Testimonials

CONSTRUCTION REFERENCE LETTERS

Roger and Pat Stricker

Dear Bill and Kim,

Pat and I want to thank you and your entire staff for building us a beautiful home on the Northern Outer Banks.  It has been a real pleasure working with such a professional organization.

Over the past several years, Pat and I have lived in Indiana, New Jersey, Florida and again in New Jersey and have built four new homes along the way.  Our fifth new construction home, the beach cottage you built for us in Ocean Hill Estates, is certainly among the best we have experienced.  The construction details and materials, the workmanship and attention to detail, and the follow through to completion on schedule are all important elements in our experience with your company.

Your suppliers provided a quality product at a reasonable price and your subcontractors were complete professionals who understood our needs and requests.

Thank you for building a great home, on schedule and within budget.  We would recommend your company to anyone interested in building a beach cottage in the Outer Banks.

Very truly yours,
Roger and Pat Stricker
Hampton, NJ

Paul and Nancy Stoner

Dear Bill and Kim,

It seems like just yesterday that Nancy and I met with you and Ginny in your office to discuss our plans for a beach house and what you could do within our budget.  It’s hard to believe it’s just a little over three months that we settled on our construction loan and you started on our house in Ocean Lake.  We never expected that we would be writing this letter so soon.

Nancy and I just wanted to say “thanks” and to tell you how much we recognize and appreciate the exceptional quality you put into our house.  At the beginning, we had interviewed several builders but from our initial meeting with you and Kim, we knew we wouldn’t have to look any further.  We felt extremely comfortable and confident that we wanted you to build our house.  Your wide variety of building plans, the quality of your workmanship, your willingness to work with us to customize our plan, and your personal attention to our project have all added up to make this one of the most pleasant business and personal experiences we have ever undertaken.

Little did we expect that you would go to such lengths in working with us from the initial concept, through the design, planning, site preparation, construction, and set up of our house to ensure our complete satisfaction.  Your generous allowances on our expanded “Berkshire” plan kept us within budget and the extras you provided were not only unexpected but also greatly appreciated.  Throughout the whole project, you kept us thoroughly informed on the progress of construction.  We were fortunate to be close enough (Baltimore) to visit several times during construction, and we can’t tell you how satisfying it was to watch our place rise from the ground up.

I can’t say enough about the service you provided and the quality and professionalism of the people working with you.  Ginny has been an absolute gem to work with and is a master at project management.  Our decision-making on the numerous choices we were confronted with was a breeze because Ginny was there to keep us straight.  Paul was there (usually behind the scenes) to supervise and to keep up with us on our (I hope not too frequent) visits.  Mary’s interior design suggestions on our decorating choices were timely and helpful.  And last but not least, all your crews from the framers and deck builders to your various sub-contractors were nothing less than hard-working, efficient, courteous, and helpful whenever we were on site.  What they did to make this house show like it does is nothing short of phenomenal.
All this and you still came in 6-8 weeks under contract.

Whenever I hear my friends or co-workers tell about their unfortunate experiences with builders or contractors, I just pull out my photo album of Mom’s N’ocean and say, “Now let me tell you about what it’s like to work with one of the best builders on the Banks . . .”

Sincerely and gratefully,
Paul and Nancy Stoner
Corolla

Susan and James J. Mannion, Jr.

Dear Kim and Bill,

We wanted to write to say thanks for the wonderful job you did in designing and building our new house in Sea Pines, Duck.  It is beautiful.  We really love it, and will enjoy it for many years.  Our visiting friends were also impressed by the quality of the workmanship and the beauty of the design of the house.  One friend said “This is the most gorgeous beach house I’ve ever seen.”
We particularly enjoy the spaciousness of the floor plan, which makes the house very livable.

It is obvious that you both cared very much about making everything just right, down to the last detail.  Even the last minute changes we made to our house plan were done carefully and skillfully.

Please feel free to use us as references for prospective clients.  We would be pleased to give Lane Custom Builders our highest recommendation.
Thank you again.

Very truly yours,
Susan and James J. Mannion, Jr.
Mt. Laurel, NJ

John & Shirley Dominick

Dear Bill, Kim and Ginny,

We’re writing this letter especially to thank you for the great job all of you did in the construction of our beautiful new home in Pine Island.
We know you had an especially challenging time to get our home delivered in time for the 1998 rental season.  Despite the obstacles of a late start and a terrible rainy season compliments of “El Nino,” you still managed to complete construction on time and on budget in under five months!  We know everyone at Lane went the “extra mile” to accommodate our very tight schedule.  We really do appreciate and respect this kind of “total customer service.”

