http://www.countryplans.com/landkit/tips.htm gives you some good ideas. I really think design is where it is at. We can build it-but where you set it lay out of outbuilding etc.-all important. It might be worth consulting a person (developer might help) on what goes where. I will have several buildings as I will have horses also. Basements are worth the extra cost in return value-plus you can always finish it later. I don't think I will go 2 stories-I like the look of a one story log home-maybe 1200 feet and same area basement-plenty big. It will look like 1 story from the road.

I believe the advice given so far is excellent.

Understanding the layout of the land is important.

Even the subterranean granite is important ( if you are going to use lifter poles will you be able to set them without a jackhammer or dynamite ? )

With log homes the logistics of log-layout and ease of movement to the building structure is important.

I have witnessed literally months of wasted time because the logs were piled on top of each other and not readily accessible .

Some questions to ask.

Will my septic be able to flow downhill or will there be need for a pump?

Is this in a flood area?

Where does the prevailing wind/rain come from?

Can I access this area with a concrete truck?

Where will my water supply come from?

What about installing underground utilities?

Does an access road need to be provided?

Are there usable logs on the property?

How will I best provide tool storage during construction?

Will weather prevent building during a certain time of year ( scheduling) .

I am sure all here can add to this list or think of your own.

If you are building on a tight budget and cannot afford a professional, I always say, consult with common sense.

Look at the property from a BUYER'S standpoint and a builders standpoint. Think beyond the step you are doing now to the next steps. Whatever choices you make initially will affect the process later on.

The goals here are to make your building process as easy as possible and therefore as profitable or as beneficial as possible.

I am always available to help

Mikey , journeymans class of 1987 I think,,,,,,, loghomeguy@msn.com

So I called a couple local LA's and told them my tale. They all told me that I wanted to talk to a civil engineer.

So I called a couple of those and one is looking into my situation. His first move is to dig up any existing information created during the initial development. He also charges like $100/hr which appears to be pretty standard for CE design work. Salty, but it seems to be my only viable option.