Greg Midkiff
Family of 5
Attending the April 4,5 2007 class with my son
Currently live in Denton, TX
Plan to build near San Antonio
Want to pursue a homesteading lifestyle involving meat goats
Anybody on this forum build a log cabin in Texas?
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Greg Midkiff
Family of 5
Attending the April 4,5 2007 class with my son
Currently live in Denton, TX
Plan to build near San Antonio
Want to pursue a homesteading lifestyle involving meat goats
Anybody on this forum build a log cabin in Texas?
Hello Everyone,
My name is Chuck and am a proud member of The LHBA !
I have been enjoying the reads in the forums... lots of good info!
This is my first post and am seeking logs for my project in East. Wash.
I want to start my building process this year, very exciting to read other builders successes! I will keep in touch... rats! I missed the recent meeting! Ya all take care! Chuck
I am writing to say hello! I came across the LHBA while looking for homes, financial freedom, etc. I have always wondered about log homes. I think they are beautiful to look at but don't know how they "live". I am also very interested in financial freedom for my family. I am wondering if this would be a possibility for us. My husband and I are perfectly capable I just can't seem to get him interested. He says he'll take a look. I am wondering if we shouldn't read the suggested material and stuff to have a working foundation before I take the class. I don't know that he will. I would love any feedback, encouragement, etc. I am college educated, exercise pretty regularly, and am 35. I am tired of being a slave to everyday "bills, etc." Thanks! :D
First off, welcome to LHBA! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by bsebailey
Now the nitty gritty. The decision to build your own home, especially if you wish to do it affordably as possible, must be unanimous. You said "family" so I assume you have at least one child, and such discussions should also involve them if they are old enough to understand what might happen. In a case of building affordably, one usually makes sacrifices, and often large ones at that. A good example of that may be selling you current home or getting out of a rented apartment, and living on the land your building upon, in a travel trailer or old mobile home. A family of three going from 1000~2000+ square foot house, to a 200~300 square foot camper will likely be very taxing. A teen who's not too pleased about lost privacy could be a disaster on a family. But if you prepare for it ahead of time, it can work.
Getting your husband interested is absolutely critical if this is going to work. Probably a good place to start is try and find out what causing his disinterest. Perhaps he doesn't like the idea of a lot of physical labor. Maybe he heard log homes (kit log homes) are high maintenance, or someone else's bad experience with a kit home. Maybe he thinks LHBA is a scam. Or perhaps he thinks you're just caught up in the idea of building your own place, and it will blow over. Whatever it is, finding out what it is, is the first key to proceeding.
By all means research the website and forum thoroughly. I'd never recommend anyone jump into something (especially this big) without educating themselves first. Heck, I'll even recommend you go over to www.lhoti.com and read the forums there and draw your own conclusion. That board is mostly populated by kit home contractors, and HATE (you'll see what I mean) Skip's butt and pass building methods.
And finally, building your own log home isn't for everyone. Like I said, the whole family must be behind it 100%. Once going, it takes a lot of persistance and hard work to get it done, but if living without a 30 year mortgage over head is a must, (as it is for me) then it's worth a few years of inconveniences and blisters. :D
Excellent points Rod! I will take 2-3 years of blisters and backaches to avoid 30 years of morgage headaches!
bse bailey,
There is a lot of great information on this forum to wet your whistle. Read whatever tickles your fancy and feel free to ask questions. Most of the folks here are self-motivated-self-thinking-DIY'ers ranging from 21 to 65 years old and come from all different walks of life. Men in their sixties have built their own loghomes and 2 women just recently built one!
There are lots of ways to get yourself a loghome and become self sufficient. Learn all you can, then make your decisions. The more you learn, the more options you will have. :)
Power to The People!
Cheers!
Kola
bsebailey, Rod gives some good insight.
He is a wise man.
I would add that in winning over your family, you can start by doing little things that get them thinking about spending and living on less, spending wisely and finding ways to be more self-sufficient. This can be anything from how you go about shopping for meals and how your prepare them together as a family, to how you go about doing other projects around the home, such as gardening, repairs and recycling.
If you have family meals together (I really urge all families to make this effort), you can share your ideas and get theirs as well.
-A
Kola, I may not have had the opportunity yet to welcome you to the family!
Welcome!
Doesn't if feel like you've made a leap? There really is the "before" and "after" mindset, isn't there?
I look back at some of the correspondences we've all had over the past few months (year?) and I'm looking forward to your insights in the member's area.
adubar, thanks!
yeah, the class was everything and more! Best of all, the folks here are all inspiring and everyone works as a team. It isn't like.."thanks for taking the class and see ya later sucker". LHBA has got it all, Skips plans, great teachers in Ellsworth and Steve, engineers, building designers, electricians, bankers etc AND all the folks that have built their loghomes and some who build and sell them!
But the best thing is having friendships with LHBA members for life and sharing info on how to build and live free! ..not to mention all the other fun things we share....and it sures beats talking about birthdays and "old dirt". :wink:
Kola :)
Hello Everyone From Homer & Darleen,
We attended class April 4 and 5th of this year, and had loads of fun and met a lot of new people. We have our plans for a 40 x 40 and looking to build our model soon. We have 70 acres out in Courtland Virginia alas no trees on it. We have plans to start building next year.
Later
Hi, stumbled across this site the other day while looking for answers on chinking. I am building a handcrafted log home from my own Doug-fir logs off my land. It is a short two story (half loft) around 1100 square feet. I have been picking at this project for many years now and it is time to wrap it up soon.
I took a class here is Washington state on log home building from a fellow many of you probably know. His name is Skip Ellsworth. I am still in touch with him on a occasional bases. Splinded fellow!
Welcome heep70,
You will have access to a wide variety of information in the LHBA "members only" forum.
