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Living for free while building your log home
One of the most difficult things for our students to accept is that you can often live for free while building your log home. We talk about methods that you can use to obtain a free mobile home to live in while your log home is being built. We understand that most people don't want to live in a mobile home, but solving your socio-economic problem should be your first concern, shouldn't it? Get free of your rent or mortgage payment, build your log home and move in debt free. Isn't that goal worth living in a free mobile home for a few months?
In addition, having a free mobile home on your property gives you a secure place to store tools, equipment and building supplies during the construction process. When you are finished building you can use it as a guest house, sell it to the highest bidder, or give it away free the same way you acquired it. Sometimes our members have used a mobile home for a place to live while building their log home and then donated it to another student who was getting ready to build.
Comments
Living free while building your log home?
Can someone tell me how to obtain a free mobile home as stated in the article.
what kind of trees can be used in the south?
I read that pine tree logs are not best to use in the south because they do not last long. I purchased 5 acres with mostly hardwoods like oak there are also some pine, poplar, gum etc. what are the best logs to use here? I live in southeast Georgia.
Dave
Any kind of tree can be used
Any kind of tree can be used provided that they are kept high and dry. The first course of logs should be a min of 8" above finished grade I would go at least a foot also the roof should have generous overhangs to protect the logs from the elements. The logs can be treated with borate for further protection. Hardwoods can be very nice if you don't mind pounding rebar into rocks. Water and wood = termite food or dry rot no matter the species.
certain specie not suitable for log homes
In the class you will learn that certain types of wood , for structural reasons or reasons pertaining to the rot-resistance or long term strength are not usable for log homes, Alder being one of them, northwest cottonwood being another.
Of equal importance to the type of log used is the quality of log itself and the steps taken to protect that log from termites and weathering. In Orleans parish for instance most sil plate has to be three feet off the ground with termite plates on top of the piers.
I respectfully disagree that "Any tree can be used" according to Skip, that is simply not true.
Michael Simmons Journeyman 1987
Craiglist seems to have allot these the past few months
Its kinda of a hit miss on the mobile home here in Va i come across 3 in the last weeks and another member south of me sent me 2 more last night. If you looking for something and got other friends helping you can find them.
I found dirt cheep ones that need work for 900. But allot these people just want to get rid them so they dont have pay 400 lot fees.
It easy for a person to give it away for free then to tear it apart ore pay over a grand to trasport it.
i looking a 3 this weekend for free.
Moving cost will be the most expenisve for a free item Fuel isent cheep.
Need to talk with an engineer
There are different types of pine; I believe white pine is usually ok, while yellow pines tend to be too susceptible to decay. I believe oak, poplar, and gum should work no problem.
But, the real answer is, you need to talk to a structural engineer. Really--that's not just a liability disclaimer--you *really* need to talk to an engineer and have him look over your plans, and give his stamp of approval. Besides making sure that your plans are sound, it will make getting your building permit easier.