Log Cabin Kits

[Helena]

Would like to hear from some folks that have bought and built a log cabin home from the "kits". Been looking at them for years and now that we are planning a move south and was thinking of this for our new home. We would have family to give us a hand at building it. Give me your ideas !!

[RoseW]

So pretty! Pricey, too tho.

Lots of options if you have labor. Got trees where you might move? Consider making your own logs.

Underground, is an option.... Straw bale building is something too frequently overlooked, as are dirt bags.

Google earthship. The books tend to go cheap these days & you can get some wonderful ideas you might want to incorporate before you actually start building.

If nothing else, you might give a shot a making a small structure for shelter, once you have the land. Give you an idea of an option before you devote the funds.

[KMA1]

Originally Posted by Helena

Would like to hear from some folks that have bought and built a log cabin home from the "kits". Been looking at them for years and now that we are planning a move south and was thinking of this for our new home. We would have family to give us a hand at building it. Give me your ideas !!

I have an Appalachian style log house. I guess you could call it a kit since I bought the logs already hewn from a company that we took a plan to and had them blueprint. My logs are western hemlock. Love my house!

I can tell you that not all log house companies are the same or have near the same quality product. One of the biggest problems I believe is that many companies use small diameter logs which are essentially little or no heartwood. I also have seen and heard a lot people complain of insect problems with pine logs. I have also heard of lots of issues with using 8 foot logs butted together rather than longer larger logs. My logs are 6x12 inches and up to 30 feet long. All are sawn from much larger raw logs and then hand hewn.

My wife and I did ours from open log to move in and it took us about a year. Had young kids at the time and I worked fulltime professional career.

I will try to answer any other questions you have.

Hope this helps.

[Sanza]

Check out Pioneer Log Homes in Williams Lake B.C.
They set up a lot of their log homes in the states

[Forcast]

I have one, 5 bedroom, but I would never do it again, mine is very hard to heat. What I would do is build a stick built home and use the log siding with the full end blocks. they used that on the attached garage and you cant tell the difference and the insulation is so much better. you can use the siding on the inside as well.

[moeh1]

we bought logs and beams from a log supplier/builder, but ordered all other supplies elsewhere. We're very happy with price/results but it took a lot of planning and cutting. Kits vary as to contents and the big box stores are usually cheaper for standard stuff like windows and doors.

[Yvonne's hubby]

I never cared much for kits of any kind. I bought logs and had them milled to 5 inches thick, notched the corners and chinked between them with "great stuff". Our house is quite comfy both winter and summer. It cost me about 7K to get the house up and dryed in. Somewhere close to 20k after all the finish work, wiring, plumbing and porches added.

[Jolly]

If you're moving down South, see if you can find a good company milling cypress logs.

Cypress is a great wood for the South.

[wvcabin]

Try a company called Keystone Kabins, they are in Pennsylvania, I bought my cabin through them and I love it. the cabin is made out of all Hemlock logs, Mine is a three bedroom, 1 bath, with an 8' covered porch all the way across the front. I didn't have the time to do the work myself, because I work to much, so I had them build it for me. they did a great job, it is completely wired with all the recepticals and lights, also smoke detectors. they had a 4 man crew and had it built in a week. they have a lot of different floor plans to choose from. Hope This Helps