--- title: "Hawthorne Davis Development — Design-Build Firms | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/hawthorne-davis-development-pfvwus-pf~721754902 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~721754902.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Hawthorne Davis Development" category: ["Design-Build Firms"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/a9d3b5ea00f41b3b_8384-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg address: "Cape May Area, Cape May, New Jersey 08204, United States" latitude: 38.9711 longitude: -74.9214 phone: "(609) 898-7500" website: http://www.hawthornedavis.com rating: 5 review_count: 36 license_verified: true best_of_houzz_awards: 9 followers: 75 last_updated: 2026-09-26 --- # Hawthorne Davis Development > Cape May's Top General Contractors & Home Builders \| 5x Best of Houzz Original Houzz profile: [Hawthorne Davis Development](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/hawthorne-davis-development-pfvwus-pf~721754902) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Design-Build Firms - **Location:** Cape May, NJ - **Serves:** Villas, Wildwood, North Cape May, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, Cape May, West Cape May, Stone Harbor, West Wildwood, Cape May Point - **Verified License:** Yes - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (36 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 9 awards (2014–2025), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Pro Software User - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves A premier company in the construction industry, Hawthorne Davis Development, LLC has served the Cape May County area for over 30 years. With each project, our commitment to customer satisfaction is achieved by focusing on professionalism, quality craftsmanship, an eye for detail, and ongoing communication with our customers during each phase of the building process. If you are thinking of building a custom vacation home at the shore, relocating to our area, or renovating your current home, please contact us. We welcome the opportunity to discuss the details of your project. ### Services Provided - Custom Homes - Remodeling ### Areas Served - Villas - Wildwood - North Cape May - North Wildwood - Wildwood Crest - Cape May - West Cape May - Stone Harbor - West Wildwood - Cape May Point ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Hawthorne Davis Development | | Address | Cape May Area, Cape May, New Jersey 08204, United States | | Phone | (609) 898-7500 | | Website | http://www.hawthornedavis.com | | License Number | 40622, 13VH00540000 | | Followers on Houzz | 75 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — http://www.facebook.com/hawthornedavis - Blog — http://www.hawthornedavis.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Hawthorne Davis Development](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/hawthorne-davis-development-pfvwus-pf~721754902) - **Website:** http://www.hawthornedavis.com - **Phone:** (609) 898-7500 ## Credentials **Verified License** - Number: 13VH00540000 - Type: Home Improvement Business Contr - Issued by: New Jersey Home Improvement Contractors **Certifications & Awards** - Best of Houzz Service Award: 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 - Fully licensed and insured professional - **Best of Houzz:** 9 awards (2014–2025), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 36 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 5.0 - Communication: 5.0 - Value: 5.0 ### Featured Review **★★★★★ — eileen stowman, Dec. 2020** > Hawthorne Davis Development is the absolute best. Every inch of my home was built with top quality products. They only use the best. They are very easy to work with and if you have a question, You get an immediate answer. They help you step by step through the building process. Hawthorne Davis goes above and beyond to make sure you are happy and trust me I am so, so happy with my beautiful home. I get so many compliments when people come to my home. I continuously hear that the quality and craftsmanship is top notch and that’s because it is. I can whole heartedly say they are the best. So if you want a beautiful home built, I would highly, highly recommend Hawthorne Davis. You will not regret it. Simply put they are the very best builder out there. Words cannot express how happy we are with our home. It’s simply beautiful. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thank you Eileen for such a nice review! We truly appreciate your compliments and are thrilled to hear how happy you are with your new home. Wishing you and your family all the best in the New Year and for many years to come! ### All 36 reviews **★★★★★ — ajrusnak1, Feb. 2024** > We can't recommend Hawthorne Davis highly enough! Ray was fantastic to work with. He brings deep experience, familiarity with local zoning requirements, extremely responsive service and creative architectural ideas. He worked with us through a number of challenges and setbacks during the course of our 1 year project and always provided positive and quick solutions. I also highly recommend George Davis as well. George provides outstanding attention to detail and like Ray, is always responsive and thorough. > > Here are a few additional points: > 1\. Ray and the entire team work with some of the highest integrity that I have seen. They communicate transparently, are always up front about the level of effort and cost, and hold to their estimates. You can trust them implicitly while your project is underway! > 2\. We really felt like we were Ray's only customer (even though he has multiple projects going on at any given time. We felt like he was thinking about us and our home around the clock. In any project there are hundreds of details