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Woody
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# Posted: 13 Sep 2016 16:34
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My wife and I are in escrow to buy 7.5 acres in Northern California. The property is at about 2,000 feet in elevation and has hundreds of pine trees on the property. I don't know more specifics about the species of trees yet.
The property has never been developed. There is water and power at the street but no septic. We will be doing a perc and mantle test in the next couple of weeks as it's a bank requirement.
The initial plan is to clear a lot of undergrowth, identify home location, level building site, build large storage shed (spring 2017) and bring water and electricity in (or solar in feasible).
My question is in regards to the feasibility of building a log cabin with trees on the property. I've seen shows like Building Alaska where trees are cutdown on the property and a portable saw mill is brought in to cut the wood down. But at the same time I've read that the wood needs to be dried in a kilm or air dry on the property for a year. If anyone has done this and has any experience to share I'd greatly appreciate it.
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 13 Sep 2016 16:54
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Others will give you advice on the logs, here's advice on the logging.
California Forestry has very specific rules regarding cutting any trees other than the smallest trees for fire safety. You must have a permit from them to clear a dozen trees to put in a septic system. If not, they will pursue legal action.
What you are required to do is get what's called a 'conversion exemption', which is an exception from the timber harvest rules for conversion of a forest lot from 'timber production' to another use- residential or commercial. But here's the catch- you can only ever do one conversion exemption on a parcel, you can never again cut trees after this one time. So, you have to clear as much forest as you imagine you might ever need to clear, for whatever purpose- cause as the rule is now you will never be allowed to clear again.
I cleared a couple dozen trees on 5 acres and got a notice of violation letter from Forestry. Research it before you cut, or be aware of the risks.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 13 Sep 2016 20:38
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Woody, you found western bark beetle infestation, trees dies, you had to cut them down, safety issue. Problem solved.
I am really thinking about attending the Log Home Builders Associations next class. I have wanted to do this for years.
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Nirky
Member
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# Posted: 13 Sep 2016 21:08
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Go for it, MDT. I think they hold the class in Vegas now instead of Monroe.
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 13 Sep 2016 21:14
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They have for several years now. I wished I would of done it in our state. Skip Ellsworth has passed away, his son has been doing it and its been really refined. Its only 2 days. I just bounced it off the wife about going in Feb 2017. Nirky, are you a member of the LHBA?
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Nirky
Member
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# Posted: 13 Sep 2016 21:26
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LHBA since 2004. Skip had already moved to the Philippines when I took the class. I remember it was a wet rainy day, go figure.  But the subject matter was so cool. Steve White & Ellsworth gave the class.
Hey, Southwest flies to Vegas for $59 now.
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Littlecooner
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# Posted: 14 Sep 2016 08:00
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I found the below link interesting and though that woody may like to know cost and time frame. I think that the bank requirement of the "perc and mantel" test is appropriate, as you do not need to purchase if you can not install an onsite sewage disposal system. Interesting the cost of doing business in California and the permits needed.
Others may have comments on the logs on site to cabin. Personally, if it is not just a very cheap one room "hiddiehole" to escape the maddness for a few days a year, i would not go this route for several reasons. That is just me, as I do not know what you want the final product to have which 'curb appeal' at the roadside and the function of the cabin.
http://www.navo.com/AllSierraSeptic/ASpm.htm
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Woody
Member
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# Posted: 14 Sep 2016 12:58
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Ya, I've seen that site before when looking for an engineer to do the testing. It's going to run about $2,100 for the P&M test.
I did look into the LHBA class earlier this morning. There's one in Vegas in Feb. 2017. The cost is $1,500 for two. We're still undecided on building it ourselves or having a builder do it. Part of our decision will be based on the viability of using our own trees.
I have heard there are dept. of forestry regulations but haven't look into them yet. That might be our first step after closing.
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skootamattaschmidty
Member
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# Posted: 14 Sep 2016 15:56
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My original cabin was built from trees on our property. I also built a log sauna/bunnies with trees I cut down. I used a scribed fit and read the log cabin construction manual by Robert chambers. This was a very useful book. One thing to consider is that logs are very heavy and you will need a way to move them from the cut site to build site as well as to place them on the walls. We used block and tackles and a heavy cable high up in the trees. Just something to think about.
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