Build Your Own Log Cabin With Free Help
Build your own log cabin? Of course! But
why do it alone when there is so much volunteer help to be had? Even
the pioneers teamed up with neighbors when they could, to make
difficult jobs easier and enjoyable.
Begin by recruiting your
family and friends. If someone shows an interest in log cabins, ask
them to help for a few hours.
Think ahead and choose jobs that are not
too boring or exhausting. You don’t want to put a first timer off alone
peeling logs all day while you are busy with other things.
Try to
strike a nice balance between keeping things enjoyable for your helpers
and actually accomplishing work.
Don’t spend all your time
entertaining, but don’t be so task oriented that your helpers never
return. Ease them into the harder jobs as they show persistence and
aptitude...
You may be fortunate enough to find a couple who come again
and again, developing skills right along side you!
Go-fers and general help are
great, but sometimes a really experienced hand can set you far ahead.
It pays to make friends with craftsman, contractors and other log cabin
builders wherever you go.
Ask for advice and you may receive
much more
than talk. For instance, some of my skilled carpenter friends
have
offered to make my windows. They enjoy the challenge of crafting
something out of the ordinary. Sometimes you can exchange free labor
for specific help you need. If you make it a practice to give others
free help, you’ll reap what you sow.
Work Parties: Most of the
time, one or two helpers at a time is best, but here and there you can
really plan ahead and invite a whole group for a big job. During your
work party, expect to
spend all your time supervising. Some of the good group jobs are site
clean up, log peeling, digging foundation holes, roofing, and inserting
metal lathe (to prep for chinking).