moving at once. Having someone that has you and your home top of mind (at all times) is invaluable. > 3\. The supporting team (Cody, Hector, Chris, Dave and others), literally will respond in a moments notice. They are willing to help with anything from moving furniture to removing packaging to helping you move! > 4\. The build quality is excellent. Azek work, woodworking, floors, windows, plumbing, electric all went off without a hitch. This is the second home that we have built, and I have to admit, I never realized that there could/should be such a high bar when it comes to quality and attention to detail. > 5\. Jennifer, Ashley and the office staff are ready to jump in on a moments notice as well. They helped us resolve minor issues with our appliances, our kitchen cabinetry and other things. Always pleasant, responsive and very helpful! > > In summary, we don't feel that you can do better than Hawthorne Davis. We love our home and we are very happy that we chose them! > > Andy Rusnak **★★★★★ — richdeb126, June 2022** > We worked with Hawthorne Davis to build our home in Cape May Point during 2020. We have been very happy with their advice, recommendations, follow up, and quality. The building environment during 2020 was very challenging at times, but they honored every commitment they made to us, and stayed in close contact with us to explain their progress along the way. Our interactions with the office were also very positive. They helped us coordinate many of the different aspects of our project. We would recommend them, and have just started building a second home with them. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thank you for the Review! We enjoyed helping you build your home in 2020 and are very much looking forward to working with you again. From all of us at Hawthorne Davis we wish you a wonderful summer season! **★★★★★ — HU-475646493, Dec. 2021** > I did a lot of research on local builders in Cape May area. Even biking around and speaking with people in the neighborhood who recently got houses built. The people who had houses built by them loved them. The people who didn’t end using a Hawthorne Davis had them at the top of the list and great things to say. People who just lived next to houses being built by Hawthorne Davis loved how the workers kept the site clean and did great work. That type of feedback today is rare, especially in construction world. > > And in hindsight I couldn’t have made a better choice. Even with pandemic supply issues they were organized, getting ahead of the things we needed to, professional all the way through, till beyond closing on the home. They are men and women of their word, responsive, and the combo of all of the above makes a project like building a home and busking it right a much easier process. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thank you so much for the nice review! It was a pleasure working with you and helping you build your home at the shore. From all of us at Hawthorne Davis we hope you enjoy it for years to come. Best wishes to you. **★★★★★ — HU-68933025, Jan. 2021** > We were referred to Hawthorne Davis when we were considering whether to go through with the purchase of a 140-year-old Schoolhouse in Cape May Point badly in need of a renovation and restoration. Ray Hawthorne met with us and spent hours on the phone with us - on his dime - even before we committed to the purchase. Without Ray and the Hawthorne Davis team, we would have never moved forward with the purchase and the construction project. > > Their expertise in the industry, creativity, responsiveness, and attention to detail is second to none. We quickly learned that one can make many mistakes in a construction project but Ray’s guidance through the process was instrumental in avoiding the pitfalls. Hawthorne Davis made it easy for us and the results greatly exceeded any expectations that we had for the project. Ray, George, and the rest of the Hawthorne Davis team will treat your project, whether new construction, renovation, or a restoration, like it’s their own home. In our opinion, the best decision you can make on a construction project is calling Hawthorne Davis – the only design and build firm we’ll allow in our home! > > Lori & Steve S. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thank you Lori & Steve for your kind words! It was an absolute pleasure working with the two of you, and we are so happy that you were satisfied with our services. From all of us at Hawthorne Davis Development we would like to wish you both joy and happiness in your home, and a healthy 2021! **★★★★★ — joan picone, Jan. 2020** > I’m an architectural interior designer, specializing in kitchens and baths. My projects are located all over the United States. Needless to say, I’ve worked with countless contractors. I have very high standards and expect only quality work. It’s not often that I find a company who meets my expectations. > Hawthorne Davis goes above and beyond the average. > Their attention to detail, workmanship and site management are superior to what I’ve seen elsewhere. > I would highly recommend them. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thanks, Joan! We are happy to be working with you as well and can't thank you enough for the amazing review. We look forward to the opportunity to work together again. **★★★★★ — sue & ray Kirkpatrick, Dec. 2019** > We would highly recommend Hawthorne Davis for your building project. They are very professional, and honest. They listened and responded to our suggestions. Their project quote was comprehensive and reasonable and they took the stress out of building a new house. It was a pleasure working with Ray, George and Jennifer and their team of subs. We couldn't be happier with the job and our new home. