Dave and I have found property where we would like to build our log home, in Montana. We recently went and checked it out, and assessed the condition of the shell of an existing log home there. What we found was a foundation in fabulous condition. A working well to the foundation. A roof in good condition. Studs framing the 3 story structure, for a 3200 sf log home...BUT...when it was built 10 years ago the builder used tongue and groove logs with no internal support. The walls are sagging and looking dangerous. We want to build up from foundation in the proper "Log Home Builders Assoc." fashion. Our questions are "What is the best way to approach this building?" and "How can we tell if a foundation is sound enough to support regular size logs for the main floor and upstairs (which currently is only half the cabin as the great room goes to the rafters like Skip's), as the basement level is all foundation. We figure we can either jack up the roof somehow and rebuild the walls under it OR completely tear the thing down to it's foundation. I would sure like to hear other's opinions on how to approach this. We haven't bought the property yet, but are heading down that road.
Sincerely,
Pamguin
Demolition before Construction
Wed, 2010-07-21 12:23 — Pamguin
Comments
tearing it down
Tearing it down will be a big project. It'd be much easier to start from scratch on the right piece of bare ground. If the price is right and the land special, I could see why this would interest you, but proceed with plenty of caution. If the current house is not far gone it may be possible for internal support to be added . Any ideas along those lines would need an experienced log home restorer and engineer, who I'm sure you can find in the members section. Posting a new topic in there may lead to further/better discussion of this. We are in Montana, also. Feel free to contact us through the members area! :)