Introduce yourself

Several methods of getting logs are covered in the two-day course. Some are more costly than others. Buying from a mill is indeed one way to do it, but definitely the most expensive. If you think about it, for a mill, selling you their logs is a matter of opportunity cost. They already paid a logger to deliver the tree. So for the mill, they are basically giving away board-feet. So they are pretty much going to charge you the amount they would have made by milling it.

The most common way is to find independent loggers. There are some very important negotiating tips covered in the class, but basically you find a way to make it worth the logger's while to deliver to you rather than the mill. In other words, you will need to pay more than the mills will pay, especially because you are going to be fussy about having nice straight logs with minimal taper etc. The most important magic word, of course, is one that every hard-working blue-collar guy loves -- CASH.

My advice to you, before you do anything else (except maybe doing your well and septic, since you already own the property) is to wait for them to announce a new class, and sign up for the next one. You will learn TONS of good stuff there about how to build your house in a cost-effective manner. And you have to forgive folks for not just coming out with the stuff. Some of these juicy tidbits are just too good to be broadcasting them on the internet, lest someone ruin it for us. (Like government bureaucrats who make it their life's goal to make it more costly and difficult for you to own a home).

I hear you on big brother's way. I myself work for em butI dont like em. I love my country! Thank you for the information. Many key points there and I am not even in the class. I can only imagine how much information that class has. I want to attend however, for me to fly out is making it out of reach. Will there be another here on the east coast towards Maine? If so, do you have the dates, because im in. Thanks.
There's always a way!

I don't know if they ever do classes on the east coast. Basically, they have facilities in place at Skip's log home in Monroe, WA. To do it anywhere else would mean extra travel and expense for the instructors. So I'm not sure if it will happen.

While I can certainly feel your pain regarding air fare and costs, (I just bit the bullet and spent that cash myself, flying from PA), it's definitely worth it. The course will MORE than pay for itself in reduced building cost from what you will learn, and most importantly in AVOIDING costly mistakes you might make by NOT having taken the class.

So, without trying to be too much of a smart alec, I'm going to quote your signature and say, "There's always a way!" You just have to find a way to get the cash together and make it happen. It WILL be worth it. Even building an extremely inexpensive home, the 1-2k you spend on the class and airfare will be a very small expense in the big picture.

This may not ease your financial pain, but Klapton is so right.
Here's a quick story from Skip's class.

-Skip:
"A guy called me and said he was going to build a kit log home, and why should he take my class.
I said; "You fly out. Stay in the best hotels, rent the nicest cars, and eat at the Space Needle,
and if you don't think you got at least double your money's worth, then I'll pay all of your expenses."
He called me later and said; "Oh man, it was worth all you said and more. I don't want you to cover
my expenses, by taking your class I'm so much farther ahead and you saved me many thousands."

If there is any problem with the class it would be this:

You will get back home, and be so excited that you won't be able to sleep. You'll dream of quick part-
time jobs to buy your plans, and also to have cash on hand to buy materials when you see them for
sale at give-away prices. Every time you drive past a piece of land you will dream of a log home sitting
on it and wonder if that land is for sale. That burning fire of a place to call your own, that you can
build: 1. At your leisure. 2. With your own hands 3. Without a bank breathing down your neck, will
drive you nuts! You will have sat in your new home, in front of a warm fire burning in the fireplace
for a thousand times before you even pour your first drop of cement, and that desire will drive you
up the wall until you can help a member work on their place, buy your land, or do anything that looks
even a little bit like forward progress.

That desire will cause you to sell your home and do things others might consider crazy like; live in a
tipi, a yard building, or a partially finished storage shed, and you will love every second of it because
you're getting free, living your dream, and actually living life rather than be the walking dead.