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thank you! Your kind words and compliments are truly appreciated. It was a pleasure working with you as well and we wish you many happy years and beautiful sunsets at your new waterfront home. **★★★★★ — Chris Hein, Dec. 2019** > We originally contacted HD when we were considering building a house. We did not have a clue how to start or how to do it. Ray Hawthorne gave us huge amounts of his time to educate us on the process, even before we had a lot. Once we acquired a lot, Ray again spent a lot of his time investigating and reporting on things that hadn't even occurred to us. We utilized his contacts and suppliers from the architect to the painter. Every one was incredibly easy to deal with. Every time we thought we had a "problem" we called Ray only to find out that he had already identified the issue and solved it. Ray worked with us to bring the project in exactly as and when promised and within our budget. The worksite was consistently clean and tidy during the project. The construction is top-notch and the house is tight. We could not be happier with our home, and have recommended HD to everyone. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thank you for sharing such kind words and compliments! We're glad to hear how happy you are with your new home. Wishing you all the very best! **★★★★★ — Kathleen DiCicco, Dec. 2019** > I have been a summer resident of North Wildwood, NJ, since 1986. After watching all the new construction on the island, we decided to contract with Hawthorne Davis, LLC in 2017 to raze our property and build our new home. It was the best decision we ever made. Hawthorne Davis, LLC are true professionals from the inside office to out on the job site. Ray, George and Jennifer are truly great people to work with and their team is excellent. Ray helped every step of the way from tear down, financing to completion his attention to detail is superb. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thank you! We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with our company. You and Pat were wonderful to work with as well and we couldn't be happier that you are enjoying your new home! **★★★★★ — Kathleen Hein, Dec. 2019** > Hawthorne Davis built our “forever” dream home.From the inception of the idea to build to almost a year after being in our home, the process has been nothing less than positive. > Ray anticipated our every question & concern. He had answers before we could even verbalize our thoughts. > To start the delivery date was right on target. > The vendors they work with were also wonderful. I anticipated making selections to be very stressful. It really couldn’t have been easier. All of their vendors worked with us with patience to get a feel of what we wanted and to keep us within budget. > Their workers from the guys who framed the house to the “finishers” were beyond respectful and pleasant. > Everyone was incredibly responsive;& we were never meant to feel like we were a bother to them. > At the end of the project we missed seeing Ray & his guys. > This was truly one of the best experiences of my life! **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > It's a beautiful home and we enjoyed working with you as well! Thank you for such a nice review and sharing your experience with our team of contractors and vendors. We wish you and your family many happy years in your "forever" home at the shore! **★★★★★ — John and Jane Howard, Dec. 2018** > Hawthorne Davis repaired structual damage the was found upon home inspection prior to the purchase of our Historic Cape May home. > > Their work was meticulous and fairly priced with no hidden costs. They operate with integrity and proficiency and we wouldn't hesitate to use them again! **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thank you for your kind words and comments! We're glad we were able to help and we wish you many happy years in Cape May! **★★★★★ — George & Marie Koumaras, Nov. 2018** > Hawthorne & Davis are amazing. We would and have recommended them to everyone looking to build a new home or renovate an existing property. We had never built or did any major renovations before. Ray Hawthorne was so experienced at working with our Architect, the city and our neighbors with getting our project up and running.without any issues. > George Davis is such a talented and experienced builder. He is so knowledgeable about ever aspect of the construction process. He was always available and still is for any questions or concerns that we may have had with our project. We feel blessed that Hawthorne Davis built our forever home. > Jennifer Hawthorne did an awesome job arranging all of our sub contractor appointments and answered and still is following up to make sure we are satisfied with everything. The Hawthorne Davis employees are wonderful as well every person on there staff were friendly, hard working, and very respectful of us and our neighbors. > We are very happy with all of the sub contractors that were recommended by Hawthorne & Davis as well. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thank you both for your kind words and compliments! We are all truly appreciative and so glad that you are happy with your forever home! It's a beautiful transformation and we wish you many wonderful years there. **★★★★★ — Tom Paschos, Nov. 2018** > Ray Hawthorne did a great job in buliding our shore house. It was a pleasure working with him, his crew and the architect he recommended. He is honest, dependable and trustworthy. Thank you Ray for a job well done. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thanks, Tom. We appreciate the kind words and wish all of you many happy years in your home at the shore! **★★★★★ — Angela Alhadeff, July 2018** > Hawthorne Davis did a wonderful job working with our architect and building our home. The house is solidly built with beautiful details and craftsmanship. Ray was knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with in outlining our building plan and timeline. George is amazing to work with. He is a good communicator and responsive to our questions and needs. Highly recommend Ray and George and their company. Their staff is also very responsive when you need to reach someone. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Hi Angela! > Thanks so much for your kind words and compliments. We enjoyed working with you as well and wish you many happy years in your new home! **★★★★★ — Jeffrey Gott, June 2017** > Hawthorne Davis provided professional and quality service making our renovation easy to manage, even at a distance. We were always kept in the loop, sent pictures of the progress, and made sure we were completely satisfied every step of the way. The material vendors suggested to use for flooring, tile, granite, etc were excellent and they service provided was exceptional. We are thrilled with the outcome using many of their suggestions to improve on our plans and quality of the work and would recommend them to anyone! We have used other contractors in the past and Hawthorne Davis is by far the best hands down. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Hi Jeff! Thank you for taking the time to review your experience with our company. Your compliments and recommendation are very much appreciated. We enjoyed working with you on your renovation and wish you many happy years in your new space! **★★★★★ — Audrey Peel, Dec. 2016** > Hawthorne Davis was an absolute joy to work with and we would recommend them (without hesitation!) to anyone embarking on a project - large or small. The building process can be extremely stressful - especially for those of us that don’t engage in this activity every day. But the folks at Hawthorne Davis were able to strike a balance between professionalism and friendliness with an ease that we truly appreciated. They did not hesitate to share their professional expertise to ensure our project turned out perfectly. To sum up, they produced a product of the highest quality, while allowing our experience in the design and building to actually be fun!!! We cannot thank them enough!! **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thank you! We truly appreciate your kind words and compliments and we wish you many happy years in your new home at the shore. **★★★★★ — Phyllis DeCola, Nov. 2016** > We've never worked with a more professional person than Ray Hawthorne! From the planning phase right on through the completion of the job, Ray was committed to excellence. Our project, the remodel of part of an old Victorian beach house, was a challenging project and Ray always kept us informed of the problems encountered along the way. He came up with clever solutions and strived to help us work within our budget. What we wound with was a beautifully restored beach home with modern touches without having lost any of its previous charm and ambience. Ray and his team are the best! **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thank you! Your kind words and compliments are truly appreciated. **★★★★★ — Michael Ferry, Nov. 2016** > Our experience with Hawthorne Davis has been nothing short of exceptional. Their professionalism and knowledge was obvious from our first few meetings to talk about design and architecture. They made the process of building our dream shore home into one that was surprisingly fun and enjoyable. Their experience delivered outstanding results from the design phase all the way to the ultimate completion of our dream home. Their knowledge and attention to the smallest of details is like nothing i have ever experienced. This is but one of the things that sets them apart from other builders. One other thing that they provide that was extremely important was accessibility. Ray and his employees were always available at anytime to answer questions and alleviate any concerns. All in all it was a wonderful experience working with Hawthorne Davis. I would not hesitate for one second in recommending their services. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thanks, Mike! Wishing you many happy years at the shore! **★★★★★ — Carol & Duck Menz, Nov. 2016** > For many years, I have referring clients, customers, friends and family to Ray Hawthorne and George Davis. I have never had anyone unhappy with their craftsmanship or their work ethic. My husband and I just purchased a commercial building that needed serious renovation where we planned on moving our real estate office. Our building was a bit challenged having been a bank that we wished the vault removed. Ray and George found a way and did a stunning renovation on our building from the inside-out. Ray’s wife, Jennifer, is always available for suggestions and questions when we needed assistance with anything we tossed her way. The entire crew and tradesmen that worked on site were very professional and caring in everything that they did. We are beyond thrilled with our space and never thought to use anyone else. Our entire office is thrilled and we send everyone their way. