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Mike:
I tried to stay awake as long as I could last night to force myself to adjust to the three-hour time change, but sitting at dinner at the Clay Oven at about 7:00 last night I was struggling to stay awake (BTW, thanks to Rick for the terrific recommendation - great Indian food, although our server had some trouble). I think I was out cold in bed by 8:15...
Scott, I almost went there last night, but opted for a burrito, which Monroe doesn't seem to have a shortage of. I was out early, dont recall clock turning past 7. Then up @ 2:15,
btw Folks Best Western is ok, however they don't have the Playboy, oops I mean the Fox News Channel. Later Mike
Semper Fi my Brothers
Hello people, I'm Richelle my husband Bryan & I are still fairly new to this site. We hope to attend the class soon. In the mean time we are looking in Alaska for land.We are currently living in GA.
Howly from Midway Texas
My wife just ran across the web-site and looked at some of the pictures and said wow this is real cool. We wood love to do something like this, but the 15 ac. we have is prairie land with some mesquites. Their is a guy down the road from us that been building a house like the ones in the pictures that at first we really didn't know what he is doing, but know we do by see these pictures. My parents has a ranch with some hard wood on it and was wondering if you can use it to build a house out of them are do you need soft wood. One way are another we will do something like this one day like this we really like building a house all natural.
Hey Richelle,
Welcome to the group! My wife and I are planning a move to Alaska as well. Where are you looking? We are considering the Kenai Penninsula, but are open to just about anywhere we can find the perfect piece of land. I hope you can take the class soon; it was the best investment we've made!
Jay,
Thank you for the warm welcome. Bryan & I are also looking for land around the Kenai Penninsula,although we are too are open to a nce piece of land anywhere we can find it.
I'm a teacher, and looking to build log cabin home for my daughter and I. I've been looking around, but I'm not sure what to look for??? Additionally, I want to build it myself, but I'm not sure if that is possible in the location that I want to build (NC)??? I believe I can, but where and how to get educated on the construction is confusing... This is what I want to leave to my daughter when the Lord brings me home... You have a great web sight, but I wish the classes were closer to NC so I could take them....
Trust in the Load always...... :)
If you want to build your own log home, you have definitely come to the right place. Lots of people balk at the cost of airfare etc. when considering taking the LHBA course. I did. But I can tell you without reservation that what you will learn in the class will save you much more in your building project than the cost of flying out to take the class. Not only in many of the money-saving tips you will gain, but also saving you from making costly mistakes. LHBA does offer a no-questions-asked, money back guarantee on the cost of membership as well. And that really does mean no-questions-asked. There is no catch. They are that sure that what you will learn will be worth it. And I have yet to meet anyone who wasn't satisfied that it was money well spent.Quote:
Originally Posted by lhiggins
When they say you will learn "everything you need to know" to build your log home, it's not PRECISELY true. I have no construction experience myself, and I have found that there are LOTS of things I will need to learn before my project is done. In other words, they don't teach EVERY aspect of construction you will need to learn to build your own home. But they teach you everything that is DIFFERENT about building a log home, compared to ordinary construction. To do your own wiring, for example, you would still need to get some books and study up on wiring. But they will teach you how to install wiring in a LOG home (stuff like how do you get outlets and switches in a log wall? etc.) I hope this makes sense, lol.
For Donna and me, we needed to decide whether a project like this was something we actually COULD do. For us, even if we had decided that we really couldn't pull it off, we would have saved ourselves from a huge, costly mistake of trying to do something we really couldn't do. So even if we hadn't decided to go ahead with our dream log home (and we ARE going to go for it!) it would have been money well spent, if only to know for SURE that we could or couldn't do it.
Whatever you decide, I wish you success.
