Log Homes Made Easy - Log Home Books

Welcome	\|	Log Home Books	\|	Log Home Plans Online	\|	Article Archives	\|	Resources

About This Book:

Overview

Table of Contents

Author's Comments

About the Author

Log Home Books

Resources

Log Homes Made Easy Home

View larger image

Title: Log Homes Made Easy Second Edition

Author: Jim Cooper

Number of pages: 272

ISBN: 0811728471

Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours

Overview

Complete, inexpensive guide to building log homes kits, financing, and construction How to be your own general contractor "For enthusiasts and would-be inhabitants of log homes, Cooper provides concise and sensible information . . . Recommended." -Library Journal

The revised and updated edition of this best-selling guide (first edition, 0-8117-2422-0) outlines what every owner-contractor needs to know before beginning a dream log home-getting started; comparing price quotes; researching on the Internet; choosing an architect; planning the site, road, well, and septic systems; finding and managing subcontractors; and scheduling and controlling costs. The author also explores the myths and realities of log home life, including maintenance and energy efficiency. Jim Cooper is a former owner of OakRidge Log Homes in Frederick, Maryland.

Top

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction to the Second Edition
I. Introduction: Owner-Contracting; The Secret to A Successful Log Home Project
II. About Log Homes: Myths and Realities: Maintenance; Shrinkage and Settlement; Energy Efficiency; Caulking
III. Log Homes: Getting Started: Understanding the Playing Field; Manufactured Log Homes; Shopping For A Kit; Comparing Price Quotes; About Architects
IV. Acquiring Land: Locating Land; Roads, Wells and Septic Systems; Site Planning; Financing Land
V. Defining Your Goals: The Floorplan; Setting Priorities; Controlling Costs; Estimating Costs
VI. Financing
VII. General Contracting: Where to Begin: Finding and Managing Subcontractors; Scheduling; The Building Sequence
VIII. Sweat Equity: Your Sweat Equity Potential
IX. Construction Process: Basic Skills and Tools; Site Preparation; Preconstruction; Foundation; Basement Slab; Framing; Roofing; Finishing
X. Maintenance: Log Care Inside and Out; Insects
XI. Resources and Supplies: Periodicals; Books; Schools; Associations; Appendices

Top

Authors Comments

Most books on building log homes start with how to cut down a tree. They also talk about how inexpensive log homes are. My book does neither. I wrote Log Homes Made Easy to answer the questions of people who are looking for a modern log home. People who don't need to know how to sharpen a chainsaw or cut a notch, but, how to compare the "kits" offered by various manufacturers, how to find subcontractors, prepare a budget and get financing. In Log Homes Made Easy, I follow the entire process, step-by-step, beginning with evaluating land through designing, budgeting, financing and building. The text is supported by a number of forms that I developed for use when I was general contracting log homes. I intended for Log Homes Made Easy to be a handbook to get people through the complex and sometimes confusing process of building a modern log home.

I updated Log Homes Made Easy in 2000. If you have the previous edition, you may not notice that much different. I added material about some of the fasteners and sealants that have emerged since the first edition. I also added material on insulated log homes and handcrafted homes. While I originally aimed Log Homes Made Easy at people who intended to purchase a log home kit, the process of acting as your own general contractor is the same. The biggest difference is that you work with a handcrafter for the shell of your log home rather than a "kit" provider. So I added some information about working with handcrafters and differences between handcrafters and manufacturers. Finally I added some tips on evaluating log home providers based on additional experiences in the log home and construction industry.

--Jim Cooper

Top

Buy this book by clicking the button below.

Log Homes Made Easy | Log Home Plans Online
Price Changes | Disclaimer | Limits of Liability | Trademark