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thanks, Carol & Duck! Nice picture! We wish you many happy years in your new office. **★★★★★ — Jackie Beck, Nov. 2016** > We have used Hawthorne Davis for two renovations. Very happy with both. The last was a complete gut and addition. Important beside the good work they do is their honesty. Very easy to work with, they listen to all our wants and they were on budget. Office staff was excellent. Got back to us quickly to answer any questions or concerns about the project. There suggestions helped make our house a true home. > Would we use Hawthorne Davis a third time? YES **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thank you, Jackie! We are truly grateful for your kind words and compliments. We have the picture your daughter made for us hanging on our office wall and think of your family every time we look at it! **★★★★★ — roberto sella, Nov. 2016** > HD always puts the client's needs first. This come home construction project had many complicated problems to be resolved, and HD took pride in figuring out how to solve them. "Can't be done" is not in their vocabulary, and quality of work is very high. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thank you! We enjoyed working with you and greatly appreciate the kind words. **★★★★★ — willowbrookmom, April 2016** > For our third (and final) time building a home we chose Hawthorne Davis Development after interviewing a number of contractors, because we instantly trusted and respected Ray Hawthorne for the professionalism, guidance and courtesies with which he conducted himself, especially during the contract negotiations and plan development. There was a smooth handoff to George Davis whose patience, dedication, carpentry and project management skills are a perfect complement to Ray’s confident understanding of our hopes and dreams for our beach house. Having been through the building experience twice before we were extremely skeptical, yet hopeful, that anyone would meet the high expectations that we had based on our initial meetings. Hawthorne Davis is the first company that we loved as much at the end of the project as at the beginning. Ray and George truly want to make you happy and provide excellent guidance throughout. There is attention to every detail, meaningful suggestions and solutions and they work with only the most professional sub-contractors. Communication was never a problem and they clearly take pride in their work – always with the goal that the end product is YOUR dream. I can’t say enough about what a terrific experience it was to work with the HD team nor can I imagine working with anyone else. If I win the lottery we’ll do it again! Thanks to Jennifer, too, who was always cheerful, helpful and in the loop. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > We can’t thank you enough for your testimonial! We truly appreciate that you took the time to share your thoughts. We are also thrilled that you are happy with your new home! **★★★★★ — Kelly Sweeney, April 2016** > Hawthorne Davis Development made our home building experience easy and enjoyable, really stress-free! They were very knowledgable and extremely helpful with decision making throughout the process. Ray had some great suggestions to improve our plans and made our home more than we could have imagined. The crew was professional, had positive attitudes and met every deadline. We were able to set our budget upfront, no hidden costs, and HDD guided us through the process to stay within it. Everything is beautiful and very well made, quality work throughout the house, inside and out. We would absolutely use them again and would recommend them to anyone. Thank you Ray, we love our new home! **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thank you, Kelly! We truly appreciate your kind words and are so glad you're happy with your new home. **★★★★★ — Megan Lawall, Jan. 2016** > There's one word to describe Hawthorne Davis Developers.....EXCELLENT. > From the first time we met Ray to the day we moved into our home, we had nothing but a positive experience throughout every process of our project. And I should mention that we live 3 hours away!! Ray and George made the whole project feel seamless. > Of course we hit some hiccups. That's to be expected anytime you build a house. However, the difference with Hawthorne Davis was that they always had a solution to the issue and never had an "oh well" attitude. > I would highly recommend Hawthorne Davis to anyone. And if your planning on building a house in South Jersey...there's no better builder. **★★★★★ — emilydcohen, Jan. 2016** > We met with Ray Hawthorne to help determine if we would make an offer to buy > a 100 year old Cape May home in need of major renovations. At this first meeting, we were very impressed with his professionalism, honesty, critical eye and vision. Ray confirmed it was possible to rebuild the home and shared our enthusiasm and excitement at the prospect of it. We did buy that home and embarked on a ten month long journey with the entire Hawthorne Davis team which resulted in a showpiece home which exceeded our expectations. During the architectural planning process Ray made thoughtful suggestions based on his many years of experience which enhanced the overall design and functionality of our home to be. In addition, Hawthorne Davis handled every aspect of the approval and permit process required by the City of Cape May. > Ray and Jennifer made the process of selecting interior and exterior materials > and finishes easy and pleasurable, always mindful of quality and budget. During > the construction Ray, George and the whole crew paid very close attention to > every building detail. George’s skills and talents as a craftsman are visible in > every aspect of our home which he built as if it were his own. Our primary home is three hours from Cape May. As fun as it was to go as often as possible, we did not feel the need to be there on a daily basis. We knew that Ray and George were on top of every facet and detail of the project even anticipating our needs and wishes. An enormous amount of pride was taken in the building of our home and the finished product is a testament to that pride. Thank you to all at Hawthorne Davis for building us a beautiful, quality home! > > \- The Cohens **★★★★★ — Joan