Where We Work
We are proud to serve the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton area as the regions top custom home builder and renovation expert. We have extensive expertise in specific communities such as Sea Pines, Shipyard, and Long Cove. Read all about where we build and renovate, as well as the unique Architectural Review Board restrictions and what makes each community unique.
SEA PINES CUSTOM HOME BUILDER
Founded in 1956 by visionary Charles Fraser, Sea Pines is a legendary 5,000-acre resort and residential community on Hilton Head Island. Over the last decade, Lee Built Homes has proudly built custom homes and completed extensive remodels in Sea Pines.
Charles Fraser’s vision of Sea Pines pioneered an eco-friendly design philosophy and mandated that the development blend seamlessly into the maritime forests and marshes rather than dominate them, thus setting the stage for the rest of Hilton Head Island which is thoughtfully developed. Because there are strict guidelines, the importance of hiring an architect and builder who are familiar with the complexities of the design vision is extremely important. Lee Built Homes is not only familiar, but extremely experienced, with the Sea Pines Architectural Review Board process and the Sea Pines covenants and guidelines.
As native islanders ourselves, we understand the attraction of Sea Pines. There are numerous opportunities for full-time or part-time residences, or investment opportunities in Sea Pines for vacation home or vacation condo rentals. For residents and visitors, Sea Pines boasts an unparalleled array of world-class amenities, including the iconic red-and-white striped Harbour Town Lighthouse, the championship Harbour Town Golf Links (home to the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage tournament), and two other acclaimed golf courses. Beyond golf, residents and guests enjoy the Sea Pines Beach Club, miles of pristine Atlantic coastline, the sprawling Sea Pines Forest Preserve, a premier tennis and pickleball center, and South Beach Marina.
When it comes to building in Sea Pines, the ARB guidelines are some of the most stringent guidelines we’ve encountered. Governed by a foundational nature first, architecture second philosophy, the Sea Pines Architectural Review Board (ARB) enforces some of the meticulous guidelines that preserve the community's legendary coastal aesthetic. To ensure homes blend seamlessly into the maritime forest, the ARB mandates a strict, flat-finish exterior palette of natural earth tones, such as deep browns, muted greens, and weathered grays, while strictly prohibiting vinyl siding and high-gloss finishes. Property owners must also navigate severe restrictions on site coverage, strict height limitations, and a rigid tree protection policy that heavily protects Live Oaks and native species over manicured lawns. Ultimately, these stringent standards ensure that every new build or renovation honors the surrounding landscape, safeguarding both the natural environment and the long-term property values of this iconic Lowcountry community.
If you are looking to build a custom home in Sea Pines, or renovate a home in Sea Pines, contact our team at Lee Built Homes. With their experience in this community, you’ll work with a builder you can trust.
SHIPYARD CUSTOM HOME BUILDER
Developed in the 1970s as one of Hilton Head Island's premier master-planned communities, Shipyard spans approximately 800 acres of lush maritime forest, winding lagoons, and scenic coastal landscapes. This versatile plantation blends residential living with resort vacationing, offering a rich array of amenities that include the 27-hole Shipyard Golf Club, the world-class Van Der Meer Tennis Center, and miles of shaded bike and jogging trails. Residents and guests enjoy exceptional convenience with multiple secure, gated access points, putting them just minutes from the shopping and dining hubs of Pope Avenue and Shelter Cove. Shipyard also provides its community with direct, private beach access through the Shipyard Beach Club on the Atlantic coast.
Lee Built Homes is proud to have renovated homes in Shipyard and is experienced in dealing with Shipyard’s Architectural Review Board (ARB). As well, we are well-versed in the covenants and restrictions at Shipyard.
When it comes to building code and architectural restrictions, Shipyard’s ARB focuses on:
Blend in Mandate: You cannot paint a home bright, flashy colors; the ARB enforces a strict palette of muted, earth-toned colors such as browns, greens, grays, and tans that complement the surrounding nature.
