Bruce Mears, Designer/Builder

Bruce Mears, Designer/Builder “Who better to build your house than the man who designed it?”

Established in 1985, Bruce Mears in 1985. I design 14 out of 15 houses that I build.

After graduating from Indian River High School, I studied mechanical and residential architecture at Delaware Technical Community College. I created my own apprenticeship by working in every trade of the home building industry while attending college at night. This hands on experience enabled me to learn design and home building from the ground up. I became self employed in 1981 and founded the Br

uce Mears Designer-Builder Inc. Within five years, I was a leader in the up scale housing and major renovations market in and around coastal Sussex County, Delaware. Whether building an oceanfront home from the ground up, or renovating an existing home, I am known for imaginative designs, quality construction, and service that continues long after construction is complete. In 1988 I furthered me education and added expertise utilizing state of the art CAD (computer aided drafting) software to create my designs. I use my creative ability to take advantage of lot geography and provide a design which has beautiful exterior elevations and a great floor plan that provides the owner with the desired interior layout as well as views of outdoor surroundings which enhance the beauty of living in your home. I earned a DNREC/FEMA residential coastal construction certificate in 2003 and became an EPA lead paint certified renovation contractor in 2010. In addition to my 32 years of construction experience, I have been very active in my community by donating my time and talent:
• 8 years, co-director of the Delaware ESA
• One term on the Mariners Bethel United Methodist church Board of Trustees
• Three years serving as the construction and design consultant for Mariners Bethel United Methodist church’s new sanctuary project. I created four different sanctuary designs to help the congregation decide on a new sanctuary concept.
• Two 4 year terms as the political chairman of the 38th District in which I live
• Three years on the Board of Directors of the Fenwick/Bethany Chamber of Commerce. During this time I donated an expansion/renovation design to the Bethany Fenwick Chamber of Commerce building and assisted the construction management firm as needed. I remain a member of the Bethany Fenwick Chamber of Commerce as well as the Rehoboth Chamber of Commerce.
• I have served as an appointed official on the Sussex County Building Code Board of Appeals since 1996 and became Chairman of the Board in 2003. I was reappointed to a fifth consecutive four year term in January 2013 and continue to serve as chairman of the board
I’m a member of the Lower Delaware - Maryland Building Officials Association. As Chairman of the Building Code Board I was able to lobby the Sussex County Council to consider adopting the International Building Code which includes FEMA’s coastal wind zone building requirements. I am currently serving as a youth leader, middle school bible school teacher and on our building committee to fund and build a 13,000 square foot youth building at Mariners Bethel Untied Methodist Church.

Pouring grade beams on piling.
04/01/2026

Pouring grade beams on piling.

Underway on Second Street.
03/26/2026

Underway on Second Street.

Thank you Coastal Point for another article "Mears' Departure from P&Z a Tough Loss"
03/14/2026

Thank you Coastal Point for another article "Mears' Departure from P&Z a Tough Loss"

“Something needed to go.”

Thank you Susan Canfora and Coastal Point
03/11/2026

Thank you Susan Canfora and Coastal Point

Serving on the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission had such a vital place in Bruce Mears’ life that when fellow commissioners gathered to wish him a fond farewell, praise

Thank you Kevin Conlon of The Cape Gazette for the article about me!!! "It's An Honor to Serve"
02/24/2026

Thank you Kevin Conlon of The Cape Gazette for the article about me!!!
"It's An Honor to Serve"

Bruce Mears, a boutique home builder based in Ocean View, suggested repeatedly in the early-1990s that Sussex County create a residential building code to improve safety and quality of construction. At the time, the county had a commercial building...

Our new apprentice, Jordy. I gave him the elevations of the house we’re building for his family. He added his creativity...
02/16/2026

Our new apprentice, Jordy. I gave him the elevations of the house we’re building for his family. He added his creativity bringing the elevations to life in color. Isn't this the cutest picture? I love my job!

Got Mears?
12/19/2025

Got Mears?

Thanks Atlantic Millwork!
11/06/2025

Thanks Atlantic Millwork!

Thanks to the Coastal Point for the awesome article in their 2025 Coastal Home & Garden issue.
10/07/2025

Thanks to the Coastal Point for the awesome article in their 2025 Coastal Home & Garden issue.

Rehoboth Yacth & Country Club progress was good while I was on vacation.
10/06/2025

Rehoboth Yacth & Country Club progress was good while I was on vacation.

A blue sky picture on a gloomy day........
09/16/2025

A blue sky picture on a gloomy day........

Address

31370 Railway Road, Unit 2
Millville, DE
19970

Telephone

+13025392355

Website

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