DeMuth, Jan. 2016** > While we were in the planning stages of our new home in Wildwood Crest, a friend who knew of Hawthorne Davis’ reputation for building quality houses recommended we contact them. It was the best advice we received. Ray’s discerning eye and attention to detail greatly improved the original design of the house. The architectural features he suggested have made the house absolutely stunning. George’s craftsmanship brought an artistic quality to the interior design. The ceiling in our great room literally elicits a "Wow" from everyone who enters the room. Building the house with Hawthorne Davis was a very positive experience. Ray, George and Jennifer were wonderful to work with. They were > on time, on budget, very professional and responsive to all of our needs. > > –The DeMuths **★★★★★ — catherinehartner, Dec. 2015** > Our home building experience with the entire Hawthorne Davis team was exceptional. Ray and George built us EXACTLY what we had envisioned and EXACTLY what we wanted. The entire experience, from start to finish was pleasant, exciting, professional and timely. Jennifer’s support of acquiring permits and keeping all the details straight was priceless. She graciously answered all my countless questions. Ray was easy to work with, professional and polite. He suggested perfect solutions, always kept us in the know on the next step and kept us on budget. > > George’s attention to detail and finishing work is one of a kind. He is, without a doubt, the best in the area. The crew worked hard and always kept the work site clean and neat. > > We love our house. We feel very fortunate to have had such a wonderful experience backed by the best service and quality in Cape May County. We would highly recommend the entire Hawthorne Davis team for any or all home construction needs. You will not be disappointed with Hawthorne Davis quality or outcome! **★★★★★ — Peg Smietana, Dec. 2015** > After 20 years of marriage, two kids and two custom homes, the last thing > we wanted to do was custom build, again; especially NOT a second home 75 miles > and an hour and a half away. We’d been down the custom home road twice and while > we lived to tell about it and our experiences were not the thing of movies, we > were not anxious to take on such a project. After a chance meeting with Ray > Hawthorne and touring one of his “Works in Progress” we decided to take the > plunge. We could not be happier! > > Our trips down were kept to a real minimum. We found ourselves taking the > drive just to see the house. The entire crew that worked on our house was fun! > Each and every person we met LOVED what they did and was more than happy to talk > about it. When George did our wood trim, you could tell it was more than a > vocation, it was his avocation and he took particular pains to make sure our > chair rail was the same height as our dining room chairs! This was the first > time the General Contractor actually did some of the labor on one of our homes! > > Bottom line, we can’t say enough about Hawthorne-Davis! Our home suits us and > we are thrilled we decided to build again. The entire process from start to > finish was as it should be, enjoyable. Thank you to everyone involved. With > special thanks to Jennifer, Ray, and George. > > Fast forward to 2015... Once again, Hawthorne Davis comes to the rescue. We are in need of an elevator to make our home accessible. Our first call was to Jennifer Hawthorne. We are looking forward to another seamless, anxiety-free (on our part) construction. > > –Jim & Peg Smietana **★★★★★ — dgr31800, Dec. 2015** > Hawthorne Davis Development > > My husband and I are cautious consumers. When we make a purchase we really do our homework, checking Consumer Reports for ratings, trying to make the purchase when there is a sale, etc. Of course, getting a good deal is great, but what we are most interested in is purchasing a quality product, and feeling like we got our monies worth — our experience with Hawthorne Davis was all of this and more. > > We approached building a new home as we typically do; this was going to be the biggest purchase we had ever made, and we really did our homework checking out contractors. Time and time again, people would recommend Hawthorne Davis. More than once the person giving the recommendation used the phrase, "best on the island." They were right! Our experience working with Hawthorne Davis far exceeded our expectations. Ray is great to work with, he is a talented contractor and a true professional. Jennifer, who manages his office (and who is also his wife), is one of the most efficient people I have ever worked with. She is always pleasant and willing to help. Because of a situation we had with FEMA, we did ask a lot of both she and Ray. The term I heard Ray say most often was, "no problem" – even though I knew it was. > > I must also comment on the other half of Hawthorne Davis – George Davis. George and his team were detailed and customer oriented. They seemed to have a common focus on the finished product, which resulted in a house which was exactly what we envisioned – they built a beautiful home for our family. > > To sum up our experience with Hawthorne Davis I will share part of a conversation I had with my husband about mid-way through the project. I asked him if he thought we were Hawthorne Davis’ only customer, he said that we were not — because of our experience working with Ray, Jennifer and George that is exactly how I felt – like we were their only customer. > > -Donna and Jerry **★★★★★ — Maryann Lewis, Dec. 2015** > Ray Hawthorne, George Davis, Jennifer Hawthorne and their team were a pleasure to work with from the time we chose the lot to purchase to the final product. They were always in contact with us and guided us through the many