Outer Banks Beach Home

While having dinner last summer with longtime friends, Mark and Sandy Martin, my wife and I both expressed our dreams of owning an Outer Banks Beach Home. Mark an experienced builder, long time Outer Banks resident, and owner of Sandmark Custom Homes, encouraged us to pursue our dream. From walking through potential lots to choosing the perfect chandelier, Mark and Sandy were there beside us through every step of the journey. With our vision and their know-how, Mark and Sandy steadfast guidance led us through the process and exactly one year later we were enjoying the evening breeze while relaxing on our very own beach house porch.

Exceed Your Expectations!

I want to take a minute to recognize how happy we have been with the various renovation and ad hoc repair projects that Sandmark has completed at our 4 rental home over the last 5 years. As out of state owners, it is reassuring to know that Mark is always there to respond to issues as and when they arise and that we never have to worry about the quality of the work, or the cost of construction. Projects are always completed quickly, within budget and to a high technical standard. In fact we have been so happy with Sandmark Custom Homes that when it came time to select a general contractor to build our new primary residence in Kitty Hawk we didn’t consider using any other firms. Once again, Sandmark has exceeded our expectations and we are absolutely thrilled with the outcome. Sandmark will exceed your expectations, too.

– Jack and Caroline Baughman

Outer Banks Beach House Remodel

Pool view and Exterior Beach Walkway

We hired Sandmark for a major Outer Banks beach house remodel. We had hired a designer to assist us with creating house plans, but she was not helpful at all and said we couldn’t do some of the things we wanted. We heard that Sandmark was good, so we called Mark to come look at our house. He was phenomenal!! In less than one hour, he sketched out drawings of exactly what we wanted and showed us how it would work in our home. He and Sandy worked closely with us, LISTENING to what we wanted and making it happen. After moving in, they promptly corrected anything that wasn’t just right. We would definitely hire Sandmark again.

– Jimmy and Becky Harrell

Outer Banks Home Renovation

It was wonderful working with Mark and Sandy. They listened to our needs and the result was a beautiful makeover and addition. We love our home after our Outer Banks home renovation.

– John and Lisa Walker

Sandmark Custom Homes Professionalism

Sandmark Custom Homes has done at least three major projects for us over the last 10 years. My husband (now deceased) and I have always been incredibly pleased with the results. Sandmark Custom Homes professionalism is of the highest quality.

– Mary Sepucha

Sandmark Custom Homes Outer Banks Remodel

Our beach box on the Outer Banks needed a complete remodel – soup to nuts. Having completed many renovation projects in the past, we knew how critical it was to find the right general contractor. After interviewing several, we chose Sandmark Custom Homes. It was the right decision. From our initial meeting through project completion Mark and Sandy quickly addressed our design issues and concerns. Having a knowledgeable builder, one who can coordinate subcontractors in a timely fashion, was key; Sandmark adhered to start and finish dates. They also maintained a clean job site, enabling everyone to complete their given tasks. Most importantly, Mark was present and engaged in the process. His suggestions were always an improvement on the end result. Our completed project is just as we envisioned, thanks to Mark and Sandy. We would highly recommend Sandmark Custom Homes for anyone planning on building or any Outer Banks remodel.

– John and Denine Phillips

Truly Great Builders

As a Home Designer, I start the process of making people’s dreams come to reality. Truly great Builders like Mark & Sandy Martin finish what I start. They are a rare thing in the Building world…….a really “class act”.

We have done Additions, Remodels and many Custom Homes together and I have yet to see even one “un-satisfied” client. Mark & Sandy’s attention to detail, their passion for building, and their amazing care of each and every clients wants, needs, desires and budget, put them head and shoulders above other builders in the Outer Banks, and where ever you find them building.

– Mark Miller, Croft-Hall Residential Designs

Pleased With Final Results

Sandmark Custom Homes was responsive to our requests from the very beginning. They listened to us and made note of many details before the project even began. They helped us in choosing materials, but I never felt like their suggestions were demanding. We relied on their expertise in the design and implementation of all of the components of our renovation. Their contract defined the scope of the job, and during renovation there were no surprises. The quality of their workmanship was excellent, and the few changes we requested were made. We felt like our property was treated with care and respect. They followed through on all items on our punch list. We are so pleased with the final results, and would definitely recommend Sandmark to our friends and neighbors.

– Mark & Maryellen Bagley

Greatly Appreciated Mark and Sandy’s Expertise

I have used Sandmark Custom Homes for two major renovations of my home. Both jobs were completed on time and within budget. I greatly appreciated Mark and Sandy’s expertise. They have great design skills and creativity. Mark brought well qualified subs to the job. I continue to use the electrician, plumber and painter. Mark continues to check in on a regular basis to be sure all is good. I have a beautiful home, thanks to Mark and Sandy.

