How to choose your LBI custom build dream team

LBI Custom New Build

Assembling your dream team: builder, architect, and designer for your LBI home

Building a home on Long Beach Island isn’t just about plans and permits - it’s about finding the people you trust to bring your vision to life. When you have the right team, the process feels exciting and intentional, even when the inevitable curveballs of coastal construction come up. With the wrong team, it can quickly turn into months of stress (and no one wants their beach house to feel stressful).

For most of my clients who don’t live full-time on the island, your builder, architect, and interior designer become your “boots on the ground.” We’re the ones keeping an eye on the details, solving problems before they land on your plate, and making sure your home feels just the way you imagined it - and better.

Why local experience matters

LBI isn’t like building in the suburbs. Every township has its own zoning rules, and coastal building codes can be tricky. Add in things like wind load, flood zone requirements, and salt exposure, and you’ll want a team who already knows how to navigate it all.

A local builder, architect, and designer will:

  • Plan for elevation and FEMA flood compliance

  • Know township-specific permitting inside and out

  • Maximize your views without pushing height restrictions

  • Choose finishes and furnishings that stand up to salt air and sand

That insider knowledge isn’t just about saving weeks in approvals or avoiding costly change orders - it’s about creating a home that’s actually livable and low-maintenance once you’re here.

How to vet a builder

When narrowing your list, think beyond just skill and look at fit:

  • Reputation and track record: ask for references, tour completed homes, and make sure they’ve built something similar to what you’re dreaming of

  • Communication style: you’ll be in touch a lot. Make sure you feel heard and that they keep you in the loop

  • Transparency: no one likes surprises when it comes to costs or timelines. A good builder will be upfront and honest from the start

The best builders see themselves as partners - and they’ll welcome your questions along the way.

The role of the architect and designer

Some builders offer design-build services, while others collaborate with independent architects and designers. Either way, your architect sets the structure, and your designer makes sure the way you’ll actually live in the house is accounted for. From the flow of your floor plan to the durability of your fabrics, design details matter early on - not just at the end when it’s time to pick paint colors.

As a designer, my role is to:

  • Translate how you want to live into spaces that function beautifully

  • Select materials and finishes that work with the coastal environment

  • Partner with your architect and builder to keep everything cohesive

  • Make the process feel enjoyable instead of overwhelming

When the whole team is aligned, it prevents the dreaded “design vs. budget” tug-of-war and keeps your project moving forward smoothly.

Building a relationship, not just a house

This isn’t just about building four walls and a roof - it’s about building trust. The team you choose will be with you from the very first sketches all the way to the final walk-through. You want people who don’t just have the right expertise, but who also make you feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and leaning on them when things get tricky.

On an island where the weather, tides, and even permitting timelines can shift at a moment’s notice, that trust matters more than anything.

When you have the right builder, architect, and designer in place, the process stops being stressful and starts being something you can look forward to - watching your vision come to life and knowing it’s in capable, caring hands.

Final thoughts

At the end of the day, building your dream home on LBI should feel like an adventure, not an obstacle. With the right team - builder, architect, and designer working together - you can feel confident that every decision is being guided by expertise, care, and a deep understanding of coastal living.

As an interior designer who specializes in family-centered coastal homes, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful the right collaboration can be. My role is to make sure your home feels effortless, intentional, and true to the way you want to live here - so all you have to do is look forward to that first morning coffee on the deck, with the ocean breeze right outside your door.

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Designing your LBI beach house: Balancing dream features with coastal reality

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Bay or ocean? Choosing the perfect lot on LBI