decisions that had to be made, always listening to what we were trying to achieve. If I could talk my husband into moving, I would work with them all over again! **★★★★★ — tlee7077, Dec. 2015** > My wife and I designed a house that was a challenge to build, but Ray > Hawthorne and George Davis of Hawthorne Davis Development, LLC exceeded our > wildest expectations with the finished product. Their experience, attention > to detail, willingness to think outside the box and suggestions of style and > materials gave us a show piece that has everyone on the block talking. We are > very happy with our new home and extremely pleased that we worked with Hawthorne > Davis Development, LLC. > –Tim L. **★★★★★ — directbob, Dec. 2015** > We were introduced to Hawthorne Davis by our daughter and son-in law who had a second home built for them in North Wildwood. We hired Ray, George, and Jennifer to do the same for us. The experience from start to finish exceeded all expectations. No change was a problem and no detail was too small. The quality of the finish product is outstanding, and delivered as promised and on budget. > > To this day I speak to people in this company because they have become friends. > > I highly recommend Hawthorne Davis, they are the best. **★★★★★ — hdlogan, Oct. 2014** > Hawthorne Davis Development was a pleasure to work with. They had great suggestions and really listened to what we wanted. Everyone that worked on the project was professional and fun! Changes were not a problem. For me personally one of the most important aspects of working on something like this is communication. We did not live in the area and although we were on site every couple of weeks, it was not possible for us to be there on a daily basis. Ray and George communicated with us almost on a daily basis. They were always there to take my calls and supply photos along the way. We were happy every step of the way and are thrilled with the finished product. Not only are they some of the most ethical people I have ever worked with, they take great pride in their work. They don't skimp or cut corners and they pay attention to every last detail. If you are ready to renovate or build a new home (as we did) you should give them a call. They really are a terrific group to work with. You won't be sorry. **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > We can't thank you enough for the kind words and compliments! It was a pleasure working with you and we wish you many happy years in your new home at the shore. **★★★★★ — theresaoceancity, April 2013** > From concept design, through building the home and connecting/coordinating with the landscapers and pool installers, it was truly a relationship made in heaven. We could always reach the builder or his office with a simple phone call that was returned within 12 hours. Every detail was spot on. They have our vote! **Comment from Hawthorne Davis Development:** > Thank you, Theresa! Your kinds words and compliments mean so much. With all the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy we were so happy that your home was spared from any damage. Wishing you many years of happiness at the shore. **★★★★★ — karenoboyle, April 2013** > I hired Hawthorne Davis to demolish a home that I purchased and build a new home for me. After considering several builders, the decision was easy. Hawthorne Davis offered the highest quality, project management by the company's owners, advice and guidance on every aspect of the job, and knowledge of the county/state requirements. I visited many homes during my selection process and the homes built by Hawthorne Davis stood out as the best. I would strongly recommend this company for any project -- new construction, remodeling, etc. Ray Hawthorne is the best! **★★★★★ — wclark2664, March 2013** > Hawthorne Davis (HD) built a vacation home for me in North Wildwood, NJ. While I knew one of the owners, I was not going to simply hand HD the business. It was apparent to me very quickly that HD was a quality organization that is very focused on customer satisfaction. They blew away the competition with their preparation and presentation. My experience with HD was awesome. The company is very responsive & responsible. The quality of the workmanship is superior. Ray Hawthorne & George Davis are great to work with. They exceeded my expectations. Jen Hawthorne is very nice & professional. She is always willing to help. I would highly recommend HD. My customer experience was truly exceptional. ## Selected projects - [Cape May Point - Custom Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cape-may-point-custom-home-pj-vj~2126643) - Location: Cape May Point, NJ - Photos: 18 - Description: Jim Rambo - Architectural Photography Bachich Associates - [North Wildwood, NJ - Custom Beach Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/north-wildwood-nj-custom-beach-home-pj-vj~1483014) - Location: North Wildwood, NJ - Photos: 19 - [Ocean City, NJ Beach House with Pool](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ocean-city-nj-beach-house-with-pool-pj-vj~1209660) - Location: Ocean City, NJ - Photos: 11 - [Cape May Point, NJ Beach House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cape-may-point-nj-beach-house-pj-vj~738281) - Location: Cape May Point, NJ - Photos: 11 - Description: Beautifully designed beach home with living areas on second floor to take advantage of the lighthouse and ocean views. - [North Wildwood, NJ - Beautiful Beach Home With Pool](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/north-wildwood-nj-beautiful-beach-home-with-pool-pj-vj~147069) - Location: Wildwood, NJ - Photos: 11 - [North Wildwood, NJ - Beach House With Ocean Views](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/north-wildwood-nj-beach-house-with-ocean-views-pj-vj~147062) - Location: