Good home builders are not only experts in construction but also management and service. These criteria should be central when you’re trying to find the right builder for you. When you find the right professional for your project everything flows a little more smoothly, from the planning stages to the post-building maintenance. Sometimes a lot more smoothly.
This list showcases the best custom home builders in Isle of Palms, South Carolina. The firms stood out to our editorial team for their project quality, background, experience, merits, and client feedback. Most are well-versed in a wide variety of residential styles, and some provide commercial spaces as well.
Sheppard Construction
859 Coleman Blvd, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Sheppard Construction Inc. is masterful at building lasting homes and relationships. Fine craftsmanship makes it one of the most preferred companies in Mt. Pleasant and its adjacent communities. Brothers Tre and Rus Sheppard facilitate the firm’s day-to-day operations. Their 16 years of experience have sharpened their craft not only in the field but also in management. Their expertise includes remodeling, renovations, site-inspection, pre-design, design review, and maintenance and service.
The featured project is a majestic coastal manor in South Carolina. The three-story getaway home stands close to the beach, which played a big part in its design. Wood makes up the majority of its structure, from the wall sidings to the interior furniture. Earthy tones are prevalent both inside and out, an elegant mix of rustic browns and cool blues that brings one closer to nature. Large glass windows on all sides highlight the scenic views of the water and the surrounding locale. Other notable aspects include a third-level terrace and a rectangular pool.
Ocean Homes
10 Sandcrab Ct, Isle of Palms, SC 29451
Ocean Homes specializes in coastal residences in the Isles of Palms. The firm’s dossier showcases varied yet uniform designs that exude beauty and function rolled into one. Strong craftsmanship and attention to detail deliver high-quality structures with long-lasting appeal. The firm also practices management efficiency and transparency for the client’s convenience.
Rick Mitchell, the founder and project lead, and Robin Mitchell, who handles operations and administration, oversees the company. They lead an in-house team of professionals and subcontractors with over 25 years of experience working with the practice. The custom home builders provide tailor-made projects that fit the owner’s budget and lifestyle. A collaborative process that focuses on the customer’s needs ensures that each house serves a personalized purpose.
This beach residence in Palm Boulevard is a showcase of the firm’s prowess. The three-story house has an open concept layout with five bedrooms and five baths. Its design, which combines modern and coastal elements, features floor-to-ceiling shiplap, high ceilings, double front porches, and a high-end kitchen.
Watts Builders
1070 Main Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455
Watts Builders is one of the best construction firms in South Carolina’s community of islands. With owner Curt Watts at the helm, the family-owned business delivers tailor-made homes with comfort, style, and function. The firm’s focus on high-quality craftsmanship, budget efficiency, and customer service guarantee all-around excellence from start to finish.
The firm’s expertise has amassed a catalog of projects that span coastal homes and home improvement projects in the area. The firm’s services include custom home construction, residential renovation, and architectural consultation.
The Bufflehead Web is a custom home built in Kiawah Island. Completed in 2016, the three-story home shines a spotlight on the beauty of the traditional design. Gray colors dominate the exterior palette: light colors on the wood sidings and dark hues on the gable roof. The entryway leads to the interior’s sleek wood floors and dove-colored hallways. The mix of pristine tones with modern and classic elements brings a tranquil ambiance to every space.
Naramore Construction
1100 Palm Blvd. Suite 2A, Isle of Palms, SC 29451
Naramore Construction is a custom home builder committed to quality and efficient service. The family-operated company takes a collaborative approach to projects; homeowners are incorporated from the planning stages until post-construction maintenance.
Principals Chip and Zac Naramore lead the firm’s construction and management development. Together with a team of seasoned professionals, they’ve completed numerous spaces both in residential and commercial territories. They specialize in new homes, remodels, additions, large-scale renovations, and light commercial work.
The Wild Dunes Intracoastal Living project is a gorgeous residence that infuses the locale’s energy with the home’s personality and make-up. It integrates the environment with the design, so plenty of windows on all sides provide scenic sights of the marsh and waterways. A terracing rear deck—instead of handrails—provides obstruction-free views. On the inside, each room reflects specific aesthetics that embody their purpose, though contemporary elements weave a uniform style throughout. The house also includes an outdoor living space and a pool deck.