I’d like to mention something that you are probably aware of.  When we were beginning our search for a builder, we met with several of the “big boys” on the block and became concerned with the number of projects they were already committed to for the 1998 season.  We chose you primarily of the personalized service we thought we would receive from a smaller company.  As it turned out, we made the absolute right choice.  We have heard that some of those other “big boy” projects did not meet their projected deadlines for the rental season.

It’s especially obvious how pleased we are since we have already discussed with you our plans for another project.  We will recommend you highly to anyone we know who is planning to build in your area and would be pleased to discuss our experience with Lane Custom Builders with any of your potential customers.  We look forward to working with all of you again.  Thanks again for the outstanding service!

Best Regards,
John & Shirley Dominick
Fort Washington, MD

Bruce and Lee Shackelford

To Potential Customers of Lane Custom Builders,

Over the years we have had many experiences in building homes and dealing with contractors, and all these experiences have not been pleasant.  So when we decided to build a vacation home on the Outer Banks, we did a lot of homework.  After interviewing several contractors we decided to work with Lane Custom Builders.  This was one of the best decisions that we have ever made.

First, the word work is not a good word to use when dealing with Lane.  The family at Lane made every stage of the project exciting and pleasurable.  All items were handled in a professional, personable, and most timely manner.  In most cases the wait was on us.

As a Quality Engineer for a large Pharmaceutical Company, I know what it takes to build quality into a product.  Most impressively was the amount of up front oral and written communication required by Lane.  This was a major key in the design and success of our home.  The next items that Lane brought to the table were ideas and experience with building on the Outer Banks.  Bill and Kim both had excellent insight in what is required of a vacation home to be a good long term investment.

We also saw a drive to use the best raw material for building the home.  Options that we have had to push with other projects were just part of the normal plan with Lane.  The use of the best raw material and the emphasis on craftsmanship throughout the project made this the best building experience we have ever endured.

We highly recommend to anyone planning to build a home on the Outer Banks to talk with Bill and Kim.  We promise you will be making a mistake if you don’t have this conversation.

To Bill, Kim, and the entire group we thank you for making a dream of ours come true.

Sincerely,
Bruce and Lee Shackelford
Winterville, NC

PS: Hope to see you in five years for the next project.

David K. Miller

Dear Bill & Kim:

Re: 1090 Corolla Drive, Whalehead

On behalf on Wendy and her parents, Harry and Kathy Cohn, I want to express our gratitude to you and your entire organization for the efforts put forth in the design and construction of our new beach home in Corolla.  We could not be any more satisfied with the finished product.  In fact, most everything in the home ended up being much nicer than we had imagined.  The hard part for us is not being able to live there, as it is of higher quality and with more elegant features than our primary residence.  At least we can be sure that our tenants/guests will be impressed and have a wonderful time during their vacation.

In terms of quality, I have not seen a home built to any higher standards.  From the 10”x10” beams with bolted supports to the most intricate interior trim, you have built a home that is both structurally sound and aesthetically appealing.  And your reputation for commitment to quality construction and customer service was quite evident by the numerous personal visits you made to the property.  This was especially true during the final stages when, despite several delays due to weather, you still made good on your promise to have the home ready for the summer rental season.

And finally, I want to comment on how impressed I was with the quality of subcontractors (Shamp Concrete, Gulfstream Pools, and Lighthouse Electric to name a few) and full-time staff.  Please give our best to Paul, Forrest, Robert, Chuck, etc.  Their efforts in the blistering heat and frequent rainstorms are definitely appreciated.  It is obvious to me that you only work with individuals who are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the overall success of the team and satisfaction of the customer.  I will certainly refer Lane Custom Builders to our friends interested in purchasing property on the Outer Banks.

Respectfully,
David K. Miller
Williamsburg, VA

Michael and Gerri Broderick

Dear Kim and Bill,

We couldn’t let the opportunity go by without extending our deep gratitude for the care, pride and love you showed in building our dream home.  We can’t thank you enough for the wonderful job you did.  You made our dream come true!!  We truly appreciate how you helped us from beginning to end.
Your attention to detail was remarkable.  It was the little touches that really made a difference between ordinary and extra ordinary. Putting the spindle fence around our pool to enhance the view of the bay was a unique touch.

Before finalizing our choice for a contractor, many people warned us of the many problems that arise with contractors.  It is refreshing to know we have a contractor who is a “man” of his word in all dealings.  We were refreshingly surprised and thrilled that you were able to complete our house ahead of schedule and to our complete satisfaction.

