George Abadie, President & Founder, Seacoast Construction Inc.

In an interview with Invest:, George Abadie, president and founder of Seacoast Construction, highlighted the launch of a consulting arm to streamline pre-construction services, marking a key milestone in supporting clients with South Florida’s regulatory and design challenges.

What milestones did Seacoast Construction achieve this past year?

A significant milestone for Seacoast Construction was launching a consulting arm to support clients navigating South Florida’s complex construction landscape. Officially introduced earlier this year, the service addresses the numerous pre-construction hurdles, such as entitlements, permits, design, and regulatory processes, that can often delay projects.

Many clients, especially those from out of state or abroad, are unfamiliar with the nuances of building in the region. Our consulting arm formalizes a process we’ve already been handling, guiding clients from the initial stages through to construction. This seamless transition not only ensures efficiency but also strengthens our role as a comprehensive construction partner.

How has Seacoast balanced growth with maintaining quality and personalized service?

Our growth has been deliberate and client focused. Rather than expanding rapidly, we’ve prioritized building strong, lasting relationships with like-minded commercial clients who share our commitment to quality. Many of these partnerships have developed into repeat business, allowing us to grow steadily and responsibly.

Over the past seven years, we’ve incrementally taken on larger, more complex projects while expanding our client base. This organic approach has positioned us as a niche commercial contractor, allowing us to scale without sacrificing the quality and personalized attention our clients expect.

What differentiates Seacoast Construction in South Florida’s competitive market?

Our pre-construction services set us apart. We assist clients with feasibility studies, design coordination, and budgeting before construction begins. For clients without design teams, we help select the right professionals and ensure the project aligns with their vision and budget.

We also guide clients through jurisdictional codes, restrictions, and regulatory parameters, streamlining the process and avoiding costly delays. In some cases, clients retain us as owner representatives to oversee contractors, even if we aren’t selected as the builder.

With 25 years of local market expertise and a deep understanding of South Florida’s unique challenges, we’ve become a trusted partner for navigating the construction process from start to finish.

What is driving demand for Seacoast’s services?

South Florida is experiencing a renaissance, driven by companies relocating their headquarters or opening divisions here. Major players like BlackRock and Citadel are leading this influx, with ancillary businesses following their lead.

Post-COVID, office spaces have evolved into lifestyle hubs, integrating amenities like fitness centers, childcare, and dining options to serve both employees and their families. These innovative projects are a significant driver of demand.

This surge in office development also fuels growth in other sectors, including retail, hospitality, and restaurants. With capital pouring into the region, opportunities in these markets remain robust, and demand for our services continues to grow.

How is Seacoast managing inflation, interest rates, and economic challenges?

South Florida’s long-term appeal continues to outweigh short-term economic hurdles like inflation and high interest rates. Most of our clients take a strategic, long-term approach, focusing on five-, 10-, or 15-year plans rather than reacting to temporary challenges.

This perspective allows us to navigate complexities more effectively. While costs have risen and regulatory hurdles persist, the region’s enduring value keeps projects moving forward. For our clients, establishing a presence in South Florida is worth the investment, ensuring continued demand for development.

How is Seacoast addressing lingering supply chain challenges?

Although supply chain disruptions have eased since the height of the pandemic, certain challenges persist due to high demand. We’ve adopted a proactive approach to minimize delays by ordering materials well in advance of when they’re needed.

For instance, we assess lead times early in the project planning phase. If a critical component requires three months to procure, we order it immediately rather than waiting. This preemptive strategy ensures materials arrive on schedule and keeps projects on track.

In cases where long lead times are unavoidable, we collaborate with design teams to find solutions. For example, a recent project required a custom mechanical unit with a six-month lead time, but the build-out timeline was also six months. To resolve this, we re-specified the unit with a different manufacturer, reducing the lead time to three months and allowing us to meet the project deadline.

How is Seacoast leveraging AI and other technology?

AI and advanced technology are making a growing impact on construction management. We use project management systems that incorporate AI features to track workflows and flag potential issues. These tools act as virtual assistants, sending reminders about pending approvals, documents, and deadlines, ensuring smooth project execution.

We also utilize 3D modeling and virtual reality (VR) in select projects, particularly those with complex designs or tight site constraints. For example, in a recent project for a three-story building in Delray Beach, VR walkthroughs helped identify discrepancies during the planning phase, allowing us to refine designs and optimize execution.

While these technologies are still evolving, they’ve become invaluable tools for improving accuracy, efficiency, and strategic planning.

How is Seacoast addressing sustainability in its projects?

Sustainability is becoming an integral part of construction, and we’re adapting by incorporating greener practices where possible. This includes using efficient equipment and sourcing sustainable materials, such as recycled or repurposed products, to reduce waste.

Client demand for environmentally friendly solutions varies, but we’ve seen a growing interest in minimizing carbon footprints and adopting sustainable designs. By aligning our processes with these goals, we’re able to deliver projects that are both high-quality and environmentally responsible.

What are Seacoast’s top priorities for the next two to three years?

Expanding our pre-construction services is a key priority. These services, covering feasibility studies, design coordination, and permitting, have been highly valuable for clients navigating South Florida’s complex construction environment. We aim to broaden the scope of this offering to support more clients in the region.

Another focus is growing our team with quality hires who share our commitment to excellence. As project volumes and sizes increase, we’re also looking to expand into new markets, particularly Palm Beach County. Areas like West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Delray Beach are experiencing significant growth, driven by large-scale investments.

By scaling strategically and maintaining our dedication to quality, we’re confident in our ability to continue delivering exceptional results while cementing our position as a leading commercial contractor in South Florida.