Valerie O’Dell, Founder

“Over the course of my career, I've had the privilege of managing almost fifty high end luxury custom projects, each one contributing to my depth of experience in the construction industry. The intricate, detailed process of a build demands dedicated attention, and assuming this responsibility is where my expertise truly shines.

From the moment you hire Elite Living Builders, you can relinquish the burden of juggling your personal life and every facet of the building process. The best part… you can fully trust it will be meticulously handled.

From commencement to completion, we prioritize collaboration, ensuring that we establish a comprehensive framework that covers all the bases - budgetary considerations, scheduling imperatives, and design aspirations.

This collaborative approach brings assurance and involvement from the outset, while maintaining an ongoing, transparent dialogue throughout the project. Your input remains integral without the encumbrance of hundreds of tasks on your daily plate.”

MY ROOTS

“I was born and raised in Boca Raton, Florida. The coastline has been my happy place since I can remember. I love it here. Although I was accepted to several universities across the state, I decided to stay in my hometown and attended Florida Atlantic University on scholarship. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, minoring in Sociology. My focus was broadcast journalism (and I totally thought I was going to be a news anchor). But – God had a different plan. After working in the restaurant industry through college I was ready to embark on the REAL WORLD & I turned to Craigslist to find my dream job (Huh?! Not sure why I didn’t choose LinkedIn, but it worked in my favor).”

Matt Hurley, Partner

Matthew Hurley brings over a decade of hands-on experience managing large-scale construction projects across South Florida and beyond. As a licensed Certified General Contractor in the State of Florida, Matthew pairs his technical expertise with a deep understanding of sustainable building practices, holding a LEED Accredited Professional credential in Building Design + Construction, along with certifications in OSHA safety, First Aid & CPR, and Green Advantage through the USGBC.

Matthew’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Management fromLynn University and an Associate of Science in Sustainable Construction Management from Palm Beach State College—education that has shaped both his leadership style and his commitment to high-performance, environmentally responsible construction.

Before becoming a partner, Matthew spent over a decade at Kaufman Lynn Construction, where he rose to the role of Project Executive. His portfolio there includes a diverse range of projects such as the Old Town Square and Oakland Park Residences (totaling over 630 apartment units and 22 townhomes), the PBSO Marine Unit & Administrative Building, the Hollywood Library renovation, and multiple fire stations and municipal facilities in Coral Springs. Earlier in his career, Matthew worked with Balfour Beatty Construction on higher education and public safety projects, including the Palm Beach State College Public Safety Campus and Central Energy Plant.

To date, Matthew has overseen the construction of over 1,500 multifamily units, more than 20 townhomes, six clubhouses, and numerous public sector projects. His strength lies in driving projects from concept through completion while coordinating seamlessly with clients, consultants, and field teams to deliver exceptional results. His practical, proactive approach and commitment to craftsmanship are at the heart of every project he leads.

How it Began

I stumbled on a job posting for a personal assistant job at a real estate development company in Delray Beach, FL. I thought, ‘if I could assist the owner with their day-to-day and learn the business, I could eventually learn the biz’. I interviewed and after speaking a few times, I knew I landed the job. But, I got turned down… something along the lines of being slightly over qualified to be his personal assistant. Which I really appreciated, despite my tears and thinking I’d never land another job again (ha).

A few days later I got a call back, offering me an entry level project coordinator role – learning how to manage new construction builds. Sure! Mind you, at this point, I didn’t know anything about real estate development at the time but I had nothing to lose so I went for it. I grew with that company over the course of four years and built homes in Boca Raton and Delray Beach Florida. I learned a huge bulk of what I know now from my first boss, and feel very blessed that I came across that Craigslist ad. I still go by the measure of acceptance he taught me as my benchmark for approval.”

Never Stop Learning

I continued my education at the School of Architecture at Florida Atlantic University, obtaining advanced certificates in Estimating and Project Management & Construction Financial Management. I then attended Gold Coast Real Estate, further expanding my knowledge in Contractor Business and Finance, Project Management and Trade Knowledge. I since then have managed the build of high-end custom homes in some of the most prestigious areas of South Florida, the Floridian National Golf Club in Stuart, Las Olas Isles in Ft Lauderdale and Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club in Boca Raton to name a few. This allowed me to expand my knowledge of various building department requirements, engage and build relationships with new subcontractors and expand our team accordingly. It is an absolute necessity to keep an open mind in your career, always welcoming new opportunities and obtaining as much experience as possible, both in the field & in the classroom.

Today

We’re thrilled to announce our expansion into South Fort Lauderdale, Lighthouse Point, and North Palm Beach, in addition to continuing our exceptional work in the heart of Boca Raton and Delray Beach. At Elite Living Builders, we’re all about turning your vision into reality while having fun along the way. Our dedicated team thrives on creating exceptional projects that stand out and exceed expectations. We’re more than just builders—we’re an extension of you, committed to delivering elite results with enthusiasm and expertise. From start to finish, we’re here to make the process enjoyable and the outcomes extraordinary. 

Join us as we build not just structures, but lasting impressions.

What you can expect…

  • Work with clients building custom and spec homes during pre-construction planning and consulting to ensure all aspects of architectural plans are designed as desired

  • Initiate and maintain liaison with Clients, Architects and Engineers; coordination of construction drawings and activities

  • Coordinate all building department documents to successfully submit and receive a permit for any and all construction items

  • Monitor/control construction through administrative direction of on-site superintendent

  • Carefully study all bid proposals from subcontractors and level costs to compare inclusions/exclusions

  • Process all Change Orders, RFIs and Submittals to clients, architects and building departments

  • Interpret drawings and facilitate revisions as necessary

  • Work directly with vendors to ensure scope of work is accurately included in contract documents, hold all subcontractors to the same standard of being relentlessly proactive

  • Control the buyout process and process contracts, execute/upload to software program and distribute to all parties necessary

  • Provide weekly status updates to clients and deliver job site/administrative progress, over communicating so the client never has to wonder the status of the job site

  • Visit job sites multiple times per week to ensure projects are moving forward and items that need to be addressed are resolved in a timely manner

  • Review and discuss schedule on a regular basis, adjusting as necessary and updating the client

  • Close out projects to final completion including building department documentation, move-in package for client and maintenance initiation