Lhiggins,
As a North Carolina resident, I can tell you that I took the course in October, 2007 to learn how to build log homes.. It was well worth travelling cross country to meet Steve and Ellsworth. They are really knowledgeable guys and will teach you what you need to know - Dont forget - its not only about the log home building, it's about the change in thinking - FINANCIAL INDEPENDANCE - These guys are great - and they have my respect. My eyes are wide open right now and I am just getting started; we are looking for property in NC and we are planning to build asap. Make the effort - goto Washington State and TAKE THE CLASS.... It is well worth it...Oh - and yes - YOU CAN BUILD IN NORTH CAROLINA - I'm doin' it.....THE EDUCATION IS THERE FOR THE TAKING....STEVE AND ELLSWORTH MAKE IT SOMETHING THAT IS APPROACHABLE FOR ANYONE THAT HAS THE WILL AND DETERMINATION TO GET IT DONE.... Take my word for it... book it, take it, then build it....
My husband and I live in Virginia (fairly close to the VA/NC border) and we are attending the class this upcoming weekend. Any nervousness or apprehension I was feeling about our decision to do this were just squashed when I read your post. Thank you!
Glad to hear it. One thing that will be said by Ellsworth or Steve - "I'm sure that all of you have log home ideas and plans - throw them out - we will teach you how to re-think your designs." Remember - the most efficient shape is a square........you'll see it in the math..
Have fun - let's talk after you take the class - we are probably not that far apart and can help each other.
Regards,
/Jack
I am so glad I found this site, there seems to be so much and I don't know where to start lol. Well actually I do, of course its by saying "HELLO, I am very glad to be here". But after this I'm clueless, can anybody recommend to me getting together starting information? I would love to take the classes but I guess at the moment there is none?
Hey, welcome to the forum! Glad you're here with us!
The home page and forums have recommended
reading. That's always a great place to start.
Also, just start reading the old posts in the forums
and see if building your own log home is really for you.
This is an important step because:
1. The class is far too expensive if:
*you're not sure if this is really for you,
*you just want some questions answered,
*you just want to some good friends and comraderie.
However if, after reading the forums and looking at The Log Home(s)
of the month you decide it is for you, then you will be able to take
the class and put your plan into action.
Of course, my opinion of the class is; triple the price and it will still
be the bargain of a lifetime, but only if you take action.
It's easy to get excited (it's hard to NOT get excited) about having a log
home that comes without a mortgage, but sit back, take your time, soak
in the forums, and photos, and plan your move.
-Rick
Awsome! Thanks Rick
Hey Steve,
It was a pleasure to meet you and Ellsworth this weekend. You guys have put together a very credible and understandable process for log home building. I am enthused about the opportunity to go home and try to share these ideas with my family. We have a fairly good sized parcel of land in central MN and have talked about building a sort of community of homes for the extended family. We intend to start with a home for my folks and after the primer this weekend I do think it's very do-able. Now the real fun starts!
Hey to everyone who was at the Nov 17 - 18 class. It was good to meet you all. Thanks for the interesting perspectives and questions along the way!
See ya!
Mike B.
Hi, Im Ryan from Ohio. My wife and I are currently planning a move to Missoula where several of our friends live. I'm looking forward to jumping on the first available date for a log home building class sometime in January or February with the exception of Jan. 21st and 22nd because of some classes I have to take in Missoula. Anyways, looking forward to seeing you all this winter and building on some of my ideas.
Thanks, Ryan
where has Steve been? he used to post in here occasionally. I miss his Japanense haiku.
Steve? come in Steve.
Kola
Hello everyone,
I just signed up and I am looking forward to attending the next available class.
I am a carpenter(35 years) and I am just about to finish my 3rd log structure.
Most of my log building experience (3 years) I have been selecting, falling, skidding, loading, transporting, hand peeling, scribing (Scandinavian full scribe), v notching, saddle notching and stacking.
Log building has become a newly discovered passion for me and I hope to some day make a profitable business in this field.
Wow, with your experience, you may find the LHBA technique almost too easy. (boring?) LOL. But no doubt, it's a great way to churn out solid log homes in record time. Anyhow, nice to see you keeping an open mind to other techniques.Quote:
Originally Posted by woodbutcher
Howdy,
My wife and I will finally start building our log home in 2009! Until then, I look forward to reading everyone's thoughts and ideas.
By the way, I really like the new website.
