Architectural Design Build in Point Pleasant, NJ
Our Architectural Design Build service in Point Pleasant, NJ prevents the most common heartbreak at the Jersey Shore: falling in love with a set of blueprints, only to find out they cost $300,000 more than you have.
Most people start their project the wrong way. They hire an architect to draw a “Dream Home” without a builder in the room to price it. When the bids finally come in, the project dies.
At Gambrick Construction, we fix that problem. For over 3 decades, we have designed and built hundreds of new custom homes, additions, and decks across the Jersey Shore. We’ve seen firsthand that hiring a separate architect and builder often leads to conflict. Instead, we handle everything under one roof. We design to your budget from day one, so you never pay for a set of plans you can’t afford to build.
This process isn’t just for new custom homes. We use the same design-build approach for:
- Home Additions & Extensions (Kitchen bump-outs, Master Suites)
- Second Story Add-a-Levels
- Outdoor Living (Decks, Sunrooms, Covered Porches)
- Whole Home Renovations
A Smarter Way to Design for the Jersey Shore
Designing a construction project requires balancing four things: strict regulations, harsh weather, personal style, and your budget. Most firms focus on just one. We focus on all four to ensure your new home, addition, renovation, or deck is beautiful, legal, built to last, and on-budget.
1. The Feasibility Check (Zoning, CAFRA & DEP)
Building at the Jersey Shore isn’t like building in the suburbs. You can’t just build a house, deck, or addition wherever you want. Strict rules regarding height, lot coverage, and setbacks change from town to town. If your designer ignores the rules, you waste months on permits that get denied.
Most architects start with a sketch. We start with a calculator. Before we draw a single wall, we perform a Feasibility Study to define your lot’s “Buildable Box”:
- The “REAL” Rules (Elevation): As of 2026, NJ’s “REAL” rules often require elevating homes up to 4 feet above old FEMA maps. We calculate the exact height needed so your ground level is legal for parking/storage but doesn’t look like a concrete bunker.
- Impervious Coverage: Shore towns like Point Pleasant Beach, Lavallette, and Manasquan strictly limit “hard” surfaces (House + Garage + Pool). We calculate every square foot early. If space is tight, we use permeable pavers to keep you legal.
- Setbacks & Variances: We identify hidden utility easements and non-conforming setbacks on your survey before design begins. This keeps you out of the Planning Board hearings.
The “Paperwork War” (DEP & CAFRA):
Waterfront projects in Ocean & Monmouth County often trigger a review by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
- CAFRA Permits: If you are near the coastline, you likely need a CAFRA (Coastal Area Facility Review Act) permit. This is a strict environmental review. We prepare the site plans and impact statements required to get this approved.
- Township Approvals: We handle the standard building, electric, plumbing, and fire permits. We don’t just submit them; we follow up with the town hall weekly to keep your file moving.
2. Modern Coastal Style & “View” Engineering
Today’s Modern Coastal Aesthetic is about clean lines, open floor plans, and massive windows. However, large glass walls require serious engineering.
We often use Structural Steel Moment Frames to support walls of glass that capture the ocean view without compromising stability. For renovations, we focus on a Cohesive Look that matches rooflines and siding so your new master suite or sunroom looks like it was always part of the original home, not a box tacked onto the side.
3. Designing for the Salt Air, Wind & Storm Surge (Durability)
The salt air in Ocean & Monmouth County eats standard materials. Hurricane force winds can pull off weak roofing and siding. Storm surge flooding can seriously damage a home’s structure. We design with longevity in mind:
- Stainless Steel Fasteners: We specify marine-grade nails and screws that won’t bleed rust streaks down your siding.
- Composite & PVC: We use high-end Azek trim and James Hardie fiber cement siding that resist rot and humidity.
- Structural Integrity: We use Simpson Strong-Tie hurricane strapping and anchor bolts to strengthen your home against wind and water damage.
- Roofing: We use architectural grade shingles and metal roofing that can withstand winds of over 110 mph.
- Maintenance-Free Living: We choose materials that let you enjoy the beach, not spend your weekends sanding and painting wood rails.
4. Budget Accountability (The Design-Build Advantage)
The traditional way of hiring an architect and a builder separately is broken. Architects are paid to be creative; builders are paid to be practical. When they don’t talk, you lose money.
