Our office is on Corporate Drive, close to the Tennessee line. We serve owners, developers, and organizations that need a dependable general contractor in Tennessee, and we bring more than four decades of Mid-South experience to each project. Murphy & Sons, Inc. was organized on June 18, 1977, and we still work by the same idea: Creating Centers for Business Success.
A Mississippi Contractor Next Door to Tennessee
Southaven sits in the northwest corner of Mississippi, just south of Memphis. The Tennessee line is a short drive from our front door. For owners in West Tennessee, that means a licensed commercial contractor is close enough to visit your site, meet your team, and stay involved from the first conversation to the final walkthrough.
Tennessee is also a large state. It stretches from the Mississippi River in the west to the Appalachian foothills in the east, and it is commonly described in three Grand Divisions: West, Middle, and East. Each has its own markets, soils, and climate. Our approach is to learn what your site and schedule need, then plan the work around them.
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What Commercial Construction in Tennessee Looks Like
Tennessee has a varied commercial landscape. The Memphis area is known for logistics and distribution, helped by its river, rail, and interstate connections. Nashville is a center for healthcare, music, and rapid commercial growth. Knoxville and Chattanooga add education, manufacturing, and technology. Across these markets, owners tend to want the same things from a contractor: a clear schedule, a budget they can trust, and a team that answers the phone.
As a general contractor, we offer commercial and industrial construction management, site analysis, preliminary design, concrete, permits, and quality control. Those capabilities cover the work an owner needs done between an idea and a finished building.
Services Available for Tennessee Projects
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Construction Management
Construction management suits complex projects, and projects where every decision cannot be made up front. Your manager keeps you informed about materials, schedule, and cost as the design develops. Collaboration begins early, which helps reduce conflict and keeps communication open. On the worksite, we provide project safety and supervision, and we check in on your progress.
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Design-Build
Our design-build process brings design, engineering, and construction together under one team. Owners, architects, builders, and engineers work together from the start. The result is one point of contact, clearer communication, and often a faster schedule. For Tennessee owners working against a deadline, that simplicity can matter a great deal.
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Preconstruction
Good projects are shaped before the first shovel goes in the ground. Our preconstruction services give you strategic assessments, risk review, and recommendations on the best approach. A budget is developed and reviewed throughout each phase, and regular communication helps avoid rework. Planning ahead costs far less than fixing a mistake later.
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Project Management
We can serve as your project manager and coordinate planning, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning. This helps control costs, maintain scope, and improve efficiency. It works for a single building or for multiple sites.
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Special Projects
Not every job fits a standard category. Our Special Projects Group provides turnkey solutions for unique projects, with a focus on flexibility, efficiency, organization, cost, and personalized service. Typical examples include building expansions, office renovations, and the installation of guardrails or bollards.
Planning for Tennessee Conditions
Place matters in construction, and a few general points are worth keeping in mind for Tennessee work.
- Soils and drainage: Sites near the Mississippi River and its tributaries can bring drainage and ground-condition questions. Site analysis early on helps you understand them before design decisions are locked in.
- Seismic awareness: West Tennessee lies near the New Madrid seismic zone, so structural design in the Memphis area often takes this into account.
- Weather: Spring storms, summer heat and humidity, and occasional winter ice can all influence scheduling, so building flexibility into a timeline is wise.
- Permits and approvals: Requirements vary by city and county. We handle permits as part of our general contracting services, which helps keep approvals moving.
Every client receives a one-on-one approach from one of our experienced specialists.
Our One-on-One Approach
That person gets to know your needs from the start, advises you at each step, and helps address problems before they grow.
Our mission is to deliver high-quality construction at fair, market-competitive prices, with timeliness, attention to detail, and a service-minded attitude. We hold ourselves to professionalism, integrity, honesty, and fairness with our customers, suppliers, and subcontractors.
Experience You Can Rely On
Since 1977 we have been helping clients across the Mid-South, and we maintain divisional offices in various locations throughout the region. The experience of our team runs deep. Our president, David G. Murphy, has 48 years of commercial and industrial service, and our staff includes project managers, estimators, and superintendents who have spent many years in the field. Our past work includes community college buildings, a high school addition, public recreation facilities, and a FEMA shelter, which reflects the range of projects a commercial owner may bring us.
Start Your Tennessee Project
If you are planning a commercial project in Tennessee, we would be glad to talk it through and give you a quote. Call us at 662-393-3130 or email info@murphyandsons.com. Our office is at 9148 Corporate Drive, Southaven, MS 38671, and we are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Murphy & Sons
- Phone662-393-3130
- Emailinfo@murphyandsons.com
- Office9148 Corporate Drive, Southaven, MS 38671
- HoursMonday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would a Tennessee owner hire a contractor based just across the state line in Southaven?
Proximity makes communication and site visits easier, particularly for projects in West Tennessee. Murphy & Sons is licensed in Tennessee and has served the Mid-South since 1977, so you get regional knowledge and a team that can stay closely involved throughout your project.
Does Murphy & Sons serve only the Memphis area in Tennessee?
Tennessee is one of the states we serve and are licensed in. Our office is in Southaven, closest to West Tennessee. If your project is elsewhere in the state, call us at 662-393-3130 and we can discuss the location and scope with you.
Why does site analysis matter for commercial sites in West Tennessee?
Ground conditions, drainage, and access vary from site to site, especially in river-influenced areas. Site analysis identifies these factors early so the design and budget reflect real conditions rather than assumptions. It is one of the services we offer as a general contractor.
Does earthquake risk affect commercial building in West Tennessee?
It can. The Memphis area is near the New Madrid seismic zone, and structural design in the region often considers seismic requirements. Your design team and local building officials will confirm what applies to your specific project and site.
How does winter and spring weather in Tennessee affect scheduling?
Spring storms, heavy rain, and occasional winter ice can pause outdoor work such as concrete and site preparation. Planning for these possibilities during preconstruction lets you build realistic float into the schedule rather than reacting to delays later.
What is the difference between a general contractor and construction management for a Tennessee project?
A general contractor is responsible for carrying out the construction. Construction management adds guidance during design, including input on materials, schedule, and cost. It works well for complex projects or those where decisions cannot all be made at the start. We offer both under one roof.
Why is early cost review valuable on a Tennessee project?
Changes made on paper are far cheaper than changes made in the field. In preconstruction, a budget is developed and reviewed at each phase, so concerns surface early. This helps keep the project on budget and reduces the chance of rework.
Is design-build a good fit for owners on tight timelines?
Often, yes. Design-build puts owners, architects, builders, and engineers on one team from the beginning, with one point of responsibility. That structure supports transparent communication and can help projects finish faster, which suits owners working toward a firm opening or occupancy date.
What should I ask any commercial contractor before hiring in Tennessee?
Ask about licensing in the state, years of experience, how the contractor communicates, who your day-to-day contact will be, and how safety and supervision are handled. Also ask how they approach budgeting and scheduling. Clear, direct answers are a good sign.
How does Murphy & Sons keep a Tennessee project on track once construction begins?
We provide supervision and project safety measures on the worksite and check in on your progress to make sure your goals are being met. With a one-on-one approach, your point of contact can advise you at each step and help resolve issues before they affect cost or schedule.