Garrett Smith
at info@loghomebuilders.org
they can put you on the cancellation list. I think they are pretty good about refunding tuition, so once in a while someone cancells for one reason or another. You might get in.
However, I don't know what you can do without the class. I wouldn't recommend doing much (log related), maybe digging a well and moving a trailer up there for temporary (rent free) living.
-Peter
Hi, My name is Shawn and I am very interested in building my own log home some day. As of late, I have been getting into log furniture, and having pretty good success so far. Everything I build is currently out of Eastern Red Cedar. I have made 3 beds, an entertainment center, and a pub table. There will be a lot more to come in the near future. I would love to build my own log home from scratch some day. Currently I am a Mechanical Engineer. Used to be a Residential Designer. I'm looking for all the information i need to build this log home I've been designing for 2 years. Yes I have been working on this for some time. Well anyway, looking forward to talking to all of you and to, hopefully, get a good start in the right direction.
Thanks,
Shawn
Shawn,
welcome to the forums. you'll find tons of useful people and topics discussed.
Unfortunately, much of your design will likely get reworked once you take the class.
BTW, I am also a Mechanical engineer (stress analyst) for Boeing.
-Peter
stressman79@hotmail.com
Hello everyone!!
I am so glad we found this site. My husband Dean and
I (April) purchased some land last year and would really like to put a log home on it. We live in Arkansas and have 2 beautiful children. We realize after searching that we simply cannot afford to have someone build us home with what we paid for land. We hope to come take your class and become members and hopefully build our dream home!!! The houses that are pictured here are just beautiful!!!!
Probably the best investment you can make towards your dream of home (not bank) ownership/financial independence is the class. You can learn how to prioritize your life and build your home for cents on the dollar compared to a similar sized stick frame home ('log' homes are typically even more than stick frame).
Anyway, glad to have you with us. does your land have electric/water? how big is the land? HOW BIG ARE THE KIDS!? These are all questions that will make a huge difference in your log home building dreams.
FWIW, if you have two 8+ year old boys, and don't plan on a bigger family, then I would stick with ~30x30 footprint, you can start soon. boys will basically automatically dig this endeavor. Girls may take more convincing, but I have known some that would also jump right in.
Start saving money, networking with people near your property and near where you currently live. If you need a "first step" then try to get a free/cheap mobile home at your land and get your septic figured out. Then you can live rent free.
Also, you will note that many members are 'end of the world as we know it (EOTWAWKI)'types. I would hedge my bets. Guns, bullets, and tools don't lose value, if you can pick them up for a good price. so at the very least, you can get your money back out of them. If you have some extra cash, buy a new (used) tool, or 1000 rounds, etc.
I don't mean to scare you, but I don't know anything about you yet. many ppl want to know "I am signed up for the class -- what should I do till then?" I just wanted to fill the gap
Again, welcome.
Hi I just wanted to introduce myself , we are planning on attending the seminar in the next couple of mos. We are very excited and motivated to begin...SOON... ! We are in the process of looking for suitable land in Oregon and Washington states. We'd like to build in the next year, maybe even this summer.
We'd love to help out and gain some hands on expirience if any of you are in our general area, let us know when you are staring to build.
Hope to be meeting some of you soon at the meetings....
GOTTA GET to that seminar!!
Susan :D 8)
My husband and I have dreamed of a log home for a long time. we have our land, septic, driveway, well, electric, phone. Just need to build! had planned on a 'kit' until I found this site. you present some very interesting ideas and certainly challenge what I thought we knew (and how long we'd have to keep working to pay it off!!).
is anyone out there from MN, IA, ND, SD, WI?
would love to see what you've done and hear your story!
thanks for a very informative forum!
Hello everyone here from the deep south. I live in northern Mississippi and found this site while googling for building your own home and living a simpler, debt free life!
My family has some land in northern Arkansas that I could build on.? That is a great help financially, and belive me I need that!
My biggest question : Has any single woman built her own log home?? If so, I would love to hear from you.
I am interested in any type of sound home that I can build mortgage free and am working to get debt free...almost there!? My youngest child graduates from college this May!!!!
I truly want to have a mortgage free home, no debt, and living a? much simpler life!? I think that the way most Americans live is not really living at all, especially these days.
My biggest concern, really biggest fear, is that I will not be able to build a log home by myself.? I am not a?wilting southern flower by any means and I know that Dorothy Ainsworth built her home basically?all by herself.? I think she is a wonderwoman!? Just would love to know that other single women have done it and how.
Sorry for the long introduction.
Cindy?
Hi CindyLou. You and I have alot in common. I am a single woman and my one and only, my daughter, just graduated college in December. I have property up in the Adirondack foothills that I will be building on. I took the class in January of '08 after being disgusted by a log home show here in Tampa, Florida. After taking the class, I began doing renovations to my existing home to make it more marketable. I singularly replaced all my windows, rebuilt an entire bathroom from the studs in, installed a roof vent fan and right now I'm constructing two new doors as was taught in the class.
I will be building my own house. Of course, I will not be doing everything by my self. No one here does EVERYTHING by his or her self. Even Dorothy Ainsworth had her son and big strapping boyfriend helping her. I have my daughter who I have learned is perfectly capable of holding up the other side of a piece of drywall while I screw it into the ceiling! She has also helped me lift a double window into place. (However, she cannot boil an egg to keep from starving. That's my fault I guess.) I too want to live mortgage free and will be hiring various contractors to do whatever I need to have done if it is better than trying to do it myself. I get a little anxious sometimes too. I'm not totally confident all the time. But whenever I start feeling like that, I just consciously dismiss those fears and replace those thoughts with constructive plans for getting those doors planed.
A lot of women log onto this sight and express the same concern that they "can't do it". I don't think I ever read a post by a man who would say the same thing. Men had hammers and wrenches put in their hands as children. What did your mom put in your hand? A spatula? A dust rag? Directions to sorting laundry? Growing up "girlish" equated to cutting off your legs at the knees. You don't even know you can walk on your own. Well, you can. You put on your pants, climb the ladder, swing the hammer, cut the wood, call your old friend about how to fit a tub drain, ask the guy in Lowe's about constructing a new roof vent, take photos of problems that stump you, print them out, carry them to Home Depot and show them to everyone in the plumbing department. Then you buy the tool, buy the tile saw, buy the chainsaw, buy the hardware and if you buy the wrong one, you bring it back. Also, buy a few books, masonry, framing, electrical, plumbing, find some do-it-yourself sites online. Ask a couple of guys about how to do something. As time goes on, and you've been at it a while, building stuff, fixing stuff, you're going to find that you know more about how to do things than a lot of men do these days. It's why the guy at Lowe's last week was shocked when I told him I was building my own doors. All I needed from him was to find out where the glue was but he needed more details and wanted to give me instructions on whatever it was I was doing. Building doors was a little beyond his repetoire.
In a nutshell, the more you learn and do, the more confident of your skills and abilities you will become.
Frances
<img src="/sites/all/modules/tinymce/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-tongue-out.gif" alt="Tongue out" title="Tongue out" border="0" />?? Are milled logs logs, or are they timbers?
When I was peeling my logs, my daughter asked, "how many trees are we going to peel today." I said no trees today. She had a puzzled look on her face. I told her that when it is vertical it is a 'tree'. When it is horizontal it is a 'log'. We peeled 10 logs that day.
Hi Steve & Everyone Else,
My name is Ray, new to this forum, and VERY appreciative for it's existence. I am thinking on moving to Oregon, building a smaller Log Cabin, live off the grid, and start to live life. I did post in this general discussions section and all comments are welcome.
Thx Again