From Bricklayer to 100 Families a Year
Six homes across this year's Parade of Homes.
Smithbilt Homes
When you’ve been building homes in East Tennessee for roughly 70 years, you’re not simply building houses. You’re helping build communities and establishing a reputation that can be passed from one generation to the next.
That’s the story behind Smithbilt Homes, a family-owned and operated company whose roots in the Knoxville area stretch back to the 1950s. Today, Smithbilt is one of East Tennessee’s most established residential builders, offering homes for first-time buyers, growing families, empty nesters, and people relocating to the region.
The company’s history began modestly. Founder Rufus H. Smith Jr. learned the building trade alongside his father, working as a bricklayer on small homes in Oak Ridge during the late 1940s. After military service, he returned to the trade and, in 1954, established Rufus H. Smith, Jr. & Company, specializing in quality, affordable homes.
Three generations later, that family tradition continues. His children, Traci, Rocky, and Tom, remain active in the business today. Rocky grew up working with his father in the construction side of the company. Traci handled the rental business, while Tom joined the team upon graduating from the University of Tennessee.
“Homebuilding has always been much more than a business to us,” says Josh Sanderson, Development Associate. “We were raised around the values the company was built on—family, hard work and treating people the right way. Continuing that legacy and helping families across Tennessee achieve the American Dream of homeownership is what keeps us passionate about what we do.”
Homes Designed to Stand the Test of Time
While much has changed in homebuilding over the decades, the team at Smithbilt continues their hands-on approach to building, with a focus on quality, craftsmanship, functionality, and affordability.
The company is currently developing two of Tennessee’s largest master-planned communities: The Preserve in Oak Ridge and Belltown in Powell. Both communities were years in the making and today, they welcome roughly 100 new families each year. “It is rewarding to see places that once existed only on paper,” says Sanderson, “become thriving communities where families are putting down roots.”
The company is also presenting six homes in this year’s Parade of Homes. Each home is different, yet they share a common goal: thoughtful, functional homes designed around the needs of today’s families and built in family-friendly communities. We’re especially excited to show that quality design and livability can be achieved across a variety of prices.”
Giving Back to the Community. And the Industry
Smithbilt’s legacy extends beyond the homes it builds. Through the Smithbilt Family Foundation, the family supports local nonprofits and charitable organizations focused on helping people in need. The company is also investing in the next generation of homebuilding professionals through a University of Tennessee scholarship for a student pursuing construction science. “Investing in young people who want to build careers in our industry is one way we can help strengthen both our profession and our community for generations to come,” Sanderson says.
A Legacy Built Around People
After three generations, the company continues pursuing its founder’s vision of making homeownership attainable for Tennessee families. “Our people are Smithbilt’s most important asset,” Sanderson says. “If we take care of our employees, trade partners, and everyone who has a hand in building a Smithbilt home, they will take care of the families who trust us to build theirs. Together, we can help more families achieve the American Dream of homeownership.”
Contact
Smithbilt Homes
4909 Ball Rd.
Knoxville, TN 37931
Homebuilding has always been much more than a business to us. — Josh Sanderson
