Nerren Pratt Recognized for Community-Focused Development in Chattanooga

Nerren Pratt, developer with Pratt Home Builders, has been named the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga’s 2025 Developer of the Year, an honor that reflects more than two decades of building thoughtfully planned communities across the region.
Pratt credits the recognition to the team behind the work rather than any single individual. Since the company was founded in 1998, Pratt Home Builders has helped more than 2,800 families put down roots in neighborhoods designed for long-term value and connection. According to Pratt, the goal has always been to create places where people are proud to live and where communities can thrive for generations.

As a locally owned and operated builder, Pratt Home Builders takes a hands-on, long-term approach to development. The company is vertically integrated, managing everything from land acquisition and civil engineering to site work and construction. This level of control allows the team to stay efficient while maintaining consistent quality, even as costs, timelines, and regulations continue to challenge the housing industry. Recent efforts, such as building community amenities in-house, reflect the company’s focus on adding lasting value rather than short-term solutions.
Nerren joined the family business about a decade after it was founded by his brother, Win Pratt, and their father, James Pratt. Over the course of his sixteen-year career in development, his perspective has shifted from learning the mechanics of the business to thinking more deeply about stewardship and long-term impact. As Chattanooga continues to grow, Pratt believes developers carry a responsibility to build thoughtfully and with the future in mind.

Affordability remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the industry, especially as rising costs and regulatory pressures collide with the region’s housing demand. Pratt says navigating those challenges requires close collaboration with local leaders and a commitment to development that adds value to existing communities rather than creating strain.
Looking ahead, Pratt hopes his work will be remembered for integrity, care, and the lasting strength of the neighborhoods Pratt Home Builders has helped shape. If families remain happy in their homes years from now and communities continue to flourish, he says, that will be the true measure of success.