Introduction
How To Build a Log Cabin
It doesn’t take a genius to build a log cabin home. The rustic appeal of a log cabin lies buried in the hearts of many people and this dream can be turned into a reality with a decent set of floor plans, a little hard work, perseverance and a good set of tools.
Step by Step Procedure
A step-by-step procedure makes it a relatively easy process to build a simple log cabin and ensures you won’t miss any essential steps along the way.
1. Floor Plans – A decent set of floor plans can be purchased on the internet or you can have these drawn up for you by your local architect or builder. Be certain to include all the basics a log cabin home would have that make such a dwelling unique.
2. Location, Location, Location – As in real estate investing, this mantra is paramount for the enjoyment of your future home. Choose the view that suits you. Site your log cabin on land that drains well and ideally is level. Clear the land of trees, brush and rocks leaving those that you may wish to use in the construction of your new home.
3. Preparation – Construction begins with the purchase, placing and assembling of materials on-site. You will need all the necessities of home plus any amenities that will make your log cabin unique and express your personality so that you will derive complete fulfillment from your new home.
4. Construction – Generally, the construction process is the longest and most tedious stage of building a home. It can also be the most frustrating and most expensive as delays are encountered, obstacles are mastered and changes are incorporated into your design. Even Mother Nature may seem to be against you at times. But bearing through it all will be worth it as your home is finally ready for you to move in.
5. Move-In and Personalization – As you move in, personalize your log cabin with unique touches that exemplify your style, taste and personality and present you and your guests with a pleasant and comfortable home. Fireplaces, floor rugs, pictures, trophies, hunting memorabilia can all give your log cabin a special, comforting touch.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Log Cabin?
Log cabin homes have traditionally cost less to build than homes of other types as construction materials and labor costs are often less – often by as much as 1/3. This reduced cost can be offset however by increased expenses in location, problems with access and siting requirements. Be sure to investigate local building codes and requirements before beginning any construction.
Alternative:
Log Cabin Homes for Sale: Is building a log cabin home too much? You can always buy one. The logistics of design, location and building can be overwhelming to many people so buying a cabin could be the best option for you.
Pre-Built Log Cabin Homes: These pre-fab log cabins come partially assembled with final assembly completed on-site. Combining some of the features of building your own along with the ease of buying a cabin, this could be your best alternative.
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Perry Jones is a successful author and urban philosopher. His website PerryJones.us provides resources and programs for spirituality and self improvement. You can learn more about How to build a Log Cabin at BuildingLogCabins.info. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Perry_Jones |
Understanding House Plans & Getting a Good Deal
The following article is a reprint from ezine articles, but it is great information. Here at SDSCAD we sell low cost house plans and go for quantity that is why we offer such low cost plans. We work out of our home and have very low costs to deal with so this website is a great second source of income to be added to existing plans we have drawn in the past. We also have the customer print the plans and that also takes away from our costs of doing business and we can hand all of the savings on to you.
Its been said that when building a new house, you’re faced with the all-too-common dilemma of finding a house plan that you love AND one that you can live in. This actually is kind of tough, and many new builders struggle through the selection process tirelessly. They go to all the websites and look at all the pretty renderings of house plans on picturesque lots. Well the truth is, its not like you’re buying a car, where you can test drive it for a little while.
Let’s not be mistaken. House plan websites offer an incredible service, providing many house plans in one convenient place. Their professionals can modify the design, flip the house around, or even give you a material list and cost to build. One would think that you couldn’t go wrong with such a service. But unfortunately, these websites are very proud of their plans. Though you may have fallen in love with a particular plan, you may take a pass on the whole process simply because you can’t afford their prices.
Its been said that when building a new house, you’re faced with the all-too-common dilemma of finding a house plan that you love AND one that you can live in. This actually is kind of tough, and many new builders struggle through the selection process tirelessly. They go to all the websites and look at all the pretty renderings of house plans on picturesque lots. Well the truth is, its not like you’re buying a car, where you can test drive it for a little while.
Let’s not be mistaken. House plan websites offer an incredible service, providing many house plans in one convenient place. Their professionals can modify the design, flip the house around, or even give you a material list and cost to build. One would think that you couldn’t go wrong with such a service. But unfortunately, these websites are very proud of their plans. Though you may have fallen in love with a particular plan, you may take a pass on the whole process simply because you can’t afford their prices.
For example, let’s examine the typical pricing structure of a house plan website:
Study Set (marked not for construction): $500 – $700
Eight Sets (non-reproducible): $800 – $1000
Reproducible Set: $1000 – $1200
Full Reproducible Set with CAD file: :1200 – $1500
Of course, these prices are generalizations, but anyone who’s familiar with these websites knows that they’re not far from actuality. Many people simply get discouraged because the upfront cost of a house plan that they’ll have to have modified by a local architect anyway is too high. As a result, future homeowners and new builders put off their plans, or secure the services of a local professional. But why are these prices so high? None of the websites can offer you a reasonable explanation. Sure, its their product and they can charge whatever they’d like, but is the market value of house plans really so high?
