Printable View
Hey guys,
My name is Cory.
I've been thinking about building my own home in the woods since I was a kid, and for the past few months have become serious about building a log home to raise my kids in.
I've been around the site a bit and keep seeing references to your class. As much as I'd like to go, I live in WV and can't really move at this point. Is it possible to take this class online or something?
Anyway, glad to be here and I hope I learn a lot from you guys. ;)
Why would you have to move? The class isnt available in any format other than in person at the class locations.
It used to be soley at Skips home in Washington. The last one was in Las Vegas.
where at in WV are you? I grew up near huntington, spent 5 years at WVU, am hoping to move up to Fayetteville at some point in time. and I am currently building down here in Roanoke, VA
my name is Stephen had to come up with something else so i could join, used part of my last name to do it.
any ways, always wanted to build my home and love camping so thought what would be better then a log cabin. currently looking for land in Alaska and hope to have everything going in the next year or so.
Yuhjn, I'll take some pics next weekend and post them. My wife and I are heading up to the land to hopefully get the gables and ridge pole up. We've got an appointment in mid October with some heavy equipment to get those roof sections up, so we're sort of racing the clock right now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yuhjn
We both took Skips class back in the mid 90's. Our little paper membership cards are long gone, and I doubt there are any kind of invoices to be found (unless Skip kept accurate records). However, we do still have our class notebooks chock full of log wisdom. I'm not sure what it would take to prove my membership, but if there are advantages to this I'm all for it.
Hello from MO!
I've been wanting to build a cabin for several years and almost just bought a finished shell from battlecreekloghomes.com. But after having them build to the extent I wanted so that it really was a dried-in shell, it was going to cost me about $100,000! AFTER sending the bank the plans, my wife and I decided against it and I emailed them over the weekend and told them to forget it.
The very moment I received the email that LHBA was having a class in December I booked my room, flight and rental car!
I'm really looking forward to this class and to taking my time building my home the way I want to build it, on my timeline, and without spending $100,000 on the dried-in shell!!!
whew! glad you found us. :)
Just wanted to introduce ourselves, my name is Scott and my wife is Doris we will be at the Vegas class next month. My wife is counting down the days to attend. We are both excited and fortunate to have 10 acres of land (paid for) with plenty of pine timber to use. Looking forward to meeting everyone and getting started.
welcoime aboard. you'll enjoy the class! see you in the members section!Quote:
Originally Posted by ssshipley77
Hello to all,
I've actually been a member here now for a few months but became so engrossed in researching so many informative threads in here I forgot to introduce myself.
The name is Mark and pleased to meet you all.
I actually stumbled across this website by accident while looking up info on log homes but after looking around in here and seeing the pictures of so many students' beautiful homes and projects and I knew I'd be here for the long haul. I'm definitely planning on taking the course though it may be a year or so for that.
One thing I DO like that it stresses no experience necessary - that's me - handy with tools but never built anything larger than a dog house way back when I was in my teens.
Mark
YES--just in the nick of time! Heck--for $100,000 I may be able to build half a dozen cabins! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by 2 cents
Hello Steve, do you ever run the courses in the North Eastern area, say Maine?
What are your suggestions for seasoning white spruce logs harvested in fall?
There has been one east coast class in the 40 year history of the LHBA. There will almost certainly not be another one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rustico
The cost of the class plus airfair plus accomidation is the best investment you'll make in your home. You'll make that money back several times over based on the knowledge you gain from the class.
We do no season our logs in the LHBA style. We build with them green. You CAN season your logs but that actually makes it harder to build with them.
As far as how do you season logs, there isnt much to it. YOu lay down a few sacrificial logs, lay your logs out on them, peel them, and then rotate I think it's once every two week or once a month. You'll have to research the exact time between turning them. You continue this for a year or two and your logs are seasoned. Now have fun driving rebar into your seasoned logs :)
Is your land in Texas or other parts? Only East Texas has pines. I am looking for some logs close to the San Antonio area. Any ideas? Willing to buy or trade. Thanks
I am new to the forum, planning on building a cabin in Texas. Have you built yours yet, and was it in Texas? I am trying to locate resources. Thanks
We live in East Texas, south of Lufkin, and close to Lake Sam Rayburn. Getting ready for the upcoming class in Las Vegas. No we haven't started building but my wife has had me clearing and burning since we got signed up for the class. What part of the great state of Texas are you from, mountains for me
I have some land in the Hill Country near San Antonio, I envy you going to the Las Vegas class, they are sold out, or I would be there. I am really trying to decide for my house in Texas on straw or butt and pass log. My main concern is getting timber down where I live. Bastrop is about the closest pine timber to my area. How plentiful are big pines 12 - 24" diameter in your area? Can you purchase them from private individuals or get them from forest or state land? If you need any ideas on well or septic, I have some experience in that area. Will you be on the grid as far as electricity or are you looking at alternative energy options? Good luck with the class.