My body is getting too old to fall off roofs, get hit in the head with boards, and sleep in a freezing
storage shed that's still not close to being finished, but I don't care. I love every minute of it. A
gorgeous supermodel lying next to me on the beach in the warm French Riviera, or living my dream
working on my place in the hot summer sun, and freezing my tail off on cold winter nights. The babe
on the warm beach sounds nice, but no thanks... I'll live my dream. Yeah, that's how sick I am, and
my guess is you will be that strange too after you take the class.

Anyone who takes the class already has a burning desire, and a head full of questions. After the
class, the questions will be answered, your eyes will be opened to new and creative ways to make
your dream come alive, and the burning desire will turn into a roaring furnace.

Are you ready to see your life turned upside down, and start living? It may not be that bad for you.
It may even be worse. But my guess is that your dream will drive you to the point of living a full life,
every day of your life.

Ok, stepping off my soapbox and taking a few valium.

-Rick

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rbuchanan_2

A gorgeous supermodel lying next to me on the beach in the warm French Riviera, or living my dream
working on my place in the hot summer sun, and freezing my tail off on cold winter nights. The babe
on the warm beach sounds nice, but no thanks... I'll live my dream. Yeah, that's how sick I am, and
my guess is you will be that strange too after you take the class.

---

I agree with everything you said, except the supermodel part. Since she doesn't seem to interest you, could you give me her phone number? ;)

Rick nails it.

I call it LHBA Fever.

Highly contagious and non-curable.

It is good to be "sick" with the LHBA Fever.

ahhh AHHH...CHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Kola

I AM NOW COUNTING MY CHANGE FOR THE TICKETS........... I have chased down my dream of owning land and for ten yrs and I finally got the peice I wanted. That was three yrs ago. Since that time I have done two more tours in Iraq and the whole time I have been rattling my brain on how I was going to get everything paid off quickly in order to build. Like I stated above, I was going fo the kit not knowing this even existed. The other thing I see is that anyone who has attended has nothing but great ideas and huge amounts of key information. I have an unbelievable view of the western MT's in ME. Last weekend I walked the upper portin and found my site to build. 12 beers into trying to figure out cost and finances I quit thinking about it. During the long drive I was thinking about my friends kit from Canada. Wasn't to bad for 13,000 however it wasn't a total log. Mostly post and beam with few logs in it so it must have been a rip for someone else. I know have a new avenue to pursue and I know its the right one. My mind has been very uneasy since I have been trying to figure out the how to for the cabin. Now its very easy to breath and my wife is getting nervous. She knows once my mind is set I am going to do it and there is no way to stop the motion. I do really appreciate all of the information today and I really am counting my change because "there is always a way". Also I am also into living my dreams. You can take the chick on the sand give me the cold and MY OWN BUILD.
There's always a way!

Last summer I went to a class reunion. One of the former cheerleaders* from high school
(yes, she looked great**) was talking with me. She asked what I was up to. When I
mentioned the words "log home" she said; "LOG HOME???!!!! I LOVE LOG HOMES!!!! Oh,
I've always wanted a log home (she cooed with that "far away", sweep me off my feet
and take me with you look in her eyes). For a while she was on me like glue. My wife was
standing right beside me (she wasn't about to leave), but it didn't stop me from enjoying
the moment.

Build a log home, head to the beach, find a babe, and tell her you're building a"log home"....

-Rick

*Are they ever former? Once a cheerleader, always a cheerleader I say.
**Actually, she looked spectacular.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rbuchanan_2

Last summer I went to a class reunion. One of the former cheerleaders* from high school
(yes, she looked great**) was talking with me. She asked what I was up to. When I
mentioned the words "log home" she said; "LOG HOME???!!!! I LOVE LOG HOMES!!!! Oh,
I've always wanted a log home (she cooed with that "far away", sweep me off my feet
and take me with you look in her eyes). For a while she was on me like glue. My wife was
standing right beside me (she wasn't about to leave), but it didn't stop me from enjoying
the moment.

Build a log home, head to the beach, find a babe, and tell her you're building a"log home"....

-Rick

*Are they ever former? Once a cheerleader, always a cheerleader I say.
**Actually, she looked spectacular.