In order to understand the “actual” value of a house plan, let’s examine the process of creating them. First, a customer comes to a local architect or drafts-person and requests a custom-drawn plan. They discuss the elements of the home, both interior and exterior, and then the professional gets to work. Usually, the homeowner can expect a fee of between $1000 and $3000 for the services the designer. After a lengthy process of review and modifications, the designer reaches completion and delivers the plan to the customer. At this point, the designer has been paid for their services. Now, the customer has their product, and the designer has a house plan on file that can be sold at a later date. Some savvy designers decide to partner with these plan websites, who will then market the plans for the prices listed above.
You see, the main cost of the house plan has already been covered by the original customer. There’s nothing wrong with trying to sell the plans for this amount, but its really not necessary. As a potential home-builder, you should diligently seek other options. Once you sift through the first couple of hundred websites on a typical internet search, you’ll begin to come across some legitimate businesses that have plans for sale at reasonable rates. You’ll also come across companies that will provide you with custom drafting services so that you can have the exact plan that you want. Remember, that no matter where you buy your plan from, or no matter who produces it, you’ll still likely have to procure the services of a local architect or engineer in order to satisfy building department requirements.
In conclusion, be patient and don’t get overwhelmed with all the high-priced plans. Seek out local businesses and internet companies that provide house plans for reasonable rates. Most of them are designers that are selling their pre-drawn plans. Don’t be afraid of low-cost options, but make sure to verify the quality of work that you’ll be getting. And don’t forget the end cost, where you’ll have to pay for the services of a local professional. Many people have found themselves much better off by purchasing a low-cost plan, then having someone local bring it up to code or make modifications. If you go that route, you’ll very likely to end up paying less than the full purchase cost of a house plan website.
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Seth G Simmons is the owner and operator of SGS Contracting Services, LLC, a Florida-based business. For more information about him or the company, or to view house plans for sale, please visit his website at: At his website, you can purchase house plans or inquire about any of his many services related to the construction industry. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=S_Simmons |
Posted in House Plans, Introduction, Product review | 
Tags: Blueprints, construction Documents, House Plans | 
1 Comment »
1971 Pontiac Ventura II For Sale like a Chevy Nova
 Description 1971 Pontiac Ventura II |
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| Seller’s Notes: | 250 3-speed on the column |
| Body Style: | Coupe |
| Doors: | 2 |
| Engine: | 6 Cylinder |
| Transmission: | 3-Speed on column |
| Ext Color: | Sky Blue |
| Int Color: | Blue |
| http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120359650587 | Bid on this car on EBAY |
| Seller’s Comments |
| Original AM radio still available; No rust! 2nd owner; Super low miles! 68,000 New fuel pump, radiator, master cylinder, brakes; New Midas Flowmaster Muffler, Pristine running condition! Stored for 17 years, all original equipment – body perfect – everything works like new! All original parts still available, Rims, Baby Moon Hubcaps, AM Radio Most of us know that the Chevrolet Nova, Olds Omega, Pontiac Ventura and Buick Apollo are almost exactly the same car built by General Motors. But, did you know that the first letter from each name Nova, Omega, Ventura and Apollo spell Nova? Just a small piece of GM trivia. The Pontiac Ventura was the first to follow in the Nova’s footsteps in 1971. The Omega and Apollo weren’t introduced until 1973. My second car as a teenager in the early 1980′s was a 1971 Blue Ventura. I think we all have special places in our hearts for our first cars. With space in my garage becoming an issue, I’ve decided to part with my Ventura. This first year Ventura is an outstanding car that’s been gone through from bumper to bumper. In 1971, Ventura’s came with 2 standard engine choices, a 250c.u. straight 6cyl and the Chevrolet 307-V8. In 1972, the choices were the same but the V8 engine was a Pontiac 350. Under the hood of this car is the 250 straight 6. The transmission is factory 3 speed with the 3 in the tree shifter on the column. From top to bottom this is a very nice car I purchased it a couple of years ago in California near Mount Shasta. Rust free in every area. The trunk is excellent and the floors are mint. One Problem the car has is that the front seats need to be redone and I have a bid for $350 to do that but haven’t gotten around to it yet. I just put seat covers over the seats and have enjoyed the car. This is a 100% solid and original paneled car. She has no patches or abuses of bondo anywhere. The pictures are honest and accurate. The body is excellent and the paint is very nice with smooth texture and shine. She does have a few parking lot dings but nothing major and you can see the pictures to see the condition of the paint. It is about ten years old but has been stored inside and driven around 200 miles a year. I have new weather stripping, for the trunk but it has not been installed yet. Window rubbers and felts are good. The bumpers, stainless trim and glass are also excellent. The interior is extremely clean and in very nice condition. Everything on the car functions correctly. The lights, heater, wipers and even the horn all work. I suppose I could go on and on but the photos will give you a clear impression of the car. This car needs nothing to be driven and enjoyed with pride. I stand by my opinions but please keep in mind that these are my personal opinions and they may differ from yours. I would enjoy showing my car in person and encourage anyone with genuine interest to come see her. My home is in northern Utah about 75 miles from the Salt Lake City Airport in Mendon near Logan Utah. Feel free to email if you have questions john@hplans.us. Phone calls are great too. My number is 435-760-1385 it is a cel phone and if I don’t answer just leave a message with your number and I will call you back. I took every picture myself with my handheld digital camera. No photo has been altered or photo-shopped in anyway. This is my car and the pictures show her correctly. This car deserves every wave from the street corner and compliment it gets. The upcoming photos are accurate but she’s much better in person.