Arnett Custom Homes
One Cool Blow, Suite 322, Charleston, SC 29403
Arnett Custom Homes has been highly-rated among South Carolina’s client community circles for over 12 years. The firm serves as a modern home builder and general contractor for patrons in Charleston, Isle of Palms, Johns Island, and Sullivan’s Island.
A collaborative approach that factors in the client’s input yields results with optimal quality. The firm follows a streamlined process that makes every development flow smoothly. The firm gives meticulous attention to craftsmanship and detail. That laser-focus is combined with strict compliance with budgets and schedules.
Owner Travis Arnett has a portfolio filled with custom homes, high-end and historical renovations, defective construction cases, and custom millwork. This Tower House in the Isle of Palms is a solid showcase of his company’s building proficiency.
As the name suggests, the property is three stories high with a façade that parallels a tall tower. It features crisp sidings, a coastal interior design, and a pool and lounge area. A white palette both indoors and out gives the getaway home a peaceful ambiance, which adds to the relaxing feel in every space.
Priester’s Custom Contracting
PO Box 60040, North Charleston, SC 29419
Priester’s Custom Contracting is an acclaimed residential builder based in Charleston. Thomas Priester, the company’s owner, runs a quality-focused operation with a hands-on approach. He and his crew also work with crisp efficiency, guaranteeing project completion on time and on budget.
The Priester team’s expertise involves new home construction and remodeling. They always strive to create structures that match the owner’s vision, so they pay close attention from the foundation to the finishing touches. The roster’s seasoned status also translates to management savvy and comprehensive service, which consistently earns positive feedback from former clientele.
The firm’s portfolio features luxury homes that range from classic manors to coastal abodes. This Isle of Palms Residence is an award-winning project named a Finalist in the 2016 Prism Awards. A striking exterior with sky blue wood sidings and white accents immediately pops amidst the lush locale. The interior’s white palette provides a serene atmosphere while cool colors and trendy furniture spice up the place. On the upper deck, an outdoor pool lounge offers scenic views of the South Carolina landscape.
Delpino Custom Homes
1023 E Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405
Delpino Custom Homes is a design-build practice that creates timeless homes with long-lasting appeal. The company specializes in custom home building, restorations, additions, and remodeling. It usually works on 12 project developments annually, completed through a tried and tested process that yields quality results. Aside from field expertise, the firm is also known for its transparent management, open communication, and professional service.
Founder Nathan Delpino leads an in-house team of experts well-versed in construction and design. Blueprints and budgeting jumpstart the process, which incorporates elements of the owner’s taste and lifestyle. The building stage focuses on smooth craftsmanship and management and a positive work environment. Once completed, the result is a functional space that provides comfort and style.
The builder’s residential dossier includes traditional, modern, and coastal homes. Among these projects is the Tidal Mill Place, a custom luxury home completed in 2018. The residence exudes exquisite grandeur, so much so, it had a showcase in the Daniel Island Custom Designed Luxury Home Tour in 2018. The contemporary Craftsman has pure white exteriors with wood sidings and a metal hip roof. The interiors use a dove-colored palette with brown wooden floors and blue design accents.
Cook Bonner Ebeling Construction
1859 Summerville Ave, Suite 700, Charleston, SC 29405
Cook Bonner Ebeling Construction is a company that serves Charleston and its adjacent coastal communities. The firm’s forte lies in custom home building and forging long-term client relationships, which form the symbiotic cornerstone of its business.
The firm’s services include residential and light commercial construction, remodeling, design-build, and consulting services. Principals David Ebeling and Tray McCune closely collaborate with homeowners to keep them in the loop from start to finish. The team also puts them at ease through a hassle-free operation with minimal obstruction. These traits have led to numerous repeat clients and consistently positive feedback.
We were taken with the Oceanfront home in the Isle of Palms. The coastal home’s façade overlooks the waters, a factor that plays a role in its design. Wood is a major structural and aesthetic factor, from the foundation to the floors to the furniture and fixtures. Light colors—whites and blues—give the house a bright, breezy atmosphere. Transitional and farmhouse elements are also present, particularly in the exteriors and kitchen.
