Last updated on December 19, 2003

THE LOG HOME BUILDER'S ASSOCIATION OF
NORTH AMERICA 
SINCE 1965

Our goal is to help people build or buy  the best log homes -- for the least amount of money.

The pages listed below contain vast amounts of free information -- which might save you up to half the cost of your log home. 

It is possible to build a beautiful log home for less money than it takes to buy a trailer house. 

These pages contain many facts that some of the "kit" builders do not want you to know. For example:

1. Warning about "kit" log homes

2. List of things to consider before buying a "kit" log home

3. How to reduce the cost of your log home by up to 50%

These pages will also explain the most common mistakes that the the kit builders make.  Some of their mistakes are made by accident -- and some are made on purpose (to save time and increase profits). 

Frankly, we think that it would be a mistake for you to do "anything" regarding log homes without first reading all of the free information that is contained on this site. 

Also, we have a free "e-mail hotline" that is staffed by our volunteer members.  On the hotline we try to answer log home questions "free of charge" for the general public. 

Obviously, we can not "teach" via e-mail, but we can certainly try to answer a few specific (like "yes" or "no") questions for you.

THE LOG HOME BUILDER'S ASSOCIATION FREE QUESTION AND ANSWER E-MAIL HOTLINE

SKIP ELLSWORTH, MASTER LOG HOME BUILDER -- AND TEACHER

LOG HOME BUILDING SEMINARS IN AMERICA

LOG HOME BUILDING SEMINARS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

HOW TO GET FREE LABOR WHEN BUILDING "REAL" LOG HOMES,  NOT "KITS"

PHOTOS OF SKIP'S PERSONAL LOG HOME -- AND SOME OF HIS OTHER LOG BUILDINGS

PHOTOS OF SOME LOG  HOMES THAT WERE BUILT BY OUR STUDENTS

SKIP'S RESORT -- AND AN INVITATION TO ALL MEMBERS AND  PAST STUDENTS

BRUCE LEE MEMORIAL -- INCLUDED HERE ONLY BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE ASK ABOUT THIS ASPECT OF SKIP'S LIFE

PHOTOS OF A FEW LOG BUILDINGS AT ONE OF SKIP'S FIRST RANCHES

*****  TESTIMONIALS FROM GRADUATES (THESE PAGES ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY EXPLAIN THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF LOG HOMES)

*****  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW TO REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR LOG HOME BY UP TO 50%

A  SCHEDULE  FOR  THE SEMINARS -- IN  AMERICA  --  AND IN  ASIA

APPLICATIONS  FOR  THE  SEMINARS

FREE MEETINGS FOR GRADUATES OF THE SEMINARS

FREE "WORK-PARTIES" FOR GRADUATES OF THE SEMINARS

*****  "KIT" LOG HOMES -- A WARNING ABOUT THEM -- AND A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN THEM AND "REAL" LOG HOMES

*****  BUYING A KIT LOG HOME (important things to consider)

BULLETIN BOARD -- WITH ADS CONCERNING TOOLS, MATERIALS, ETC.

RECENT E-MAIL -- (TO AND FROM THE LOG HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION)

"CONSTITUTIONAL" NO TRESPASSING SIGNS THAT APPEAR TO BE EFFECTIVE

NOTES "FROM" MEMBERS

NOTES "TO" MEMBERS

CURRENT HAPPENINGS

The following links (below) relate mostly to Skip's private life in America -- and in Southeast Asia.  They are included here only because so many of his  friends and former students (from as far back as 50 years ago) often call to ask about him -- to find out where he is living now -- what he is doing with his life now that he is "semi-retired" -- etc.  Many of these people leave messages on our telephone recorder and we are often not able to re-contact them.  Hopefully, the following pages will solve the problem.

However, if you scroll past the following links, you will find more information about log homes in general...

**SKIP'S NOTES REGARDING THE LAW -- AND YOUR OWN PERSONAL FREEDOM

**PHOTOS OF SKIP’S FAMILY IN AMERICA (added here by demand of his friends and
   former students throughout the world) -- FOR FRIENDS ONLY

**SKIP'S LETTERS (AND PHOTOS) FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA -- FOR FRIENDS ONLY

**ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF SKIP’S LIFE AND FAMILY  IN ASIA  -- FOR FRIENDS ONLY

**PHOTOS OF ELVIE’S LIFE IN AMERICA -- FOR FRIENDS IN ASIA ONLY

A FEW RANDOM PHOTOS (MORE TO BE ADDED LATER)

PHOTO GALLERY -- (MISCELLANEOUS)

BLANK PAGE #3 TO BE ADDED LATER

SOCIO-POLITICAL-COMMENTARY

LINKS

CONTACT US

Please note:  Log homes pictured on this website were hand-crafted by former students.