Kind regards,
Rick
Hello fellow forum folks. I found this website two years ago when I was narrowing down my land search. I read all the pages, all the horror stories, saw the great photos and went to all of the links. Then after scouring 47 states (excluded Texas, Hawaii and Alaska) and Canada and Mexico for land, in 2006 I bought 23 1/2 acres of mixed pasture and forest in the southwest corner of the Adirondack Mountain foothills. Why upstate New York? Because it's not only beautifully gorgeous, it's also the most incredible land bargain anywhere on earth and water is abundant.
I went back up there this past summer and camped on the front pasture while I studied the place, cut down dead apple trees and cleared an opening on the state road. I brought my daughter and 3 dogs and we lived in a big Coleman tent that withstood a few horrendous thunder and lightning deluges. There's nothing like laying right on the ground in the middle of a meadow, in the middle of the night while nature hammers out its excitement in 40,000 volt sparks.
Since then, I'm anxious to go live there permanently. This past weekend, my daughter and I went to the 'Log and Timber Home Show' in Tampa. Any of you from NC may be familiar with this show. There were alot of companies selling land and cabin packages for exorbitant amounts of mortgaged money. On the way home I told my daughter that I don't want to mortgage my property to build a home on it. I don't want any bank to own my home and land. I'm sick sick sick of working my A** off and then pi**ing away money paying interest.
So, here I am, back at this forum. I want to build my own home but I have fears about it. I'm afraid I'll not be strong enough, afraid I'll get too old, afraid I'll get hurt. I'm also afraid that I'll do a crappy job. The size of the job scares me too. Not only do I need to build a house, but I'll need a barn, and I'll need a bridge over the stream to get to the back pasture. (Soothsayer says....I see alot of backbreaking labor in your future!!!)
It looks as though this website has been updated so I'm gonna go back and reread stuff and I'm looking forward to drawing some encouraging energy from y'all that have already built or are planning to build.
Welcome SpriralSands!
Good to see you checking out this forum. I know it will get you excited. You didn't mention how old you are but to give you some confidence, I am 67 years of age and am presently building a Skip style home. Of course it would be easier if I was younger, but on the other hand, I'm probably more careful then the younger ones because of life's experiences and I know it hurts if you screw up.
I don't know if you have been to the school yet. If not, get scheduled and go. It will be a great investment if you are planning on building.
You can see my progress at: www.vernstreet.com
Good luck!
Vern Street near Tulsa, Ok
Hi there Vern! No, I haven't been to a class yet. Back in '05 when I found this site, I read about the classes and the course material but I wasn't ready to commit to anything because I was too obsessed with finding a property. In fact I was still shopping real estate sites for acreages with a house. I didn't even know what state I would end up in. So now that I am a free and clear owner of my land, I want to build on it so I can live there without being bound to the power company, the sewer pipes or the water mains.
I'm actually a strong, youthful 52. And yes, you have inspired me. Maybe I'll start a weblog called "Spiralsands Builds a House!". I'm gonna see my relatives tomorrow at Thanksgivingfest and when I tell them about this they'll be pouring their fear over me like sour Turkey gravy. I know that fear is a crippling emotion and I usually don't let it stop me from plunging into something, but building a house? That's big. I put myself on the class notification list and hope to get there sometime in the next year. I wanna get out of Florida by at least the middle of '09.
Hi, my name is Jean-Pierre
I am from Luxembourg in Europe. My idea for 2008 is building a log "saloon" in Luxembourg as model house.
This seems to be quite difficult because we are not used in log houses in our country.
So I am glad that I found this web site.
I am looking forward to meeting people to share ideas of how and...............
rosenjpi@pt.lu
Hello!
Just dropping in, continuing my research into building my log cabin. I plan on building in a couple of years, three maximum, as soon as my enlistment is up and I can retire from the Army. I will have a decent savings by that time and I wish to build the cabin myself in order to minimize expenditures. I have several years of carpentry experience from when I was younger (being 34 years old now), and I grew up in the outdoors, timbering and falling trees. I know what to expect, but I do not know the very best way to go about acquiring blueprints and materials -something I was hoping hanging around here might change. My father built his cabin long ago with his father, before I was born...but picking his brain is sometimes difficult, plus I am certain that a few things have changed since the 50's-60's.
