all summer we've been thinking about starting our log home model but figured we should hash out the details of the floor plan first. Have Punch software but not finding it very intuitive and so are struggling..and so the model isn't getting done...!

So decided to strike out on a different front and went to pay a cordial visit to our planning department. turns out that for our county that's the 'land and resource management' folks. we found out that they have very few restrictions
no closer to the ordinary high water mark than 200 ft
no closer to the lot lines than 10 feet
no closer to the septic tank than 10 feet
no closer to the drain field than 15 feet.
pretty basic stuff
have to have our septic permit ($130) before applying for our site permit (another $260). I asked them if they needed to see our building plans or if they needed them to be wet stamped by an engineer and they said NO. jus that 'Ted' needs to come out and make sure the area we've staked is at least 200 ft from the lake...and then after we pour the footings, Ted comes back out and inspects those too...but then NO MORE INSPECTIONS! and we have to be weathered in 'in a reasonable timeframe'!!! LOVE IT!

they told us that our county does not have any additional ordinances. boy did we luck out.

they are assuming we are in good faith building to UBC codes and that we know what the heck we're doing. Can't beat that!

I think the state will want to inspect our electric but that's it for inspections.

So we have to know enough of what the inside will look like to be certain we get the necessary footings in (like the extra one we'll need under the woodstove with its heavy field stone hearth...) and have a pretty good idea of where the exterior doors and windows will go but the actual placement of the interior walls can wait a little bit longer

SO NOW we can start the model. it might not end up exactly the way the cabin will, but that's OK.

block and tackle types necessary to lift big fir logs. I have 2 ton rope pulley on each end of log. Not strong enough to lift log when pulling rope. Any suggesting would be greatly appreciated

Logs not yet sourced but have put the word out hoping to get something affordable for next spring

Have had to re apply for planning permission and have left my cousion with the 40 x 40 plans to put in my amendments - he will then submit - hopefully we will get planning permission - if not don't really know what our next step will be

Now that I am back I am going to start on a model

Also realised that what little money I do have is not going to get me very far as everything is still so expensive - so am hoping that next year prices will drop .....here's hoping !

Well, that didn't work....
That's a rendition of how it should look when finished.
Here's where I am right now.

By the time the snow flies I should have four days of trim work, plus the
masonry, and the railing left to do next Spring. Then, move on to finish
the inside. Here's a quick tip: Move onto the building site. I've spent about 100 days building in the last five years. My year is about May - October. I spent most of one year with my wife (illness), and another
year getting our house ready to sell. Your work will proceed much faster
when you live on the project site.

In another life (post my; case & millwork life, and during my life as a
Firefighter) I was a general contractor. When I took the LHBA class
from Skip Ellsworth (you were a true friend, buddy!) I went in with a
background in construction. Was than an advantage? Well...yes, but
mostly no! Too many preconceptions! Better to go in with a clean slate.
Skip told of a young woman who finally tired of working the cosmetics
counter at Nordstrom and took the class. I can't remember the final
disposition, but Skip may have said she built several homes. Not too
improtant. She is now armed with all the necessary knowledge to build
a beautiful log home.

Heading out tomorrow.
Have five days to get more work done.
So, so tired, but my year is almost over. My year starts after the snow
has melted, and the ground is firm enough for heavy equipment, (won't
make that mistake again!) and ends when it looks like a blizzard could
have me trapped until Spring.
Here's a photo of the progress:

www.bowmanslogcabin.blogspot.com

Attended class in June '09, got our stock plans (we decided on getting the bundle to cover any future needs and all contingencies). We purchased our land 6 years ago, 5 acres of which half of that is good to build on. We got planning permission for 1 two storey building only - am travelling out next week with our plans (we have not had the time to make any alterations but will ask the architect to add a wrap around porch for us). We would ideally like to build two 40 x 40 side by side but will be happy just to have the basic plan with wrap around accepted by the planning dept. Our biggest problem will be in finding the logs and oh boy I think that will be one huge problem, if we get any for free will be a miracle but I've a lot of work to do to find them in the first place and then to get them as cheap as possible - worse case senario would be we will have to import them in - not sure how that will work out as money is short.
I've a huge list of things to do, sorting out the water, electricity options, planning dept. finding a surveyor to wet stamp the plans etc. etc. etc. and getting some sort of temporary living sorted out while we build....will probably end up in a tent!! have tons of practical stuff to sort out with the move, we plan to move at the end of the year latest beginning Feb next year - ......if I can just find a good source for logs I 'll be happy... I have two weeks .........wish me luck I'll need it!

I am working on a small micro conference center on my property. The property is bisected by the Great Allegheny Passage Bike Trail ( www.gap.org ) and also borders the Youghiogheny River. The property is adjacent to a campground I sold my sister a few years back. ( www.camprefc.com ) The Youghiogheny River (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youghiogheny_River) has been designated by our state as a scenic and wild river. I am currently having an 8" sewage main ran to the property and hope to begin building this spring.

You can see a google map of my property here: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=107359389814451525322.000471c5f6933f0eeaac5&t=h&z=15

Due to a strange business deal I find myself in a situation where I owe the IRS about $40,000 for a paper gain I had. So I have to sell some property. I own approximately 37 acres in Southwestern PA. The property is more specifically located in Dunbar Township, Fayette County, PA. The location is beautiful. (See property sales info @ www.trailopportunities.com) The property fronts the Great Allegheny Bike Trail(www.gaptrail.org) and is next to the Youghiogheny River. The closest neighbor is a campground River's Edge Camping & Cabins(Park Models) I sold that to my sister a few years back. Info @ www.camprefc.com

Its my plan to build a log lodge building, log conference hall, and about 18 smaller cabins for trail users. I attended the class back in 2006. Here where Im at now in 2009. I own my land free & clear well except for the IRS. I own a portable sawmill, 955L caterpillar front loader, 580 Case backhoe, and a shitload of construction tools. Im pretty sure I have the deal worked out for my logs. I just need to sell about 5 lots to get on track. Im am hopefull that I can have logs cut this winter and start when the snow melts this spring.

Just spent the weekend watching our site being cleared. I managed to get it done for nothing, I traded a website for the excavator services. Now I need to find someone similar to dig and pour the foundation, here's to hoping.