Coastal Homes
Made Simple
Defy Rhode Island’s Salt, Wind and Water
(and Bypasses the Red Tape) via our
All-in-One Design + Build Process
Coastal Homes Made Simple
Defy Rhode Island’s Salt, Wind and Water (and Bypasses the Red Tape) via our All-in-One Design + Build Process
The effortless Way to Get a Fully Custom Coastal Home that Reflects Your Lifestyle
There’s nothing quite like living along Rhode Island’s stunning coastline. The ocean views, fresh salt air, and tranquil surroundings create a lifestyle many dream of.
But building a coastal home comes with its own unique challenges.
Like many of our previous clients, you may be:
Overwhelmed by the maze of coastal regulations…
…and need a team that navigates FEMA flood zone restrictions, CRMC (Coastal Resource Management Council) requirements, local zoning rules, and septic system approvals with ease, ensuring your project progresses without unnecessary delays.
Worried about how salt, air, wind and water will impact your home…
…and want a builder with proven expertise in designing and constructing homes that are both stunning and resilient, using weather-resistant materials and advanced techniques to stand the test of time.
Concerned about balancing beauty with durability…
…and want a partner who understands how to create a home that harmonizes with the natural surroundings while protecting your investment against the harsh coastal elements.
Afraid of delays and rising costs derailing your dream home…
…and need a builder who provides a streamlined process, keeps everything on track, and delivers your home on time and within budget.
Feeling burdened by the complexity of assembling a qualified team…
…as architects often focus solely on design and leave you to coordinate civil engineers, biologists, surveyors, and septic designers, permitting and selecting contractors. Managing these moving parts can quickly become a full-time job, adding stress to an already complex process.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
When Building Your Coastal Home
It’s an unfortunate reality: many coastal home projects stall out before they even begin. Clients spend thousands on designs that fail to meet regulatory requirements, leaving them frustrated, disheartened, and no closer to their dream home.
So what’s the answer?
Hill & Harbor:
Your All-Inclusive
Solution for Coastal
Home Design + Build
Whether your vision includes a sleek coastal design or a timeless shingle style overlooking the water, we simplify the complex process of building your dream coastal home by managing every layer of regulation and offering a seamless, end-to-end service.
Take one of our clients in Narragansett as an example. Their property fell under strict CRMC (Coastal Resource Management Council) jurisdiction, meaning demolition of their existing home would result in losing their buildable rights.
While others told them it couldn’t be done, we found a creative solution. By reconfiguring the roofline and optimizing the layout, we delivered a home that felt virtually brand-new—all while staying within regulatory guidelines.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls When Building Your Coastal Home
It’s an unfortunate reality: many coastal home projects stall out before they even begin. Clients spend thousands on designs that fail to meet regulatory requirements, leaving them frustrated, disheartened, and no closer to their dream home.
So what’s the answer?
Hill & Harbor:
Your All-Inclusive
Solution for Coastal
Home Design + Build
Whether your vision includes a sleek coastal design or a timeless shingle style overlooking the water, we simplify the complex process of building your dream coastal home by managing every layer of regulation and offering a seamless, end-to-end service.
Take one of our clients in Narragansett as an example. Their property fell under strict CRMC (Coastal Resource Management Council) jurisdiction, meaning demolition of their existing home would result in losing their buildable rights.
While others told them it couldn’t be done, we found a creative solution. By reconfiguring the roofline and optimizing the layout, we delivered a home that felt virtually brand-new—all while staying within regulatory guidelines.
A Coastal Home Built to Last
Coastal homes face relentless exposure to salt air, wind, and water, making durability as critical as beauty. Small oversights can lead to significant problems:
- Substandard materials can fail within years, while premium
choices last decades. - Weak water barriers let moisture seep in, causing rot, rust, and
long-term damage.
That’s why we go beyond standard practices to ensure your home is designed to endure the elements:
- Impact-rated windows to withstand hurricane-level winds.
- Specialized exterior materials to resist salt air and corrosion.
- Blue skin vapor barriers for a watertight seal.
- Stainless steel nails and fasteners to prevent rust and structural failure.
With Hill & Harbor Design + Build, you can rest easy knowing your coastal retreat is not only stunning but built to endure everything the ocean throws its way.
