We lived in a tent trailer that I had bartered for working with
a local carpenter. By June, we had the land cleared and the
concrete footings and block walls done. We poured footing
with the same wheelbarrow my father used to build his own
house some 40 years before.
A local contractor put in the septic and well, as well as
clearing some more land.
Early June saw us agonizing over the high price of lumber.
The next week I was at our chain saw dealer to pick up oil
and a new chain when I casually mentioned the price of
lumber.
Sometimes a casual word dropped to our chain saw dealer
friend Dean can result in 2 hours of conversation so I am
very careful. But this time he dropped a golden nugget of
advice that literally saved our dream of building our home.
He asked, “Have you seen these mill attachments that fit on
your chainsaw? You can make your own lumber if you have
the trees.” Excited, I told him, “I’ve got 20 acres of trees.
Keep talking!” At this point I was certain that last statement
would cost me the whole day, but it proved well worth it.
He explained how it worked and I ordered one that day.
When it arrived the next week, I set it up and went to work.
The mill attachment cost about $250(Canadian dollars), but
it literally paid for itself the first day!
Throughout June and July we cut lumber. I’m proud to say
that not one piece of store-bought lumber makes up our
house frame.