Tree Preservation: Like most of Hilton Head, there are severe restrictions on tree removal. You must get explicit approval to cut down any significant native trees, particularly live oaks, palmettos, and pines, even if they are on your building footprint.
Height and Setbacks: Structures are subject to strict height limitations and generous buffer setbacks from lagoons, golf courses, and property lines to prevent overcrowding and preserve natural vistas.
Building in a Flood Zone: Because Shipyard is a coastal community, any new construction or major renovation must comply with stringent FEMA flood elevation rules, meaning living areas must be elevated above the base flood level, often requiring garage or storage space underneath the main house.
When you hire Lee Built Homes to build a custom home in Shipyard or renovate in Shipyard, you are getting a builder who is experienced in navigating these restrictions. We understand timeline, guidelines, review process, permitting process, and more required to get the job done.
WEXFORD CUSTOM HOME BUILDER
Developed in the early 1980s by the Wexford Hall Development Company and eventually brought to its grand realization under the vision of legendary developer Willard Byrd, Wexford is widely considered one of the most exclusive and luxurious private communities on Hilton Head Island. What sets Wexford apart is its unparalleled lock system and inland harbor. Unlike the island's oceanfront or golf-centric communities, Wexford features a private, 37-acre lock-controlled harbor that grants boat-owning residents direct, secure access to the Broad Creek and Intracoastal Waterway, entirely free from the dramatic coastal tidal swings. This highly secure, non-resort community offers an intimate, crowd-free haven where residents enjoy world-class amenities. At Wexford, you will find amenities that include an Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, a championship tennis and pickleball center, and an elegant, stately clubhouse that is currently undergoing a complete renovation, all wrapped in a peaceful, resident-only atmosphere. You will find it feels distinctly separate from the island’s tourist traffic and is a true neighborhood on Hilton Head Island.
As you might expect with this ultra-exclusive community, there are strict ARB guidelines in Wexford to follow when building your custom home. Unlike the blend into nature style found in other Hilton Head communities, Wexford encourages a more stately architectural presence, favoring classic Southern, European, and British West Indies designs utilizing premium materials like stucco, natural stone, and brick. Indeed, you will find the architecture much more grand than other communities.
The Wexford ARB strictly monitors everything from roof pitches and specific copper flashing details to the exact screening of service yards and private docks on the 37-acre inland harbor. The guidelines enforce generous property setbacks and meticulous, formal landscaping plans that emphasize immaculate lawns, formal hedges, and manicured gardens over wild maritime undergrowth. By regulating everything from exterior paint colors to custom ironwork, the Wexford ARB ensures that every estate maintains a level of sophisticated luxury that protects both the neighborhood’s visual harmony and its ultra-exclusive property values.
Lee Built Homes is experienced in dealing with building custom homes in Wexford and working with their architectural review board to achieve permits and your projects green light status.
LONG COVE CUSTOM HOME BUILDER
Developed in the early 1980s by the legendary development team of David and Joseph Fraser (the brothers of Sea Pines founder Charles Fraser), Long Cove Club is a premier, member-owned residential community renowned for its quiet elegance and intimate scale. Spanning roughly 630 acres is its strict non-resort, private neighborhood model that eliminates short-term vacation rentals and commercial tourist traffic. Long Cove has a deeply rooted, close-knit community where neighbors know one another. The championship Pete Dye golf course is consistently ranked among the top courses in the state and is highly coveted because tee times are never crowded by resort guests. Beyond the world-class golf, residents enjoy an array of upscale, unhurried amenities including a private marina on Broad Creek with complimentary kayak and boat slips, a state-of-the-art tennis and pickleball center, a heated junior Olympic pool, and a beautifully renovated clubhouse. Long Cove is considered an ultimate haven for those seeking a secure, active, and permanent luxury lifestyle on the island.
