Seigler Building & Development
Seigler Building & Construction | Photo by Nathan Sparks
Secret to Success
Seigler Building & Development elevates East Tennessee with beautiful homes built on trust and a commitment to community
Chip Seigler has always been the kind of guy that gives his all. He’s high-energy and laser-focused. And he’s a hometown guy; he loves nearly every aspect of East Tennessee. So it should come as no surprise that he built his business, Seigler Building & Development, here.
“Even back in college I knew I wanted to be in some area of real estate,” Chip says. “My grandfather was a master carpenter and built several houses. That was my introduction to the building world. A lot of the furniture we had in our home, my grandfather made. I think it was different back then because carpenters and contractors were jacks-of-all-trades and masters of many. They would frame it, lay the block, do the drywall, basically everything.”
While things look a little different these days, Chip took away an important lesson: commit to the process, and you’ll no doubt reap the rewards. He earned his bachelor’s in political science from the University of Tennessee and went on to work in the pharmaceutical industry. But the ties to his past remained present. He thought of his grandfather and the carpenters of the past. And he thought of his hometown which he cared deeply about. Thoughts turned to actions, and Chip left the industry to launch his company in 2001.
Since then the company has built high-end houses all across East Tennessee: Sequoyah Hills, Bridgemore, Lashbrooke, Mallard Bay, Tellico, Montgomery Cove, The Woods at Montgomery Cove, Jefferson Park, Rarity Bay, Tennessee National, Grand Vista Bay, and Lake Cove. The homes range anywhere from $800,000 to $4.5 million.
Creating Luxury
Things have changed some since Chip got started, though. People are opting for more amenities—and often smaller homes. They want smart homes, higher end appliances, and all the bells and whistles. They want outdoor entertainment areas such as covered patios with grills, TVs, and fireplaces along with swimming pools. And they want energy efficient materials and greener homes.
Chip has his go-to solutions for making the most of each space and keeping it luxurious: pop-up plugs on islands, TVs hidden behind fireplaces, prep/staff kitchen where caterers can work privately before the food is served, unique flooring, custom cabinetry, and really anything a homeowner can dream up.
“I’m determined to make our clients’ dreams come true. The relationship between builder and client is first and foremost built on trust. Not only do they trust my word as a businessman, but also the end-product. By lots of communication and dedication, we will give them the home they’ve been wanting.”
A Team to Count On
The product speaks for itself. Two Knoxville Symphony ShowHouses and countless Parade of Homes houses showcase work worthy of the higher-end market. And the secret to this success, Chip says, is his team.
“Our project manager, Rick Loyd, has been an integral part of our success. He’s done an outstanding job with site coordination, budget management, and overall project details,” he says. “Michelle Hunley, our interior designer, and I have worked together for 18 years. Michelle handles all of the interior and exterior selections for all of our clients from start to finish and does an outstanding job in the process.”
Even Chip’s sons, Hudson and Brennon, are involved. Today, Hudson is working toward the completion of his business degree at UT at which time he will become a project manager for the company.
“I’m planning to turn the business over to him in about 10 years,” Chip says. And younger son, Brennon, who attends UT and plays baseball for the Volunteers, even pitches in to company happenings. At the core, Seigler Building & Development is about more than just building houses. It’s about building dreams for the community Chip loves.
“People always ask me, ‘Why should we choose you?'” he says. “My answer is always, ‘We’re the best.’ And we love our community. We believe in our community. And we believe in the people of East Tennessee.”