---

LOL! Rick your on a roll I love it!

Blayne

It was kinda like;
"hey honey, could you go and refresh my beer?"
You don't drink beer.
"Well right now I could use some whiskey!"
You don't drink, besides we need to leave.
We are expecting company tonight.
"Oh really? Who?"
Mr. Rolling pin! Grab your ear, porcupine!

I'm taking bids on the cheerleaders phone number.

-Rick

Ohhh...is this thread wandering....

That was damn funny Rick!

btw... I like the quote you have posted under your name: "Wealth is the number of forward days you can live without dependence on other beings."Buckminster Fuller

that says it all.

As of right now I have about a weeks worth of wealth.

me gots some work to do,
Kola

My husband and I are planning a move to Montana in the next 1 1/2 to 2 years. We have 2 small children ages 2 and 3. It has always been my dream to be debt free and more self sufficient. I am so glat that I found your web site. I have also always dreamed of living in a log home. Too much of Little House on the Prairie I suppose. I am not interested in getting rich, just want to truly live life with my family.

Do you need any special skills to build your own log home? Is it really as easy as it sounds?

Thanks, Karen

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by headed_for_Montana

Do you need any special skills to build your own log home? Is it really as easy as it sounds?

---

I just took the class, and haven't built my house yet. But I can relay this little tidbit. During the class, one of the instructors said what Skip's response to the question, "How hard is insert_task_here?" They said his response is, "It's the hardest thing you will ever do ... until the NEXT hardest thing you ever do." I think "easy" is the wrong word. Building a log home is going to be lots and lots of HARD WORK.

Do you need any special skills? Yes and no. You need some special KNOWLEDGE, and that's why you take the class. Even then, it's not rocket science either. A lot of the things you learn in the class will seem like "common sense". Things that you would probably figure out anyway if you just thought it through. The nice part is that the instructors have already thought it through MANY times, and learned by mistakes etc. so they can help you to not make them.

But there are no "special skills" involved that a person of good health and average intelligence can't do once shown how to do it. For example, swinging a sledge hammer. You need some physical strength to do it, but not a college degree in Hammerology. (And there are ways to make driving rebar easier too, the tools just cost more, hehe.)

So, yes and no. Yes it IS "as easy as it sounds". It's also the hardest thing you will ever do. The important thing is that you CAN do it, as long as you want it bad enough. You are smarter than a log, aren't you? Of course you are. Then you CAN do it. That's probably the most important message one gets from taking the class.

I would not say it is easy. We have been working weekends for the last couple of summers to get ready to build. (Two year plan) We only have weekends and and not many of those, so don't judge your progress based on ours. We plan on pouring the foundation next spring and start stacking logs after that. We have most of my logs peeled and will finish peeling over the winter. Our property is at 8,700 feet and you can't work there over the winter until you have a roof. We have gathered our building supplies the "cheap" way and do not have a loan on anything. We will finish by October 2009. That seems like along time to get our house, but think of it this way; Can you find a part time job that will pay you enough money to have your house paid off in four years? We will have a completed house in four years of work and we won't owe a dime on it.
Easy, it is not; rewarding it is!!

Hi,

my realname is Hans, and i'm from germany. I'm verry intersted in loghomes (and building them), something that over here isn't popular (at all). Therefore "good" information on the topic is not realy available. I hope to find the needed informations here at lhba.
Oh, english is not my native language, so please bear with me.

Best regards

Herzlich Wilkommen im LHBA! Ich bin vier Jahre bei der Army Band in Berlin gewesen. (Ja, ich war dabai). Es ist seit 15 Jahre, also mein Deutsch is sehr schlim.

Ahem... ok, that's all I'm going to try, after 15 years, lol. Welcome to the LHBA forums. Building in Germany will certainly be a challenge. First you have to find land you can afford, hehe. We have the same problem here in the States in some places, but have the advantage of having a relatively fresh continent we stole from its inhabitants a mere 200 years ago. (Wasn't very nice, but it's too late to change it now.)