As you would expect with this ultra exclusive community on Hilton Head, the Architectural Review Board guidelines are very strict, as are their covenants and restrictions. If you are building a custom home in Long Cove, having the right builder who understands the complexities and nuances of these guidelines is critical to keeping your costs down and your timeline on track.
Rooted in a philosophy that balances timeless coastal elegance with the preservation of its lush canopy, the Long Cove Club Architectural Review Board (ARB) enforces guidelines that maintain a quiet, harmonious residential neighborhood. They favor classic Lowcountry and high-end coastal architecture, mandating a cohesive palette of subdued, matte exterior colors and premium, natural-looking siding materials. They strictly prohibit reflective finishes. Long Cove also prioritizes the community’s natural landscape through a rigid tree-protection policy for specimen oaks and pines, strict site-coverage limits to prevent overbuilding, and meticulous requirements for screening all household utilities and service yards. These stringent standards ensure that every renovation or new build in Long Cove protects the plantation's private, understated luxury.
Hiring a builder to build your custom home in Long Cove is an important decision and one that should be ultimately driven by your confidence in the builder’s experience and expertise. If you are looking to build a custom home in Long Cove, contact our team at Lee Built Homes to set up a consultation and see if we are a fit for you.
PALMETTO BLUFF CUSTOM HOME BUILDER
Tucked into the banks of the May River in Bluffton, South Carolina, Palmetto Bluff is a breathtaking, 20,000-acre master-planned residential community and conservation preserve. It is one of the fastest growing communities in the South with buyers drawn to its diverse architectural styles and residential options, world class amenities, family feel, and commitment to nature preservation.
Originally a historic hunting retreat, Palmetto Bluff was developed in the early 2000s by Crescent Communities and is now under the vision of South Street Partners. The community integrates ultra-luxury living and environmental stewardship, anchoring its lifestyle around a vibrant, low-country village concept that includes the Forbes Five-Star Montage Palmetto Bluff resort. At Palmetto Bluff, you will find pristine riverfront, vast maritime forests of live oaks, and an array of world-class amenities such as the Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, shooting club, infinity-edge pools, a world-class spa, and a private marina.
Residents love Palmetto Bluff because it offers an authentic, unhurried lifestyle centered on connection, both with family and with nature. Here you will find a charming post office, a quaint Chapel, and a nostalgic ice cream parlor. Modeled after historic Southern towns, the community is deeply pedestrian and bicycle friendly, where neighbors enjoy miles of paths to meet for dinner, social gatherings, or morning coffee. Palmetto Bluff represents a timeless, multi-generational sanctuary that is defining modern luxury real estate.
Does this sound idyllic and having you want to buy a home in Palmetto Bluff? Your best bet might be to buy a lot and build a custom home in Palmetto Bluff.
While the expansive 20,000-acre landscape of Palmetto Bluff contains large amounts of raw land designed for multi-decade growth, the immediate market inventory of active, buildable homesites is tightly controlled. The developer strategically releases land in measured phases to maintain exceptional property values, resulting in a competitive market that typically features only a limited number of active listings at any given time. This premium inventory spans a wide price spectrum, ranging from village-adjacent homesites starting in the mid-hundred thousands to ultra-exclusive, deep-water marsh front estates that command upwards of several million dollars. Prospective buyers should note that while some neighborhoods allow you to buy and hold land indefinitely, specific enclaves carry strict construction commencement timelines to preserve the neighborhood's tranquility, making it essential to partner with a local expert to navigate the current availability and unique guidelines of this highly sought-after destination.
When you have secured your lot and you are ready to build your custom dream home in Palmetto Bluff, you will find that there are no shortage of builders vying for your business. Ultimately, you should look for a Palmetto Bluff builder that is eager to serve you and achieve your vision, and not just see you as a long list of other projects that they are completing in the development. Lee Built Homes is an excellent choice for a builder in Palmetto Bluff who will prioritize your dream home. We have earned a strong reputation for our project management skills, clear communication, and achieving stunning results. Visit our portfolio to view projects and get in touch to set up a free consultation.
