Sevier Rebuild? Learn While Saving Time and Money at the Log and Timber Home Show

If you’re rebuilding or remodeling, do you know all of your choices?  Exhibits and workshops at the upcoming Log and Timber Home Show in Gatlinburg, TN will teach you what you need to know, whether you're unsure about where to start, looking for expert advice on home maintenance or anywhere in between. It's a great opportunity to meet builders and contractors, ask questions, view floor plans, search for bargains and gather ideas. You can also examine siding, cabinetry, flooring, furniture, stairways, interior décor, windows and doors and exterior coatings and finishes, up close, all in one place. And we'll be there! 

The Details

What: The Log and Cabin Home Show
When: March 24 (11am - 7pm) and 25 (10am - 6pm)
Where: Sevierville Convention Center, Booth 215
Tickets: $15 online/$20 at show/free for wildfire victims (email Samantha Watters for more information)

Additional information, including a full list of exhibitors, is available on the Log and Timber Show website.

If you're ready for more advanced log home information, educate yourself at the Log and Timber University. This half-day course goes beyond the basics of log and timber home construction and gives you a chance to meet and question experts in the field. Topics include budgeting and financing, floor plan design and room layout, log vs. timber construction, building foundation considerations and care and maintenance of finished structures.

5 Ways to Get the Most from Your Show Visit

It’s your home and your future, so it pays to have a strategy for the show (especially if you're stressed out about a home rebuild). Follow these tips to ensure you leave the show with what you need. 

1. Before the show, make a list of exactly what you want to see or questions you have. Try to be specific. Good questions might include the following.
   1. Is a timber frame kit or custom design better?
   2. How and when do I apply stains or sealants to my home?
   3. Can I save money by cutting and notching the logs myself?
   4. How can I maximize my home’s energy efficiency?
2. If you already own land, bring site photos and a list of property basics with you. Include things like lot size and features (think trees, wells, existing or planned outbuildings, etc.), the orientation of the property to driveways and roads and your budget. Keep this information in hand as you talk to builders and make decisions.
3. When you arrive at the show, pick up a floor plan and spend a few minutes going over the layout (including restrooms and seating areas). Circle the exhibits you don’t want to miss (including Booth 215) and map out your path. It’s easy to get sidetracked, so refer back to your map often and mark the exhibits you want to visit a second time.
4. Bring your camera or smartphone. You might think that you’ll remember which vendor had the cabinets you liked, but why not snap a quick picture of them to be sure? Take a picture of the company’s business card or brochure while you’re at it. Keep track of ideas with a note taking app on your phone, or bring a notepad and pencil to take notes as you tour the exhibits.
5. Dress for success. You’ll do a lot of walking and standing at the show, so be prepared with comfortable shoes. Dress in layers for comfort and remember to stay hydrated. Consider carrying belongings in a backpack to leave both hands free (and as a place to collect brochures, business cards and other materials).

For more smart tips, check out eLocal.com’s suggestions for making the most of a home show visit (be sure to read the comments section too), and this Home Show Survival Guide.