Original Sales Receipt Original Sales Literature Original Sales Postcard Original Repair Manual Original Tune up Card New Radiator with added overflow canister Standard Drum Brakes and no power steering all origional Original Rims with good tires in storage Small cracks in Steering wheel New Back Deck with new speakers Back seat in perfect condition Cragar 5 slot Aluminum Rims 8 x 14 on front 10 x 14 on back BFGoodrich Tires All new hoses and belts Built in tow bar for easy transportation to shows Clean Trunk but has been coated for rust prevention under matt
Bias Ply Spare Tire
Bottom of panels in the splash area is the only place that has checked paint or signs of weather damage New Air shocks and New Midas Flowmaster Muffler
New Muffler
8 track tapes, you goota love them that is what I had in my car back in the late 70′s and early 80′s Dash hasn’t been altered all origional
Front Dash is in good condition, one small crack on right side next to post
Shoulder straps have never been used Small parking lot Door ding Parking Lot Scratch and ding on left rear quarter panel
Owners manual with small mouse chews on right side I’m hoping that the car speaks for its self and goes to a good, appreciative home. These cars are hard to find, especially in this condition. I owned almost the identical car when I was 16 and looked for a long time to find this one and get it fixed up, it has been babied and well taken care of. The original owner purchased the car and used it as a tow car behind a motor home. He said that approximately half of the miles were from being towed behind the motorhome. His daughter took the car to college for two years and then he stored it. Only driving it a few times a year. I have put less than 200 miles a year on it and have enjoyed it. This car isn’t in perfect condition but it is as original and as clean as you will find anywhere. If you want to put a high end transmission and engine in this it is just waiting for the chance. My offer of showing her in person and answering questions is sincere, so don’t hesitate to contact me. I do reserve the right to end the auction in the event an offer is accepted and the car becomes no longer available. Thanks for your time, John The next four pictures are of the car from the add when I purchased it from California before changing rims and lifting it a little.
The next three pictures are of the car I purchased in 1979 as a 16 year old, you will see the similarities The next pictures are of Pontiac venturas that I found on the internet and how great of a car they are to fix up and show off.
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New 8 Track player still in box just purchased off of ebay auction and installed 6 months ago 
all original parts are available
We Draw the Custom Plans for your Garage – Let us give you a bid.
Posted in Barn Plans, Garage Plans, Introduction, RV Garage Plans, Shed Plans, Specials, Workshop Plans | Tags: 1 car garage building plans, 14 x 20 garage plans free, 2 1/2 car garage with loft floor plans, 2 car garage plans, 3 car garage plans, 84 lumber garage plans, apartment above garage plans, apartment Garage Plans, basic garage plans, carriage house garage plans, cheap garage plans, designing garage plans how to, detached garage plans, free 2 car garage plans, free 2car garage plans, free garage construction plans, free garage plans, free plans garage, free two car garage plans, gambrel garage plans, garage and apartment plans, garage apartment floor plans, garage apartment plans, garage building plans, garage building plans and or prints, garage cabinet plans, garage construction plans, garage conversion plans, garage door plans, garage house plans, garage organizer plans, Garage Plans, garage plans building kits, garage plans free, garage plans irish, garage plans three, garage plans with apartment, garage plans with loft, garage shed plans, garage shelf plans, garage shelving plans, garage storage plans, garage with apartment plans, garage with apt building plans, garage work bench plans, garage workbench plans, garage workshop plans, high 14' rv garage plans, house plans for two story house with garage underneath, plans garage in-law, pole garage plans, RV Garage Plans, shed garage plans, single story floor plans with apartment above garage, small garage plans, three car garage free plans, unique garage plans, wood garage door plans | 2 Comments »
Today's Special Offer – Save $40 by buying all 3 packages together
Offer #1 - 18 Plan Special – 6 Garages 6 Barns and 6 Cabins
Click Here to Order Offer #1 the 18 plan special only $29.99
Offer #2 - 10 Complete Garage RV and Workshop Plans
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Take them to a local printer for printing.