– Roberta Graham

Mark Martin is Very Experienced and Trustworthy

We hired Sandmark Custom Homes 3 years ago to do a significant remodel to a beach home we purchased. Open air ground floor was enclosed creating a large workshop, garage, and patio area that included a new bath. Also built out for an elevator, added exterior stair system, in-ground pool, and landscaping. The project involved all aspects of construction (plumbing, HVAC, electrical, structural, interior finish, etc.) We lived 650 miles from the project and had to be comfortable that our contractor would handle things to our specifications etc. Mark Martin has proved himself to be very experienced and trustworthy. His workmanship and that of his subs were high quality and the entire project turned out great. We really appreciate that Mark was at our job site almost every day and frequently had tools in hand to do the work right along with his crews. The project was completed on time and within the budget we set. We recently hired him again to help with a major water intrusion issue on another beach property we own. He responded to our call for help and had a crew on site within a few days to address the problem. Water had penetrated behind the siding on three levels and the sheathing was rotten and the corner framing of the house was compromised. Not only did he fix the damage but he also identified where the water was coming from which was a design/build problem when the house was first erected 15 years ago. He had his crew take the extra steps to eliminate that issue. Will not hesitate to call him again when we are in need of a contractor.

– Rick & Maryanne Amari

Provide a Great Value With No Stress

We purchased our beach house in 2003 and then hired Sandmark Custom Homes in 2008 to build an addition including a master suite, family room, elevator and swimming pool as well as renovating most of the existing rooms, kitchen, and baths. We wanted to work with someone we could trust to do a great job since we live in Pennsylvania and could not be there on a regular basis to monitor the progress and quality of workmanship. We were thrilled at their level of trustworthiness and expertise in completing the project in a timely fashion. We have since hired them in 2013 for another small addition of a storage room enclosure and received the same top level of treatment. We have no reservations about turning the key over to Mark and Sandy and letting them do what they do best… provide a great value with no stress.

– Kip & Paula Keperling

Sandmark Hit the “Mark”

[I] was very impressed with the knowledge of codes/permitting issues for our region. Sticking to schedule and budget are always the most important concerns and Sandmark Custom Homes hit the mark. I also asked for what I thought were some significant extras and did NOT get a change order. Sandmark Custom Homes was recommended highly to me by my new neighborhood and I am now highly recommending them to anyone who will listen.

– Barbara Issacs

Awarded First Place For “Best Renovation”

When it came time to upgrade our Outer Banks home in 2006, we noticed a house down the street that was under renovation. We spoke with the owners and were allowed to view the work in progress. It was a Sandmark Custom Homes project. Since it was not completed we were able to see the work “uncovered” and were delighted with the workmanship. We called Mark Martin and spoke with him about our project. We planned a major renovation including a 30% increase in floor space, with total roof truss replacement. Every time we visited the site, Mark was there. He coordinated all of the work and kept us on schedule and on budget. We couldn’t be happier with the results. Our renters refer to our house as the “Happy House” because of the construction and diversity of colors we used. At the end of our project our house was included in the Outer Banks Home Show and we were awarded a first place plaque for “Best Renovation”. Thanks Sandmark!

– Bob & Anne Rhome

They Made Dreams Become Reality

We had seen Mark and Sandy’s work on the Parade of Homes and were impressed with how they made dreams become reality with high quality. While we had land on the Outer Banks, we did not want to build a beach style home. That had challenges of its own as some of the concepts weren’t commonly part of Outer Banks homes and materials we wanted to use weren’t always available on the Outer Banks. But Sandmark Custom Homes was up for any ideas we had and talked with us about what we specifically wanted so it could be implemented even though it may have been outside of their norm. When the building began, we could only get to the site about once a month as we live in Pennsylvania, but scheduled conference calls, and the many emails and pictures kept us up to speed on the progress and decisions we had to make about our new home. While it is never pleasant to tell someone something didn’t turn out the way we wanted, if we wanted something re-done, they did it, no questions asked. This is the first time we’ve built a custom home and Mark and Sandy made it easy for us.

– Dave & Melody Badger

The Best Builders on the Beach

I cannot say enough about Sandmark Custom Homes. Sandy and Mark are very attentive, good listeners and also excellent problem solvers. The new home, which was over $1 million, was on time and on budget. They accepted changes to the plans with no worries. They are the best builders on the beach. And they are still following up on the details of the house even after 7 years. They guarantee their work and are a proud team. If you don’t hire them, you are not getting the best builder on the Outer Banks. Please call us if you have any questions.

