Tourism is at the heart of their work. “Tourism has a huge impact on the housing market here,” Justin explains. “People move to Carteret County after coming here for vacation. They fall in love with the coast and they want to have a secondary or primary residence here—and that’s where we come in.” Tourism has driven development in the area for decades, shaping the growth of Carteret County long before most businesses arrived. That seasonal surge—beginning in late spring and stretching into summer—continues to fuel demand for homes along the Crystal Coast.

Because so many of their clients discovered the area as tourists, a large portion of Banks Builders’ projects are remote builds. Meredith Kate notes that many homeowners live out of town or out of state and only visit once a month during construction. “That’s a big part of our business,” she says. “Being able to keep them in communication and make them feel like they’re a part of the build and on-site every day.” Tourism not only introduces these clients to the area, but it also shapes the way Justin and Meredith Kate operate—prioritizing communication, trust, and connection across long distances.

For the Petrillis, the connection between tourism and community runs deep. “Tourism is the main industry around here,” Justin says. “It has driven the development in Carteret County since the beginning.” Being part of that growth is something they value. “Having a business here allows us to be grateful for being a part of this community and welcoming newcomers to our area.”

Through Banks Builders, Justin and MeredithKate help transform vacationers into residents—shaping the future of Carteret County one thoughtfully built home at a time.