Smith & McClain
Smith & McClain is a founder-owned Vermont custom residential construction firm specializing in high-performance building, including Passive House, net-zero, and solar-integrated homes, serving affluent homeowners throughout Vermont.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersBristol, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Smith & McClain does
Smith & McClain is a privately-held, founder-owned residential construction company founded in 2004 and headquartered at 5 Main Street, Bristol, Vermont. The firm operates throughout Vermont and the broader Addison County region, delivering custom home building, renovations and remodeling, historic preservation, solar installation, and specialized high-performance construction including Passive House certified and net-zero energy homes. The company was started by Oakley Smith and Kevin McClain and has grown from three carpenters into a multidisciplinary team of approximately 11-50 employees including master carpenters, building science experts, solar specialists, master electricians, and construction managers, with many staff retained for over a decade.
The business is built on differentiated technical expertise in sustainable and energy-efficient construction, including Passive House certification, net-zero building envelope standards (R40 walls, R60 roofs, triple-pane glass), in-house weatherization and cellulose installation, and integrated rooftop solar design. The company maintains an extensive portfolio of 25+ documented projects across Vermont locations (Bristol, Shelburne, Charlotte, Cornwall, Williston, Huntington, and others) and has earned recognition in publications including Fine Homebuilding, Dwell, Vermont Ski + Ride, and New England Home Magazine.
Smith & McClain generates revenue through project-based contracts with individual homeowners and select small commercial clients, pricing each engagement based on scope, materials, and design complexity. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via referrals and portfolio-driven inbound interest, with go-to-market executed through ongoing strategic partnerships with regional architectural firms including Selin & Selin Architecture, Elizabeth Herrmann Architecture + Design, and Vermont Integrated Architecture. The firm has no external institutional investment, no subsidiaries, and operates as an independent lifestyle business under founder control.
Smith & McClain firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Smith & McClain
- Legal name
- Smith & McClain
- Website
- https://smithmcclain.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Smith & McClain is a founder-owned Vermont custom residential construction firm specializing in high-performance building, including Passive House, net-zero, and solar-integrated homes, serving affluent homeowners throughout Vermont.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Smith & McClain industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Residential Construction Services
- NAICS
- New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236115), Residential Remodelers (236118), Residential Building Construction (2361)
- SIC
- Electrical Work (1731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Custom Home Building (IMAFABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Residential Design-Build & Renovation-Integrated Builders (IMAFABAE)
Keywords
Where Smith & McClain is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bristol
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Smith & McClain business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Residential Construction: Full-service custom home building for individual homeowners. Projects include new construction, additions, renovations, and historic preservation. Revenue is project-based, typically single large projects with defined budgets and timelines.
- Renovation and Remodeling: Renovation projects ranging from kitchen renovations to complete historic farmhouse reimaginings. Includes net-zero renovations with energy efficiency upgrades.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
Smith & McClain product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Smith & McClain is a full-service residential construction firm that designs and builds custom homes, executes renovations and additions, performs historic preservation, and integrates solar and weatherization systems into its projects. Founded in 2004 in Bristol, Vermont, the company operates with in-house master carpenters, building science experts, solar specialists, and licensed electricians, and is certified in Passive House and net-zero building techniques.
Product overview
Smith & McClain is a full-service custom construction company founded in 2004, offering a unified portfolio of home building and renovation services. The core offering comprises custom home construction, renovations and remodeling, solar installation, and historic preservation. Specialized capabilities include net-zero energy home construction and passive house building techniques. Projects range from contemporary farmhouses and luxury custom homes to rustic cabin retreats and historic barn restorations. The company serves residential clients throughout Vermont with a team of master carpenters, building science experts, solar specialists, and licensed electricians.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Custom Home Building Full-service design and construction of new custom homes for individual homeowners throughout Vermont, including collaboration with architects and project managers from concept to completion.
- Renovations and Remodeling Comprehensive renovation and remodeling services for existing homes, including kitchen and bathroom updates, whole-house renovations, and additions for residential clients.
- Solar Installation
Companies that use Smith & McClain
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Smith & McClain technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Smith & McClain partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Selin & Selin ArchitecturecoreSmith & McClain has collaborated on multiple projects with Selin & Selin Architecture, including the Fairview Farms Net-Zero Home, Charlotte Lake View Home, Shelburne Pasture Home, and Notitia Sanctuary. The partnership involves deep design collaboration for high-end custom homes.
- Elizabeth Herrmann Architecture + DesigncoreSmith & McClain has worked with Elizabeth Herrmann Architecture + Design on projects including the Downtown Cabin and Wooded Lake House renovation, implementing creative design solutions for challenging sites and renovations.