Many of our students have built beautiful log homes for less than the cost of a trailer house -- and without becoming slaves to a 30-year mortgage.

Obviously, a log home is a better investment than a trailer house, because it can be build for a very low cost -- AND because it can appreciate in value (rather than "depreciate") -- AND because it can last for hundreds of years.

A HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION

"The Log Home Builders Association Of North America" has over 35,000 members throughout the world. The Association is listed in such publications as; A Directory Of National Trade Associations, published by The United States Department Of Commerce; The Encyclopedia Of Associations, published by The Gale Research Company; The National Avocational Organizations Directory, published by Columbia Books; The National Trade and Professional Associations of the United States, also published by Columbia Books; etc.

The primary purpose of our Association is to preserve the "true-and-pure" craft of log home building -- to disseminate information about log homes -- to pass the craft on to future generations -- and to teach people how to "build" or "buy" the best log homes for the least amount of money.

WE PRESERVE OUR CRAFT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

We have used a variety of methods to accomplish our objectives, including the TWO-DAY SEMINARS (11 HOURS ON SATURDAY AND 11 HOURS ON SUNDAY), Journals, Newsletters, Local Meetings, International Meetings, free log home tours, highly successful Apprenticeship Programs, a free "question and answer" hot-line by phone (1-360-794-4469) and/or a free "question and answer hotline by e-mail.

THE TWO-DAY LOG HOME BUILDING SEMINAR: 

If you want to learn about log homes (how to build them, how to buy them, etc.)  -- and if you are therefore considering attending one of Skip's seminars --  here is some additional  information that might be of interest to you: 

Skip is considered to be the world's foremost authority on log homes.

He previously taught his two-day (22 hour) log home construction class through the University of Washington's Experimental College for 108 consecutive terms (over 26 years).

In addition, he previously taught the same two-day class at  many other universities and colleges, including (but not limited to) Seattle University -- Seattle Central Community College -- North Seattle Community College -- Shoreline Community College -- Highline Community College -- Everett Community College -- Bellevue Community College, etc.

In the past, he also taught his class via many municipalities, including (but not limited to) the City of Redmond -- the City of Auburn -- the City of Kent -- the City of Issaquah -- etc. 

SEMINARS IN AMERICA:  Now that Mr. Ellsworth has semi-retired, he still occasionally offers the same "university/college"  two-day seminar at his ranch near Seattle, Washington.

SEMINARS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA:  In addition, he currently (and more frequently) teaches the same two-day class at his "winter" home/resort, which is located on a beautiful beach on his beautiful tropical island in the Philippines. 

Skip's "island home/resort" is in an area that is populated by native fishermen who live in grass shacks on the beach, and fish from small "dug-out" style boats that have outriggers on both sides.

Members/students who attend the class in the Philippines generally stay at Skip's resort -- "camp out" among the coconut trees on the beach -- sleep in hammocks -- and eat with Skip's family -- at no additional charge. 

In fact, anyone who has ever taken Skip's class in America is invited to visit Skip in Asia -- "camp out" among the coconut trees on the beach -- eat with Skip's family -- etc. -- all at no charge. 

For more information about the Asian classes (travel expenses, logistics, etc.), please see the "APPLICATION" page -- and the page called "SEMINARS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA" page -- and the page called "SKIP'S RESORT -- AN INVITATION TO MEMBERS AND FORMER STUDENTS".

People come from all over the world to learn how to build log homes from Skip.

Also, Skip usually spends at least eight hours per day at his computer answering specific "log home building" questions by e-mail (free of charge) for people throughout the world. Please do not hesitate to e-mail him if you have any specific questions of your own.  Skip is a nice guy, and he will be glad to help you if possible. 

WE ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY "KIT" LOG HOME COMPANIES -- OR DEALERS: 

Our Association is definitely not involved with any "kit" log-home manufacturers.

We only build "real" log homes (using logs that have not been processed and/or "damaged" by machines).

We are amused by the fact that some "kit" companies cut their logs flat on the top, flat on the bottom, and flat on both sides - and still call them "logs."

Using this rationale, an 8" x 8" beam could be called a "log."

In fact, a 2" x 4" could be called a log.

In addition, if a log is "turned" on a giant lathe (so it is the same diameter at both ends, and all of the "personality" has been cut away) then it can no longer be called a log - it is a giant "dowel."

Obviously, "dowels" do not look like logs, behave like logs, OR have the same personality as logs.

Unfortunately, the general public is often confused by the non-precise terminologies that are used by many of the "kit" companies.