To get into the member sections click on the link and follow the directions.
See ya there! :D
http://www.loghomebuilders.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=44
Cheers!
Kola
Hello everyone,
My name is Travis. I took the class in May 2007. Looking forward to meeting everyone, and hopefully help out on some around the Indiana area if any one is building, and hopefully be building mine in the next couple of years.
Hola everybody...
I have been a member of this forum for a little while now, but took my class last weekend. I must say, if you are still thinking about taking the class.... DO IT!!!!!!!!
Steve and Ellsworth did a great job, I was amazed how good this class was and how much info is given to you....
We are now planning our house, and continue our search for Land.....
we live in the Duvall, Carnation area and are looking to moving to Pierce County or so.....
Andre
Hi Travis and Andre!
welcome to Fantasy Island..smiles everyone ..smiles!!
da plane boss,, da plane!!
umm..thats from an old TV series..heh heh..I'll sit down now. :oops:
Kola
Welcome to the dark side of loghome building there is no turning back now... :twisted:
Hi everyone :D
Took the class last weekend - money well spent!
Thanks to Steve & Ellsworth for doing a great job.
Hi to Patrick, Rob and Dutchfamily!
Regards - Geoff
OH I agree with Geoff,
Money very well spend. I think the information in this class was worth the money and the resources given to you during this class are worth a million bucks..... (wink)
Good luck building Geoff keep me informed on the progress.
The way this class was set up was perfect, it was good for people who knew about building a little already but also perfect for those who know nothing about building at all. I think Steve and Ellsworth are great instructors and their knowledge of construction of log home and the building industry in general is just amazing....
I must agree..the class rocked.
I think a HUGE asset is the LHBA forum which is packed with all types of info (even outside building a loghome).
I think Skips class should be mandatory for all students in schools (private and public) all over the world. Imagine.
hey..i like to dream.. :)
Kola
Howdy all. To say I have been dreaming of a log home for a while is an understatement. I read what I could in high school MANY years ago and did my final lesson in Naval Instructor School on log home construction. I am currently looking for about 10 acres on which to build my final home, a log home. I am finally starting serious research on companies and construction methods.
Looking fwd to talking to ya'll.
howdee all , kevin c here from indiana via tennessee , just took class a couple weeks ago and things are moving right along , had land , found logs this week and gathering up nessecaties to get it on !! very glad that i decided to take the class and join up , steve and ellsworth are top notch dudes and i look foward to putting thier methods to work for me .
you'll be hearing from me
Hey Kevin..its Hammer time!
now where are my old "parachute pants"???
"can't touch this"...bom bom bombom......bombom..bombom
http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/dance001.gif
MC Kola
LOL!!! Kola, you just bubble over, don't you? :wink: (hehe, get it... kola, bubble over....)
Anyway.... I'm Angela, aka 2 cents, and my husband & I took the April 4th & 5th class this year.
We have land already, but alas, it had been logged before we bought it. We've had the perc test and waiting for septic permit, also working on getting water & power to the property, and I bought some dowels to start a model while we look for real logs. :)
2 cents
welcome Angela..You shoud have some good choices for those doug fir logs in your area..Good luck!
Bubbles. :shock:
Good morning, everyone!
My name is (also) Travis and I took the class just a couple weeks ago in June '07.
Very impressed with the structure and the information in the class.
Although I am very excited about building, I am also a little overwhelmed. Since I don't have any land, I am not really sure where to begin. So in the mean-time I will try to make it to the meetings and BBQ's and jump on the forum. All the while saving my pennies. I live in WA state, so I'm afraid I'm gonna have to save a LOT of pennies for the land!LOL!!
Wish you all the best!
welcome Travis, ( thats a good country name)( I wished I was named Levi)..anyway
read all the info here...get some ideas of what you want and then go land hunting. I think it is advantagous to select a piece of land that fits your ideas. It takes most folks about 2-3 years to get everything in order to begin the building process. (exceptions are rare but possible :)
There are lots of decisions to make as a owner-builder. (and your courage will be tested). It is a long haul and dedication and sweat are your highest costs. Take your time, enjoy the journey and stay focused on the finished product. It will be cherished for years and years.
Have fun,
Kola
Howdy, I'm new to the forum, and not as of yet a member of the association. I'm looking forward to joining, and participating in the class. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Bring a flashlight, it gets dark & the hill is steep :)Quote:
Originally Posted by tommygun
Welcome!
Howdy all!
My wife and I are very interested in taking the course and learning how to build our own log home. We figure we'd be stupid not to with our situation. We're both young, I'm 29, my wife is 30. We don't have kids. I work for a general contractor so borrowing equipment is no problem. I am a professional engineer so plans and all that is good. We have family members who are electricians, plumbers, and masons. All we really need is to take the class, buy some land, and get to work!
Is there anyone on the East Coast, close to Maryland, who has taken the course and built their own home using the methods taught and who would like to give us a tour? :)
We look forward to taking the next class!
Jay & Mandi
My name is Elena House, and my husband Thomas and I expect to move to Snohomish county, WA, in the next few months. After looking at housing prices in the area (at least twice what they are just west of St. Louis where I currently live) I quickly came to the conclusion that the only way I could have the large parcel of land I wanted AND a house larger than a toolshed would be to build rather than buy. Not just build, but find some inexpensive alternative method--my favorite until I found this website was steel buildings. It occurred to me to look into log kit homes, and Google, bless its binary heart, took me straight here.
Not only is this exactly what I would have most wanted--including the part where I get to actually BUILD it myself rather than hiring others to do it--but the classes are only available in a town within minutes of my future homesite! Apparently God's mysterious way is sometimes to drop something right into your lap with a big ol' flashing neon sign attached.