The “Gap” Problem: A standalone architect might draw a complex roofline that looks great on paper but requires $50,000 in custom steel work. You often won’t find this out until the bids come in, forcing you to pay the architect again to redraw the plans cheaper.
The Gambrick Solution: Because we are a Design-Build Firm, we price the project while we design it. We know the current cost of lumber and labor in the local area. If a design choice pushes you over budget, we tell you immediately and offer a smarter alternative or compromise. This eliminates expensive redesigns and keeps your project on track.
5. Construction Management & Communication
The biggest complaint homeowners have about builders is: “I never know what’s going on.” We fix that with transparent communication.
- One Point of Contact: You aren’t playing telephone between an architect and a builder. You have one Project Manager responsible for everything.
- Site Protection: We treat your neighborhood with respect. We install proper silt fences, dust barriers, and street protection to keep your neighbors happy during the build.
- Summer Rules: We know that towns like Mantoloking, Ortley Beach, and Bay Head have strict “Summer Construction bans.” We schedule our exterior work to avoid these blackout dates so the project doesn’t stall.
What Our Clients Say
We have spent 30 years earning the trust of local families. Here is what they say about our Design-Build process:
1. Waterfront New Build | Brielle, NJ
★★★★★ “We were terrified of the CAFRA permit process, but Gambrick handled everything. They designed a home that maximized our water views while staying fully compliant with the new flood codes.” — The Reynolds Family
2. 4-Season Sunroom Addition | Mantoloking, NJ
★★★★★ “We weren’t sure how a sunroom addition would integrate with our existing roofline, but Gambrick nailed the design. It adds real square footage we can use year-round.” — Rita M.
3. Whole House Renovation | Spring Lake, NJ
★★★★★ “We hired Gambrick for a complete gut renovation and open floor plan conversion. The result is a modern, high-end home that fits our family perfectly.” — Tom & Michelle D.
4. Custom Deck & Outdoor Living | Manasquan, NJ
★★★★★ “We needed a great outdoor space and Gambrick treated our deck project with the same care as a custom home. The design is perfect.” — Jason L.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an architect for a custom home in NJ?
Yes. In New Jersey, you need architectural plans sealed by a licensed professional to get a building permit. We provide these plans in-house as part of our Design-Build package, so you don’t have to hire a separate firm.
How long does it take to get permits in Point Pleasant?
It depends. A standard building permit usually takes about a month which includes zoning approval. However, if your lot requires a Variance or a CAFRA Permit from the state (common for waterfront homes), the approval process can take 3 to 6 months. We start this paperwork early to minimize the wait.
What’s the difference between an Architect, a Builder, and Design-Build?
An architect draws the plans but doesn’t build the house. A builder builds the house but isn’t involved in it’s design. A Design-Build firm (like us) handles both. This stops the common problem where an architect designs a house that costs twice your actual budget.
Can I use my own architect?
Yes. If you already have a set of plans you love, we are happy to build from them. We will review the drawings first to give you an honest construction cost estimate before we sign a contract.
Does Design-Build cost more?
Usually, it costs less in the end. While our fee includes design, you save money by avoiding “Change Orders” and redesigns. Because we value-engineer the home before construction starts, you avoid the expensive surprises that happen when a builder tries to figure out a confusing set of blueprints.
Service Areas
Gambrick Construction is proudly based in Point Pleasant, NJ. To maintain our high standards of quality control and daily site supervision, our core service area focuses on the coastal communities of Monmouth and Ocean County.
- Point Pleasant Beach & Borough
- Bay Head & Mantoloking
- Manasquan & Brielle
- Spring Lake & Sea Girt
- Brick Township & Toms River
- Wall Township & Howell
- Lavallette & Ortley Beach
- Rumson & Colts Neck
- Princeton (Select Projects)
Statewide Projects: While our daily operations are concentrated along the Jersey Shore, we accept select large-scale custom home and renovation projects throughout New Jersey, including Bergen, Essex, and Mercer Counties, on a case-by-case basis.
Ready to Get Started? Let’s talk about how we can help.
Call 732-892-1386 or contact us online today.