Scott Hyland loves a challenge. When he transitioned from building huge commercial structures for one of the world’s largest building companies to constructing homes in the Charleston area, he soon realized that the greatest challenges lie in renovations and additions to existing homes.

“In 2002, I opened Hyland Construction & Design,” says Hyland, whose company serves the greater Charleston area, including Mount Pleasant, Isle of Palms, Daniel Island, Kiawah Island and Sullivan’s Island. “I jumped into the market for custom and spec homes.”

After the housing market crashed in 2008, Hyland tapped into the market for high-end renovations and additions. And it’s provided his company with a steady flow of construction projects ever since. “Many builders steer away from these projects,” continues Hyland. “I actually enjoy the challenge. You’ve got to be willing to work through all the hiccups and the things the architects and engineers don’t cover in the plans. Every day there’s something that needs to be overcome or worked around or figured out.”

Hyland points to a second-floor remodel his company recently completed along Waterway Island Drive in Wild Dunes, a 1,600-acre oceanfront resort located on the north end of the Isle of Palms. “When we started the project, the home’s upstairs master suite consisted of a small bedroom, small bathroom and small walk-in closet,” says Hyland. “When we finished, it was something else entirely.”

Incorporating the square footage from another upstairs bedroom, Hyland expanded the master bedroom to include custom built-in cabinetry in the bedroom. “Through Low Country Cabinets, a sister company to Hyland Construction, we offer our clients cabinetry without extensive markups,” notes Hyland. “At Low Country Cabinets, we work closely with several distributors for our standard cabinetry needs. We also offer 100 percent custom cabinetry, which is what we provided for the Waterway Island Drive renovation.”

For that job, Hyland seamlessly expanded the bedrooms’ existing heart pine floors throughout the larger space, including the bathroom. He designed and installed a custom closet system and expanded the bedroom’s one-window view into an expanse of windows that capture a panorama of the Intracoastal Waterway. And these are just a few highlights of the renovation.

A second project in Wild Dunes proved even more complex. “This past year, we got a call back from a previous client who owns a home on Twin Oaks Lane in Wild Dunes,” recalls Hyland. “Three years ago, we rebuilt much of the house and added an addition to one side. The clients wanted to re-hire us to add a second floor to this one-story house. It was definitely a project that challenged my skill set.”

The home’s existing LVL beam system, engineered to meet hurricane and load requirements, complicated the installation of the second-floor ductwork and plumbing. But in the end, the project came together in a second-floor multipurpose room that’s used as a family entertainment/sleeping area. The space features random-width oak flooring throughout and a fully tiled bathroom with spacious walk-in shower. The multipurpose room opens onto a beautiful waterproof deck overlooking a golf course and features stainless steel cable railings with ipe top caps.

“We completed this project while protecting the integrity of the existing first-floor structure,” notes Hyland. That’s always an important challenge when adding a second level to an existing home.

“Both of these projects at Wild Dunes were designed and built to improve the quality of life for our clients,” concludes Hyland. “An added benefit is that they also increased the value of the properties.”

In addition to new custom construction, renovations and additions, Hyland Construction & Design specializes in innovative outdoor living spaces, sunrooms, kitchen and bath renovations, and the redesign and construction of fireplaces.

Patra Taylor is a full-time freelance writer in Mount Pleasant. Find out more at patrataylor.com.