Licensed in Arkansas

The Ozark foothills rise in the northwest, and the Arkansas River valley and the Ouachita Mountains cover much of the middle and west. Each region puts different demands on a building project. If you are looking for a commercial construction company in Arkansas, you want a team that understands those conditions and has the credentials to work in the state. Murphy & Sons is a full-service construction company based in Southaven, Mississippi, and it is licensed in Arkansas.

Wide view of a construction site with cranes and building framework at sunset. Industrial landscape.
Mid-South base

A Southaven Contractor Close to the Arkansas Line

9148 Corporate Drive, Southaven, MS

Our office is at 9148 Corporate Drive in Southaven, Mississippi. Southaven sits just south of Memphis, Tennessee, and the Mississippi River is the only major barrier between that metro area and eastern Arkansas. Interstates 40 and 55 cross the river at Memphis and lead into West Memphis and the Arkansas Delta. For an owner in eastern Arkansas, our base is a short drive away.

Murphy & Sons has served clients throughout the Mid-South since 1977. The company was organized on June 18, 1977, and has grown into a diverse construction company that handles a wide range of the industry's needs. Arkansas is one of five states where we are licensed, along with Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Louisiana. Our work in Arkansas rests on the same experience that supports our work across the region.

Statewide

Commercial Construction Across Arkansas

Arkansas has a varied commercial landscape. Little Rock and the central part of the state are home to government, healthcare and education facilities. Northwest Arkansas has a growing business corridor. Fort Smith, Jonesboro, Pine Bluff and West Memphis each have their own mix of industry, agriculture and distribution. The state's position on major highways and navigable rivers also makes it important for freight and logistics.

Architect examining blueprints at a construction site in Mexico.

As a general contractor, Murphy & Sons offers commercial and industrial construction management, site analysis, preliminary design, concrete work, permits and quality control. Owners in Arkansas can use these capabilities for new buildings, additions and improvements, whether the goal is a business facility, an industrial space or a public project.

Drone shot capturing aerial view of a large construction site with unfinished buildings.
Ground first

Planning for Arkansas Conditions

A good building plan begins with the ground it will stand on. In the Delta, low-lying land and a high water table can affect foundations, drainage and site preparation. In the hills of the Ozarks and the Ouachitas, slopes and rock shape the layout. Arkansas also has hot, humid summers, heavy rain, severe storms and occasional winter ice, and these can influence scheduling and material handling in any part of the state.

This is why we place such value on early planning. Our site analysis and preconstruction services bring the general contractor, architects, engineers and designers together before work begins. Their regular communication often avoids rework, keeps schedule goals realistic and lets the team build and review a budget at each phase. Our specialists assess risks and objectives, provide strategic assessments and make recommendations on the best approach to a project.

How we build

Delivery Methods That Fit Your Project

Different projects call for different approaches, and we offer several:

  • 01

    Design-build

    A streamlined process in which owners, architects, builders and engineers collaborate from the start. It places responsibility with a single point of contact and can reduce costs and speed up schedules.

  • 02

    Construction management

    Well suited to complex projects or those where decisions cannot all be made up front. It supports open communication and gives owners transparency and control.

  • 03

    Project management

    We partner with clients to coordinate planning, design, procurement, construction and commissioning, from single projects to multiple-site work. The goal is to control costs, maintain scope and increase efficiency.

  • 04

    Special projects

    Our Special Projects Group gives attention to unique work that does not fit preset categories, such as building expansions, office renovations, and guardrail or bollard installation.

One-on-one

Why Arkansas Owners Choose Murphy & Sons

Our approach is personal. Every client receives a one-on-one relationship with an experienced specialist, who explains each step of the process and helps identify problems before they become costly. We provide supervision and project safety measures, and we check in regularly to confirm that your goals are being met.

Our mission is to deliver high-quality construction at fair, competitive prices, and to earn repeat and referral business through timeliness, attention to detail and a service-minded attitude. We hold ourselves to high standards of professionalism, integrity, honesty and fairness with our suppliers, subcontractors and customers.