YOU WILL GREATLY BENEFIT FROM READING THIS ENTIRE SITE: 

If you read this entire website, you will learn why it is often much more difficult, expensive, and time-consuming to assemble a kit log home than it is to actually build a beautiful log home of your own -- using real logs that can be purchased from loggers. 

The "kit" builders usually begin their manufacturing process by purchasing "real" logs from loggers -- but then they "process" the logs by using a huge variety of expensive machines, methods, techniques, labor, etc., which greatly adds to the cost of the final product.

You can purchase "real"  logs from the same loggers -- and then build a "real" log home for a fraction of what the "kit" house would cost.

Throughout the years, we have heard many horror stories from people who purchased "kit" log homes.  Many of these horror stories have been included in this website. 

It you read some of these horror stories they might prevent you from buying the "wrong" kit log home -- and prevent you frommaking one of the biggest mistakes of your life. 

AN IMPORTANT SUGGESTION:  

Here is just one suggestion that could prevent you from making a big (and very costly) mistake:

If you are considering purchasing a "kit" log home, then you should first ask the manufacturer to give you the names and addresses of the last 50 customers who purchased homes from him - with a cover letter indicating that the list is complete, with no customers being deleted.

If a "kit" manufacturer refuses to give you such a list, then it might be reasonable to assume that he has something to hide.

You also might want to ask (in writing) how many times the owner of the "kit" company has gone bankrupt -- or been sued by unsatisfied customers -- or has gone out of business only to "re-open" the business under another name.

You might want to use the same approach regarding any "contractor" that wants to put the kit together for you.

PURCHASING A KIT LOG HOME:

Unfortunately, if you buy the wrong "kit" log home, it can end up costing you your entire life's savings.  [You should read some of the enclosed letters that we received from "kit" purchasers.]

Most people who purchase "kit" log homes do not know anything at all about log homes in general -- not to mention the fact that they don't know anything at all about the specific log home kit that they end up buying. 

Unfortunately, most "kit" buyers do not even know where to go to get the information they need.  Therefore, they often rely only upon "wrong information" that they get from the "nice" salesmen. 

From the horror stories we have heard, it appears that most people end up buying a "kit" log home from the salesman that has the best personality -- and/or that tells the best lies. 

If you are going to build (or buy) a log home, then it is imperative that you learn how to tell "good" log homes from "bad" log homes -- which ones are weak (and why) -- which ones will rot quickly (and why) -- which ones are energy efficient (and why) -- how each job should be done (and why) -- etc., etc., etc.

At the very least, you should become aware of the most common mistakes that are made by "kit" log home builders.

REGARDING "KIT" LOG HOMES...

If you are thinking about purchasing a "kit" from a dealer, then it is important that you first learn as much about log homes as possible -- so you can protect yourself from being cheated.

For example, you should learn how to do a "comparative analysis" between the various "kit" log homes and "real" log homes.

As you can imagine, many kit dealers are not happy that we are educating people about how to protect themselves -- and how log homes "should" be built.

Please understand that our intent is not to make enemies of the kit builders, or even to be controversial. Our intent is simply to educate the general public about how log homes should be built -- and to pass the "true and pure" craft on to future generations.

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The following answers are in response to the five MOST frequently asked questions:

#1.)  Yes… I really can build a log home cheaper than I can buy a trailer house.

#2.)  Yes… a log home really has made it possible for a LOT of people (including me) to avoid a 30 year mortgage.

#3.)  Yes… the average person (with no building experience) really can build a log home with no help from anyone.

#4.)  Yes... it is easier and faster if you have one other person helping with the project – but the second person doesn’t need to be large or strong.  In our opinion, a woman who weighs 90 pounds can do anything that needs to be done on a log home building project. 

#5.)  Yes… it really is possible to build a huge log home with simple  hand-tools that can fit into the trunk of a normal passenger car -- and/or that can easily be carried into a building site by one person.

IMPORTANT...

In order to educate the general public, the Association offers a FREE "question and answer" e-mail hotline, which can be reached at skip@loghomebuilders.org

You can e-mail at any time, and our volunteers will try to help you.

The e-mail hotline is checked by our volunteers on a regular basis, and they can generally respond to an inquiry within 12 hours.

One of our most frequent volunteers on the hot-line is Skip Ellsworth.

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There are more than 500 photographs on this website.  The log home that is shown on the left is not "remarkable" in any way.  It was simply a "first effort" of one of Skip's students. The photo was taken before the porches were added, and prior to the yard being landscaped. This particular student wanted a simple home that was exceptionally strong, inexpensive to build, easy to build, quick to build, and would last a long time. He certainly accomplished his objective. As far as "construction" is concerned, this home is "technically perfect."