- Vermont Integrated ArchitecturecoreSmith & McClain has collaborated with Vermont Integrated Architecture on the Cornwall Guest House and Carriage Barn projects, focusing on contemporary Vermont farmhouse designs and historic barn renovations.
- Maclay ArchitectsminorCollaborated on the Mountain House project with Maclay Architects, featuring timber frame barn construction and solar integration.
- Jim Huntington Design BuildminorDesign partnership on the Crimson Hill Home project, utilizing Vermont materials and considering family needs in the design.
- Studio III ArchitectureminorCollaborated with Studio III Architecture on the Farmhouse Renovation project in Lincoln, Vermont, achieving net-zero energy goals.
- Joan Heaton ArchitectsminorPartnership on Historic Barn Addition project, adjoined new quarters to existing barn home for multi-generational living.
- MB Architecture + DesignminorCollaboration on Lincoln Kitchen Renovation project with MB Architecture + Design, featuring elevated and artistic design.
- The Narrow GateminorArchitecture firm led by David Flaschenriem collaborated on the Forest Retreat Cabin project in Addison County.
- Ironwood DesignminorKitchen cabinetry provider for the Downtown Cabin project in Bristol, Vermont.
- Lindsay Selin PhotographyminorPhotographer documenting multiple Smith & McClain projects including West Hill Home, Lincoln Kitchen Renovation, Shelburne Pasture Home, and Cornwall Guest House.
- Ryan Bent PhotographyminorPhotographer documenting projects including Downtown Cabin, Crimson Hill Home, Cornwall Guest House, and Mountain House.
- Jim Westphalen PhotographyminorPhotography partner for the Wooded Lake House renovation project.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Smith & McClain competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- BONE Structure: Quebec-based net-zero prefabricated steel-frame home manufacturer offering energy-efficient custom homes. Comparable on energy performance leadership and high-end custom residential focus, but distinct in prefab delivery model and Canadian market.
Direct peers
- Bensonwood: Walpole, NH-based custom timber frame and high-performance builder operating under similar design-build, Passive House, and net-zero philosophy. Highly comparable on materials science expertise, premium New England customer base, and integrated high-performance building approach.
- Maienza Group: South Burlington, VT-based custom home builder and design firm offering architecture and construction services. Direct comparable on Vermont high-end custom residential market, design-build integration, and customer demographic.
- Bread Loaf Construction: Middlebury, VT-based design-build firm specializing in custom residential, historic preservation, and institutional projects. Direct geographic and service overlap with Smith & McClain, including design collaboration with regional architects.
- South Mountain Company: West Tisbury, MA (Martha's Vineyard) design-build firm specializing in custom homes, sustainable construction, and historic preservation. Comparable high-end design-build custom residential model with emphasis on craftsmanship and energy efficiency.
- GO Logic: Belfast, Maine-based custom home builder specializing in Passive House and net-zero construction. Direct match on sustainability-focused high-performance residential construction methodology and similar premium custom market positioning.
- Shelterwood: Vermont-based custom home builder emphasizing craftsmanship, timber frame, and high-end residential construction. Comparable on Vermont geographic focus, custom residential projects, and quality-driven positioning.
- Unity Homes: Walpole, NH-based sister company of Bensonwood producing prefabricated Passive House and net-zero homes. Comparable on energy efficiency leadership and high-performance residential focus, with overlap in Passive House certified trades and architectural partner ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Smith & McClain social profiles
Digital presenceSmith & McClain financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Smith & McClain leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Smith & McClain funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Smith & McClain M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Smith & McClain
What does Smith & McClain do?
Smith & McClain is a full-service residential construction firm that designs and builds custom homes, executes renovations and additions, performs historic preservation, and integrates solar and weatherization systems into its projects. Founded in 2004 in Bristol, Vermont, the company operates with in-house master carpenters, building science experts, solar specialists, and licensed electricians, and is certified in Passive House and net-zero building techniques.
Is Smith & McClain a public or private company?
Smith & McClain is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Smith & McClain founded?
Smith & McClain was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Smith & McClain based?
Smith & McClain is headquartered in Bristol, United States, in the North America region.
How does Smith & McClain make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Custom Residential Construction is the primary driver. The others are renovation and Remodeling.
Who are Smith & McClain's main competitors?
BONE Structure is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Bensonwood, Maienza Group, Bread Loaf Construction, South Mountain Company, GO Logic, Shelterwood and Unity Homes.
Does Smith & McClain have an API?
No public API is recorded for Smith & McClain.
What industry is Smith & McClain in?
Smith & McClain's product category is Residential Construction Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAFABAC, Custom Home Building, with a secondary code of IMAFABAE, Residential Design-Build & Renovation-Integrated Builders. Its NAICS code is 236115 and its SIC code is 1731.