Real DIY projects from Germany

derSelbermacher.de has been documenting real DIY projects since 2004 – planned, built and photographed by ourselves. No stock photos, no AI images, and an honest account of what went wrong along the way.

Our German site has more than 400 guides. We are now translating our most popular projects into English, starting with our garden log cabin.

Featured project: build a garden log cabin

We built our log cabin from scratch: strip foundations, interlocking log walls, a pent roof with felt, windows, doors and an insulated floor. More than 20 years later it is still dry and sound.

How to build a log cabin – all 19 steps »

Detailed guides in English:

• How to set up batter boards
• Log cabin base: strip foundations and timber frame
• How to cut a birdsmouth
• Tongue and groove roof boards
• Insulated log cabin floor

About the author

Rolf Wacker restored an old half-timbered house largely by himself and has been sharing what he learned ever since. More about Rolf »