10/29/04, 05:40 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 82
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We built a log home in 1993 that we lived in for 8 years before moving cross country. I don't know what area you are building in but after doing a lot of research we got our 8" x 6" logs straight from the local sawmill. We had the outer shell (logs) stacked for us by a local log house builder and then we did everything else ourselves. We designed the house, framed the inside walls, laid the hardwood, did the plumbing, electric, heating, cooling, built the cabinets, and put all the interior wood up. All the walls were wood with the exception of one little 1/2 bath in the hallway. The price for our house was $30 a square foot by the time we were finished and even though we did almost all the work ourselves that cost includes rental equipment, getting utilities, plumbing, septic tank and all the permits. This was a tremendously cheaper than just getting the shell package from a log company and doing it all ourselves. We loved everything about the house. The only draw back was trying to sell it when we had to move....everybody loved it but now a days nobody wants to have to do upkeep on a house. My DH and I have decided that when we get to move back home we are going to build again. This time we will still do most of the work but instead of real logs we are going to try something different. I love the look of post and beam homes for the interior and you can find some fabulous log wallpaper that looks better than real logs. Also, you can buy a fantastic siding that requires no maintenance. I am not sure if it is metal siding or vinyl but it comes in many colors and the houses I have seen it on looks great. Good Luck with your dream. I have been there and when it all comes together it is an awesome experience. One suggestion is to start cutting out pictures of anything and everything you like about log homes, then seperate them into kitchens, dining rooms, etc., then decide what you like about each one and then you will know what you want when the time comes. I put it all into a album to use while picking things out. Now I still have the album as a wonderful reminder along with our pictures and memories of our dream home.
Good Luck,
Marla
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) As to pricing, it can be either very very expesive or very economical (and every $$ in between) Check out loghomereports.com to see if there are any comments on Real Log Homes. Also, I would strongly suggest that you check out lhoti.com. There are members there that are handcrafters, dealers, builders, restorers, log home owners, architects.........if you do a search on the archives there you can find out what some others have said about "Real Log Homes". I'll be looking for you there 
for tatanka
