If you’re dreaming about building with Schumacher Homes, the first thing you’ll do is fall down the rabbit hole of floor plans. Trust me — I’ve been there. Hours of scrolling, pinning, and imagining this one’s it… until you find another one that steals your heart.
When we started our build here in Charleston County, I knew I wanted something that felt coastal, charming, and family-friendly — without wrecking our budget. Easy, right? (Cue the nervous laughter.)
So today I’m sharing the Schumacher plans that made our shortlist, why we loved them, and the tweaks I’d make to give each one a little coastal flair. I’ll also be honest about what worked for our budget and flood zone realities — because sometimes the dream plan on paper isn’t the dream plan in real life.
The Savannah plan was love at first sight. A sprawling one-story with all the southern charm — wide layout, easy flow, and plenty of space to spread out. If we weren’t so close to the water, this would’ve been my top pick.
But here’s the reality: living near the coast means you pay a price — literally. Our flood zone requires the house to be elevated, and raising a one-story with a bigger footprint on cement blocks would’ve cost way more than going two-story.
Add in the fact that we’re building in a historic district, where there are extra rules about materials and overall design, and suddenly the Savannah wasn’t just expensive — it was a logistical headache.
👉 POV tip: If you’re not in a flood zone (lucky you!) or you’re building on a property without those restrictions, the Savannah could be such a gorgeous, coastal-inspired forever home. For us? We had to pass — but it still deserves a spot on the favorites list.
After running the numbers (and facing those flood zone realities), the Meadowview plan came out on top for us. It gave us the coastal charm we wanted but in a smarter, more budget-friendly footprint.
Of course, we couldn’t leave it exactly as-is. We made a few tweaks to fit our family’s needs and make it feel like “us”:
What I love about the Meadowview is that it balances function + charm. We still get the family-friendly layout, but with all the little upgrades that make it feel coastal and cozy — without breaking the budget (or blowing the foundation costs out of proportion).
👉 Why it worked for us: Coastal living is expensive enough. This plan let us save on foundation costs, keep the footprint practical, and still feel like we weren’t compromising on design.
The Bluffton Coastal was another favorite on my list. It’s got that easy, breezy layout that screams “lowcountry living” — wide porches, open gathering spaces, and a natural flow from kitchen to outdoors.
What I loved: it already has a coastal feel built in, so you don’t have to tweak too much to make it beachy + bright.
But for our family: it had one dealbreaker. There wasn’t a natural place to add a 4th bedroom on an elevated plan. With kids and guests in the mix, we knew we’d need that extra flexibility — so sadly, the Bluffton didn’t make the cut.
👉 Who it’s great for: Smaller families, empty nesters, or anyone who doesn’t need the extra bedroom but loves wide porches and easy indoor-outdoor living.
The Belleville is one of Schumacher’s larger plans, and it definitely has that “dream home” feel at 3,182 sq ft. It features not one, but two owner’s retreats — which is perfect if you’re planning for multigenerational living, want a junior suite, or just love the idea of a private guest space for out-of-town visitors.
What I loved: the flexibility. The main owner’s retreat comes with a deluxe bath, giant walk-in closet, and even a private flex space (hello, home office or Peloton room 🙋♀️). Upstairs, the additional bedrooms share both private and Jack-and-Jill style baths, making it a super functional family home.
Why we didn’t choose it: plain and simple, it was bigger than we needed — and that pushed it out of our budget. For families who want more space or love the idea of dual suites, the Belleville could be an amazing option. For us, it was more house (and more cost) than made sense.
How do I know if a plan will work in a flood zone?
Ask your builder up front what type of foundation is required for your lot. A wide, one-story plan will almost always be more expensive to elevate than a compact two-story.
Which Schumacher plans are most budget-friendly?
Generally, smaller footprints (under 2,500 sq ft) with fewer custom tweaks will stay closer to the advertised base price. But don’t forget: base price ≠ final cost. Factor in land, utilities, and local code requirements.
What’s the most “coastal” looking Schumacher plan?
The Bluffton Coastal and Savannah both scream Lowcountry charm. But you can also give a more traditional plan (like the Meadowview) a coastal vibe by adding wide porches, big windows, and light exterior colors.
Choosing a floor plan isn’t just about what looks pretty on paper — it’s about how it fits your family, your budget, and yes, even your flood zone or HOA rules.
For us, the Meadowview was the sweet spot: coastal charm, practical upgrades, and budget-smart design.
No matter which plan you land on, I hope this gives you ideas for what’s possible (and maybe saves you a little time in the rabbit hole 🐇✨).
📥 Want to see how all those “little tweaks” add up? Grab my free Budget Tracker here and start running your own numbers.