I know that codes on "Neubau" construction is MUCH more stringent than "Altbau" too. Let us know how things go for you. I'd be facinated to hear about it. I wish you the best fortune in your endeavor!

Viel Gluck!

Hello All,
It feels good to be here! I took the class back in May of 2007 and have been making steady progress towards making log home construction a reality. Very anxious to learn more.

Sawtooth,

DougR

Which weekend in May were you there? My brother and I were there the weekend of May 12-13, 2007.


Travis

Arriving about 12:30 11/9 Fri Seattle/Tacoma Airport for weekend class, going to Monroe Best Western. Lv Mon AM, If ya need a ride let me know

See Ya soon, Semper Fi my Brothers.... Mike

Greetings from Georgia:)

I discovered the LHBA website a couple of years ago while I was living in Hawaii and dreaming of owning my own home. My parents built a log home from a kit several years ago in SC. I have several friends who have bought log cabins in the North Georgia mountains that were built from kits. I LOVE the idea of building and living in a log cabin, but I have never been keen on the cabin kits and I never really knew why. I discovered this site and am beginning to learn why.

I am now back "home" in Georgia and am sick with this dream of building my own log cabin and living debt free. I'm not yet 40 years-old and my friends think I'm a freak (ha! but what's new?). I have signed up for the Nov 17-18 class and cannot wait. I will arrive several days early to hike and explore the area.

At the risk of jinxing everything, things seem to be falling into place. I've just received word that I will be hired for a 14 month contract that will require me to travel to Minnesota for one week, then work the rest of the contract remotely...from Georgia or SC or wherever my little piece of land might be (positive thinking - I will find land). This contract was supposed to start next week, which might have forced me to cancel my trip to Washington for the class, but it won't start until Nov 26. Yay! I'm hoping this will be the beginning of the end of the rat race for me...but only time will tell.

Can't wait to meet like minded folk at the class...so I can feel "normal" again;-) Neh, on second thought, normal is boring.

See y'all soon!

Ginnie

Hi Ginnie, I live in Savannah, Where in Ga are ya based out of? I'm booked in the 11/10 class. good luck. See Ya , Mike

Semper Fi my Bothers

Ginnie,

You are right, normal is boring. If your friends think you're a freak, that is a good sign! You will like it here! ;p
It's a good feeling to break away from the zombie-like masses.

2 cents

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ginniepig

...This contract was supposed to start next week, which might have forced me to cancel my trip to Washington for the class, but it won't start until Nov 26. Yay! I'm hoping this will be the beginning of the end of the rat race for me...but only time will tell...

---

Ginnie:

The older (and presumably wiser, although my wife tends to disagree) I become, the more I'm beginning to believe it's axiomatic that if you truly set your heart and mind to a singular purpose, other things will quickly fall into line with your goal. It sounds as if you're experiencing that first-hand.

The next step along my journey (after taking the class next weekend) will be to find the right piece of land in the right location to meet my goal. I'll keep searching diligently, but I'm pretty sure that the right property will eventually find me, as long as I keep my goal active in mind.

Congrats.

Scott

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eric Clapner

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ginniepig

...This contract was supposed to start next week, which might have forced me to cancel my trip to Washington for the class, but it won't start until Nov 26. Yay! I'm hoping this will be the beginning of the end of the rat race for me...but only time will tell...

---

Ginnie:

The older (and presumably wiser, although my wife tends to disagree) I become, the more I'm beginning to believe it's axiomatic that if you truly set your heart and mind to a singular purpose, other things will quickly fall into line with your goal. It sounds as if you're experiencing that first-hand.

The next step along my journey (after taking the class next weekend) will be to find the right piece of land in the right location to meet my goal. I'll keep searching diligently, but I'm pretty sure that the right property will eventually find me, as long as I keep my goal active in mind.

Congrats.

