Herlong Architects

We hired Herlong to design a new home on Kiawah Island. The design process was relatively smooth and Steve was for the most part responsive taking our ideas into account. However, we did receive some push back that certain of our wishes would never be approved by the ARB. However, on a trip to Kiawah, we toured a few homes on our same street with the same features we were told were not possible. The lack of familiarity with the local ARB nearly caused us to unwillingly compromise on our dream home. Additionally, while negotiating a contract with Herlong we requested that the balance of our retainer be refunded should we stop services at any time (see screenshot of email dated October 3, 2022). In response, Herlong agreed that the balance of the retainer would be refunded should we stop work on our project (see screenshot of email dated October 3, 2022). On July 15, 2023, we asked Herlong to provide an accounting and provide us with the balance owed on our account (see screenshot of email dated July 15, 2023). In response, Herlong indicated that the balance was a little over $8,000 (see screenshot of email dated July 18, 2023). Subsequently, we decided to terminate our agreement with Herlong (see screenshot of email dated July 23, 2023). In our email we requested that our outstanding balance be applied against the retainer with the residual refunded to us (about $1,600). Many months later in September, Herlong finally responded to us requesting that we call things even apparently due to work that was not reflected in the accounting of July 18th. To be clear, there was no work performed between the time of the accounting and our termination of the agreement. Thus, their billing practices are either sloppy or we were charged for services that were never rendered. Either way, it was clear that Herlong had simply run off with our retainer. There are a lot of great architects in the Charleston area, we would skip this one.

We are thankful to Herlong and Associates for the beautiful, new home we now enjoy on Sullivan's Island. Through the years, many changes had been made to the old structure. So many, in fact, that the house no longer functioned as a home or resembled the charming cottage that once graced the property. During the planning stage, Steve took into consideration the surrounding homes, old photographs and our current wants and needs. The result is perfect. Really! It gives one the impression that it simply dropped out of heaven. Of course, it didn't happen just like that. After months of planning and selections, Steve and his team guided us through the bid process and subsequently supervised the build. The Interior Designer then worked her magic---within budget. We are proud of our new home and that we can call the talented team our friends! Baxter and Tracy Hahn

We love seeing a set of plans from Herlong & Associates come across our desk, their attention to detail and the quality of their designs always make for a project we are proud to be a part of! It's also always a pleasure to work with Steve and his entire firm.

Herlong and Associates knew exactly the type of feeling and style of house I was trying to create. The whole staff, especially Theresa, helped us to build a house that was casual, warm and inviting. It is the perfect second home for us.

We initially became interested in Steve Herlong's work when we saw a home that he had helped design on Dewees Island, SC. 12 years ago. After looking at other projects that Herlong & Associates had created we knew that we were interested in meeting with Steve to determine if we would be interested in spending several years working with him on designing our home. From the very first moment that we met Steve and his staff we knew that our search was over. Steve Herlong is extremely talented and has many years of experience. He is deliberate and thoughtful and we knew that we had his undivided attention every time we met with him. I can't imagine meeting anyone who is easier to work with than Steve Herlong. He brought our ideas to life and he and his team created the house that we only imagined in our minds.

Steve and his team did an amazing job on our home. We wanted a beautiful creek side design but were limited by a small lot size. We wanted decks and a flowing plan connecting the inside to the outside using open doors and expansive decks. We needed space in the house to accommodate 6 people without having massive square footage due to the size of our lot.. Herlong and Associates delivered a exactly what we were looking for. They created a perfect flow with all the interior details that make the house unique special. They were very always available and very responsive to our concerns throughout the design process. They also stayed right by our side throughout construction helping to insure we got exactly what we wanted. Finally, we would love to work with the folks at Herlong again if we ever decide to design and build another home.

We met with Steve multiple times so that he could design our retirement dream home overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. His reputation for designing fabulous houses that overlook the water proved true for us. We were very pleased with the plans, had the house built, and are enjoying the benefits of his foresight.

We could not be more pleased with the home that Steve and his team designed for us. And he is surely pleased, too, because our home won both local and regional architectural awards. The process was a pleasure. And 13 years later, our home retains a timeless beauty. So often we hear the boaters as they go by in the creek, "Oh! what a beautiful house!" Catherine and Frank

We chose Steve Herlong and his team to conceive, design and project manage the creation of our dream home on Kiawah Island. The Herlong team was with us for every aspect of the project - from clean-sheet-of-paper conceptual design, to detailed architectural and interior design and plans, through construction, furnishing and move-in. The Herlong team was fantastic in every regard, and it was great to have both Architectural and Interior design experts from one team working together in a coordinated and integrated manner. Our relationship started when we hired Herlong & Associates in the fall of 2006, carried through the next 3 years of design, construction and occupancy in July 2009, and continues to this day in both professional and personal context. The 3 year project duration is important to understand, as it reflects very positively on the Herlong team and our builder as well (Buffington Homes) - they worked WITH us at OUR pace, never once languishing on their end nor pushing us to proceed more quickly than we were comfortable. We had a custom timetable for a custom project. Our home is truly “Award Winning” for which we have the Herlong & Associates team to thank. We are very happy homeowners and customers and would recommend the Herlong team with complete confidence. Todd Singleton & Lisa Mascolo, Kiawah Island SC

As a builder, I like to get involved early in the design phase and Steve Herlong and his team of Architects and Interior Designers are a pleasure to work closely with. I have worked with Steve for many years and he is one of the best! The team's attention to detail and creativity can be seen in all of their work and I would highly recommend Herlong & Associates to anyone looking to create their dream home!

I was first introduced to Steve Herlong and his firm, Herlong and Associates, over 10 years ago. In that time we have worked together on a number of projects. Steve, Jim and the team of architects and designers they’ve assembled are excellent at what they do. Not only are they hugely talented but they are fun to work with and consummate professionals. They design beautiful homes and support them with detailed plans from which to build. If you are looking to build a high end home in Charleston, be sure you talk to Herlong and Associates.

Working with Herlong & Associates could not have gone more smoothly. They seem to know what I wanted before I did. They were able to articulate the ideas we had into real plans for our home. If we were to build a house again, we would definitely use them again.