Hamptons Architect: Building a summer home in the Hamptons

One of the unique aspects of life in the Hamptons is its ability to slow time down. For many residents, it’s a summer retreat, to escape the busy work life between May and August. Establishing that summer home provides a destination for relaxation. But it can also provide some specific challenges, whether trying to coordinate the purchase or renovation of the home from a distance or working with difficult terrain and zoning issues.

It helps to have not only an experienced architect to help guide your decision on your second home but to have one who’s experienced specifically in the Hamptons. We all love being here to be immersed in the beauty of the natural environment here. As a result, the East End has some of the most aggressive conservation efforts in America. This is a fantastic step in preserving the rural wildness of the Hamptons, but it can make for delays or at worse denials for building, adding, or renovating homes.

I’ve been building homes and commercial spaces in the Hamptons for several decades. Here are some of the questions folks ask me when they’re building their summer home for the first time.

How do I find the appropriate architects for my project? How do I know you’re right for the job?

A knowledgeable architect is going to ask you the right questions. Any professional of a craft should be a good listener to hone in on the vision and requirements of the project. Some individuals want full control over the project, while others want to hand it over the details and decision makings to the architect, and a well-seasoned professional can guide both.  Choosing someone who is transparent about budgeting and the scope of the project in terms of timing and any foreseeable challenges will set you up for realistic expectations. This can be particularly important if you’ve worked with an architect or firm before and had a less than exceptional experience.

What’s your architectural style?

Logistics and communication aside, the next thing to look for is the architect’s style. An established architect or firm should have a portfolio of completed works and schematics for you to review. Do not feel that you need to be boxed into the exact styles and designs that the architect has already created. Chances are, they have a much broader scope of stylistic expression to apply to your design, so use that past portfolio as a springboard for the imagination. 

How much can I expect to spend on architectural work for my summer home?

This is probably the number one question that all clients ask. 

The cost of the project will vary greatly depending on many factors. We take into consideration the size and scope of the project, the types of materials we’ll use, the level of customization, and the number of people we’ll need to hire to get the job done right. The important part about pricing is to feel open discussing your budgetary expectations while remaining open to understanding what is possible given all of your desires and what’s available in the area. 

Quality materials and craftsmanship command higher prices for their durability, aesthetics, and value. Being surrounded by water and experiencing the seasons, particularly the stormy seasons, means your home or renovation needs to be built to withstand high winds, hail, ice, and snow.  It’s hard to imagine building your home to withstand the elements and time when you’re having fun in the summer, but you want to build a home to make sure you can return to it after the grueling Long Island winters. 

Cutting corners on your budget can mean real repercussions down the road that are more expensive. Setting the wrong foundation, having faults and leaks means necessary renovations rather than the recreational type of renovation. Building a quality home from the start or buying to renovate for quality protects your investment and will only increase your home’s value. Beyond saving money over time, building your Hamptons summer home with a solid foundation means greater enjoyment. You want to spend the summer in your home enjoying the time in it, not solving problems from a wayward builder.

Do you have questions about buying or building your summer home in the Hamptons? Let’s talk.