There is no question who will build our next house in the Outer Banks.  We selected the best builders in the Outer Banks.  You and your staff (especially Ginny, Paul and Forrest) were absolutely outstanding.  Thank you again for a wonderful experience.  You made building our first home a pleasure.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts !

Best Wishes,
Michael and Gerri Broderick
Jack and Marie Malloy
Brewster, NY

Bill and Lois McKendree

Dear Bill and Kim,

Lois and I want to thank you for a cooperative spirit in which we were able to accomplish the construction of our house in Corolla, N.C.  The best explanation to describe its affect on other people is to state it brings “raves.”
Babbette is a find communicator and her efforts saved much time in moving the contract to completion, thus we extend our thanks to her.
Should you need to show our house to other persons to help them and you, contact Mrs. Barco, our agent at Kitty Dunes Realty Co.
We look forward to visiting with you within the next 30 days.

Best wishes,
Bill and Lois McKendree
Norfolk, VA

John & Maggie Maffei

Dear Bill,

Re:  Potential Outer Banks Home Builders

We have built homes in California (2), Washington and Virginia.  We’ve had homes remodeled in New Jersey.  We have dealt with many builders under trying and ordinary circumstances.

You are unequivocally the most ethical, honest and understanding builder we have ever worked with.  We were very fortunate to have found a customer oriented and responsive Outer Banks builder who delivered high quality construction at “above standard” building codes with the fairest price around.
Three months after the pilings went in, the rental doors of our Whalehead home in Corolla opened.  We continue to get “rave reviews” from renters on the style, beauty, functionality, and livability of the home you built.  Repeat business is awesome!

Bill, you are a model for other builders on the Outer Banks and a true artist in design and detail.  We’re so proud of the product you gave us.  Your word is solid.  Your commitment to us was genuine and sustained from site selection to building completion and throughout the warranty period.  Prospective homebuilders who don’t consider you are truly missing an opportunity.
We just needed to thank you and your staff for a professional job, which was exceptional!

John & Maggie Maffei
Midlothian, VA

Jay and Carol Bierman

Dear Kim and Bill,

Just a short note to say thanks for all your hard work on our behalf.  Your patience while we worked out our finances and the assistance you provided to make every thing just right has given Carol and I a really good feeling about the house.  You have often assisted with good ideas when we were unsure of the proper direction to follow.  We appreciate the extra work that was involved in many of the extras you put into the house which in the end makes the house so special to us.  You lived up to our contract by getting the house done ahead of schedule and within the budgets that were agreed.

As we have told you, we would and have recommended your company without reservation.  I encourage you to invite anyone who is unsure to give us a call to confirm our endorsement.  Thanks again for your assistance and good work.  We look forward to seeing both of you during our visits to the Outer Banks.

Yours Truly,
Jay and Carol Bierman
Fairfax Station, VA

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Huang

To whom it may concern,

This letter is provided to document the quality of service provided to us by Lane Custom Builders, during the construction of our new summer home in Nags Head, North Carolina, during the Fall of 1991.

Since the first time we met Kim and Bill Lane, we have been very pleased with the prompt and courteous service we have been provided.  We saw their ad in a beach homes magazine, and were immediately interested, because the ad readily displayed the construction cost for the various models, allowing us to know how much it would cost to construct the house we wanted on it.  Prior to this we looked at many homes, which were either new or of older construction.  However, because of the reasonable cost of our Lane Home, we were able to buy a new house for approximately the same amount that we would have spent to purchase a used home.

We visited Kim and Bill shortly there after, and were immediately impressed with the honesty and responsiveness they displayed.  We were sent blueprints and worked with them to put some extras into the basic design.  They had some good ideas of their own, which we incorporated into the plan, and were especially pleased that we did.  One item in particular which they suggested and built is a dormer, which because of the height of the house, now affords us an unobstructed view of the ocean!  This idea is indicative of the helpful relationship which we established.

During construction, Lane took the initiative to stay behind the subcontractors, in order to ensure the timely completion of tasks as well as maintaining the quality of their work.  The end result is that we now have a home which is solidly constructed of quality materials, which was completed on schedule.  Lane also took the time to address minor concerns of ours, with no hesitation at all.  They even helped us obtain the lowest cost appliances and some furnishings, by giving us comparative pricing information which they had assembled.