.....with enough pine timber to build my house,( I believe) let me take the class first. But I do know of about 100 trees approx 35' tall with at least 12' tops. That should be enough to get started. All things are on hold until after the class, as in plans , location, and other variables. I already have a well, am looking for a filtration system, and will be staying on grid, but would like to find a less expensive alternative to air conditioning.
I have 10 acres.....
.....with enough pine timber to build my house,( I believe) let me take the class first. But I do know of about 100 trees approx 35' tall with at least 12' tops. That should be enough to get started. All things are on hold until after the class, as in plans , location, and other variables. I already have a well, am looking for a filtration system, and will be staying on grid, but would like to find a less expensive alternative to air conditioning.
Thanks for the reply. What do you mean by filtration system? Hard water, iron content in well water? As far as the less expensive ac, not sure what would be cheaper on the front end, but I am currently involved with some geothermal wells for heating and ac in the San Antonio area for a residential home, it is the first one in the area, pretty expensive upfront, but if you do a lot of the work yourself, can pay for itself in 6 to 12 years. Maybe we can do some trading and help each other out.
Hi David, where in NY are you and where will you be building? I have a property in Fulton County and there are other NYers about also.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nero
I think you will find that the money you spend will also bring you years of support, information and resources also. You're not just getting a class for the money. You are getting a lifelong membership in an association with member benefits.
Welcome and good luck!
Frances
I am from The Bronx, In NY. I will not be building in NY. I am looking to build in Toms River NJ or Brick NJ. Im glad to hear that I will be getting years of support because I will need it . lol . Building my own house is a dream of mine . Although like most people on this forum I will not be building mY dream house. MY goal is actually to see if I can build a house and then sell it , and then repeat the proccess again . but I am getting a little bit ahead of myself . First things first, I need to take my class........ I really am amazed about how helpfull everyone is on this forum .
Is there any one on this forum who has built in New Jersey?
Hello Everyone
Looking forward to the Vegas class since I want to build an addition and a garage. I currently live in a log home that covered up with brick by the previous owner.
Hoping to come away with some ideas and am already very inspired by what I have read on the website. See you this weekend!
-Andre
I just got back last night from the training in Vegas and I am so excited and raring to go and build. A buddy has a 4 acre wooded lot and he & his wife want a cabin, I am confident we can work something out & get started this year. Taking the class is an awesome opportunity towards self sufficiency be it eliminating one's mortgage or eliminating one's wage slavery. I'll post more as the build progresses.
Welcome back. We'll be looking for those pic's.
Still A Dream. But saving funds for the class. 1/2 way there now.
Howdy
I too have always wanted a log home but was not going to pay for the kits.
I am Jo Dahlin living near Comerce Texas on a 36 acer ranch. I raise children, cows, goats, chicken, dog and cats. A lake is being built next to my property and my oak grove will be destroyed. I plan to build my log home over looking the lake then rent out my present home or turn it into bed and breakfast while keeping the ranch. Above all I will show my children how to build a home debt free. I am exited about the class in Dec.
Sounds like an awesome plan! Good luck. Too bad about the Oak trees though... I love Oak trees. :)
Hey Jo, I am a fellow Texan, down in the San Antonio area, I just took the class in Vegas a couple of days ago. Congratulations, on your decision to go forward with this, I have always wanted to build a home debt free. I am trying to do it now in 2 places, Texas and Colorado but it is very attainable. The class is definitely worth the time and investment. Would love to trade labor, ideas , or tools, after you take the class. There is another member ssshipley who took the class in Vegas, he is planning to build in the Sam Rayburn lake area, I think that is a little bit closer to you then I am. You are in the Dallas area aren't you? If you think the public forum is awesome, wait till you get to access the member forum. Good luck!