Choose and Refer Us Time and Time Again
Reason 1: Every Detail of Your Coastal Home, Seamlessly Handled
Building a coastal home doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Yet, it often does, with clients left juggling too many moving parts.
The result? Miscommunication, endless delays, and budgets spiraling out of control.
At Hill & Harbor Design + Build, we take the stress out of the process. From start to finish, every detail of your coastal home is managed by our in-house team. Permitting, design, engineering, construction, and even furnishings are managed under one roof, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
With our exclusive Blueprint System, we meticulously plan every step of your project and keep everything on track. You’ll have one dedicated partner guiding you through the process, making it simple and seamless.
Here’s how we make your vision a reality:
- Planning for Success: We interpret CRMC’s strict regulations to maximize the potential of your property, ensuring your design adheres to all requirements.
- Regulatory Expertise: From FEMA flood zone codes, Town Regulations, Zoning and Planning Regulations to DEM septic system approvals, we navigate every layer of red tape so you don’t have to.
- Integrated Design and Build: Once permits are in place, we move straight into construction-ready plans and help you choose materials that match your vision.
No Delays, No Surprises: By the time construction begins, every detail is finalized. Each phase is carefully coordinated to avoid unnecessary delays and ensure exceptional results.
Reason 2: Design Comes First
Coastal homes require more than just functional design—they must be built to thrive in harsh conditions without sacrificing aesthetics. Yet, too often, the focus is solely on protection, leaving clients with spaces that feel boring and practical rather than luxurious.
At Hill & Harbor Design + Build, we put design at the heart of everything we do. Our design-first philosophy ensures your coastal home is as stunning as it is resilient — delivering architectural excellence that rivals the finest firms at a fraction of the cost.
Due to our streamlined processes, we are able to achieve this by dedicating just 3-7% of the total project budget to design (compared to the industry norm of 10-20%), and create spaces that are:
- Functional and beautiful: Balancing open, airy layouts with the latest in coastal engineering.
- Tailored to your needs: We design with your family’s lifestyle and preferences in mind, ensuring every detail enhances your experience.
Ready for flawless execution: Every design decision is curated to prevent delays and ensure precision during construction.
Reason 3: A Unified Team, Working for You
Building a coastal home is too complex to leave to chance. Yet, many clients are forced to juggle architects, engineers, builders, and contractors, hoping everything aligns. The result? Miscommunication, delays, and frustration.
At Hill & Harbor Design + Build, we’ve streamlined this process. Our team of architects, designers, engineers, builders, and project managers work under one roof, collaborating seamlessly to ensure every aspect of your project is perfectly executed.
Here’s how our team-first approach makes a difference:
- Integrated collaboration: Everyone involved in your project works in harmony, eliminating miscommunication and ensuring your vision is realized down to the smallest detail.
- Stringent standards: Every trade professional we work with is rigorously vetted to meet our elevated expectations for craftsmanship, reliability, and coastal expertise.
- Specialized coastal knowledge: From materials selection to structural engineering, our team has decades of experience building homes that thrive in the unique challenges of coastal environments.
To ensure every detail is handled with precision, we’ve developed a rigorous onboarding process for our Craftsman that includes:
- Background checks to confirm insurance, licensing, and reliability.
- Thorough project reviews to evaluate previous craftsmanship and expertise.
Clear timelines and benchmarks to ensure your home is built on schedule and to the highest standards.
Reason 4: Built to Last, Delivered up to 3x Faster
Salt air, strong winds, and heavy moisture can compromise even the most beautiful homes if they’re not built properly.
That’s why every material, design decision, and construction technique is chosen with durability in mind, so your home is built to weather the elements for decades to come, without sacrificing its beauty.
But building for durability doesn’t mean you have to wait years. While traditional builders often stretch timelines due to fragmented processes, we’ve streamlined every stage to design and deliver your coastal retreat in just 12 to 14 months.
Take our recent Coastal Modern Home project in Tiverton, RI, for example: The clients met with us in April, and by late May, we had already completed the architectural design and budgeting. Thanks to our efficient process, their home will be ready by the following April — the same timeframe it would have normally taken just to design and finish the construction drawings.
Reason 5: Transparent Pricing: Complete Clarity, No Surprises
When building a coastal home, hidden costs and vague estimates can turn excitement into stress. Many architects and builders fail to account for the complexities of coastal construction, leaving you with unexpected expenses and frustrating change orders.
