How to Build Log Homes in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Join the Log Home Builders Association. This non-profit organization runs the only log home building school in the nation, offering comprehensive construction classes to help the prospective log home builder learn the necessary skills for successful home building. You should consider taking classes and learning as much as you can before embarking upon building your log home in Pigeon Forge. The Association will help you compare kit home options with custom home options, which is controversial in the industry currently.

Visit the Log Home and Timber Frame Show which takes place in Pigeon Forge each year, around October. This will give you plenty of ideas, introduce you to manufacturers, architects and designers, and allow you to price some options. If you plan to build multiple log homes, you may be able to negotiate purchase discounts.

Acquire a plot of land that is zoned for residential building. There are plenty of realtors in Pigeon Forge who can show you suitable land for your log home. Prices start at around $50,000 and can rapidly escalate, with some waterfront lots costing in excess of $500,000. The National Association of Realtors can help you find a realtor to assist you.

Contact the City of Pigeon Forge Public Works Department to discuss building code and permit regulations, fire codes, sanitation and power supplies. You must have all relevant permits prior to the start of construction. Failure to have the correct permits can delay and even stop the building process completely.

Locate an architect experienced in log home design in the Pigeon Forge region. Not only must the architect be conversant with local building codes and regulations, he must understand the local environment and weather conditions such as snowfall averages, river levels and flood risks, since your home must be designed to account for these factors. You will not need the services of an architect if you are purchasing a manufactured kit, since plans will be provided that will be sufficient to apply for building permits.

Determine how much of the land preparation and building work you can complete and which tasks you will need to pay professionals to complete. Once you have a list of work, solicit estimates from a number of contractors in order to compare prices. Remember, once you have selected a contractor, you must get an actual quote for the work. The estimate will only give you an approximate idea of the cost. The Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau in Knoxsville can assist you to identify local contractors with experience in constructing log homes.