Custom Home Builders & Residential Contractors in Charleston, SC

Building a custom home or expanding your property footprint in the Charleston Lowcountry is deeply personal. It demands a contractor who offers more than just construction experience—it requires a dedicated local partner who treats your investment with the respect it deserves.

CUSTOM HOME BUILDING

HOME ADDITIONS

HOME REMODELING

At Stono Construction, we are a small, boutique residential building firm co-founded by John Goodwin and Dan Logan. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, bringing over 20 years of hands-on local expertise to high-end custom builds, structural additions, and whole-home remodeling.

Because we are boutique by design, we strictly limit our annual project volume. Your home will be managed directly by a principal of our company who is physically on your job site every single day work is active—ensuring a true face-to-face partnership from your first site evaluation until moving day.

Stately grounds from view of cabana and pool deck addition.
Looking from kitchen into living room at natural wood paneled ceiling, ship lap walls, unique decor mixed with modern and classic coastal styles.

Specialized Lowcountry Residential Services

We strictly execute provided architectural plans, specializing in complex, multi-trade projects that require absolute craftsmanship and precise financial management.

Custom Home Building on Your Lot

Building a custom estate from scratch is an intricate process. Whether you already own land or are evaluating a property before purchase, we manage the entire on-lot construction process. From clearing and utility routing to advanced coastal framing, we ensure your provided architectural plans are executed beautifully.

Learn More About Custom Building

Beautiful aerial view of a coastal home from the back at dusk Lights of the home are glowing and the left side of the home is a tiered wall made entirely of oyster shell tabby with an ornamental deck-top pool fountain on the main living level.

Seamless Home Additions

When you love your neighborhood but have outgrown your square footage, a structural expansion is the ideal solution. We specialize in complex main-level footprint extensions, vertical second-story additions, and detached garage apartments or “Flex Suite” accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

Learn More About Home Additions

Covered patio and pool deck with river view and dock in the distance.

Whole-Home Remodeling

Transform the entire flow and functionality of your interior spaces while preserving the exterior character of an established property. We manage down-to-the-studs remodeling, structural load-bearing wall modifications, and luxury kitchen and bathroom overhauls based on your architectural specifications.

Learn More About Home Remodeling

Custom home kitchen addition with custom cabinetry in beautiful contrasting natural stained and painted charcoal gray accents, marble countertops and stainless steel appliances.
Breathtaking marsh view from the arm of a teak armchair on wooden deck.
Direct view of main entry Charleston row home with brick steps, blue door and grean and white siding.

Hyper-Local Geographic Expertise

Every neighborhood in the Charleston area presents distinct environmental, historical, and zoning parameters. Because we live and build here, our small team knows exactly how to handle these local realities:

Downtown Charleston

Navigating tight urban footprints, respecting historic aesthetics, and executing certified lead-safe construction.

West Ashley

Navigating a mix of established, mid-century neighborhoods and waterfront properties—specializing in updating classic floor plans and executing footprint expansions along the Ashley River corridor.

South Mt. Pleasant (South of I-526)

Blending classic Lowcountry architecture with modern durability and updating homes to meet the growing property values of this area.

The Barrier Islands (Johns Island, James Island, Wadmalaw)

Managing grand live oak canopy restrictions, private utility routing, DHEC septic engineering, and marshfront critical line setbacks.

Featured Portfolio: Lowcountry Craftsmanship

We believe that elite execution speaks louder than marketing filler. Because we focus on quality over volume, every home in our portfolio receives our undivided attention. Explore our recent custom builds, structural additions, and whole-home transformations across the Charleston area.

Elevated Coastal Custom Homes
Historic Downtown Structural Additions
Open-Concept Whole-Home Remodels

View Our Past Projects

What Our Clients and Partners Say

“My combination rehab & new construction project was completed in 2022. Working with John Goodwin on the project, communication & follow through were key since I was out of state most of the time. Any project has surprises but when they came up, options & solutions were handled professionally. I am very pleased with the outcome & value how I can still reach out to John for support. Both John & his partner Dan run a professional operation & I recommend their services.”

Barb Nikolychik

Wadmalaw Homeowner

“Stono Construction built our beautiful home in record time. We had no supply chain issues; the materials used were best quality, and all individuals associated with the project were professional and courteous. I highly recommend this firm and would use them again.”

Maddin Corey

Wadmalaw Homeowner

“John was my first supervisor and mentor starting in 2002. John’s professionalism, organizational skills, ability to deliver consistently impressive results, team leadership and caring personality are just some of the attributes that make him a great asset to any organization. John consistently handles a heavy work load through outstanding organizational skills, the ability to challenge his direct reports with thoughtful delegation, smart work habits and a strong work ethic. John has been an exceptional leader and performer in residential construction and continues to have tremendous growth potential as an executive in the industry.”

Steven Roberts

Owner, Virginia Tradition Builders

Local Building Education & Press

We believe an educated homeowner makes the best decisions. John and Dan regularly share their decades of local expertise, industry updates, and project highlights to help you navigate the unique challenges of building in coastal South Carolina.

Navigating Permitting Timelines in Charleston County
The Homeowner’s Guide to Building for the Coastal Climate
Stono Construction in the Press: CHBA PRISM Award Highlights

Common Lowcountry Building Questions

How do you handle Charleston's flood zones?

Building in the Lowcountry requires a “flood-smart” strategy. While your architect will address many of these issues in the initial plans (such as Base Flood Elevation), Stono Construction is highly experienced in executing these builds. We specialize in elevated foundations and proactive mitigation strategies to ensure your home is resilient, compliant, and prepared for the unique coastal landscape.

Learn more about Charleston Flood Zone Considerations.

How long does a typical project take?

The timeline is influenced by several factors, including design complexity, project size, the permitting process, current material lead times and owner decisions. Typically, new home builds take 10-12 months, while large additions / remodels typically take 6-8 months. Every project is different so we use a variety of proven project management tools to keep your project on schedule and minimize delays from change orders.

Learn more about The Homebuilding Process here.

What materials do you recommend for the coastal climate?

We prioritize materials that are beautiful but durable enough to withstand Charleston’s humidity, salt air, and high winds. We often recommend fiber-cement, composite, and durable wood siding for rot resistance, metal roofing for longevity, and impact-rated windows to protect against storms and UV heat gain.

Read about Designing for the Charleston Climate here.

Are your homes energy efficient?

Absolutely. While the level of efficiency is often driven by the homeowner’s goals, we provide extensive expertise in high-performance building science. We focus on creating a tight building envelope through advanced insulation, sealing the thermal envelope, installing high-efficiency HVAC systems tailored for the Lowcountry, and utilizing high-performance windows and doors.

Where does Stono Construction work?

Where does Stono Construction work?
Currently, we only work in downtown Charleston, Mount Pleasant inside of 526, West Ashley inside of 526, James Island, Johns Island, and Wadmalaw Island.

Check out these comprehensive guides to the neighborhoods we build in:

Building in the Lowcountry Part I

Building in the Lowcountry Part II

Stono Construction emblem teal
Let’s Discuss Your Next Chapter

Whether you are ready to break ground on a vacant coastal lot or have architectural plans in hand to expand your current home footprint, let’s start with a casual, no-pressure conversation.

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