I will purchase some land in PA and have it ready; septic, well, and foundation aren't problems. I do, however wish to make my cabin completely self-reliant -to include solar power and low voltage lighting, woodfire stove and heating.
I am single and not exactly looking to raise a large family, my bills are all paid and few besides, and I have no debt. I can very easily rent or buy an inexpensive trailer to live in while building, or sleep with family. I have no other plans, as this has been my goal for quite some time now as I have been saving for property. I wish to build a cabin that will not take too much of my savings and will be comfortable to live in.
Anyway, thanks for the website forum and the information. I will try and find time to attend a LHBA course in the future if possible, as I am in Europe currently. Best of luck to all of you out there who are undertaking cabin building!
Hey Ya'll, I'm Marcus from Louisiana. I signed up Saturday night. I look forward to meeting ya'll in January.
Spiralsands, In the fall of 1980 I spent 4 weeks at Moose Lake in the Adirondack Mts. It is beee-uuuuu-teeeful county there. The leaves were all colored and the smell was terrific. There were 6 of us, 4 fullblood NA Indians, me,(a half breed) and a Russian guy named Ivan. We camped with whatever we could fit on our backs, food, water, pup tents etc. It was great fun. My new friend Ivan the Russian had brought up some homemade cherry vodka in mason jars with little cherries floating in there. We sipped that stuff and were "noodled up" and talking backwards in no time. I know..injuns and liqour=bad news, lol...but this stuff would have launched the Space Shuttle. The stuff hardly phased Ivan but he sure had fun watch us crazy indians whoopin it up.
Anyway, I could easily enjoy living up there. Is there much land for sale in that region and if so, is it off-the-wall- pricey?
Good luck in your journey,
Kola
oh and btw, take that "fear" you are worried about and flip it around and use it as the fuel to get your belly burnin with the passion to build your loghome. Take the class, you won't regret it.
Hi everyone, I'm SUPER excited to be taking the January 12&13 class with my brother Greg and my husband Jason. I'll tell you all a little about me then flood you with questions. My name is Bess, I'm 29 years old, I have 2 dogs, 4 cats, and 11 fish. I originally found this website while looking up log "kit" cabins on a whim. That was over a year ago and after reading all the posted articles and alot of the recomended reading(your low tax dream home, buying your place in the country,ect.) I officially have the "bug" or "fever" or what ever you call it. My husband and brother both took a little convincing but my enthusiasm has rubbed off and they are as excited as I am. My husband and I baught a duplex 7 years ago and lived in it for less than we would have spent on rent. Four years ago we bought a single home and now we hate the payments. My husband and I are both pretty handy, young enough and healthy enough to build log homes in my opinion. We're severely lacking in the know-how, hence the class. We're hoping that after the class we'll be able to sell our home and maybe even the duplex and use the money to buy land. We might even be able to score an RV off my grandparents. Just hope we can afford the gas to get it from Memphis to Pennsylvania. We live about 20 min. from Philadelphia international airport. Any traveling tips from other east coasters would be much appreciated. I'd also like to hear about anyone buying land or building in Pennsylvania or New York state. Based on the research that I've done so far, I have to agree with SPIRALSANDS. NY has some of the best land deals around. Plus it is so beautiful up there. I wouldn't mind staying in PA but land isn't as cheap. Rural PA does seem to have cheaper taxes though. Anyway, travel deals???? and NY and PA projects ??? THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY RAMBLINGS Bess
I found in my land search that NY land is a great deal. Taxes may or may not be a little higher that whatever you pay right now but when I roll in what I pay for home owner's insurance in Florida, my NY tax load can double and still be lower than what I pay in taxes and insurance in Florida. I found a beautiful piece of land that was one part of an old farm that was broken up about three years ago. The original farm was about 200 acres and was first homesteaded in 1830. The guy built a big house on it and ran a stagecoach business to the next town. He sold it in 1850 to Polish immigrants and it stayed in that family until 3 years ago. The place was broken up into 10 pieces. I bought one piece that is 23 1/2 acres of rolling mixed pasture and forest. There is a stream crossing it and a dug pond. All for the bargain basement price of 55K. I'd really like to buy the lot next to mine that is a more wooded 23 1/2 acres because the seller lowered his price to 49K. I just don't have that money............YET!!
