North Carolina Builder Earns Custom Builder of the Year Award

Awards
Published

A client-first mentality, top-notch attention to detail and award-winning body of work culminated in Mark Batson, owner of Tongue & Groove Design + Build in Wilmington, N.C. earning the 2020 Custom Home Builder of the Year award.

Batson describes Tongue & Groove as a boutique, luxury home design-build firm focused on building a select number of highly personalized projects. “Each home is designed and built specifically to our client’s taste and lifestyle,” Batson said. “We build beautiful homes of the highest quality while delivering superior customer care. It's an honor to be recognized for bringing this vision to life.” Over the years, Batson has successfully built and maintained a reputation of professionalism, innovation and quality. Those characteristics are witnessed first-hand not only by his former clients, but also by his industry peers.

"Mark and I collaborated on two award-winning projects within the past couple of years, and each time I was excited to work with him because he is committed to his craft as a master custom builder," said Phil Kean, president of Phil Kean Design Group. "I am very proud of the high quality of craftsmanship and sustainability Tongue & Groove brought to these projects, as they do to all of their projects."

Tongue & Groove proudly offers its clients a full array of in-house services — including real estate, home design and construction, interior design and outdoor living design — allowing the firm full control of project quality and scheduling.

Its clients also appreciate the comprehensive resources available that help maintain seamless and effective communication, which enable them to more easily visualize their new home and stay informed as the project takes shape. These include access to VR tours, 3D renderings and aerial drone footage during conference calls. Clients also have login access to CoConstruct software to track their budget and view project updates.

“My wife and I worked with Mark on building our forever home, and the process Mark and his team deployed made the experience one of collaboration, full transparency and ease,” said Todd Vasos, CEO of the Dollar General Corporation. “It was obvious from the very beginning Mark was a strong, strategic thinker with the ability to translate that thinking into action to make our home come to life. We could not be happier or more satisfied with our decision to work with him on this project.”

Batson was presented with the 2020 Custom Home Builder of the Year award by the NAHB Custom Home Builders Committee during a virtual awards ceremony held earlier this year in conjunction with IBSx. Batson had been selected as a finalist for the award on two previous occasions, once in 2017 and again in 2019. But 2020 was a year in which he says his business plan “fully blossomed.”

“From the very beginning, we set out to build beautiful homes of the highest quality,” Batson said. “Doing so requires a strategic approach with a cohesive team of industry professionals committed to a culture of honesty, integrity and innovation. Even as the company continues to grow and expand, these beliefs remain the same.”

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Workforce Development | Membership

Jul 11, 2025

Maine HBA Brings Real-World Training to State’s Future Builders

Recognizing an aging workforce and a critical need for new talent, the Association has partnered with the Sanford Regional Technical Center (SRTC) to prepare the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Through HBA-led instruction, high-school students are building homes from the ground up and gaining real-world experience.

Advocacy | Tax Reform

Jul 10, 2025

What to Know About Expiring Energy Tax Credits

President Trump recently signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law, which significantly accelerates the termination date for federal energy tax incentives. Builders and remodelers using the credits should be aware of the new expiration dates and where necessary, consult with their tax professional for additional guidance.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Jul 11, 2025

Shrinking Lots: Spec Building New Norm

The share of smaller lots remained record high in 2024, with two out of three new single-family detached homes sold occupying lots under 9,000 square feet (1/5 of an acre or less).

Economics

Jul 10, 2025

Remodeling Market Sentiment Dips in Second Quarter

In the second quarter of 2025, the NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 59, down four points compared to the previous quarter.

Economics

Jul 09, 2025

Mortgage Applications Picked Up in June as Rates Eased

Mortgage application activity picked up in June, supported by a slight decline in interest rates. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, which tracks mortgage application volume, rose 5.4% from May on a seasonally adjusted basis. Compared to June 2024, total applications were up 21.1%.