Phillip Smith General Contractor
465 W Coleman Blvd #301, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Phillip Smith General Contractors is a Charleston-based company that has been crafting long-lasting homes for over 30 years. As a residential builder and remodeler, the firm’s array of luxury homes in the Lowcountry range from coastal manors to family homes. The firm also provides work on bedrooms, kitchens, hallways, and outdoor living spaces.
Phillip Smith, president, heads an in-house crew that upholds high standards of quality and transparency in every job. The firm’s projects reflect the client’s vision through meticulous craftsmanship and efficient management. The company’s partnership with Nautilus Home Management also allowed it to provide long-term maintenance and inspections even after the project was completed.
The featured project is a Contemporary Home in the Isle of Palms. Completed in 2017, it is a collaboration with Herlong Architects and designer David Smith. The oceanfront residence was built from the ground up, designed to accommodate a large extended family. Notable features include custom bunk rooms for children, a spacious open main living area, a pool deck, and outdoor spaces for dining and entertainment.
Structures Building Company
899 Island Park Drive, Suite 101, Daniel Island, SC 29492
Structures Building Company is an award-winning practice with a project footprint all over the Charleston area. The firm’s luxury homes stand tall in the Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, Mount Pleasant, and James Island. These homes showcase crisp craftsmanship and stunning design, though these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what the firm can offer.
Steven Kendrick strives to deliver high-quality houses through a deep level of management. 20 years in the industry have sharpened his craft and his approach to service. Close collaboration with clients creates full-transparency and bears accurate homes and long-lasting relationships. Coupled with a positive environment and completing projects on-time and budget, it is no surprise that the firm has received plenty of positive feedback from homeowners in the area.
The featured project is a Beachfront home completed in 2017. The coastal style of the residence integrates local design elements to maximize views of the sea. The massive three-story manor has a 360-degree view of a lush expanse, so an open area on the upper deck provides more than a view: it’s a breezy immersion in the environment. Modern interior layouts also add a sophisticated flair to the property.
SHELTER Custom-Built Living
895 Island Park Drive, Suite 203, Daniel Island, SC 29492
SHELTER Custom Built-Living has been repeatedly celebrated for its innovative projects in residential markets. It received the GuildMaster Award from Guild Quality for Excellence in Customer Service in 2021 and 2020, and three Prism Awards from the Charleston Home Builder’s Association (HBA) in 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017, a testament to its standout work.
Owner Ryan Butler has a dynamic portfolio of luxury homes filled with projects that exude high-quality craftsmanship. These properties vary from contemporary dwellings to coastal mansions by the beach. As a Certified Green Building Professional, Butler also incorporates environmentally-friendly methods and technology in his work.
Completed in 2018, the Waterway Boulevard in the Isle of Palms is a new custom home built on a .53 acre site. Surrounding views of the Intracoastal Waterway and a deep water dock parallel the beauty of the luxury residence. The sleek white sidings with gray roofs and accents evoke simplicity and elegance. Live Oak trees flank the landscaped yard of the main house and the driveway. A boardwalk connects to a private pier that has a deep water dock and a boat lift. Other features include a saltwater pool, a wet bar, and a living room with an open plan.
Sea Island Builders
2113 Middle St #100, Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
Sea Island Builders is an elite custom home builder and a preferred partner by homeowners in Lowcountry. Sam Fowler Jr. leads the design-build practice with a solid grasp of building and management. His team’s skillful craftsmanship is evident in every home—visual beauty matched by functional style is his consistent trademark. Quality construction and collaborative service are just some of the firm’s strong traits. Clients also praise the firm’s collaborative process—an approach that prioritizes smooth project flow with transparency and integrity.
Aside from construction, the full-service firm is also known for its proficiency and efficiency in planning and service. Its jack-of-all-trades and master-of-everything distinctions are not only evident to local clients. Industry organizations have also commended the builder’s work through a plethora of accolades. The firm’s critical merits include two Pinnacle Awards from HBA South Carolina in 2020 and a Prism Award for a Remodeled Home from Charleston HBA in 2019.
This Colorful Island Retreat is a coastal residence in the Isle of Palms. It is a design-build project built from the ground up and on schedule and budget. The stunning home features custom accents like white oak flooring, coffered ceilings, and an open floor plan for entertaining guests.