Even after the home was completed, and all bills were settled, Lane continued to assist us, by doing some followup work, and providing us with a means to allow the entry of workmen into our home, even though we live hours away.
My wife and I feel that all of these factors, both large and small permit us torecommend Lane Custom Builders to anyone considering the construction of a home on the Outer Banks.  We would be happy to discuss our recommendation with anyone who needs further information.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Huang

Jim and Sue Griffin

To Whom It May Concern,

If you are planning to build your home-away-from-home dream cottage on the Outer Banks, or simply thinking about it, we urge you to talk with Bill and Kim Lane of Lane Custom Builders.  We did just that last summer (1992) while vacationing in Avon on Hatteras Island, and with their help, we selected and customized a plan for a spectacular cottage for under $75,000.00.  From the beginning of the process, throughout the construction phase, to the final walk-through-inspection, Bill and Kim were there to help us build the cottage we had imagined and talked about for many years.

Particularly noteworthy are Bill and Kim’s patience, creativity, attention to detail, and commitment to quality construction.  In every instance where we indicated we wanted a custom feature or alteration to the plans Bill and Kim came up with solutions that exceeded our expectations, and did so within the contracted price.

Several examples will illustrate our point:  For the kitchen walls we were determined to incorporate odd-sized Mexican tile we had purchased on our honeymoon some twenty years ago; we wanted the laundry on the main floor of the house rather than in a ground-level utility room; we wanted a more spacious captain’s loft and dormer; we wanted a larger owner storage room; towards the end of construction, when decisions regarding fixtures had to be made, we simply asked Bill and Kim to select and install what they thought would look best – and we were delighted with their choices.
The key to their success – and to our happiness – is their commitment to the customer and to quality construction.  Throughout the building phase, Bill was on site with his crew of carpenters and helpers.  And on weekends, when we occasionally could go down to Hatteras to see how the house was coming along, Bill and Kim always found time to meet us.

We hope our experiences with Lane Custom Builders will help you appreciate why we so enthusiastically recommend them.  We know there are probably other good builders on the Outer Banks, but we are certain there are no nicer people to build a dream with than Bill and Kim Lane.

Jim and Sue Griffin
Williamsburg, VA

Barbara and Terry Holzbach

Dear Kim and Bill,

We were first interested in you because of your ad in the beach homes magazine.  The ad readily gave the construction cost of the various models.  We felt they were of the most reasonable cost, and so impressed with the architectural design.  (Especially the decks!)

After meeting with both of you, we were pleased with your prompt, courteous and honest service.  You made a pleasurable experience out of a “Big Deal” for us . . . and Bill, your constructive suggestions were appreciated too, like the pocket door in the bathroom.

The suppliers that you sent us to could not have been more cooperative, Basnight, James Carpet and Triangle Pacific.  Each cared about our desires while keeping us in budget!

Your attention to every little detail even things we did not notice while making out the punch list is greatly appreciated.

We love the house and think that it is very beautiful and have received many compliments on it, Thank you Kim and Bill.

We will highly recommend Lane Custom Builders to anyone who is looking for a quality home builder.

We cannot close this letter without a big thank you and appreciation to Deborah and Brian.  Deborah is without a doubt an asset to your company.  Her pleasantness, suggestions and willingness to please did not go unnoticed.  And, Brian stayed on top of everything to ensure our home was built to our satisfaction.  They exhibited their ability to work with us in a very professional and friendly manner.  Thanks to each one of you.

Sincerely,
Barbara and Terry Holzbach
Moseley, VA

Donald Neverton

To Bill and Kim Lane of Lane Custom Builders,

It has been my good fortune to have met you, and decided to have Lane Custom Builders construct my home on Candela Drive in Manteo, NC.
Since the inception of initial home ideas, through the stages of sketches/modifications, and working blueprints, you were actively interested and involved in the design.

During the construction phase, you were in prompt contact, and assistance regarding the myriad of questions which normally arise during construction.  You were very direct, and sincere, and your constructive suggestions were appreciated.

In the above paragraph the words prompt – direct – sincere – constructive – describe some of the finer attributes of Lane Custom Builders whom I personally recommend to those considering home construction.

Very Sincerely,
Donald Neverton

Charles J. Gambill, Jr.

Dear Kim and Bill,

We want you to know that we are enjoying our new house in Ocean Sands very much.  We appreciate and we commend you for the highly professional manner in which the project was carried out from our initial talks to final completion.

The workmanship is first class in all respects, resulting in a house that looks good both on the exterior and the details of the interior finishing.
We have had other houses built in Richmond and another in Ocean Sands, and so are aware of the many details the builder must be concerned with, including coordination of sub-contractors.  We appreciate the efficient manner in which you expedited this project.

Not only was the job completed on budget, but you went beyond the letter of the contract in workmanship and features put in the house.

We would be happy for you to show it to your prospects and to have them call us.  If it would be helpful, you may use this letter in your sales promotion.
With kindest personal regards,

Sincerely,
Charles J. Gambill, Jr.
Richmond, VA