Log & Timber University:Â Planning Your Dream Home
with Alex Charvat
ON-DEMAND COURSEÂ NOW AVAILABLE
The Log & Timber University: Planning Your Dream Home with Alex Charvat is the first class in a four-part online series to get you from thinking about your ideal home to actually living in the log or timber home of your dreams.
Course Overview
This course will present:Â
- Basics of the log and timber home industry and how it operates
- Building options
- Building a oudget
- Selecting a lender
- Finding land and selecting your site
Other courses in the series will cover tips and tactics for home design, what to expect during the construction phase of your project, and care and maintenance once you've moved in.Â
We originally launched Log and Timber Home University in 1985, held in conjunction with our Log & Timber Home Shows. We're adding this online edition to help buyers who can't come to an in-person show and, for live show attendees, this series is also a great way to reinforce what you've learned.Â
With helpful video lessons, worksheets and questionnaires, you’ll be well on your way to living in your dream log or timber home!Â

Meet Your Instructor
Alex Charvat
Alex Charvat is a Professional Engineer licensed in multiple states. He has worked as a forester in the Pacific Northwest, has engineered and designed hundreds of log homes ranging from $20,000 cabins to $18 million ranches. He is the engineer of record for NAHB’s Log Home, Log Grading program and is also the engineer of record for over 30 threaded fasteners used in log home and residential construction, many found at big box stores. He’s hosted his own log cabin renovation show on DIY network called Cabin Rescue and has consulted on log cabin renovations featured on HGTV. He is the owner of Alexander Structures, Inc., based in Conifer, CO. His company has been in business since 2002. (www.alexanderstructures.com ) Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in Forest Science and a Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering—Structures, both from the University of Wisconsin.