Justin and Meredith Kate Petrilli shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Justin and Meredith Kate , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Beyond the homes we build, the unseen part is the building of Banks Builders itself. We are committed to being a home-building company that people can genuinely trust. Banks Builders is rooted in honesty, transparency, and strong relationships.
Justin and I bring different strengths to home building. Together, our skills prove to deliver exceptional homes and outstanding client experiences. We love creating beautiful custom homes as much as we care about building a business where clients and our teams feel valued and supported. Every interaction, every detail, and every relationship is handled with the highest regard. Our greatest reward is the trust placed in us and the positive referrals shared. These demonstrate that the heart and openness behind our work are as enduring as the homes we create.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We’re Justin and Meredith Kate Petrilli, owners of Banks Builders, a custom home building business based in Carteret County, North Carolina. Together, our partnership spans marriage, home-building, and everything in between.
Justin is an outdoorsman at heart (surfer, hunter, fisherman), but don’t let the surfboards and fishing rods fool you; he’s also a total nerd when it comes to every home’s structural details and building mechanics. My focus is tailored to design aspects and detailed spreadsheets. I love a well-thought-out list and fully enjoy working with clients to ensure every build exceeds expectations.
Whether on site or in the office, Justin and I work together to balance the journey of building with thoughtful, personalized care. We bring a wealth of expertise to every home we build and are so lucky to have the privilege of helping shape the communities we know and love on the Crystal Coast.
As residents of Carteret County, we’ve watched our towns grow and feel a deep responsibility to serve the families, locals, and newcomers planting roots along the Crystal Coast. From pilings and flood zones to beautiful, functional designs, our homes are crafted to weather storms and time alike, providing enduring comfort and timeless beauty.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I was convinced I could fly (or at least really hoped I could). Thankfully, no bones were broken in those attempts.
I also believed I was destined to be famous. Whether it was singing into a hairbrush or pretending to host my own HGTV or Cooking Channel show, I was sure my sassy younger self would end up a star.
Today, I no longer believe I’ll be on stage singing (trust me, even the simplest songs are off-key) or starring on television. But in a way, I did learn to fly, and I did find a version of fame. I found my wings in home building, and together with my husband, launched an incredible adventure with Banks Builders. And my greatest “celebrity status” came when I became a mom. To our two boys, we are the role models, the heroes, and the people they look up to every single day. That kind of fame means more to me than any stage or spotlight ever could. Through Banks Builders, we get to show our children that hard work and determination really do build something lasting.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
Yes, and it was empowering. To truly listen to someone is a valuable skill. The world moves fast, and life even faster, but slowing down to really listen creates space for connection. At Banks Builders, we place a strong emphasis on communication and listening to what people have to say.
For our clients, that means listening carefully to the details of their vision and their goals for the build. We take the time for calls, on-site meetings, and weekly update correspondence to communicate and confirm what has been shared. For our trades and suppliers, it’s about understanding how we can work together most effectively, whether that involves coordinating schedules, clarifying details, or finding solutions before challenges arise.
When you are authentically heard, you feel valued, respected, and inspired to move forward with confidence. That’s the foundation of trust, and it’s the heartbeat of how we approach every build.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
At the heart of everything we do is a belief in building homes and a business that outlasts both trends and weather alike. From the start, we envisioned Banks Builders as more than a construction company. We set out to create a business that reflects who we are, what we value, and the kind of legacy we hope to leave, and we continue to pour ourselves into that vision every day.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When people speak of Banks Builders, I hope they tell a warm story about a couple who genuinely cared for others and the homes they built. Maybe they’d talk about the briskets Justin started smoking at 2 a.m. for our crews on concrete pour days, the late-night drive to Emerald Isle to be there to help a client when she arrived to move into her new home, or the countless little choices we made to be more than just builders. We hope these stories are told with a smile, maybe even a smirk, and remembered as proof of the time and heart we cast into making every home as strong as it was comforting.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.banksbuildersnc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banksbuildersnc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557072971403&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/banks-builders-cape-carteret
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmetJ6YHXuOy8cBbrxvXIfg
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/banksbuildersnc/banks-builders-llc