Creative ideas were always evident and executed. They listened to our ideas, put them to paper and then built the idea. No idea was dismissed. They were all thoroughly explored and reviewed. They used quality subcontractors and were on top of those subs throughout the job. They met with us regularly and on the weekends. They always took our calls. They were very considerate of our neighbors as we built in an established neighborhood.

—Mark & Kathy Batenic

Epitomizes Quality Construction

Sandmark Custom Homes has built two Outer Banks homes for me. Sandy and Mark Martin, the owners of Sandmark are models of honesty, trustworthiness, and professionalism. From the moment they stepped on the site to the finished product, they paid attention to every detail, offered expert advice on design, finishes and accessories, plus left nothing undone. Every home I’ve seen that they’ve remodeled or built, including the two of mine, epitomizes quality construction and pride in the completed project. I’m happy to recommend Sandmark to everyone who would like a home that is built to please the homeowner, that is built to the highest standards, and that is comfortable for living.

– Louanne Woody

Far Beyond Being a Builder

It is with pleasure that I recommend Sandmark Custom Homes. In 2000 my husband and I decided to move into our former weekend retreat on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. After reading reviews of many builders, we chose Mark and Sandy Martin to renovate our beach house and make it into a year-round home. The work was extensive including stripping the house down to bare studs and removing and redesigning the roof. The Martins were able to add a large master bath and master bedroom, dining area, laundry room, half- bath, and second full bath, garage, inside stairs from the second level to the garage, and a ground-level entrance and office. In addition, they enlarged several rooms, added decks off from two of the bedrooms, and redesigned the kitchen. The work started in September and we moved in the first week in January. We could not be happier. Mark and Sandy listened to what we wanted and helped us to build within our budget. They kept us informed and even went with us to various vendors to help select tile, flooring, cabinets, carpets, etc. As a Realtor, I have recommended Sandmark to clients who have been as satisfied with their work as we are.

We are still friends with the Martins. Recently, when we had a small leak in our laundry room, we called Mark to ask who he would recommend that we call. He was at our house within ten minutes to find the leak and to give us the name of someone to repair it. This is what I call going far beyond being a builder. It shows the degree to which the Martins care about their clients.

– Robert & Linda Palombo

Responsive and Reliable Contractor

Simply the best!! I have done two complete remodels both with fantastic results. Both projects were done in my absence with no problems. Both completed on time and on budget. I could not ask for a more responsive and reliable contractor. I have heard that a lot of people building or remodeling have to be involved in every little decision (not me) I like the fact that I could have two beautiful results and not have to be on site at all. I think it’s all about TRUST. I NEVER worried that there would be any problems that wouldn’t be fixed in a timely fashion. I think you and Mark do all the worrying!!

– Rob & Sue Harding

Highly Recommend Mark for Any Job

Complete remodeling. New ceilings, floors, bathrooms, kitchen, etc. Work done was excellent. Would highly recommend Mark for any job from building a completely new home to fixing up one you have.

– Jim & Kaye Wagner

Quick to Respond and Make Corrections

We have worked with Sandmark Custom Homes on several renovation and addition projects. The date listed below is for the most recent project, but we have been using Sandmark Custom Homes since 2002. They have always hired the best subcontractors they could find; come in at budget, even when we have made changes; and completed the project when they said they would. Mark deals with local suppliers, so as the homeowner, you get your materials on-site on time. His subcontractors are courteous and trustworthy. I never have any worries about them being in my home. Mark is on-site every day supervising the work. Any problems we have had when the job was finished, he has been very quick to respond and make corrections, even years after the work was completed. We have so much confidence in his work, that we don’t even get bids anymore from other contractors.

– Jim & Bobbi Defenbaugh

Company with a Warm, Welcoming Feel

Sandmark Custom Homes is a professional company with a warm, welcoming feel. They embrace each job as if it was their only one; giving all of their clients personal attention with a special touch. These attributes are proven time and again with repeat customers and referrals.

– Jason & Claire Conley, Soundside Pools

Excellent Job Rebuilding the Flooded Area

Mark and Sandy Martin of Sandmark Custom Homes came to the rescue when my first floor flooded. Sandmark Custom Homes did an excellent job gutting and rebuilding the flooded area. Sandmark Custom Homes stayed on schedule, offered suggestions on improving the damaged space and returned calls promptly. The job was completed and I couldn’t have been happier with the outcome. I would recommend Sandmark Custom Homes and use them again for any building, repair or remodeling needs.

