Sharp & Robbins Construction LLC: Delivering Commercial Construction and Restoration Services

Sharp & Robbins Construction LLC (S&R) is a leading regional general contractor serving the southeastern states. S&R has been building for over 20 years, providing a growing customer base with commercial construction and restoration services. The team is licensed in 14 states, operating out of two locations in Tennessee: one in Bartlett and another in Franklin.

Reggie Crawford and Ben Smith originally founded the company in 1991. “It was Crawford-Smith Construction at the time,” says Dave Robbins, current vice president of S&R.

Dale Sharp, current president of S&R, became a partner in the late ’90s, making the business Crawford, Smith & Sharp. “Dale purchased the company from Ben and Reggie in 2009 and offered me an opportunity to buy in,” explains Dave. The name was then again changed to its current inception. Dave, boasting 25 years of industry experience, joined S&R in 2005.

A Solid Business Structure

Today’s S&R team primarily focuses on disaster restoration, emergency response services and capital improvement projects. “Our staff is comprised of one of the most diverse and talented construction teams in the United States,” Dave states.

Several of S&R’s project managers have either engineering or construction management degrees. In addition, three of the project managers have attained the coveted Certified Restorer designation, as presented by Restoration Industry Association (RIA). Company-wide, there are more than 75 industry-specific certifications and designations. The more-than-qualified S&R team works with a network of insurance companies to provide, quality and value-added solutions to fit a range of disasters and coverage.

S&R is fully equipped for emergency response and mitigation, as well. From floods to fires, the company employs specialists and subcontractors with the right tools for the job. Such devices include specialized drying equipment, state of-the-art instrumentation, software and more. By reacting immediately with the proper equipment, S&R is able to minimize and control property damage. By performing an upfront, room-by-room estimate the team helps insurance companies process claims faster, allowing S&R to get to work.

The company’s fast and efficient approach to mitigating damage ensures cost-saving value to clients. Whether clients are looking to restore a property to its original state or completely renovate the space, S&R’s internal team and extended network will help guide customers throughout the process. Outside of labor resources, the company frequently works with external designers, engineers and architects to ensure the final product matches a customer’s vision.

Diverse Capabilities

Another division of S&R offers new construction and nondisaster renovations to commercial customers. “We’re active in the commercial and medical arena,” says Dave. “We also have a focus in the capital improvement and exterior renovation of multifamily residential communities. We are very versatile, offering a full-service approach to our clients’ projects.”

Some recent projects include community redevelopment efforts. S&R performed a $6 million apartment complex update, renovating the exterior of the property in Nashville. “We gave the property a complete facelift,” says Dave. “That was a few years ago. Right now we’re in the process of building an addition to the Titan medical facility here in Memphis. It’s a brand new building from the ground up. That’s about 20,000 square feet.”

The S&R team recently completed apartment community projects across the southern states, including in San Antonio, Texas; Charleston, S.C.; Birmingham, Ala.; and Little Rock, Ark. The team is just getting started on similar projects in Kansas City, Kan., and Knoxville, Tenn.

S&R self-performs much of its restoration work, but Dave says about 70 percent is handled by a reliable network of subcontractors. “We have a large subcontractor base,” says Dave. “We have a tight knit base that travels with us on many of our jobs. Mechanical, plumbing and electrical trades aren’t as mobile due to licensing restrictions, and we generally pick up those specialists locally.”

Dave and the team are constantly looking to expand S&R’s reaches. While geographic expansion benefits the company, S&R is involved in several efforts to boost the industry as a whole. The company is a member RIA, which is the oldest and largest nonprofit, professional trade association dedicated to providing leadership and promoting best practices through advocacy, standards and professional qualifications for the restoration industry.

Dale currently serves on the RIA’s Board of Directors and heads up the Education Council. In addition, Dave is a member of a committee writing the standards for fire and smoke damage through the RIA. The committee seeks to establish key requirements for restoration by way of examination, identification and procedure, each of which benefit restoration professionals, property owners and insurers alike. Dave hopes to have the standard published by 2013.

S&R belongs to several other organizations, too, including Business Networks International. “We belong to a network of contractors that is like a peer group,” says Dave. “Our revenue is increasing every year. Our profit margins have continued to increase even as we have grown. We compare ourselves against our peers and within our group; and while we clearly have our challenges, we’re really satisfied with our growth comparatively.”

S&R has achieved several awards, including the Phoenix Award for Reconstruction in 2008. The team restored a three-story, 50-unit apartment building. The building had to be jacked up, structurally repaired and then lowered into place to earn such a pristine award. The team at S&R was able to complete each task successfully without displacing a single resident.

Then, in 2010, RIA named S&R one of the top 50 remodelers in the country. While S&R is certainly proud of its industry specific awards, two of the company’s most prized awards are the Best Place to Work award, as presented by the Business Journal, as well the Volunteer of the Year award, as presented by a local family counseling, adoption and foster-parenting agency.

The team continues to strive for excellence, pushing for quality remodels and new projects all over the region. Dale and Dave are looking to expand within the next few years, targeting the areas surrounding Little Rock, Ark., and Jackson, Miss. Sharp & Robbins Construction LLC supports customers, partners and the industry as a whole through efforts that prioritize consistent quality in operation.