Log Home Building Course

Frequently asked questions
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    Please read these frequently asked questions before you write to me to ask these questions

  • Q: Can I send my brother / sister / father on the course as a birthday present?
  • A: Yes, brilliant idea! It makes an excellent and unforgettable birthday present and will make a positive and inspiring change to his life forever.

  • Q: Can I really build my own log home after spending just 2 days on your course?
  • A: Yes - it is not rocket science, the course covers all the necessary information needed to build your own log home.

  • Q: How much will it cost me to build my log home?
  • A: I do not know, I can only tell you what it cost me. I spent R880 per sq/m building my Log Home in 2005 as a complete all-in project (including furniture). By comparison, In 2005 The average cost of conventional building was around R7000 per sq/m. Since then, your money has lost more than half of it's value, ie: it will most likely be more than double today.
    The only thing I can guarantee is to teach you the most economical way possible, what you actually spend and how you choose to go about it will be up to you. I do cover 'cost analysis' on the course to help you to calculate what you will spend.

  • Q: Do you have a team of contractors, or do you know of a contractor who can build me a log home like this?
  • A: No, the course is aimed at people who want to build their own personal log homes, not the building contractor market. I do not have a team of contractors or know of a contractor to build your log home. My advice is for you to find someone whom you can trust (and perhaps needs an opportunity in life), send them on the course and get them to build your log home for you. It is essential that you attend the course with this person so that you have a full understanding of the process. This puts you in charge.

  • Q: Is your course suitable for a woman?
  • A: Yes, no problem at all, about 40% of my students are women.

  • Q: Can my wife / husband / child 'sit in' on the course while I attend?
  • A: No, if you want a place at the table, you must make a booking just like everyone else.

  • Q: Building a home yourself looks like a lot of work?
  • A: It is way more work to pay off a mortgage for 20 years....That really is a lot of work!

  • Q: I am 76 years old, would I be able to do the course?
  • A: Yes, no problem, last weekend I had an 81 year old student.

  • Q: I can't afford a mortgage, can I really build my own home for cash?
  • A: Of course, if you follow what I teach and do the work yourself, in fact if you have enough money for the deposit on the mortgage, you probably already have enough to build your Log Home for cash.

  • Q: How much does it cost to attend the course?
  • A: Please check the Booking & Contact page.

  • Q: How often do you hold the courses?
  • A: The plan was 3 or 4 times per year when I have the time, however the demand has been crazy and I have been getting booked up months in advance, so have had to schedule more. These get announced on the website about 2 months in advance - keep checking or put your name on the New course notification list.

  • Q: Does using logs to build your home affect the insurance premiums?
  • A: No, only if you put thatch on the roof (which I don't recommend).

  • Q: Can I build any size home using this method?
  • A: Yes, you can build anything from your outhouse to the Taj Mahal - Ok, just kidding, the Taj Mahal may be a bit ambitious for most people.

  • Q: Can I build an octagonal shaped log house?
  • A: Sure, I don't see why not.

  • Q: Is this method of building accepted by Municipal planning departments?
  • A: Yes, planning departments treat this exactly the same as any other method of construction.

  • Q: Will you build my house for me?
  • A: No, I teach people to build their own homes, I do not build their homes. I'll teach you and then you can build as many Log Homes as you like.

  • Q: Is it possible to purchase just the workbook and not attend the course?
  • A: No, the workbook is only available to students who attend the course.

  • Q: Can a complete kit be ordered and erected on my site?
  • A: No, this method of building does not lend itself to "kit style building".

  • Q: Do you give a certificate?
  • A: Yes, you get a certificate of membership to the South African Log Home Builders Association.

  • Q: Do you have standard floor plans available for sale?
  • A: No, I teach you how to design your own home, standard plans are not necessary.

  • Q: Do you need to draw up plans and submit them before commencing construction?
  • A: Yes, it is exactly the same as any other type of construction.

  • Q: Can I build a solid log home on stilts above the ground?
  • A: No, not stilts, I will teach you much better ways of doing foundations.

  • Q: If I must submit plans, do I need to use a qualified architect (as a matter of legality)?
  • A: Yes, the draftsperson or Architect must be registered with SACAP, just as for any other type building. BTW, a draftsperson will charge less than an architect.

  • Q: How can you say that cutting down trees is environmentally sustainable?
  • A: The trees that I recommend are all alien species and are required by law to be removed, I suggest that you replant with indigenous species so that your grandchildren will have something to build with.

  • Q: I live in Johannesburg, Wilderness is a long way to travel, is the course available around here?
  • A: Sorry, not possible, the course is not portable, my house weighs over 200 tons and is too wide for most roads. Everyone who has been here totally agrees that the trip is more than worth it, some regard it as a short holiday and enjoy some extra time in Wilderness.

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