About

We’re committed to exceeding your expectations.

Over the past half century, BurWil Construction has been a leader in General Contracting, Design-Build Services, and Construction Management in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. We have built a reputation for landmark construction based on integrity, quality, value, and service that exceeds our clients’ expectations. This commitment to exceeding expectations is one of the main reasons we have been privileged to construct many of the region’s landmark projects and to continue to grow our client base.

Our history of strong, consistent leadership and growth spans generations.

  • 1962: William C. Burriss, Sr. founded BurWil Construction Company in Bristol, TN. He had developed an extensive and varied construction background while working as a superintendent and project manager/estimator for several large construction firms prior to founding BurWil. He was known throughout the industry as a honest man of high character and integrity. His core philosophy has remained constant throughout the company’s history and is the foundation of the company’s past and continued success - to provide clients with the professional construction services of the highest level of quality, value, and safety.

  • 1967: William C. Burriss, Jr., joined the firm and played a pivotal role in its growth, serving as president and CEO until his retirement in 2016.

  • 1982: William H. Prince joined the company as a Project Manager/ Estimator. He then served as Vice President of Operations in 1986. Then Vice President of Corporation in 1988.

  • 1998: BurWil Design Group was established to offer a seamless design-build experience for clients.

  • 2001: Nick Self joined the firm as VP of Operations, later becoming President in 2022.

  • 2002: William H. Prince became President and COO.

  • 2003: William C. Burriss III joined as a project manager/estimator and also took on the role of CFO/Corporate Secretary.

  • 2016: William C. Burriss, Jr. retired from BurWil, and the Knoxville office was opened, extending the company's service reach into the area. William H. Prince assumed role as President & CEO.

  • 2022: William H. Prince assumed the role of CEO, and Nick Self assumed the role of President, contributing to the company’s ongoing success and integrity-driven leadership.

Meet our team

“I was fortunate enough to work with the BurWil team for the FirstBank project at Langley Knoxville, TN. The project consisted of a 16,000-sq-ft. fit-out with open offices and workstations, meeting spaces, a training room and cafe. During the project, Jaron was instrumental in providing a high-quality project, that resulted in an on-time turnover. He provided quick feedback on cost and schedule requests to help us make decisions without impacting the project schedule. I would highly recommend BurWil as a contractor.”

Susan Barbarite
Vice President, Director of Corporate Real Estate
FirstBank

Our values

Integrity

Teamwork

Loyalty

Quality

Innovation

We stay connected through our affiliations and memberships.

Our accolades and awards

Our ongoing teamwork has resulted in numerous recognitions for our work in the greater Tri-Cities and Knoxville areas. We are honored to receive prestigious awards for our work with incredible support from our community and partnerships with our clients.

  • 2023 Project of the Year Award- Division I AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    Jonesborough K-8 School - Jonesborough, TN

  • 2023 Project of the Year Award- Division III Additions & Renovations AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    ETSU Lamb Hall - Johnson City, TN

  • 2023 Honorable Mention
    AIA East Tennessee
    Bloom - Bristol, VA

  • 2023 City Wide Historic Preservation Award
    City of Bristol Virginia Historic Preservation Award Committee
    New Peoples Bank - Bristol, VA

  • 2022 General Contractor Circle of Excellence Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)

  • 2022 Project of the Year Award - 1st Place Division II
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    The Inn at Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards - Bristol, VA

  • 2022 Project of the Year Award - 1st Place Addidtions & Renovations
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    Bloom - Bristol, VA

  • 2022 Grand Champion and TCA Best Architect/Engineer - Commercial Buildings
    Tennessee Concrete Association
    Tennessee Middle School - Bristol, TN

  • 2021 Project of the Year Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    The Yurt Village - Bristol, VA

  • 2021 Grand Champion and TCA Best Architect/Engineer - Commercial Buildings
    Tennessee Concrete Association
    Dobyns-Bennett High School Science & Technology Center - Kingsport, TN

  • 2020 Project of the Year Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    First Bank & Trust Corporate - Bristol, TN

  • 2018 General Contractor Circle of Excellence Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)

  • 2022 Project of the Year Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    Guthrie Dental Office - Bristol, TN

  • 2015 General Contractor Circle of Excellence Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)

  • 2014 Project of the Year Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Bristol, VA/TN

  • 2011 General Contractor Circle of Excellence Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)

  • 2011 Project of the Year Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    Alpha Natural Resources - Bristol, VA

  • 2010 Project of the Year Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    Fairmount Elementary School - Bristol, TN

  • 2009 General Contractor Circle of Excellence Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)

  • 2008 Project of the Year Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    ETSU College of Pharmacy - Johnson City, TN

  • 2007 General Contractor Circle of Excellence Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)

  • 2007 Project of the Year Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    Wytheville Community Center - Wytheville, VA

  • 2006 General Contractor Circle of Excellence Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)

  • 2006 Project of the Year Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    Bristol Public Library - Bristol, VA

  • 2005 General Contractor Circle of Excellence Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)

  • 2005 Project of the Year Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    Bristol Herald Courier - Bristol, VA/TN

  • 2004 General Contractor Circle of Excellence Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)

  • 2004 Project of the Year Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    Lincoln Theatre - Marion, VA

  • 2003 Project of the Year Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    Old Customs House - Bristol, TN

  • 2000 Project of the Year Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)
    Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church - Johnson City, TN

  • 1994 General Contractor Circle of Excellence Award
    AGC (Associated General Contractors)

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Discover how we can assist you in bringing your vision to life by visiting our Services page.