At Hill & Harbor Design + Build, we eliminate the guesswork. From the start, you’ll know exactly where every dollar is going with our fixed-price agreements and detailed budgets:
- Comprehensive breakdowns: Our budgets often span 30+ pages, outlining every element of your home, from Appliances to Landscaping , and everything in between.
- Savings passed back to you: If you choose an option that comes in under budget, the difference is returned to you.
Thanks to our meticulous planning and efficient processes, many of our clients even finish their projects under budget.
Reason 5: Transparent Pricing: Complete Clarity, No Surprises
When building a coastal home, hidden costs and vague estimates can turn excitement into stress. Many architects and builders fail to account for the complexities of coastal construction, leaving you with unexpected expenses and frustrating change orders.
At Hill & Harbor Design + Build, we eliminate the guesswork. From the start, you’ll know exactly where every dollar is going with our fixed-price agreements and detailed budgets:
- Comprehensive breakdowns: Our budgets often span 30+ pages, outlining every element of your home, from Appliances to Landscaping , and everything in between.
- Savings passed back to you: If you choose an option that comes in under budget, the difference is returned to you.
Thanks to our meticulous planning and efficient processes, many of our clients even finish their projects under budget.
Reason 6: Impeccable Quality, Guaranteed at Every Step
When building on the coast, even a small mistake—like improper waterproofing or the wrong materials—can lead to catastrophic issues over time.
This is why we’ve built rigorous quality control into every stage of our process to ensure your home isn’t just beautiful—it’s built to last:
- 3,000-point inspections: Each stage of construction undergoes a comprehensive checklist, reviewed by your dedicated project manager.
- Cross-verification: Every milestone is double-checked by another seasoned expert, often including the original project developer, ensuring precision from start to finish.
- Premium materials: From impact-rated windows to salt-resistant finishes and stainless steel fasteners, we only use materials designed to thrive in coastal conditions.
Why such attention to detail? Because we know that even minor oversights can have major consequences:
- Improper flashing can cause hidden water damage.
- Substandard waterproofing allows salt and moisture to corrode structural elements.
- Inferior materials, like standard cedar shingles, may fail within five years in coastal environments.
By the time your home is complete, our goal is tol have fewer than ten minor punch-list items—far below industry averages. And if anything ever does arise, we stand by our work. Any issue related to our craftsmanship will be resolved promptly and professionally.
Reason 7: A Bespoke Experience - Let Us Handle the Details While You Enjoy the Journey
Building your coastal home should be exciting, not overwhelming. But too often, clients are left managing contractors, approvals, and timelines—turning what should be a dream project into a full-time job.
At Hill & Harbor Design + Build, we’ve elevated the process to match the beauty of the homes we create. From your first consultation to the final walkthrough, we handle every detail so you can sit back and enjoy the journey.
Here’s what you can expect:
- One point of contact: No chasing architects, builders,contractors or juggling multiple teams. You’ll have a dedicated partner guiding you through every step.
- Real-time updates: Our proprietary client portal keeps you informed with photos, progress updates, and clear timelines.
- Tailored service: Every decision reflects your style and needs, ensuring your home feels uniquely yours.
Imagine dining at a fine-dining restaurant. You’re not in the kitchen overseeing the chef—you’re at the table, confident that every detail is being handled with care. That’s the experience Hill & Harbor delivers for your coastal home.
Reason 8: Confidence at Every Step - Stay Informed and in Control
Coastal construction comes with complexities, but that doesn’t mean it has to leave you feeling uncertain or overwhelmed. At Hill & Harbor, we ensure you’re informed and confident every step of the way with clear communication and complete transparency.
Our proprietary client portal acts as your project’s digital command center, giving you full visibility into every detail. Here’s what you can expect:
- Weekly updates with photos and progress reports to keep you informed.
- A clear timeline so you’ll always know what’s happening next.
- Personalized to-do lists to ensure no detail is overlooked.
In addition to the portal, we schedule on-site milestone meetings at key stages of your project, giving you the chance to see your home come to life without feeling overwhelmed.
From the first permit application to the final walkthrough, we’re by your side—answering questions, solving challenges, and ensuring your home exceeds all expectations.
