When we began looking for houses on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, building was never an option we were considering, but the housing market had other plans. After looking at endless houses that either didn’t meet our needs or didn’t meet our budget, we found a house that was nearing the end stages of construction. From the moment we walked through the door, we were impressed with the custom touches we hadn’t seen in other houses. We later learned that house was already under contract, but our realtor reached out to the builder, Rob Barker. Rob mentioned a neighboring lot he owned and would be willing to sell to us so we could build a house that met our needs. We had never built a house before, so we were hesitant to take on the challenge. Rob explained the process and estimated timeline to us and our confidence in him solidified the deal.

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We had an additional challenge of living six hours from the build site, but Rob did not let that impede the progress of the house. He is an excellent communicator and kept us informed every step of the way. Since we had a tight deadline, we needed to be in the house, ahead of the school year, Rob let us know which decisions needed to be made in which order to avoid any delays. He kept the project moving and worked with reputable subcontractors who executed the work beautifully and on time.

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Rob was extremely patient and responsive with us. He answered our numerous questions, calls, texts, and emails without batting an eye, remembered every conversation and decision, and helped us feel confident in our choices. When we needed guidance or advice, he offered it readily but never overstepped. Every time we visited our construction site, he walked us through the progress, answered questions, and helped us visualize the end result.

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When we moved into our house (on the date we requested), I walked around and looked at each room with tears in my eyes. Seeing the culmination of what felt like a million small and large decisions finally come together into this beautiful house that was ours was extremely emotional for me. I immediately pictured cooking meals and celebrating holidays in this space, hosting get togethers and visits from friends and family, and our young children growing up and playing with friends in these rooms. Rob Barker truly exceeded our expectations and created more than a house for us. He created a lifelong friendship and a HOME.

We cannot say enough great things about our experience with Barker and Barker Homes. We are beyond happy with the quality and outcome of our new custom home. Rob Barker certainly checked off all our needs and requests all the way down to the final touches of the construction. He was always willing to meet us to discuss changes, or to confirm even the finest details that most would just overlook or consider insignificant. His direct communication with us, always, played a huge role in our involvement and the success of our build. He managed his crews to work well together and was always on time. Rob is one of the most stand-up guys I have had the pleasure to work with. And his professionalism, quality, and integrity show in every task along the way. Our experience with Barker and Barker Homes was nothing short of perfection. Thank you, Rob, for helping to make our build go so smoothly, and our dreams a reality.

In 2021 my husband and I purchased a canal front lot in the Outer Banks of North Carolina overlooking Shallowbag Bay and the Manteo Waterfront. The goal was to build our forever home, but our initial excitement quickly turned to anxiousness. Eastern North Carolina was experiencing tremendous new home growth; Most builders had years of backlog, the post-pandemic supply crisis was delaying critical building materials, and the labor shortage was in full swing. Those worries subsided the moment we sat down with Rob Barker from Barker & Barker Custom Homes. His quiet confidence and knowledge helped us design and build the perfect home in the Pirates Cove Boating Community located in Manteo, NC. There were a handful of lots under construction on Ballast Point when we started, and before long Rob and his team surpassed the progress of other homes that broke ground months prior to ours. The difference was planning and relationships. Rob procured long lead-time building materials well in advance to avoid delays and had a team of subcontractors that were punctual and professional. The quality of the construction is outstanding. It is an uneasy feeling to invest and build a home that will meet a Hurricane, its just a matter of when. Rob and his team were detailed in explaining measures they take to ensure our home can stand up to rain, humidity, salt, flooding, and heavy wind. The bones of the house are strong, the finishes are immaculately detailed, and the process was enjoyable. The pilings went into the ground in December of 2021 and our custom home hosted its first of many family gatherings for Thanksgiving of 2022. Rob and his team at Barker & Barker are professional builders, but more than anything they are top class individuals.

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In the fall of 2021, we were in the midst of a very frustrating search for a lot upon which we could build our retirement home. We were on the verge of giving up on the idea when our realtor suggested we check out a lot in Manteo, North Carolina. Barker and Barker Custom Homes, Inc. was in the very early stages of constructing one of their award winning designs on the lot. The realtor arranged for us to meet Rob. At that meeting, we walked through the construction site. Rob took us to a nearby residence that he built so we could see the quality of the workmanship we could expect. Rob was very responsive throughout the entire building process. We had to have many of our discussions with Rob over the phone. He always made himself available even though we knew he was extremely busy. We would drive down to check out the progress of the construction, whenever we were able. Rob would meet with us, show us around and answer our questions. He was extremely helpful in offering advice (when asked) in connection with the many choices we had to make. He introduced us to his highly skilled sub contractors. He and his team have constructed a beautiful house for us and completed the construction on schedule. We were extremely lucky to meet Rob when we did. We recommend him without reservation.

