How to Afford Your Own Log Home [Paperback]

Carl Heldmann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1997

This completely updated fifth edition tells you everything you need to know to get the log home of your dreams at an affordable price. Learn how to avoid a down payment, lower the amount of your mortgage, or get a larger home for what you budgeted, and save 25 percent off your construction and site-preparation costs. Sixteen pages of full-color photos give you a sampling of today's log home styles and sizes. Use this guide to: select the ideal log home kit for your space and design requirements; buy land at the best price and with the fewest restrictions; learn about general contracting and management skills you already possess; obtain a construction loan as well as mortgage financing; estimate your costs accurately to avoid unpleasant surprises; find the best suppliers and get great discounts; choose reliable subcontractors and schedule their work; get help and advice from log home manufacturers. Inside you'll find a list of log home manufacturers and suppliers, along with a glossary of construction terms and sample forms and contracts for every phase of the project. (8 1/2 x 11, 96 pages, color photos, sample forms)

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for previous editions: "An indespensable guide for the beginning builder." --Long Home Guide for Builders and Buyers; "Easy-to-read, step-by-step instructions on planning, financing, estimating, and constructing a log home." --Better Homes & Gardens Building Ideas; "Not just for Lincoln nuts, this book explains that contemporary log homes combine energy efficiency and practicality with nostalgia for a past way of life." --The Philadelphia Inquirer

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

The trick to saving 25-percent off the cost of building a log home lies in being your own general contractor. This book acts as a knowledgeable guide through all phases of planning, estimating, financing, and construction. The author, himself a licensed general contractor, includes sample contracts, invoices, and certificates. This new edition features a completely updated appendix of precut-log-home manufacturers.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Globe Pequot; 4th edition (October 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762701137
• ISBN-13: 978-0762701131
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,044,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carl has been a licensed home builder and licensed real estate broker for over 30 years and a construction loan consultant to credit unions for 20 years. He has personally helped thousands of folks like yourself build their dreams. He is also the founder of two schools of homebuilding, a former newspaper housing columnist, and author of several books on building your own home whose aggregate sales are more than ' million copies.

You can find out more about Carl Heldmann and the free advice he provides on his website, Build Your Own House, at www.byoh.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The title is misleading., April 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Afford Your Own Log Home: Save 25% Without Lifting a Log (Paperback)

Instead of "How to Afford," the title should be "How to Build." The book offers suggested contracts for construction, price and fee contracts, a materials description sheet, certificate of insurance, etc. It is very thorough in what the log home builder will need to do it themselves, but since I'm not a do-it-yourselfer it really wasn't what I was looking for.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars before you write the check......, August 17, 2006

By 

T. Johnson (Black Hills, WY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Afford Your Own Log Home, 5th: Save 25 Percent without Lifting a Log (Paperback)

This small book is a builders check list w/ side notes and clarifications. Very simple and to the point. I have seen similar texts in the log home magazines, but for an all in one place reference its pretty good. This manual tells you how to HAVE SOMEONE ELSE BUILD YOUR HOME, it gives ZERO technical info. Its all about costs, estimates, contractors, sourceing ect...and the tricks and info needed to construct and save money on your project. Many explanations on what is standard, what is an extra. What you will pay extra for what should be included in most situations.I cant see paying the $17.95 cover price, but at less than $10 used its worth it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for what it is, August 5, 2006

By 

John Wills (Westmoreland NH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Afford Your Own Log Home, 5th: Save 25 Percent without Lifting a Log (Paperback)

For what it is, this is a good book. It is NOT a prescription for how to build a low-cost log home. Neither does it cover everything you need to know to be your own general contractor. It is a good overview of the steps that go into building a log home including several suggestions for saving money (or getting more for the same money) at every step of the way. And it's a quick read. I read it in one weekend. If you are early in the process of designing a log home this is a good book to start with once you are ready to leave the dream world to take a more realistic look at what is involved - particularly if you are considering being your own general contractor or you just want to know what your general contractor will need to do.