Reason 9: You’re in Control: A Coastal Retreat That’s Uniquely Yours
Building your coastal home is deeply personal—it’s about crafting a space that reflects your lifestyle, your vision, and your connection to the water. Unfortunately, many builders prioritize their own preferences, resulting in homes that feel generic and lack individuality.
At Hill & Harbor Design + Build, we make sure your vision leads every decision. Your story becomes the heart of your home.
Here’s how we bring your ideas to life:
- 70-point onboarding questionnaire: We dive deep into understanding how you plan to use your coastal retreat, what matters most to you, and how to balance modern comforts with the beauty of your surroundings.
- Custom design tailored to your vision: Whether you dream of a sleek modern escape or a classic New England cottage, we craft designs that reflect your personality while blending seamlessly with the coastal landscape.
- Your priorities, always: We don’t impose a cookie-cutter style or cut corners. Every detail is tailored to your preferences, ensuring your home is as functional as it is beautiful.
Make no mistake, you’re always in control. From concept to completion, your home will feel uniquely yours—designed to reflect your vision and crafted to enhance your life.
Reason 10: Fewer Projects, Better Results: Focused Attention on Every Detail
Excellence demands focus, but many builders juggle far too many projects at once, leading to missed details, miscommunication, and delays. When a project manager is responsible for 15 or even 20 builds, quality inevitably suffers.
By intentionally limiting the number of projects we take on, we ensure every client receives the focused attention and care they deserve. Our project managers oversee just three to four builds at a time, allowing us to deliver:
- Dedicated communication: You’ll always know where your project stands, with no gaps or delays.
- Meticulous craftsmanship: Every detail is reviewed, inspected, and perfected to ensure your home meets the highest standards.
- Timely progress: Your home stays on schedule because we never overburden our team.
For us, your coastal home isn’t just another project—it’s a priority. By focusing on fewer builds, we ensure each home is a masterpiece, designed and crafted with unmatched care and precision.
What Other Hill & Harbor Design + Build Clients Say
At Hill & Harbor, we measure our success by the satisfaction of our clients. Here’s what they’re saying:
“We just completed a first floor and kitchen renovation with Hill and Harbor. We wanted to work with a design build firm who would handle all aspects of the project and finish on time. Hill and Harbor made the whole process incredibly easy.
From the initial scope conversations with Paul to the budget, design and execution we had an excellent experience working with Hill and Harbor. I worked closely with their Interior Designer on all aspects of the design and couldn’t have done this project without them! They was able to capture my vision early on and made everything so easy. Each design meeting was incredibility efficient and fun! Their expertise during the sections process really helped pull the entire project together. We’re so happy with the final result.
We also worked with George who was an amazing Project Manager. We had a few other projects pop up along the way and George incorporated them into the scope flawlessly. His communication throughout the entire project kept us in the loop on all of the project details and completion timeline.
Overall, Hill and Harbor provided us an expectational experience and we’re so happy with the finished project. We look forward to working with them again in the future.”
— Heather M., East Greenwich
Free Expert Guidance to Start
Your Coastal Home Journey
Building a coastal home is an exciting journey, but it comes with unique challenges—from navigating regulatory hurdles to ensuring your home withstands the elements. Without the right guidance, the process can feel overwhelming.
That’s why we offer a Free Coastal Home Discovery Call—a no-obligation opportunity to gain clarity, confidence, and expert direction before you begin.
Here’s what you’ll gain during your call:
- A clear vision of your project: We’ll help you articulate what you truly want from your coastal home, guided by thoughtful questions that only seasoned experts would know to ask.
- Expert insights into the process: Understand what to expect, avoid common pitfalls, and learn how to ensure a smooth journey from concept to completion.
- Transparent cost overview: Get a sense of the financial scope, with strategies to maximize your budget without compromising quality.
- Tailored advice: Explore how we can help you navigate complex regulations, build for resilience, and create a home that reflects your style and withstands the test of time
Why choose Hill & Harbor? Because we’re an all-inclusive firm who handles the entire process—seamlessly, expertly, and effortless. From navigating red tape to delivering impeccable craftsmanship, we’re here to make your dream coastal home a reality.
Your journey to the perfect coastal home starts here. Book your Free Coastal Home Discovery and let’s explore how we can bring your dreams to life—beautifully, effortlessly, and built to last.