All I know is.....I'M GOING TO SEATTLE IN JANUARY!!!!!!
After 2 years of talking about this website to friends and family, I have finally registered for the Jan class. I have been putting this off for a long time and am excited about what I will learn.
I have always loved log cabins. So, when I stumbled across this site while looking for log cabin kits I got really excited. I was excited about the prospect of NOT living under a huge mortgage, exploring opportunities to save money on energy costs, etc. Well, we purchased the weekend seminar course as an a birthday gift to my husband, and kind of a life gift for our family. He wasn't thrilled. He said the information was good. But, I think the trip was kind of doomed from the start. I think he felt kind of pressured into attending. He was a good sport about it. But, my enthusiasm for our family ever owning a log cabin has definitely been dampened. To put it bluntly, it ain't going to happen. He says it would be simpler to buy a house the normal way. We live in the Mississippi Delta, and he says there is no land or logs for sale in our area that would work.
I still frequent the site. I still think Skip's class is a treasure. My heart goes out to couples who find the courage and "get up" to get it done. It seems like a lot of hard work. If you're considering the course, and you have the heart for it - I think its a great investment. I wanted us to send our sons (18) and (16) with him. Can you imagine the amount of confidence and self reliance you give to children who can literally build their homes with their own hands? Not to mention, what a great opportunity for a father and his sons. I wish I could have attended the course, but I'm afraid although I have almost three degrees, I wouldn't have felt smart enough to handle the material. Not to mention, it's not really something you can do if you're not both on board.
But, I'm a fan of Skip and his course attendees. I love to read the stories of success, the search for land and logs, and alternative energy sources. LOL. And, I still dream of proving to myself, the government, and nay sayers that we don't all have to march in step to credit card scores, 30 year mortgages, and foreclosures.
Wow, I believe this may be the first time I've heard of someone not satisfied with the course. No doubt it's a special mindset one needs to accomplish the goal. For me, it's the opposite of your husband's. I don't see a feasible way of getting a home the "normal way." At least, not without significant risks over a long period of time. True job security is about as rare as penguins in Miami. 30 years is simply too long a period to gamble with. Two or three years of bustin' butt, with an immediate 200%+ equity payoff is simply the obvious choice for me.
There are plenty of people I've spoken to that think it's not a realistic goal, and I think they wouldn't be satisfied with the course either if I sent them. You got to want to do it, if you're to take something from it. For most, envisioning something other than the typical mortgage method that's been ingrained into society, just isn't possible.
I disagree with your comment about "not smart enough." The course is very well presented. I know you would have enjoyed it. In fact, I think it's practically imperative that a couple both take the course, so both know what's going on. Nothing worse than only one going, only to have the other following blind orders during the build. Mutual understanding mean a lot here.
Also, about your location "problem." There is too much America out there to say you can't build somewhere else. Yes, we get comfortable where we've always been. Yes, our families are in the area. Yes, the kids got their social ties in school and the neighborhood. Yes, we feel secure with our current jobs. But, there is so much more to be offered when one steps outside their comfort zone every once in a while. Where am I looking for property? Just about anywhere. Does it make me nervous? Darn right!!! Leaving behind What's familure, family, friends, job, it's a big deal. But we're human. We adapt. And the payoff is almost always worth it.
vwebster,
I just had a thought. Wouldn't your husband feel silly if you took the class, and went and built a cabin all by yourself.........
Even if your degrees are in underwater basketweaving, you are smart enough. The concepts are fairly simple-- it's the actual work that's hard. That's why you need a desire do do it. If you have that drive, it will propel you through getting the work done, and I think you'd actually enjoy it because you'd be working towards a dream.
2 cents
Very well put Rod.........excellant responce and stand. It is nice to know you are in some respects just as "Scared" as anyone else wanting to pursue a dream.