– Linda Sabadic

Quality Work, Quality People

We would like to recommend Sandmark Custom Homes to anyone looking to build or renovate a home on the Outer Banks. Every time we spend time in our new Sandmark home, we appreciate all of the work, thought and care that went into it. This was our first building experience on the Outer Banks, and using Sandmark Custom Homes was the best decision we could have made. From start to finish Mark and Sandy were honest, professional, creative and responsive. Quality work, quality people. We recommend them highly.

— Jeff Johnson & Diane Tindall

Dealing with Sandmark is Always Pleasurable

I have used Sandmark Custom Homes for a number of remodeling projects, ranging from smaller things like removing an outside cabana and refinishing kitchen cabinets, to completing a full scale gut renovation of a 7 bedroom beach rental house, that included the retro-fitting of an elevator, and the installation of an in-ground swimming pool in addition to the standard interior work (new kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, etc.). Dealing with Sandmark Custom Homes is always pleasurable. The quality of their work has always exceeded my expectations, and they have always managed my projects with great care, ensuring that things are completed on time and within budget. They also check in on all of my properties periodically, and stand by the quality of their work, which is a huge benefit to me, as I live out of state.

I would recommend Sandmark Custom Homes without hesitation, and my husband and I have in fact hired them to build us a new home.

— Jack & Caroline Baughman

The Best Builder For Our New Home

After purchasing a parcel of land in Southern Shores in 2006, we talked to a number of local builders to see which one would be the best fit to build our retirement home. After meeting with Mark and Sandy and visiting several of the homes they had built, we were very impressed with the quality of work and the attention to details. We decided that Sandmark Custom Homes would be the best builder for our new home.

– Bill & Renee Gleason

You Can Tell They Really Care

We hired Sandmark to design and build an addition to our small A-Frame cottage. In another review, I saw the term “excellent problem-solvers” and this was so true. We weren’t in town when the renovations were done, but Mark and Sandy kept in very good touch with us, contacting us often with updates and problems which had occurred, all of which they had competently solved either before or after talking with us with their suggestions. The quality of the work and materials was excellent, and you can tell they really care about how we would live in our new space. We plan to hire them for future additions/renovations and we will definitely recommend them to anyone!

— Lori Goll

You Will Always be “Our Builder of the Year”

As we have progressed through this building process, it has become clear to us why you have been selected “Builder of the Year” two times in the past three years. You will always be “Our Builder of the Year.”

– Richard & Eleanor Lee

We always knew we were in great hands!

We cannot thank Mark and Sandy enough for the beautiful home their Company constructed for us! As non-resident homeowners living 400 miles away, we always knew we were in great hands!  We met them at the Parade of Homes in one of the homes Sandmark Custom Homes built. They were easy to talk with and advised us on what to look for and how the process would work to build the new beach house we had always dreamt of owning. A couple of tours of other new and remodeled Sandmark projects and we knew they were our Contractor.

Contract to construction was a breeze.  With little more than a vacant lot and a set of house plans we purchased locally; we were ready for our dream house. Mark and Sandy knew we had a limited budget and worked well within it to make it a reality. Sandy has an impeccable vision on color selection and finishes.  Her suggestions were always on point each and every time whether wall colors or fabrics. It was like an HGTV experience with Sandy selecting fixtures and finishes with Sandmark’s long-time vendors. Early on we realized Sandy knew the look we were going for in our new beach house and agreed as a family to have her make any decisions she saw fit on the finish of our home. Perfection! Mark would constantly provide us with recommendations he saw on our home plans that would improve function and flow in our home and was very patient with us. We are so glad we followed and implemented his recommended changes because the end results are prominent and striking!  Sandmark would periodically email us construction photos as work progressed which was exciting to see as our dream started to become a reality.

Our home was built on schedule and within budget. It was amazing how smoothly the process went from start to completion living so far away. The quality and finish of our home stand out.  Almost two years after construction, our house is solid and will last. To date, we have had no warranty issues or callbacks. You don’t find that kind of quality with most contractors very often today.

If you are thinking about building that dream beach house, Sandmark Custom Homes is the builder to use. They have many vendors and contacts that can make a complicated process into an easily manageable adventure. We are so happy we met Mark and Sandy and consider them good friends to this day. Try to find any contractor that you can say that about after building or remodeling a house! Sandmark built our beach house with such quality and sincere care, it was as if they built it as their own beach house!

Life is short – Build the beach house!

