When Laura Bayne began her search for a home on the shores of St. George, Maine, she faced a common challenge: finding a home on a property that matched her goals for quality, sustainability, and long-term value. Not finding anything she liked in the existing housing stock, then experiencing the frustrations of a traditional design and build approach, she reached out to us to help her create not just a house, but a thoughtfully crafted home.
“I felt confident from the start with the BrightBuilt process. Choosing a standard design and customizing it slightly gave me predictability on costs and timeline that I did not have in my prior experience,” Laura said. “It was easy to do because I loved all the BrightBuilt designs.”
Laura’s journey offers a clear example of how building a high-performance home can align personal priorities with practical needs in today’s housing landscape. With the support of a dedicated design and construction team, she brought her vision to life—while also making a financially grounded choice.
Building New vs. Buying Existing: The Financial Picture
At the time of Laura’s search, comparable waterfront homes in St. George were listing around $1.2 million. Choosing to build a sustainable home build new with BrightBuilt, Laura’s project came in at $1,033,000—a lower initial investment for a home custom-designed to meet her needs and performance goals.
When factoring in 30 years of mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance, the comparison became even clearer:
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Beyond the lower construction cost, Laura’s new home dramatically reduces operational expenses through energy efficiency and minimal maintenance needs—advantages she secured by partnering with design and building teams focused on sustainable performance from the start.
A Process Built on Collaboration
Working closely with BrightBuilt’s Studio Director, Jessica Benner, Laura customized the Little Diamond design to reflect her site, her lifestyle, and her priorities. Working within a structured yet flexible design process, she was able to see a clear roadmap from day one with no hidden costs and no surprises.
“Working with Jess was a wonderful experience,” Laura shares. “She listened, she problem-solved, and she helped me create a home that honored my budget without sacrificing what mattered most to me.”
Establishing connections with trusted partners is a key element for any design and construction process. In Laura’s case, working with T.A. Greenleaf Fine Woodworking for site completion and KBS Builders for fabrication ensured that every step of the build aligned with the original design intent.
A Home, and a Life, Well Built
Today, Laura’s home nestles comfortably into the Maine coast—solar-ready, energy-efficient, and deeply connected to the landscape around it. Inside, it reflects her life: carefully chosen finishes, spaces filled with natural light, and handcrafted details that tell her story.
Featured recently in Dwell magazine, Laura’s home is a reflection of what can be achieved when design is approached as a true partnership—guided by shared goals, clear communication, and a commitment to quality. [Read the full Dwell feature here.]
At BrightBuilt Home, we’re honored to help clients like Laura bring their vision to life—creating high-performance homes that offer lasting value, comfort, and peace of mind.