I agree with everything you said. Yes this is hard work, yes the logic in putting a log home together is in itself simple, but you gotta have the passion.
One of the other members, I forget who right now, always signs her comments with "Fear is temporary, while regret is permanent." How true. that in itself should get everyone out of the starting gate.
John
The "LHBA way" is not for everyone. The walk up the hill to the class is very symbolic. But like anything, nothing can be force-fed. Personally I fear a 15-30 year mortgage more than I do of getting dirty and sore and building a simple B&P home. Even if I couldn't hammer a nail or saw a board, I would use my brain (and the LHBA tecniques) and hire folks to build one and I would still save thousand of bucks. There is a certain breed of men and women who fall in love with LHBA style. Without that passion, all is lost.
Like in life, there are many choices. Just beacuse your husband didn't like the course and doesn't want to build, there are other ways to get your loghome. Don"t give him the guilt trip or snub your nose at him. It is better you know now than to have gotten into the project and have things fall apart. You sound like you are a smart cookie. You could study his book and notes, get some experience with another LHBA member and become your own contractor. Some folks (and one women I recall) have done just this. Never got a sore back or a splinter and still built their dreamhome.
keep the spirit,
Dr Phil (Kola)
Hi
If you want to try Kola's advice you might want to check this site out at WWW.home.mindspring.com/~kahle11/log.html. someone in the group had it up, and having checked it out, I placed it in my favorites. Good videos on the class topics and I would think, an email to people who have gone the "Build our own Log home" route. The class teaches to build in what might be callled doable stages. The forum gives you access to people who gone and done it. The big thing is it allows you to plan and build around the bank finance issue.
Regards
Roadscholar
VWEBSTER, where in the delta are ya'll? I'm approx 18 miles west of Vicksburg MS. I've been wanting to take the class for several years, and I'm gonna be there in Jan!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've wanted a log home since I was a little kid. And to be able to say that I did it MYSELF and that I did it MY WAY mean more to me than anything. I detest owing money, and I have it planned so that I will be off the grid completely. I even have a working rife ram pump to supply the waterwheel up at the site for hydroelectric power. I don't believe that citizen's should have to pay for the king's blessing (permits) to sleep under a roof of their own making on their own property. What Skips program is about is Freedom, and tragically most kids today can neither spell it nor define it. I really feel for the millions that are gonna lose their homes cause of the sub-prime loan bomb.
Lonewolf
as your husband is crucial vwebster. I found this website over a year ago and was ready to sign up almost immediatly. I held off after reading the recommendations of the other members. It became very clear to me that in order to be happy and successful at building our own log cabin we would BOTH need to be totally commited. I just kept reading books and info from different links and forums and telling him about it all. After seeing that this isn't a passing phase he has come around. My brother has even hopped on board and is taking the Jan. class with us. I still think I'm more enthused about the whole idea than he is. I have a feeling that may change when we take the class and he hears the info from someone other than his wife,haha. Anyway, follow your dreams and good luck. Bess
I found this site 3 years ago and researched everything I could for a year or so and then got involved with work and put my plans on the back burner for a while. I signed up for the Jan. class and can't wait. I've always been the type to steer away from the norm and this course fits my style as well as giving me a freedom not available anywhere else. I look foward to meeting you guys.
Evenning everyone.
I hope I am posting in the right section. I just found this site last night, So I wont be asking any questions right now as I will Just review the previous postings and digest the info I find.
I live in northern Alberta. In a stick fame house out in the country that I built myself back in 93. I hope to be finished soon:) It was a long 14km gravel road to no were when I built, but the city has followed me out. Its now paved to within a half a KM, and I hear we can even get city water now. Looks like its time to move.
I had looked in to log homes back in the eighties, I only found premanufacture types, and the cost was more than stick framing, So this type of log construction is new to me. I am looking for property further north, and into BC near Dawson. It looks to be reasonable land price wise. I have a full solar system to take with me, plus a couple listeriods with 5kw alternators for serious power if needed. Thats enough about me for now I will get back to reading, And I am sure I will have some questions shortly.
jjohn