Building a 3000 Square Foot Log Home By Hand

Follow the progress of a 3000 square foot log home being built by one family that are doing it all themselves. From felling the trees and peeling them right on through all the rest. Brian tells us they will probably spend only 65 thousand dollars by doing all the work themselves using the trees from their property.

After seeing this post DIY Project How We Built Our Own Home From Scratch, he thought some folks may be interested in how his family are building their own log home. He says. “I attended a 2 day class hosted by the Log Home Builders Association (LHBA) back in February 2016. I’ve been looking into various log home building organizations for the past 15 years. I settled on LHBA because of the simplicity of the method, the great online support forums, and the lifetime membership offered for only $800 (the price of taking the 2-day class).

This method of building uses the “butt and pass” method for building a log home, perfected by Skip Ellsworth back in the 60’s.

A few weeks after taking the class and becoming a member, my wife and I purchased almost 4 acres of land. I logged all my own trees, and the neighbor let me have a bunch from his property, too. My wife and I have peeled every log ourselves. I moved every one of them using a small diesel tractor and hand tools. I learned how to weld so I could make my own tools for moving the logs. The largest one is 29″ diameter, and over 50′ long. I haven’t cut down the ridge pole yet- it’s a 70′ white oak that I’m estimating to weigh in at around 7,000 lbs.

We just started the second layer of logs today on our 40×40, 3,000 sq ft, two-story home that we hope to dry in this year, and finish next year.

We are paying as we go, following Skip’s advice, and building without a loan, using block and tackle to lift the logs. I expect it will cost us about $60k when it’s complete, not including the land. The only thing I’ve hired out so far was the excavation on the foundation for $800. I’m not a contractor, but I helped my grandfather renovate houses as a teen.

My reason for writing you is just to let you know about LHBA, and the hundreds (probably thousands) of regular non-construction types that are doing exactly what we are doing, and that it’s possible to build a fine home for about $60k.

I’m writing about the process on a blog: https://loghomejourney.WordPress.com if anyone is interested.

~ Brian Hill”