Black Harbor BD Luxury Builders | Zane Richardson, Founder

Elegant luxury estate entrance with stone columns, ornate architectural details, ivy-covered walls, manicured landscaping, and a grand wooden doorway.

ABOUT BLACK HARBOR BD

A Rhode Island-Based Construction Partner for Distinctive Residential Projects

Black Harbor BD is a Rhode Island-based residential construction and design-build firm focused on luxury custom homes, private estates, major residential projects, and historic restorations. Founded in 2016, the firm works with property owners and project partners who require disciplined construction leadership, thoughtful planning, and coordinated execution from early project development through completion. Our work is centered on the practical demands of complex residential construction. Based in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, with a service focus extending throughout Rhode Island and selected New England markets.

Headquarters: East Greenwich, Rhode Island

Project Focus: Luxury Custom Homes • Private Estates • Historic Restoration • Major Residential Construction

Delivery Model: Design-Build & Construction Management

Typical Project Profile: $10M+ projects, subject to scope, location, and project fit.

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OUR PROJECT FOCUS

Residential Projects Designed Around the Property and the Client

Black Harbor BD focuses on substantial residential projects where design, construction, coordination, and project oversight need to work together.

CUSTOM HOMES

New residences developed around the site, architectural direction, lifestyle requirements, construction objectives, and long-term use of the property.

PRIVATE ESTATES

Large-scale residential properties requiring detailed planning, multiple specialists, extensive site coordination, and disciplined construction management.

HISTORIC RESTORATION

Restoration and renovation of architecturally significant or historic residences, with careful consideration for existing materials, character-defining features, and contemporary building requirements.

MAJOR RESIDENTIAL RENOVATIONS

Complex renovations and additions involving substantial structural, architectural, interior, or building-system work.

PROJECT STRUCTURE

OUR ROLE

Depending on the project structure, Black Harbor BD may serve as the general contractor, construction manager, design-build lead, or construction coordination partner.

The specific scope, contractual responsibilities, and professional relationships are established for each project before work begins.

SERVICE AREA

Rhode Island-Based. New England Focused.

Headquartered in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and focuses its residential construction work on Rhode Island and selected markets throughout New England.

RHODE ISLAND

Home Market

Our home market, including custom residential construction, private estates, major renovations, and historic restoration.

MASSACHUSETTS

Selected Projects

Selected residential projects where the scope, location, professional requirements, and project schedule align with Black Harbor BD's capabilities.

CONNECTICUT

Custom Scope

Selected custom residential and restoration opportunities evaluated individually based on project requirements.

NEW ENGLAND

Regional Scope

Projects outside Rhode Island are considered selectively based on location, project complexity, professional requirements, permitting, and available project resources.

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HOW WE DELIVER

Construction Leadership From Preconstruction Through Completion

Black Harbor BD approaches each project as a coordinated process rather than a series of disconnected construction activities. Our responsibility is to help align the project's scope, schedule, budget, consultants, contractors, materials, and field execution.

01 — DISCOVERY

We begin by understanding the property, project objectives, architectural direction, anticipated scope, budget parameters, and desired timeline.

02 — PRECONSTRUCTION

Before construction begins, project requirements are developed through scope review, cost planning, scheduling, consultant coordination, procurement planning, and constructability considerations.

03 — DESIGN COORDINATION

Where architects, engineers, interior designers, landscape professionals, or other specialists are required, Black Harbor BD coordinates the construction process with the appropriate professionals.

04 — PROCUREMENT

Materials, specialty products, trade requirements, lead times, deliveries, and purchasing decisions are coordinated around the construction schedule.

05 — CONSTRUCTION

Site operations, subcontractors, sequencing, quality control, schedule management, and construction coordination are managed throughout the build.

06 — CLOSEOUT

The final phase addresses inspections, punch-list completion, documentation, owner walkthroughs, turnover, and completion requirements.

One Construction Process. Clearly Defined Responsibilities.

At Black Harbor BD, the project delivery structure is established according to the client's requirements, contractual scope, and professional responsibilities.

We May Coordinate With:

Architects Engineers Interior Designers Landscape Professionals Specialty Consultants Trade Contractors Material Suppliers Other Project Professionals

IMPORTANT DISTINCTION: Black Harbor BD's construction and project-management role should not be confused with independently regulated architectural or engineering practice. The company coordinates those disciplines as required by the project structure and applicable jurisdiction.

PROJECT FIT

A Selective Approach to Residential Construction

Black Harbor BD is not positioned as a high-volume production builder. Projects are evaluated according to factors such as:

Location

Project Scope

Architectural Requirements

Construction Complexity

Budget

Timeline

Consultant Requirements

Client Objectives

Resource Availability

Primary Project Profile

For larger projects, the company currently positions its primary project profile around $10M+ opportunities. This threshold should remain subject to project scope and formal company policy.

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LEADERSHIP

Zane Richardson (Founder)

Provides company leadership across project development, client relationships, strategic partnerships, and business operations. His professional background spans residential construction, remodeling, landscaping, real estate development, and entrepreneurship. He founded Black Harbor Build & Design in 2016 with a focus on high-end residential construction and design-build opportunities.

