General Contractors in Charleston, SC
Building in Charleston means building inside one of the most protected historic landscapes in the country — and one of the most flood-exposed. Both realities shape every project on the peninsula and the surrounding islands.
Building in Charleston
The Charleston Board of Architectural Review governs exterior work across the historic district, and the process is unforgiving of guesswork. Materials, colors, window profiles, and even mechanical placement can require approval. We design to BAR expectations up front so review adds certainty instead of months.
Charleston's flood code is stricter than the FEMA minimum. The city requires freeboard — finished floors elevated above base flood elevation — and enforces it hard after repeated tidal and storm flooding. We build to the city's elevation requirements and detail the crawlspaces, flood vents, and utilities to match.
Peninsula lots are tight, old, and often built on fill. Access, shoring, protecting the neighbor's 1840s masonry party wall, and working around live downtown streets are part of the job. Our field supervision is built for constrained historic sites, not just open suburban pads.
What building in Charleston really involves
- Board of Architectural Review approval for historic-district exteriors
- Freeboard requirement — finished floors elevated above base flood elevation
- Flood vents, elevated utilities, and FEMA flood-zone compliance
- Tight peninsula lots — access, shoring, and protecting adjacent historic structures
Our services in Charleston
Five service lines under one accountable contract — from a free evaluation to the day you get the keys.
Ground-up commercial builds, tenant buildouts, HOA & community projects, and full permitting — delivered on schedule across the Lowcountry.
Explore Commercial Construction →Custom homes, in-house design, and thoughtful additions — built for how Lowcountry families actually live.
Explore Custom Residential →Automotive, chemical, and manufacturing facilities plus government-spec work — built to code, built to spec, built to last.
Explore Light Industrial →Historic restoration, luxury interior renovations, and structural leveling for the Lowcountry's oldest and finest homes.
Explore Historic & Luxury Renovations →Free pre-construction consultation, site services, site supervision, and project management — the groundwork that keeps a build on budget.
Explore Pre-Construction →Frequently asked questions
Both, depending on the scope of the project — whichever approach is most cost effective for you.
Yes. Hale Development is a fully licensed, insured, and bonded general contractor.
Every project is unique, so there is no one-size-fits-all number. Our Pre-Construction Evaluation and Estimate are free — that's where we give you a real figure.
Timelines depend on scope, permitting, and site conditions. Your free estimate always comes with a projected timeline.
Yes. Hale Development is proudly family-owned and operated by Robert and Marissa Hale, with 30+ years of commercial and industrial experience behind every project.
We serve the South Carolina Lowcountry: Summerville, Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Goose Creek, and Moncks Corner.
Building in Charleston? Let's talk.
The pre-construction consultation is free. Blueprints or a napkin sketch — we'll tell you what it really takes.