1200 to 1600 sq ft homes
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Posted in Cabin Plans, Garage Plans, House Plans, Introduction, RV Garage Plans, Specials, Workshop Plans | Tags: Blueprints, Cabin Plans, Garage Plans, House Plans, Specials, Workshop Plans | Comments Closed
SDS-CAD Newsletter Volume 1 + Free Cabin Plan
SDS-CAD Newsletter
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Volume 1 |
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Family Cabin ATV Trip SDS-CAD – Who are we?Hi, I am John Davidson, Owner of SDS-CAD, I threw this picture in so that you could get an idea of who you are dealing with at SDS-CAD. We are a family business and I am just a regular hard working guy. Not some internet, no name, no face company. If you have questions about our plans the best way to get answers, is to just call my cell phone which is 435-760-1385 or send me an email at john@hplans.us I do all of my own web design and drafting services with the help of my boys. I have been drawing residential architecture plans for over 25 years. Each newsletter will have articles, plan specials, as well as a free plan to download. We will try to give you useful information and things that you can use. We hate spam and if you don’t want to receive this email just unsubscribe at the bottom of this newsletter. We will introduce you to new plans and give you the best deal possible and also try to find useful links and information to inform. House Plan of the Month #H204 SummitOur house of the month is a home we just finished up for a contractor that is going to build it for his parents to use as a retirement home. Check it out with the links below. It would make a great spec home or nice family home.
Original cost to design custom plans 2040 sq ft x $.50 per sq ft = $1020.00 Click here for Water Marked Sample Plan Click Here for Complete Materials List Web site Pricing PDF $39.95 or DWG $79.95
Newsletter Special $39.95 for both PDF and DWG Contractor Web Special Contractor Spec Homes 5 complete house plans 1200 to 1600 Sq ft
http://www.sdscad.com/Order/order73.htm
PDF DWG CD & Printed & Shipped $49.99 http://www.sdscad.com/Order/order72.htm Garage Plan of the Month #80 G423a Plans, 8002-123, 30′ x 30′ x 9′
#80 G423a Plans, 8002-123, 30′ x 30′ x 9′ detached garage with bonus room Original cost to design these custom plans = $200.00 Click here for Water Marked Sample Plan Click Here Complete Materials List Available in PDF $19.95 or DWG $39.95
Newsletter Special $19.95 for both PDF and DWG
Garage Plan of the Month #79 SDS g434 28′ x 38′ x 12′
We have just finished another garage plan. Here are the initial details from the custom order
#79 SDS g434 28′ x 38′ x 12′ Garage Plan Original cost to design these custom plans = $200.00 Click here for Water Marked Sample Plan Click Here for a Complete Materials List Available in PDF $19.95 or DWG $39.95
Newsletter Special $19.95 for both PDF and DWG If you are interested in this plan or a custom plan let us know we have over 400 garage plans. Sign up for our RSS feed or our newsletter and be the first to see our new plans. This plan cost $200 to have drawn as a custom plan. |
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Back Yard Plan of the Month – Pool House Plans
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$79.95
Posted in affiliate income, Cabin Plans, Garage Plans, House Plans, Introduction, Newsletter, Online income, RV Garage Plans | Tags: affiliate, apartment Garage Plans, Blueprints, free cabin plans, free garage plan, free house plan, Garage plan, house plan, pool house plan | Comments Closed
Cape Cod Executive Home Plans
Click here to Check out a slide show on the construction of this house
 Click image to view larger version |
Cape Cod Executive Style Home
This item is for the plans that I designedand currently using to build this house and garage.
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Welcome to the SDS-CAD Blog
Specialized Design Systems SDS-CAD eblueprints eplans on demand
SDS-CAD Specialized Design Systems
is a family Business, I’m John and my three boys Matt, Andrew and Jake help with the work.
Owner and CEO John Davidson – makes me sound important “NOT”
My wife Karla and our little girl Anna are really in charge.
I have been designing, drawing and building for 25 years in Northern Utah. I have also taught Drafting and Architectural Design at the College level since 1986. I have now gotten my boys involved. Matthew, Andrew and Jacob, all draw and design and it has been fun getting this family internet business running. Most of the proceeds that come from this website go towards putting the boys through school.
Send us your comments and let us build a customer comment section on our site.
Thanks for checking us out.
The Davidson’s at SDS-CAD
The Davidson Family