Buying building materials in the US and shipping them overseas

10/15/2009 - 00:39
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Joined: 2009-10-12

I will be buying building materials and tools and having them shipped to me in Japan. It would be nice to find some place that will consolidate my materials and ship them out to me--that would mean that I don't have to depend solely on some place like Home Depot.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Philip



Comments

10/15/2009 - 04:56
Bjorn's picture
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Hi Philip, There are lots of

Hi Philip,
There are lots of freight forwarders that will do that for you. I would imagine that your best bet would be any port city on the west coast. I ship a lot of break bulk (loose item) to Europe, and there are lots of freight forwarders here in Florida that compete for my business. Their services typically include receiving goods to be shipped in their warehouse, and then shipping it in consolidated containers. That way you only pay for shipping your own stuff, and not the entire container. On the Japan side the freight forwarder typically works with a local customs agent who will declare your goods and have it ready for pickup at his warehouse. Usually a very painless procedure.
Bjorn

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10/15/2009 - 06:32
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Thanks Bjorn

I'll do a bit of googling and see what I can find.



10/15/2009 - 13:14
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Where are you Bjorn?

Where in FL are you Bjorn? We live near Pensacola. keith http://www.paragon-cs.com/shiloh 



10/15/2009 - 14:30
Bjorn's picture
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I'm in Fort Lauderdale, but

I'm in Fort Lauderdale, but my property is in Kenai, Alaska. Planning for retirement and a 20x20 log cabin. I plan on digging and pouring next summer.

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10/15/2009 - 16:44
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10/15/2009 - 18:55
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Bjorn

Hey, do you work for an airline? Your story matches somebody I know.



10/15/2009 - 20:39
Bjorn's picture
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Yes, I do. Where are you and

Yes,
I do. Where are you and how do we know each other?

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10/15/2009 - 21:06
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Bjorn

loghomedude (at) gmail.com
or
Jason Mauk/Jetblue



10/15/2009 - 22:39
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Kenai

Hey BJORN, I live in Anchorage and I play on the Kenai Peninsula in the summer. We were just looking at lots down there. I would be interested in seeing your digs and possibly lending a hand if time allows.

Let me know if your interested...rdj
Jonesrdplus3@gmail.com or rogerjones@gci.net

Best Regards...rdj



10/16/2009 - 01:23
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Hi RDJ, My lot is located on

Hi RDJ,
My lot is located on the Kenai Spur Hwy. between Soldotna and Kenai. It´s a subdivision called Cottage Estates. So far 1 cabin built in the whole subdivision (took 20 years). I have 1 acre, and I'm working on buying a couple of lots next to mine. Advantage: Outside of both city limits; therefore no building restrictions. No inspectors. Got that in writing before I paid for the land. I realized my luck while listening to Ellsworth and Steve lamenting about the inspectors they have had to deal with.
I'll drive my RV up in the spring, and the plan is to get the footers dug during the summer season. I'll keep the forum updated as to the exact schedule.

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10/17/2009 - 18:17
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kenai

i am a kenai guy.. on beaver loop. have a building lot in sterling. drop a line if you like--
ops(at-) dynadive dot com--

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peath



10/19/2009 - 23:50
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Beetle kill trees

Hi whatsalog,
what do you know about the availability of beetle kill trees for the general public on the Kenai? I have enough trees for my cabin on my land, but would feel a lot better if I could get free logs locally. I know there are thousands of dead acres in the immediate area.

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10/20/2009 - 06:12
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Just want to make sure

Ok, I've got all my logs harvested and up off the ground (doug fir and cedar) Fir for the walls, rafters, perlins and the big cedar for the ridge posts and beams. My big question? Do I wait until after the December class to begin peeling, or should I start now? It's been raining here in Oregon, so my logs are getting wet (they're laid out under of bunch of oak trees so as to not be in direct sunshine (whenever that will be!). Do I need to be worried about the wet bark? If so, do I treat? and with what? or do I peel? then treat? with what? I know...I know....I'll learn all this in the December class, but can my logs wait that long? We were logging on the ranch, so I had to take my house logs now, otherwise I would have waited until after the class.



10/20/2009 - 15:13
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Ray's logs

They will be fine for a few months. Are they up off the ground though? (laid on top of some "sacrificial logs" so they are not right in the dirt?)

It's best to treat them right after peeling. :)

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It's log, log.... It's big, it's heavy, it's wood.
It's log, log.... It's better than bad, it's good!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stimpy's_Big_Day



10/20/2009 - 15:18
2 cents's picture
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yes they are

oops, I missed that you do have them up off the ground. excellent! :)

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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's log, log.... It's big, it's heavy, it's wood.
It's log, log.... It's better than bad, it's good!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stimpy's_Big_Day



10/21/2009 - 02:55
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Thank you 2 cents!

Thanks for responding to my post. I'm glad I don't have to deal with the peeling right now. I'd rather do it after I've taken the class in december.



11/17/2009 - 09:33
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bjorn

plenty of opportunity for quality logs here. beetle kill as well. just talk to the guys ellsworth says to talk to and the forest will open up to you. costs are pretty reasonable, you just may have to pay for the ice road to get to them.

if you really want free free alaskan logs you can apply for the houselog program up north.

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peath