The LightHouse Awards are open to all qualifying members of the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association for any projects completed as of July 31, 2022 within the geographical areas of Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton Counties. Entry projects located on Daufuskie Island, or which require boat transportation, are subject to a transportation fee equivalent of expense. Owner-occupied homes must agree to allow access to home for purpose of judging. Previous LightHouse Award winning entries are not eligible.

Judging of the 2024 LightHouse Award for all entries, new home, remodel entries, light commercial, and design entries will take place Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14. A judging schedule will be sent out prior to the judging event. Entrant is responsible for making sure projects are open to judges during scheduled time and that gate passes have been called in for vehicles transporting judges. A panel of building industry professionals will select winning entries. All judges are from outside of the local market.

Judging criteria for all new home, remodel, light commercial, and design entries will be based on a combination of craftsmanship, demonstrated construction excellence, and use of materials.Judging criteria for Sales & Marketing entries will be will be based on innovation, creativity, and function.

Judges will make every attempt to give an award in each category. However, awards will not be given in those categories where the quality of entries do not warrant a winner. Decisions of the judges are final. Entrants may review judging scorecards for their entry at the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association once awards have been announced.

The 2024 results will be announced on Friday November 8, 2024, at the 25th Annual LightHouse Awards Gala being held at the Hilton Beachfront Resort & Spa. Details for this special event will be sent out in advance and do require reservations. All entering companies, as well as professionals who contributed to entries, are strongly encouraged to attend.

All winners will be featured in LowCountry Home Magazine, the official publication of the Hilton Head Area Home Builders Association published annually by Media Solutions, along with the Island Packet and Hilton Head Monthly.

Competition category for all New Home built by members of the HBA. Entries are based on the final contracted cost of construction, excluding cost of lot/land. The final contracted cost of construction should be the full amount paid/owed by the client, less lot cost (if applicable), at completion of build.

New Home Entry Award Categories

• BEST OVERALL: Highest visual appearance and overall craftsmanship.
• BEST KITCHEN: Superior installation, function and design of all kitchen fixtures, appliances, cabinets, countertops, lighting, flooring, wall finishes, ceiling and trim.
• BEST EXTERIOR: Superior construction, function and design of all exterior features including, finish, roofing, windows, doors, soffit, fascia, porches, patios, decks, landscape and hardscape.
• BEST BATH: Superior installation, function and design of all bathroom fixtures, cabinets, countertops, lighting, flooring, wall finishes, ceiling and trim.

New Home Entry Fee: $600

Competition categories for all Full Remodel entries are based on the final contracted cost of remodel. The final contracted cost of remodel should be the full amount paid/owed by the client at completion of remodel.

Full Remodel Entry Award Categories

• BEST OVERALL: Highest visual appearance and overall craftsmanship.
• BEST KITCHEN: Superior installation, function and design of all kitchen fixtures, appliances, cabinets, countertops, lighting, flooring, wall finishes, ceiling and trim.
• BEST EXTERIOR: Superior construction, function and design of all exterior features including, finish, roofing, windows, doors, soffit, fascia, porches, patios, decks, landscape and hardscape.
• BEST BATH: Superior installation, function and design of all bathroom fixtures, cabinets, countertops, lighting, flooring, wall finishes, ceiling and trim.

Full Remodel Entry Fee: $600

Competition categories for all Partial Remodel entries are based on the final contracted cost of partial remodel. The final contracted cost of remodel should be the full amount paid/owed by the client at completion of remodel.

Partial Remodel Entry Award Categories

• BEST INNOVATION OF SPACE: Notable creativity and modification of function exerted in remodel of space.
• HIGHEST DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Distinguished level of skill and degree of difficulty exerted in remodel of space.

Partial Remodel Entry Fee: $400 (maximum of 3 remodeled rooms/spaces per entry)

Competition categories for all Light Commercial entries are based on the final contracted cost of construction. The final contracted cost of construction should be the full amount paid/owed by the client at completion of project.

Light Commercial Entry Award Categories

• EXCELLENCE IN COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION: Scored on exterior, interior common space, degree of difficulty, and community impact of development.

Light Commercial Entry Fee: $400 (to include office buildings, multi-family, condominiums, retail spaces, etc.)

Competition categories for all Design entries are based on the final contracted cost of construction or in the case of interior design and landscape design, on the final project cost. The final contracted cost of construction/project should be the full amount paid/owed by the client at completion of project.

Design Entry Award Categories

• EXCELLENCE IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN: Scored on exterior, interior architecture, design appeal, function of floor plan, creative use of interior space, creative integration of plan design with site considerations and execution of overall design concept .
• EXCELLENCE IN INTERIOR DESIGN: Scored on suitability of design to the project challenge, originality of the design solution, and the successful integration of interior finishes, furnishing, and accessories. Interior design appeal, function of design, creative use of interior space, creative integration of furniture and accessories with home considerations.
• EXCELLENCE IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Scored on exterior landscape design appeal, function of outdoor living space, creative use of exterior space, creative integration of plan design with site considerations.

Design Entry Fee: $400 (to include residential and commercial projects)

Does your company or community have a sales, marketing or design effort you think deserves recognition? If so, enter it into one or all of our “Sales & Marketing” Categories for the chance to win an award for Best Overall. Please note, all submissions will be judged by sales and marketing professionals solely on materials submitted. Experienced marketing professionals from outside the direct market will view materials off site via file sharing platform.

Sales & Marketing Entry Categories

• BEST BROCHURE OR MARKETING PIECE
• BEST LOGO DESIGN
• BEST WEBSITE FOR A COMPANY
• BEST WEBSITE FOR A COMMUNITY
• BEST ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN
• BEST COMMUNITY
• BUILDER LENDER OF THE YEAR
• SALES PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Sales & Marketing Entry Fee: $300 per category entered (i.e. logo, website, community, etc.)

All Special Features entries are based on project statement/story of completion and photos. Additional accompanied documents welcome (i.e. architectural rendering etc.)

Special Features Entry Categories

• “Most Unique” Special Feature: Unlike anything else, original, one-of-a-kind with historical and/or personal attachment included.
• State of the Art Special Feature: Before its time showing the development of a project incorporating the newest technology or building practices.
• Ingenious Special Feature: Notable creativity, problem solving and engineering excellence … make us think, now that’s ingenuity.

Special Features Entry Fee: $300

Please contact call or email the HBA office for more information
P: (843) 681-9240
E: info@hhahba.com