moving a log cabin, the book,? and more

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About 4 years ago I answered an ad in the local shopper. Someone wanted to sell a log cabin. We went and looked at it. It is about 5 miles from our house-big bonus! We said we were interested, but they were basically taking bids and we had no idea what to offer. They said to wait until they cleaned it out and they would have us back for a closer look.

Well, 4 years later they have cleaned it out! Now I am back to square one with wondering what to offer. It is about 14x16 1 1/2 story. I think it is in fair shape. We need to check it out better now.

I had come across a book,back then, written about moving a cabin. It looked ideal. Well, I searched the web to no avail! I cant remember the exact title or author. I wonder if anyone can help me out.

Any other info or advice on the project would be great.

One thing that I am really wondering is what kind of foundation we should use. Right now it is on a rock foundation. I dont think that would be possible. I am afraid concrete would be too expensive. Here in WI we would need a 4' frost wall. One thing that I was thinking is about a concrete slab. I remember reading in Cordwood book about a floating slab with anchor bolts added. Would it work?

Thanks Tami in WI

-- tami in wi (windridg@chorus.net), May 06, 2002

Answers

Concrete slabs are pretty awful for a house- cold. Couldnt pilings be used? Moving that thing (without seeing it): sounds like you could sit it right on a flat bed, provided ther arent any bridges of low hanging power lines in the route that it would not clear) and truck it in. 14 by 16 building... here, log made tobacco barns somthing along those lines sell for 1 to 2 k. It sounds like 3 to 6 might be more in the range for that one, especially if it has some extras (plumbing, sinks, floor, etc). A new cabin of that size would run in the 10 plus range (with floors, electric, plumbing, etc). If there are low hanging lines in the way, a fiberglass pole is used to manually push the lines up and out of the way while the truck passes beneath. If you are really smart, you can find someone to loan you a big trailer used for moving heavy equipment and hire a bob tail or a dually pickup to move the cabin, instead of hiring a big rig.

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), May 07, 2002.

Age, condition, history and craftsmanship of the cabin may be a factor when considering price.

Its definately small enough that moving it should not present too many problems.

If you were to build a pier type foundation with a new floor, plumbing, electricity, insulation, ect. could be easily installed or upgraded.

-- bert (bert@sesamestreet.com), May 07, 2002.


Try Charles McRaven. The title I have is "Building the Hewn Log House". There is a newer edition w/ the title similar but mentions Restoring the log house. Get the newer one if you buy. It's got all the old info and more. Sounds like what you would need to get some ideas on a project like that. Good luck.

-- John (jdoofus!@hotmail.com), May 07, 2002.

Having moved several buildings myself im sure you cant haul it in one peice!!You would have to number the logs as you take um down!!As far as a foundation I would go for puting it on post more than a floating slab!!But thats my opinion!!It can be done!! And would make a great home!! Let me know if i can be of any help!! Grizz!

-- Grizz Wondering the outskirts of DC!! (southerneagle@yahoo.com), May 07, 2002.

I guess I should include some more information here. The cabin is very old, I believe about 150 years. It has no plumbing or other. It has been a storage barn for many years. It was the original homestead home then they built a modern home that must be at least 100 years old itself.

I am hoping to move it to the back section of our land and use it as a hunting cabin or possibly for a retreat. I have hopes that some day we will have a B&B in our home and thought it might also be something that could be rented for weekends.

I am almost certain that we would have to dismantle it. I dont believe that it would be in good enough shape to haul in one piece.

Hope that helps. I will check out the book, the one that I am thinking of was steps to dimantling and reconstructing an old cabin.

Thank you, Tami in WI

-- tami in wi (windridg@chorus.net), May 07, 2002.



"Building and Restoring the Hewn Log House" by Charles McRaven. It shows one home being moved in "mostly" one piece, appears to be about 14'x 24'. Numbering and dismantling would work also. I dismantled and used the logs to create my own structure. We dovetailed all the corners and raised them. I've done harder things, but it did take most of the summer.BTW my house is small, 12' x 18'. Good luck Oak

-- Oak (StrugglingOak@aol.com), May 08, 2002.

There is a builder in Spring Green that specializes in moving old log cabins and building new ones. Maybe you don't want to use his services, but you could have him as a consultant/advisor. This is his web page: http://www.rlmerlie.com/current.htm

There is also a log home show at Madison's Alliant Energy Center this weekend (Fri-Sat). Once again you may not want to use these services or products, but you might be able to find the book there and pick up some good ideas from the vendors.

-- Dash (forthechix@yahoo.com), May 08, 2002.


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