Advice needed..... desperately

[adubar]

tommygun

Not all log building methods require dry logs. But, you will find that dry logs can be much lighter than wet ones, regardless of the building method.

Splitting, checking and settling are caused by different forces and conditions, depending upon the species of log used and the method of construction.

What you will find is that the most popular methods of building with logs used by professional builders/contractors lends itself to all three of these.

Build with methods that do not cause or exacerbate these problems and you don't have to worry about them.

If you use the LHBA's preferred building methodology, you can build with green timber. Settling is not an issue.

Using green logs may be something you need to do if you are building in an area where you cannot afford to wait and must build your structure quickly. At most, a touch-up of the chinking between logs might be required after a few years, but that tends to be the exception rather than the rule.

[jrdavis]

also, I'd be wary of anyone giving advise here that doesn't have a LHBA Member icon besides their name (yes that includes me....I can't find my cards for 1999, so there's a problem there).
I just want you (tommygun) to make sure that you don't take kiln desired advise for "doweled" or milled boards as LHBA Memeber advise.
Modified logs are NOT a LHBA recommended way to build.

Just thought I'd clarify that.

[Ellsworth]

Well my mother is interested in a log home, however she wants a log home kit. She's convinced that it will be faster, than building one ourselves. I am not convinced of this, myself. What I'm asking for is ALL the advice you good people could provide me.
Thanks

Question 1. Is there a site I could go to, to look up log prices?

Question 2. Approximately how much would it cost to build a 1500- 2000 sq ft two story log home?
(just looking for a ballpark estimate)

Question 3. How much less would it cost to built it a single story?

Question 4. Approximately how long would it take to build a 1500-2000 sq ft one or two story log home?
( again, just looking for a ballpark estimate)

Question 5. Is there any useful information you can think of, that I've not asked for?

I do not think it's a stretch to say that tommygun's situation would be ideal for the "Nuclear Family + 2 Friends" free forum access concept.

He'd buy a membership, his mother could read everything and post in that Nuclear Family section.