There's honestly too many variables to even consider a $$ difference number to throw out.

One thing to consider, if you do take the course, you will have so much more knowledge of what to look out for, proper techniques for a long lasting structure. (not to mention you'll notice alot of things about the 'kits' that you would want to avoid if you had known).

Also, if you take the class & take 2 years to plan & collect materials, you'll save a huge amount as well compared to buying everything retail.

I don't doubt for a second, that to get something equivalent to our place that we are building right now, would be over twice the cost that we will have in it, if we bought a shell from someone else & had a contractor build it for us.

You can sign up for a reminder e-mail when classes become available. Worth the wait, was the best class I ever took.

Accquiring logs is a major topic of the course, so I wouldn't try to get logs before taking the class.

I'd recommend starting with BOOKS on construction topics: plumbing, wiring, framing, etc.

You can also start looking for bargain tools. In addition to a few specialized log-related tools, you will definitely need many of the same tools you would use in conventional construction.

Is it cheaper to have the interior of the house as log as well, or to have that sheetrock?

Money saving elements of log homes are, No siding, no sheetrock, no wall insulation (logs have thermal mass) . In my mind not much point in sheet-rocking over beautiful logs ! Both time consuming and expensive. It is a normal thing to have sheetrock in interior walls though.

Building a log home has many variables. I have seen people in the 80's build for dirt-cheap, ($9,000.00 ) .

It depends on where you are building.

It depends on how much you pay for your logs (in some cases people have paid nothing, like me) I have also seen people build for in excess of $300,000. Again there are so many variables and so many choices there is not one right answer but here is my story..

http://www.loghomebuilders.org/should-you-take-class

There is more available in the members section or in class.

Mikey--- journeyman 1988

That message on the home page about "no more this year" is actually recycled from last year. Classes are scheduled based on demand and availability of the instructors, and thus they tend to schedule them "as needed". So the message on the home page is really a bit more pessimistic than things really are. One of the nice things about their email sign-up is that they automatically know how big the "waiting list" is. Every time they have a class, and it fills up, they re-post that "no more this year" message. But this has also been re-posted several times this year... so don't take the "no more this year" thing too seriously. I don't speak for the instructors, and I suppose it COULD be that they are SO busy that they won't have a class soon... But from what I've observed, they have been having quite a lot recently.

shannon, I also live in minnesota - northwest. maybe if there is a class we can travel together!

Shannon

That would be cool, i assume you're not signed up yet? I'm waiting for another class to start. Let me know!

Thanks a bunch JD!

Shannon

For the plumbing, wiring and framing, is there specifics that pertain to the log house or would any book on these subjects work?
Shannon

In the class, they teach you plumbing and electrical stuff that is specifically related to log homes. For example, how do you put outlets in your exterior log walls? How do you hide your wires in a cathedral ceiling? If you were already experienced in construction, this would be enough information. If I was contracting those things out, I would know enough to explain to the contractor what they need to do. But for me, I still needed to learn the basic fundamentals of plumbing and electrical if I am going to actually do it all myself. There's not enough time in two days to teach you EVERYTHING you need to know. The good thing is that there are books-o-plenty on conventional construction stuff.

http://www.loghomebuilders.org/log-homes-stuff-we-recommend

I'm not sure if this will work, but hopefully, here is my "Wish List" from Amazon.com. (I may or may not buy some of these, but some of them I got from recommendations here). http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html?ie=UTF8&type=wishlist&id=9XB4OXY7M5BG

I bought and liked both the "Sunset" wiring and plumbing books, and the "For Pros by Pros" plumbing and wiring books.

From what I've heard, the way you look at home design will possibly be quite a bit different after the class, when you're thinking about the different elements of actually getting down to building. I'm sure it'll be very beneficial to learn how to fully use the software ahead of time. Any changes or new designs that come to mind later will be much easier to work with.

Be sure to read through all the articles here.

Another book that I really like is Building an Affordable House by Fernando Ruiz. http://www.amazon.com/Building-Affordable-House-High-Value-Construction/dp/1561585963/ Talks more towards building with selling in mind, but good info for building for yourself also.

Yep. I had looked through all kinds of log home magazines and kit websites and info before I went to the LHBA class. The method and style are quite different. I only find those books helpful now if I'm looking for interior design ideas, but I don't have my log home yet, so I don't need those! ;)

Something I'd consider collecting, if you're sure about building yourself a log home, would be windows, doors, light fixtures, refrigerators, washer/dryers, freezers, sinks, toilets, bath tubs, etc. When adding on/remodeling our stickbuilt house we found 2 windows from friends and classifieds, a pellet stove (for dirt cheap) and a bath tub from garage sales (both in good condition), etc. Now, you have to have an idea of what you want, and it is hard to know that if you don't know what the basic LHBA design is, but some things you need in any house stickbuilt or otherwise. You can find kitchen cabinets for cheap too if you keep an eye out...though I LOVE the look of built-ins that use the leftover logs so the wood matches perfectly.

FYI: I hate sheetrock and think log interior walls would be overload, so I'd prefer to go with plywood used LIKE drywall. Grew up in a painted plywood interior wall house. Ah, that's the life! ;)

Also, we're on our way to our 4th kid. I'm a sahm and soon-to-be homeschooling mother. I LOVE the fact that with these houses you can design the layout however you like. I want a first floor that is completely open living space, except for a pantry, coat closet, and bath so that my kids can play inside, have room to spread out, etc. With our weather, the ability to play inside will be a life saver. I am still debating a partially enclosed (perhaps in a corner of the house with double-doors to open/close as necessary) library area for the ability to separate a bit.

With our remodel/addition of our stick built, it was great to have our girls helping out. They learned so much! How many two year olds can see an air compressor on someone's deck and name it? ;) And our then 4-year old helped nail in the drywall corners and did a fabulous job --except for perhaps using more nails than needed! They LOVE hammering. What a great skill for children to learn, though? Thrift, self sufficiency, and the ability to build their own homes. Our children will definately be involved in the building of our next home. Another bonus is that even at a young age, they could be trusted around things like nails, hammers, etc, because they knew what they were used for and there was no curiosity there.

Best of luck getting into a class soon! You'll LOVE the class --best money (and weekend away) we ever spent as a couple.