Looking to build a custom home on the Brigantine barrier island? Whether you already own a lot or you’re evaluating land to buy, McHugh Builders works with you from first sketch to final walkthrough. We’ve completed 10+ custom homes in Brigantine and the surrounding shore towns — each one engineered for the salt, sand, and storms that come with coastal living.
Building a home near or in Brigantine is different than other towns, it requires navigating strict FEMA flood codes, sandy soil conditions, and intense salt air environments. You need a builder who understands the science behind the structure.
Led by Ted McHugh, a degreed expert in Construction Management and Engineering Technology, McHugh Builders brings a commercial level of organization to residential construction. We don’t just build homes that look beautiful on Day 1; we engineer homes that stand strong against nor’easters and salt spray for decades to come.
Every custom home starts with your vision, but in Brigantine, that vision has to work within the island's specific constraints — lot setbacks, flood zone elevation requirements, and height restrictions that vary by block. We work directly with you and your architect (or one of our trusted local partners) to design a home that maximizes your lot's potential. Whether you're drawn to one of our signature floor plans or starting from a blank sheet, we'll make sure the design accounts for Brigantine's FEMA codes, wind load requirements, and the coastal building standards that many mainland architects overlook.
Architectural plans for a Brigantine custom home typically run $15,000–$40,000+ depending on whether you're modifying a proven coastal design or starting from scratch. Modifying one of our existing Brigantine-ready plans is often the most cost-effective route — the structural engineering is already solved for the island's conditions.
Brigantine's permitting process involves coordination between the City Construction Office, the zoning board, and FEMA compliance reviews. We handle all of it — building permits, zoning applications, flood zone documentation, and utility coordination. If your lot requires a zoning variance (common with undersized lots on the island), we've been through that process dozens of times and know exactly what the board looks for. Expect the permitting phase to add 3–6 months before construction begins — we work to keep that timeline as tight as possible.
Once we break ground, you're looking at 9–12 months to completion for most custom homes. Ted McHugh manages every project personally — not a rotating crew of site supervisors. You'll have direct access to your builder throughout the process, with regular updates and site visits whenever you want them. We build frame-to-finish with our own trusted trade partners, not the lowest bidder we found this month.
Your relationship with McHugh Builders doesn't end at the final walkthrough. We conduct a thorough quality inspection, address any punch list items, and remain available for warranty support. Many of our clients come back to us for additions, renovations, or outdoor living upgrades after they've settled in — we're here when you're ready.
Many builders cut corners where you can’t see them. We believe those are the most important parts of a coastal home.
Structural Integrity: We go beyond code with engineered structural hold-downs and continuous load paths to secure your home against hurricane-force winds.
Foundation Expertise: Whether your lot requires deep-driven timber piles or helical systems, we manage the entire geotechnical process to ensure your home sits on solid ground.
Smart Details: From mounting electrical meters on PVC blocks to protect your siding, to using high-grade stainless steel fasteners that resist corrosion, our specs are written for the coast.
If you are new to Brigantine or nearby areas, you might wonder why so many custom homes feature the kitchen and great room on the top floor. This isn’t an accident; it is a strategic design choice for coastal living, often called “Reverse Living.”
At McHugh Builders, we specialize in this layout to unlock the full potential of your lot.
Capture the Views: On a barrier island, the best views aren’t at street level—they are above the dune line. By placing your Kitchen, Dining, and Living Room on the top floor (as seen in this project), you gain panoramic sightlines of the Atlantic Ocean or the Bay while you cook and entertain.
Privacy & Light: Street-level living can feel exposed. Elevating your main gathering spaces moves you away from the noise of the sidewalk and bathes your home in natural sunlight, unobstructed by neighboring fences or hedges.
Vaulted Volume: With the main living area on the top floor, we can design dramatic cathedral ceilings that follow the roofline. This creates an airy, spacious feel that simply isn’t possible on the ground floor.
Integrated Outdoor Living: Notice the wrap-around decks on the upper level. In an upside-down home, your indoor living space flows seamlessly onto these elevated decks, capturing the sea breeze where it’s strongest.
If you are new to Brigantine or nearby areas, you might wonder why so many custom homes feature the kitchen and great room on the top floor. This isn’t an accident; it is a strategic design choice for coastal living, often called “Reverse Living.”
In Brigantine, the outdoors is an extension of your living room. But coastal outdoor spaces need to be more than just wood planks nailed together; they need to be engineered for harsh weather and high-end entertainment. We make the most out of your lot by incorporating luxury outdoor integrations seamlessly with the interior of your home.
As seen in this custom build, we treat your decks and terraces as primary living zones.
Multi-Level Entertaining: This project showcases how we maximize vertical space. From the shaded ground-level patio to the expansive second-story dining terrace and the private rooftop sundeck, we create distinct “zones” for every time of day.
Integrated Plunge Pools: Why take up your entire backyard? We specialize in integrating elevated plunge pools (like the one visible here) directly into the deck structure. This requires precise structural engineering to handle the immense weight of the water—something our team manages in-house.
Fiberglass & Composite Decking: We build with materials that resist the salt. The seamless fiberglass decking shown here provides a waterproof roof for the patio below while offering a smooth, barefoot-friendly surface that won’t splinter or rot.
Building on a barrier island like brigantine costs more than building on the mainland — that’s the reality of deep foundations, elevated construction, beach-front property, and stricter code requirements. Here’s what we often give to homeowners looking to develop a budget as the price of a home can vary significantly:
Typically any quote you receive from us includes:
Due to the complexities with building a home, we always recommend reaching out to our team for a free site consultation so you can get a good rough estimate for where your project might land.
If your dream home is built on the oceanfront it will require VE zone pile foundations for FEMA compliance which increases cost and labor, additionally any high-end finishes such as custom cabinetry, imported tile, etc. can raise costs.
Any pricing guidance offered is made to provide a rough budget, however it does not include furniture, land, landscaping or pool / spa construction. These are separate line items that we can help you budget for during the planning phase!
When you get a McHugh built home, you get a gorgeous living space that’s engineered to last. Explore our portfolio below!
We build custom homes across the South Jersey barrier islands, including Brigantine, Longport, Margate, and Ventnor. We also take on select projects in Absecon, Atlantic City, and Northfield. Each town has different zoning, flood zone maps, and lot restrictions — and we know how to navigate all of them.
Ready to begin designing a home you will love? Reach out today and Ted McHugh will be in touch very soon!
Building a custom home is a major investment — here’s what you need to know before you start. Honest answers to the questions we hear most from homeowners looking to build in Brigantine.
From the moment we break ground to the day we hand you the keys, a typical timeline is 9 to 12 months. However, the pre-construction phase (permits, architectural design, and zoning variances) can add 3–6 months before construction begins. We work closely with the City of Brigantine to keep your paperwork moving so we can start building as soon as possible.
While most of our clients already own their lot (or are tearing down an existing home), we frequently help clients evaluate land before they buy. We offer Site Feasibility Consultations where we meet you at a prospective property to discuss what can actually be built there. We check for "undersized lot" restrictions and flood zone implications so you don't buy a property that can't support your dream home.
You can, but you don't have to. We are happy to build from plans you already have. If you haven't started yet, we can recommend several trusted local architects who specialize in Brigantine coastal codes. We often collaborate with architects during the design phase to "value engineer" the plans—ensuring the design matches your budget before you pay for final blueprints.
Yes. We are a full-service General Contractor. If you are doing a "tear-down and rebuild," we handle the entire demolition process, including utility disconnects, asbestos abatement (if required), and debris removal. We leave you with a clean slate, ready for your new foundation.