At Black Harbor BD, Richardson's role centers on establishing project direction, developing relationships with clients and project partners, and maintaining alignment across the business and construction process. His broader entrepreneurial interests extend beyond Black Harbor BD into real estate, agriculture, strategic investments, and community-focused initiatives.

View Executive Profile Zane on Digest

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FOUNDER BACKGROUND

Experience Across Construction, Real Estate & Business Operations

Zane Richardson's broader professional background includes several ventures and operating roles. These businesses are part of his entrepreneurial history but should not be represented as Black Harbor BD projects or subsidiaries unless a formal relationship exists.

AFFILIATED VENTURES

Homes Done Your Way

2016 – Present

Founder

Residential Remodeling & Construction

Homes Done Your Way specializes in residential construction and remodeling projects, including custom home renovations, kitchens, bathrooms, additions, interior transformations, and comprehensive whole-home remodels.

Visit Homes Done Your Way

Black Harbor BD Ventures

2020 – Present

Founder

Coastal Residential Development & Design-Build

Black Harbor BD Ventures focuses on luxury coastal and beachside projects, including custom waterfront residences, oceanfront estates, new construction, major renovations, and estate restorations.

Visit Black Harbor BD Ventures

Black Harbor Group

2018 – Present

Founder / Investor

Strategic Capital & Investment

Black Harbor Group targets $35M–$500M+ opportunities across real estate, infrastructure, power and energy, mining and minerals, and oil & gas. Focused on private capital, investment opportunities, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships.

Visit Black Harbor Group

OTHER VENTURES

Modern Way Gardens

2014 – Present

Founder / CEO

Cultivating Quality Hemp

Modern Way Gardens specializes in commercial hemp cultivation, hemp agriculture, and premium-quality hemp production using advanced cultivation techniques and controlled growing practices.

Visit Modern Way Gardens

Modern Way Impact

2024 – Present

Founder / President

Purpose-Driven, E-Commerce & Philanthropy

Modern Way Impact is a 501(c)(3) public charity supporting children, families, and underserved communities through food assistance, clothing and winter relief, education, scholarships, youth mentorship, safe shelter, community development, emergency relief, health and hygiene support, and humanitarian outreach.

Visit Modern Way Impact

CLARIFICATION: These ventures have separate business purposes, websites, operating structures, and client or investment audiences. A visitor engaging Black Harbor BD for residential construction should not assume that services, financing, investment, or development activities offered by another venture are automatically provided by Black Harbor BD.

VENTURE TRACK RECORD

Experience That Informs How We Operate

Our development has been shaped by experience across construction, residential remodeling, landscaping, real estate, and business operations. The relevant experience includes:

CONSTRUCTION

Residential and commercial contracting experience through prior and affiliated construction activities.

RESIDENTIAL REMODELING

Experience managing renovations, additions, interior transformations, and complex residential improvements.

LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION

Background in landscape construction and outdoor property improvements.

REAL ESTATE

Experience evaluating and developing residential and real-estate opportunities.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Entrepreneurial experience across multiple operating businesses, partnerships, and ventures.

DESIGN-BUILD

Black Harbor BD's current focus brings these disciplines together around high-value residential construction and project delivery.

HOW WE OPERATE

Clarity Before Construction

ACCOUNTABILITY

Responsibilities should be defined before construction begins.

COORDINATION

The right professionals and trades should be connected at the right stage of the project.

DOCUMENTATION

Important decisions, budgets, schedules, procurement requirements, and project changes should be clearly documented.

QUALITY CONTROL

Construction quality should be monitored throughout the project rather than left to the final inspection.

COMMUNICATION

Owners should understand where the project stands, what decisions are pending, and what comes next.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Regulated professional services should be performed by appropriately qualified and authorized professionals.

OUR APPROACH TO HISTORIC RESTORATION

Respect the Existence.
Build for the Future.

Historic restoration requires a different construction mindset. Existing materials, structural conditions, architectural details, previous alterations, building systems, permitting requirements, and preservation considerations can all affect the project. Black Harbor BD approaches restoration with an emphasis on documentation, careful planning, qualified specialists, appropriate materials, and disciplined construction coordination.

Restoration Priorities

Existing Conditions Understanding what is already present before defining the construction approach.

Architectural Character Identifying significant features that should be preserved, restored, or carefully adapted.

Specialty Trades Coordinating qualified craftsmen and specialists where the project requires specialized restoration work.

Modern Performance Integrating contemporary systems and functionality while respecting the property's architectural character.

Construction Coordination Managing the relationship between preservation requirements, design decisions, materials, trades, schedules, and site conditions.

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START A CONVERSATION

Planning a Custom Home, Private Estate or Historic Restoration?

Tell us about the property, project scope, location, current design stage, budget range, and anticipated timeline. Black Harbor BD will review the initial information and determine whether the opportunity aligns with the firm's current project focus and capabilities.

Specializing in custom homes, private estates and historic restoration across Rhode Island and New England.

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