Scott

---

The reason you have a right to a gun is to A. form a militia B. Protect yourself, your family and your friends and C. to help over throw the government when the government stops representing the people and becomes what it has been becoming lately.
================================================== ======

Some call it the "laws of attraction" and basically it is nothing more than using positive imagery. Good thoughts create good things...and vice versa It is advantagous to visualize a "want" in our heads but better yet we can use pictures and speech to enhance it. Putting a picture of a loghome on your fridge door will constantly bombard your mind with the message everytime you go to the fridge or walk by it. You can also create a mantra and a few short words (like, "my loghome waits me") and repeat it throughut the day. I am a big fan of Tony Robbins and used his program during my college days which is based on these simple concepts. It has helped me in my persona life and in my business life. I am not "plugging" Tony Robbins but his messages are simplisitic and highy advantageous.

I am off to the Rockies. I am hoping to drill my postholes for my horse barn. I am renting a one man digger called dig-r-mobile. I will let you all know how it works as I have about 15 holes to dig and its rocky ground.

Kola

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kola

Some call it the "laws of attraction" and basically it is nothing more than using positive imagery. Good thoughts create good things...and vice versa It is advantagous to visualize a "want" in our heads but better yet we can use pictures and speech to enhance it. Putting a picture of a loghome on your fridge door will constantly bombard your mind with the message everytime you go to the fridge or walk by it. You can also create a mantra and a few short words (like, "my loghome waits me") and repeat it throughut the day. I am a big fan of Tony Robbins and used his program during my college days which is based on these simple concepts. It has helped me in my persona life and in my business life. I am not "plugging" Tony Robbins but his messages are simplisitic and highy advantageous.

I am off to the Rockies. I am hoping to drill my postholes for my horse barn. I am renting a one man digger called dig-r-mobile. I will let you all know how it works as I have about 15 holes to dig and its rocky ground.

Kola

---

You know, I tried this when I was in high school, and she STILL didn't go out with me...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ginniepig

I LOVE the idea of building and living in a log cabin, but I have never been keen on the cabin kits and I never really knew why.

---

Same here, but I can tell you why. When I'd bring up log homes with Dad, he'd always spew the same list of reasons you do not want a log home. (of course he didn't say "kit" log home) He'd say, cost much more than regular built homes, termites are a big problem, you got to constantly adjust for settling/shrinking/gaps, there's a constant stream of maintenance requiring expensive chemicals and sealants, they are drafty, they're dark and dingy, and they are a fire hazard.

Of course, years have gone by, and I've come to learn he's wrong when applied to LHBA construction, but I can't convince him of that. (or he doesn't want to admit he's wrong) Just remember, not everything your parents tell you is good advice.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Klapton

You know, I tried this when I was in high school, and she STILL didn't go out with me...

---

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ornado/lol.gif

I'm currently living in Marietta which is just north of Atlanta. I would love to build in the North Georgia mountains; however, my father has an extra lot next to his cabin in Walhalla, SC. That would be the most obvious place for me to build, since I could probably work out a deal with my father.....and brothers and sisters:)

I would love to meet up with folks (fellow freaks?) in my area (GA/AL/SC/NC/TN etc) to discuss plans, lend a hand on cabin build, etc.

Really can't wait to attend the class the weekend before Thanksgiving. Should make for lively discussion with the family over turkey...hope they can handle it...lala...

Spurs Hello,, We first found this site some time ago by accident, when we were having trouble with the county trying to force us to get a building permit. We balked considerably. We found Terry's name here and had quite the visit with him. Bottom line, we did not get a permit, but instead posted our place.
We could not find the site for along time as we did not remember where we had been, (being in the state of mind that we were at the time). I was searching for information on insulating stock tanks and found you again.

This is a great forum......... We live in a log cabin up in the mountains and plan on adding on this spring. We have lived here for 19 years, and just got water in to the cabin this spring. Each new improvement is great satisfaction, and amazing what most people take for granted....Spurs

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