In 2020 we decided to purchase a lot and finally build our custom home. I talked with Rob and he was very intrigued with our house plan, and it felt like I was talking with a friend. We had a few things he had never done before, but was very confident he could get the job done. We talked nearly every day. He kept me informed of what was happening, and what decisions needed to be made next. Whenever I had a concern, he promptly returned calls and met me at the job site. Rob was very patient with us even though sometimes we didn’t know what we wanted. The sub contractors that Barker and Barker utilize are some of the best in the area. They are easy to talk with and very knowledgeable. Our build started in February and completed in October. All in all, if I had to do it over again, I would make the same decision. We have a beautiful custom home and gained a friend in the process.

Having worked 25 years in residential real estate development, primarily in the high end of the market, I came with definite ideas about what I would like to incorporate into my new house. I think this put me in the category of a "hard to please" customer. Rob was accommodating and definitely willing to listen to my desires and to implement them if they were feasible and reasonably within budget. The plan that I chose was more complicated and a bit more difficult to work with but Rob was up for the challenge. He always was doing what was needed for the best possible outcome. Throughout the process he was organized and kept the building process moving along. His subcontractors were competent and a pleasure to have working on the house. The end result is that my house is stunning! It includes the things I wanted and then some. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a quality built home with personal touches that make a "house" a "home".

When the housing market in Dare County on the Outer Banks became unusually strong during the Covid pandemic, my wife and I decided it was a good time to sell our home of ten years and look for a location closer to the water. We had no real plan of what we wanted or where we were going, but decided to put our home on the market anyway. Building wasn’t something we had ever considered because we were concerned that we couldn’t stay within budget and we didn’t have confidence for making all the decisions that come with a new build. Our house sold, we moved into a rental, and then could not find a house to buy. At that point, we started contemplating the possibility of building. We wanted to see if it were even feasible. We talked with Rob Barker and he showed us how it could work; we just needed to find a set of plans and a lot. With his help, we found both. He understood that staying within budget was important and that meant a great deal to us. He brought us a contract with the house we wanted and all the options we wanted. It seemed too good to be true, but we put our trust in Rob and Phil and got started! We broke ground in March of 2021 and in spite of all the Covid supply chain issues and the high demand for good subcontractors, they started framing the house by the end of March. Our house was soon under roof! With Rob’s careful attention and the excellent subcontractors who work for him, the decisions we thought would be so difficult went very smoothly. Our kitchen and baths were laid out, our floors determined and colors chosen.The parts we dreaded were actually fun and exciting! In the six months of building our house, I know of only two days where someone wasn’t working. Rob’s organization and planning skills were amazing. If we had a question, he either knew the answer or had an answer for us in twenty-four hours, and moreover, when we called, he answered. Communication was extremely satisfying. All stages flowed smoothly; we never had wait time in spite of supply chain issues. The level of planning was extremely efficient. Granted this was our first build, but I observed that three factors determined our success: planning, organization and communication. Barker & Barker excelled in all three. Fast forward to today. I’m typing this as I sit in my chair in our seven-month-old home, and my family is as happy as can be. I believe our mission was accomplished.

Amidst the already trying times of late 2020 Joanne and I found ourselves looking for a new home on the Outer Banks. Fortune smiled upon us in January when we were introduced to Rob Barker by our realtor. Rob and his group were in the early stages of constructing a home on the north end of Roanoke Island. After traveling throughout North Carolina and Virginia to find our “forever home” we were excited to return to our home town and find a neighborhood, homesite and builder that truly matched our dreams and expectations. Working with Rob and his group has been a pleasure. Rob has repeatedly demonstrated his concern and professionalism as a contractor and person. His attention to detail and foresight while becoming familiar with Joanne’s and my desire to put our personal touches in the home was truly impressive and appreciated. We are very happy to recommend Barker and Barker Custom Homes to anyone interested in finding their dream home on the Outer Banks as we are over the moon for ours.

Rob Barker of Barker and Barker Custom Homes did a wonderful job bringing our dream home to life. He was easy to work with and very efficient. He made sure everything stayed on track and that we stayed within our budget. Not only was Rob super dependable but so were the subcontractors he used throughout the process. Our house was done in a timely manner and of high quality. Throughout the whole process we felt like we were working with family!  If we ever build another house we will use Barker and Barker!

Building a multigenerational house is no easy task. Rob Barker and his crew with Barker and Barker Custom Homes made it happen. His patience and knowledge helped build the perfect house for my grandmother and I to live in together. Knowing we were on a bit of a time crunch, with a not so typical living situation, Rob and his crew worked quickly and efficiently to get us into our beautiful home. He is extremely dependable and willing to share his professional opinion to make sure you are doing what is best for you and the house. I absolutely love the details Rob and his crew put into the house, while also listening to my vision and making it happen. I would definitely use Rob again if I needed to build another house, although I don’t think I will because we are so pleased with the work he has done. 100% recommend Barker and Barker Custom Homes.