Project gallery

Experience You Can Review

Our project gallery shows the range of work we have completed, including the Southaven FEMA Shelter, the Snowden Grove Tennis Courts, Soccer Complex and Pedestrian Bridge, NWCC Calhoun Hall, Itawamba Community College Student Services and the Desoto Central High School Addition. These projects show the quality and care we bring to the work.

Our people also add depth. The leadership team includes President David G. Murphy, who has decades of commercial and industrial experience. Behind him are project managers, estimators and superintendents who guide projects from the first estimate through completion.

A worker walks on a construction site with reinforced concrete and steel bars, depicting industrial development.
Southaven FEMA Shelter
Realtors and clients wearing hard hats exploring a modern construction site indoors.
NWCC Calhoun Hall
Industrial construction site with scattered materials and equipment on a rainy day.
Desoto Central High School Addition
Free quote

Start Your Arkansas Project

If you are planning a commercial project in Arkansas, we are ready to talk about your goals, your site and your schedule. Call us at 662-393-3130 or email info@murphyandsons.com. Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Contact us for a free quote, and a Murphy & Sons specialist will help you decide where to begin.

Murphy & Sons

Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

How close is Southaven to the Arkansas state line?

Southaven, Mississippi, is just south of Memphis, Tennessee. The Mississippi River separates the Memphis area from Arkansas, and I-40 and I-55 cross the river into West Memphis and the Arkansas Delta. Eastern Arkansas is a short drive from our office at 9148 Corporate Drive.

Is Murphy & Sons licensed to work in Arkansas?

Yes. Murphy & Sons is licensed in Arkansas, as well as in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Louisiana. If you have questions about our licensing for your project, call 662-393-3130 or email info@murphyandsons.com.

What does the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board do?

The board is the state agency that licenses contractors in Arkansas. Commercial contractors working above certain project values generally need to be licensed with it. Owners should confirm that any contractor they consider holds the proper license for the work.

How do the terrain and weather in Arkansas affect early planning?

Conditions vary by region. The Delta is flat and low, so drainage and soil conditions matter, while hillier areas bring slope and rock. Heavy rain, summer heat, severe storms and winter ice can all affect schedules. Considering these factors early helps produce a more realistic plan.

What does site analysis involve before building in Arkansas?

Site analysis is the review of a property's conditions before design and construction decisions are final. It looks at how the land and its surroundings will affect the building, the budget and the schedule. Murphy & Sons offers site analysis as part of its general contracting services.

Can design-build work for a project in Arkansas?

Yes. Design-build brings owners, architects, builders and engineers together from the beginning, with one point of responsibility. It is not restricted to particular building types, and it can reduce costs and speed up schedules. It is a good fit for Arkansas owners who want streamlined communication.

How does preconstruction planning help control the budget?

During preconstruction, the contractor, architects, engineers and designers develop and review a budget together at each phase. Concerns are raised before construction starts, which helps avoid rework and delays. Planning ahead is usually far less costly than correcting a mistake in the field.

Who will be involved in my Arkansas project?

You will work one-on-one with an experienced specialist who guides you through each step. Our staff includes project managers, estimators, superintendents and company leadership. This team supports a project from the first estimate through completion.

Where can I see examples of Murphy & Sons' past work?

Our project gallery shows completed work, including the Southaven FEMA Shelter, the Snowden Grove Tennis Courts, Soccer Complex and Pedestrian Bridge, NWCC Calhoun Hall, Itawamba Community College Student Services and the Desoto Central High School Addition. It is a good way to see the quality of our work before you call.

What should I have ready when I call about an Arkansas project?

It helps to know the general location of the site, the type of building or improvement you have in mind, your target timeline and any budget goals. If you do not have all of these yet, that is fine. Our specialists can help you define them. Call 662-393-3130 Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

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