The short answer. These are general contractors Paul Packman has worked with, on homes and on commercial projects. It is his own list, not a survey of every builder in the area. A builder who is not on it may be a very good builder Paul has not worked with yet.
Already working with a builder? Ask Paul what your builder needs from the drawings
How do you check a contractor's license?
Check any contractor's license yourself before you hire. Tennessee runs a public license search at verify.tn.gov, which covers licensed contractors along with architects, engineers, and most other licensed trades. Search the company name or the license number, and confirm the license is active, not only issued.
Each company on this page had an active Tennessee contractor's license when it was looked up on the state's license search on October 5, 2026. A license can lapse or change, so look each one up again at verify.tn.gov before you hire. Two of the companies are licensed under a different name from the one used below: Lionheart Construction is licensed as Lionheart Construction and Design LLC, and Martin Construction Group is licensed as The Martin Group Construction, LLC.
Which contractors has Paul worked with?
I have worked with each of the builders listed below or am in the process of starting a project with them.
Residential Contractors
Donnelly Timmons & Associates
Location on its own website: Nashville, Tennessee.
Founded in 2001 by Dustin Timmons and Joey Donnelly, who state over 25 years of construction experience. Work ranges from renovations and additions to fully custom luxury homes, in Forest Hills, Oak Hill, Green Hills, Franklin, and Brentwood.
Website: donnellytimmons.com
Vaden Company
Location on its own website: Williamson County, Tennessee.
Jim Vaden is a sixth-generation Williamson County native and MTSU graduate in Finance & Real Estate. He specializes in high-end custom homes, remodeling, renovation and excavation, emphasizing architectural detail and exceptional craftsmanship. Jim and his team value honesty, transparent communication and lasting client relationships.
Website: vadencompany.com
Lionheart Construction
Location on its own website: Franklin, Tennessee.
Phil Sokic brings over 25 years of construction experience. He combines exceptional craftsmanship and honest communication to create beautiful, functional homes. Guided by his Christian faith, Phil approaches every project with integrity, service and a commitment to excellence.
Website: lionheartfranklin.com
MDC Homes
Location on its own website: Chattanooga, Tennessee.
At MDC, exceptional homes begin with exceptional people. We take pride in every detail, support our team, and uphold the highest standards of craftsmanship and integrity.
Website: mdchomebuild.com
Martin Construction Group
Location on its own website: Middle Tennessee.
Cory Martin brings your new construction home or renovation vision to life with precision, attention to detail, and exceptional craftsmanship.
Website: themartinconstructiongroup.com
Commercial Contractors
DWC Construction
Location on its own website: Nashville, Tennessee.
DWC Construction delivers high-quality commercial spaces with speed, craftsmanship, and transparency. Through honest communication, meticulous planning, and a commitment to excellence, DWC has built lasting partnerships and projects across Middle Tennessee.
How do an architect and a builder work together?
On a custom home, the architect and the builder are not competing for the same job. The architect designs the house and produces the drawings a builder prices and builds from; the builder turns those drawings into a real structure, manages the trades, and is responsible for the schedule and the construction budget. On most projects the two are brought in at different points and then work side by side for the rest of the project.
Some homeowners choose their architect first, design the house, then take finished drawings out to two or three builders for pricing. Others already have a builder in mind and bring the architect and builder together early, so the builder can weigh in on cost and buildability while the design is still taking shape. Neither order is automatically right; it depends on whether you already trust a builder, and how much the site or the budget needs an early, real number. I prefer to have as much of the team involved as possible as early in the design process. Strong communication in the beginning leads to a more successful project with collaboration between the client, architect, builder and the consultants.
The full comparison, including a design-build option where one firm handles both roles, is in Architect, design-build, or builder plans: which is right for your custom home?
About the author
Paul Packman, NCARB, is President of Packman Architects in Brentwood, Tennessee. He is licensed in Tennessee, California, Oregon, and Utah.
From the first conversation through design, permitting, consultant coordination, and construction, he remains closely involved, helping clients navigate complex decisions while keeping their vision, priorities, and budget at the center of the project.