Wildwood, NJ - Photos: 17 - [Cape May, NJ - Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cape-may-nj-renovation-pj-vj~203376) - Location: Cape May, NJ - Photos: 15 - ["Merry Widow" - Cape May, NJ](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/merry-widow-cape-may-nj-pj-vj~2693391) - Location: Cape May, NJ - Photos: 22 - Description: Historic Building Interior Renovation - [Cape May Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cape-may-renovation-pj-vj~7481227) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 16 - [Custom Home Cape May Point](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/custom-home-cape-may-point-pj-vj~7203623) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 16 - [Cape May Point School House Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cape-may-point-school-house-renovation-pj-vj~7203633) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 18 - [North Wildwood Custom Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/north-wildwood-custom-home-pj-vj~7103835) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - [North Wildwood Custom Beach House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/north-wildwood-custom-beach-house-pj-vj~7103831) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - [Lake View Beach House - Wildwood Crest, NJ](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lake-view-beach-house-wildwood-crest-nj-pj-vj~2986656) - Location: Wildwood Crest, NJ - Photos: 25 - [Cape May - Custom Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cape-may-custom-home-pj-vj~2180694) - Location: Cape May, NJ - Photos: 39 - Description: Jim Rambo - Architectural Photography [See all 15 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/hawthorne-davis-development-pfvwus-pf~721754902) ## Video - [Company video](https://player.vimeo.com/external/840760314.m3u8?s=63b7d1486e01da0fc1c364e94350c66f16533651&oauth2_token_id=1384357804) ## Frequently Asked Questions **Do you manage permitting and approvals?** Yes, we absolutely manage all necessary permitting and approvals for your project from concept to completion. Our goal is to make the building process as smooth and stress-free as possible for you, handling all the details with local authorities in the Cape May County area. **Are you licensed and insured?** Yes, Hawthorne Davis Development is fully licensed and insured. We pride ourselves on operating with the highest standards of professionalism and compliance to ensure your peace of mind throughout the entire construction process for your custom home or renovation. **What does your design-build process include?** Our design-build process is comprehensive, guiding you from the initial concept through to the final completion. We focus on professionalism, quality craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail, and continuous communication, ensuring your vision for your custom home or renovation is realized every step of the way. **Do you handle both architectural design and construction?** As a design-build firm, we absolutely handle both architectural design and construction. Our integrated approach ensures seamless coordination between design and build phases, providing a cohesive and efficient process for your custom home or renovation project in Cape May. **Can you work on additions and large renovations?** Yes, we specialize in both large renovations and additions. Whether you're looking to significantly expand your current home or undertake a major remodel, we offer a full range of construction services to meet your project needs in the Cape May County area. *FAQ content may be generated based on the Pro's Houzz profile and website.* ## Ideabooks - [Kitchen Remodel Ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/6726749/list/kitchen-remodel-ideas) — 3 ideas - [Home Exteriors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/6726604/list/home-exteriors) — 1 idea [See all 2 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/hawthornedavis) ## Community Q&A **Q: what is on the ceiling? shiplap? tongue n groove pine? Nickel gap?** *(in Photo Questions)* doing a remodel for a Florida kitchen and adjacent living room A: Hi Terry, Thanks for reaching out! The ceiling is tongue and groove edge and center bead ( 1 x 6 ) Best of luck on your remodel. Let us know if you have any additional questions. Have a great day! Jennifer Hawthorne **Q: beautiful home! could you please give me the paint color info?** *(in Photo Questions)* we will be painting our light grey cape cod home soon and are contemplating a pretty blue..thankyou so much for your help! Teri A: Hi Teri, Thank you! The siding color on this home is Evening Blue by James Hardie. Here is a link to the product and I believe you can also order a sample that you could color match at a paint store. Hope this helps! https://www.jameshardie.com/color-and-design/explore-house-siding-colors/evening-blue Have a great day, Jennifer Hawthorne Office Manager **Q: What is the size of the pool?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi! This pool measures 12 x 12 and fits perfectly in their back yard. **Q: Hi, what is the name of the backsplash? Thanks!** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi! Thanks for reaching out. The backsplash tile is (3 x 6) Arabescata Carrara (honed) **Q: Exterior color?** *(in Photo Questions)* Will you share the exterior color? It’s so refreshing. A: Hi Ari - the siding on this home is KP Norman Rockwell D4 (Forest) KP Vinyl Siding - Norman Rockwell **Q: what is the name of countertop color** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi! Thanks for reaching out. This counter top is Quartz with a pencil edge and the color is Minuet. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-26.*