The Beginning

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Permalink Reply by Tami Treaster on May 9, 2009 at 7:54am

How do you know if you did enough planning? I am planning and planning and planning. . . My children and I are discussing every aspect of this adventure. We have a notebook full of cut outs, print outs, and room by room ideas. I have a good 6 months to go before the land is paid in full, so I have time. I just don't want to over do it, if there is such a thing. Any advice?

Tami

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Permalink Reply by Dave and Julie Christiansen on May 9, 2009 at 8:29am

You are on the right track. Nothing replaces good knowledge and planning. I told my wife Julie that she was the General Contractor. She took her job seriously and now she knows more than I do about construction and the building process. She designed our log home, from the floor plan, to the placement of the home on the property. She is also very open to my suggestions and advise. If you are willing to devote a lot of time and hard work, then you can accomplish great things. When it comes close to building time, take the time to look closely at other log homes being build around you. Look for quality and good workmanship and take plenty of pictures and good notes. We have learned that there are good builders, fair builders, and just down-right poor builders. When we needed something built that we could not do ourselves, we chose a builder in our area who does superb work at a reasonable price. I may have said more than you wanted to read, but I hope it helps a little. Dave

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Permalink Reply by Tami Treaster on May 9, 2009 at 9:40am

Thanks Dave,

My friends say I could be my own GC because I love to get my hands dirty, very dirty. I am making this a learning experience for my children, age 15 and 5 also. My boy, 15 was looking into being an Architecial Engineer. He is involved in the planning process alot. My daughter is 5 and is the interior designer, faucets, light fixtures, and picking out pictures for kitchens, fireplace, etc. This is a family affair. I am also learning alot myself. We already toured some local houses and one in the process of being built. They are all "D" style and I would like a round log. I know there are different circumstances with a round log against a "D" style log. Cranes etc. So I guess I will be planning for awhile to come. Thanks for the tips

Tami

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Permalink Reply by Dave and Julie Christiansen on May 11, 2009 at 8:24am

Tami: I think it's great to have the whole family involved. It is a great way to build strong family unity and togetherness. One thing this world could use a lot more of. :) We chose to use Swetish Cope Round logs for our home. I love the look of the round log also. The D Style logs do have their advantages for making the litchen cabinets easier to install, etc. but with the round log, it just feels more like a log home to us. We also chose 10" logs for our home. It costs a little more but they look so nice. Anything any bigger would have been almost too much for us to handle. Too much weight to lift by hand. lol Dave

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Permalink Reply by Tami Treaster on May 11, 2009 at 5:37pm

Dave,
I love the round logs. All the log homes around here are "D" style. To me a log is suppose to be round. I am still up in the air about being a GC. It would be nice to stand back and butt in when needed. But I think the kids need to help also. I will need lots of help, that is already known, and I don't think that you will catch me stacking logs--I am afraid of messing things up.
I don't want a huge or large house. Love grows best in little houses. I don't like to clean either. So I think 8" or 10" logs will be big enough not to overpower the place.
How long did you plan your log before you built and did you get a kit? I am torn about kit or custom. I can't find a kit plan that fits my dreams or needs. My book is getting full, and I know I still have a ways to go.
Thanks
Tami

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Permalink Reply by Dave and Julie Christiansen on May 12, 2009 at 8:32am

Tami: Julie drew up our floor plans herself after looking at many floor plans from different books. The best thing to do is to find a plan that is close to what you want and then have it modified. We bought our logs through Yellowstone Log Homes in Idaho. Our plans were very close to one of their floor plans, so they modified their plan to meet our plans. Yellowstone log Homes knew what we needed as far as logs to build our home and ordered what we needed. We then went to work. LOts of work, but also fun to see the results of our labors. Dave

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Permalink Reply by Todd Andrews on May 11, 2009 at 9:06am

I put a few videos on here. They are from the power point presentations we have in our seminars. Search Perma-Chink. There is one regarding colors. "It's Never Too Early to Pick Your Colors." When you are ready for colors, call us. We can send you free sample colors of stain, caulk, chink, etc.

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Permalink Reply by BoxerLady on November 24, 2009 at 12:17pm

Jay & Julie:
I know I'm coming in to your discussion a little late in the game, but where are you planning to build? Check out this website riverstoneloghomes.com.
If there is a builder I would trust to build my own home, it would be him. I've known Steve for years. If you have further questions, email me at niobe159@yahoo.com.
-BoxerLady

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Permalink Reply by Jay Rodriguez on November 27, 2009 at 12:13pm

Never too late. We are in Durango now and will be meeting with the builder we have chosen this morning. As you all may see by the time length of this thread, we have been very careful and finally made a decision. We still don't plan to build for another year, knowing it will take us that long to come to terms with a design. I already have on drawn (on graph paper), and we will work off that.
Updates to follow! Thank you everyone for your help!!
Jay

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Permalink Reply by Denise McCarthy on July 5, 2010 at 11:45pm

I am new to this forum and saw your post and was wondering if you ever started to build yet? We are deciding which way to go, modular cabin or regular cabin. We are on a strict budget and of course have to sell our existing home to afford it but we are gathering as much info as possible and you seem to have done your homework!!!We live in Illinois right now but are planning to build a log home either in MI or the Carolinas....

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Permalink Reply by Jay Rodriguez on July 8, 2010 at 10:55pm

Hi Denise!
We have chosen a builder! So far, the only steps we have taken is to have our land surveyed and the soils test. I have provided our builder with a sketch of a floor plan and we are putting together some photos to illustrate the look we want for each room and the exterior. I fully expect our plans process to take 1 to 1.5 yrs. We don't plan on retiring until 2013, so we have the luxury of taking our time.
As far as the financial aspect, we also recently spoke with two local banks about the construction financing and have a good idea of who we will go with when the time comes.
Anyway, thats where we stand. Keep the good ideas coming! (The post after this one is good advise!)

Jay

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Permalink Reply by Denise McCarthy on July 9, 2010 at 11:37am

Hi Jay,

Thanks so much you and all who replied! We need all the help we can get. We want to look at the blue ridge log cabins (modular that I have heard so much about. they put it up in a few days. (turn-key) this would be a nice option for us and less stressful I am sure. But we are exploring a lot of options, and hope to get started as soon as possible. My husband really wants to move and get settled in another area so we can relax and get on with our lives and start enjoying what we have left....

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