At Bellwether, we believe that the most important detail is you.
From the first Discovery Call to the final walk through we intentionally listen to your unique needs and desires.
Together we design and build a home for the way you live.
Bellwether Design + Build promotes quality of life and human connection through thoughtfully designed and constructed homes in Lowcountry.
Joining with a premier collective of leading design professionals, trade partners and artisans, Bellwether’s generational experience translates into a unique perspective in design, and construction processes.
Our Values
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We provide personalized, one on one attention, ensuring every detail of your project reflects your unique vision and preferences. We selectively build only a handful of special projects each year.
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Our in-house design experience offers a seamless process with expert designers guiding you every step of the way during architecture and finish design, to create a home that aligns with your style and desired investment.
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We prioritize transparency in every aspect of the budgeting and construction process, identifying the items that move the needle the most in cost, intrinsic value, and in time so you stay informed and confident in your decisions.
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We guarantee you are kept in the loop with regular updates and prompt responses to your questions at every stage of the project. When issues arise, we will come to the table with solutions. If a human mistake has been made, we will own up to it and course correct so you remain delighted.
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Service 01
Bespoke Design and Construction
Do you desire a fully custom home? Work with our partner architects to design the home of your dreams, utilize our in-house curated design experience to select finishes, and be ready to begin construction with us in 8-12 months.
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Service 02
Customized Portfolio Plans
Want to fast track your build? Find a plan within our collection of portfolio plans, work with us to modify it, choose from our finish selections and be ready for construction in 4-6 months.
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Service 03
Significant Remodels and Additions
Do you love your home but desire a refresh? Have you purchased an existing home and wish to make it uniquely yours, or do you wish to add on? Utilize Bellwether’s boutique design-build experience to breathe new life into your existing home.
Whether you are planning a new build or the transformation of an existing home, you need more than a contractor. You need a trusted partner who will not only execute your vision, but also give you the design-build experience you deserve.
Building and remodeling can be difficult. We’ve reimagined a new experience with unique floor plans, designer-curated finish collections, hassle-free full customization, and transparent communication and advice to help you create a home you love.
Kind Words
From Past Clients
“Building isn’t just a job to Bellwether. We can tell they really love building a family’s dream home…
With post-Covid supply chain and labor challenges, we knew the decision to build not only one home but two would be an extreme challenge for any builder. Leah was transparent, patient with our last minute ideas, easy to communicate with, and understood that maintaining our budget was a top priority for us. Even admidst the few challenges we experienced, we always knew that the Bellwether team had our wellbeing in the forefront of their minds.
We simply cannot speak highly enough of Bellwether’s willingness to work with us when we became stressed and needed to get creative to stay on track.”
— Clifton & Leslie Bigwood
Our Process
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![Porch door of South Carolina custom home]()
01. Consultation + Tour
This is the getting to know you stage. We listen to your dreams for a new home, help organize your needs, tour homes and assess your property or the home-sites you’re considering.
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![Modern custom kitchen in Bluffton SC custom home]()
02. Preliminary Specs + Proposal
Based on your needs, we will provide you with a preliminary proposal and digest of specs.
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![Wet bar in Hilton Head luxury custom home by Bellwether Design and Build]()
03. Planning Agreement
With an executed Planning Agreement and Planning Fee we begin customizing or designing your home with our partner architects. The Planning Fee goes toward your future build with Bellwether, and credited against your final construction draw.
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![Modern, moody fireplace in South Carolina custom home]()
04. Specs + Finishes Development
We shepherd you through the design process for specs and finishes prior to contract for accurate project budgeting.
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![Open entryway of Bluffton custom home build]()
05. Architectural Review Board
We guide you through the review process, spearheading submissions and attending all meetings while the plans are in review.
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![Modern kitchen in South Carolina custom home in Bluffton SC]()
06. Construction Agreement
Plans and specifications are priced by our trade and vendor partners, then compiled into a comprehensive budget that determines final pricing. The Construction Agreement is our final proposal to you, and outlines our construction pricing, deliverables, full specs and allowances.
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![Neutral bathroom with beautiful bathtub in South Carolina custom home]()
07. Construction
After we receive an executed Construction Agreement and the required deposit, we begin your build in earnest!
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![Coastal home exterior for Bluffton SC custom home build by Bellwether Design]()
08. Closing + Warranty
Once your home is complete and the final draw is paid, we formally turn your new home over to you. You then enter the Warranty phase of your Bellwether journey.
collection of Work
free downloads
Make Planning Your Custom Home a Breeze
Gain access to our exclusive library of home planning resources and assessments to help make planning your custom home project a breeze.
PHILANTHROPIC INITIATIVE
Good Measure
Good Measure, is Bellwether Design + Build’s philanthropic initiative to create stability and self-reliance through community-wide access to food, shelter and medicine. Bellwether imagines and endeavors to build a Lowcountry where everyone has access to a hot meal, a place to call home and medical care. That’s why a portion of Bellwether profits will be invested in Lowcountry-based community organizations that drive sustainable change.
Ready to get started?
Stop searching for that perfect home and start creating it.
Whether you are actively planning to build in the next six months, or only beginning to dream about the future, we’d love to get to know you and your plans to build or remodel a home in the Lowcountry.