Mike & Chrissy LaRuffa

Sandmark Wants the Best Outcome For Their Clients

Backyard Aerial View

Sandmark helped us, my husband and I, and my sister-in-law and her husband, build our dream beach home in Southern Shores. After interviewing and researching several builders, we chose Sandmark, who quickly became our friends, Mark and Sandy. They were supportive and transparent every step of the way from design to construction and final details. Both couples lived 4-6 hours away, and Mark and Sandy kept us informed every step of the process. They even let us store our kitchen accessories, bedding, etc. in their garage. They work together as a team that only wants the best outcome for their clients. My husband and I have renovated many homes and dealt with several contractors in Virginia and North Carolina and are happy to say that Mark and Sandy have been the best we have ever used. Our home, Seaview, has received so many compliments, has rented for more than we expected, and even received an accolade for the “People’s Choice Award in OBX.” The house that Sandmark built for us has brought us so many wonderful family and friend memories that are invaluable. We have and would recommend using Sandmark to other potential homeowners in the Outer Banks.

Love Our Custom Home Built by Sandmark

Pool Looking to Home

We love our custom home built by Sandmark. Mark and Sandy were easy to work with and walked us through our first home build every step of the way.  We are very happy with the quality of the final product and believe it was well worth the investment.

While building during COVID with all the supply chain shortages and challenges to the construction timeline was difficult, Mark and Sandy kept us well appraised of timelines, status, and unforeseen changes in costs.  They did a great job keeping track of puts and takes along the way, and their relationships with local lenders and insurance providers helped make the lending and construction draw processes smooth and error-free.

Sandmark has a great team of subcontractors who pulled together to produce an outstanding final product.  We appreciated Mark and Sandy’s patience with us to handle questions and changes as they came up and for working with us through the final punch list items.  Mark and Sandy are not only good builders, they are good people.  They have a well-deserved excellent reputation in the community and did a great job of building a relationship of integrity and trust with us.  We could always count on them to “make things right” when issues inevitably arose. We don’t ever plan to build again, but if we did, we would definitely select Sandmark as our partner.

Mark and Ann Sellers

Highly Recommend Sandmark

We started with a need to add an elevator. That expanded to adding a new master bedroom and bath, closing off a Jack and Jill bath, adding an office, replacing the bathtubs in 4 bedrooms with showers, adding a new foyer, and most of all, a new kitchen. Those renovations transformed the house.

Mark, I will not forget you standing in the old kitchen, arms folded and just thinking. In a matter of minutes, you came up with a design that was perfect for us.

As we went on, we added a new roof, had the entire house inside and outside painted, and added a new air conditioner.

Throughout this whole process, the two of you were on top of every issue that arose. You were very responsive and addressed each issue on a timely basis.  The two of you were a delight to work with.

Sandy, your decorating skills were of enormous help, being with us each step of the way from picking countertops, paint colors, flooring, lighting, cabinets, and just generally steering us from making a mistake.

We thoroughly enjoy what we believe is our new house. We were very happy in selecting Sandmark to do our construction, no one else we interviewed came close to figuring out how to install the elevator and how to create the kitchen we wanted. Your subcontractors were excellent and as a result, we found a new plumber, electrician, and HVAC firm who also have been very responsive and who know the house well.

Thanks for all your help. We love the result. We highly recommend you.

Allen and Judi Weltmann

Highly Recommend Sandmark Custom Homes

We highly recommend Sandmark Custom Homes, managed by Sandy and Mark Martin. Our collaboration with them was personal as we were rebuilding my family’s beach home, a precious legacy handed down to us when my parents could no longer manage it, with the goal of accommodating our expanding family and ensuring accessibility for our elderly parents.

Mark’s extensive knowledge and meticulousness were apparent, addressing subtle elements such as planning our outdoor area with wind direction in mind and harmonizing comfort and aesthetic in our home. Sandy facilitated seamless communication and resolved challenges promptly streamlining the process.

Their unique, personalized approach highlighted an understanding of our home’s emotional value, treating it as a legacy and respecting our family’s varied needs and desires.

I enthusiastically recommend Sandmark Custom Homes to those looking to build or remodel, particularly those inheriting family residences.

Sincerely,

Delia & Matthew Troy

Excellent Remodel

Sandmark did an excellent job remodeling our house. Beginning with Mark’s original hand sketch and then formalized by Sea Swept Design, the final design enhanced the original structure and seamlessly blended an addition. You would think it is a completely new home. The remodeling work began in October of 2022 and we received the certificate of occupancy by June of 2023. Given the scope of the work, we were very pleased with the timeliness of completion. The contractors that Sandmark uses are very capable and easy to interact with. Mark and Sandy took all issues and concerns seriously and followed through until all tasks were completed. We love our new beach house.