By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
In the offices of Tab Premium Built Homes on Trent Road in New Bern, some of North Carolina’s most admired homes begin their lives as pencil lines and imagination.
For more than three decades, Tab Premium Built Homes has been shaping the landscape of Eastern North Carolina, one carefully considered custom home at a time. What began in 1991 as a young couple’s first home building project has grown into a nationally recognized, award-winning luxury home building company rooted deeply in New Bern’s history and future.
A First Home That Became a Calling
In 1991, Andy Bayliss, the founder and CEO of Tab Premium Built Homes, and his wife Lisa, set out to design their first home together. It wasn’t just a practical decision; it was a creative endeavor that sparked a lifelong passion.
“I’ve always been very creative,” he says. “To take a project from beginning to end, to live in it, walk through it, and enjoy the fruits of that labor—that is incredibly rewarding.”
That experience revealed both a talent and a calling. With a strong eye for detail and an almost relentless commitment to quality and continual improvement, he discovered that home building was more than a trade; it was a craft. Every project became an opportunity—an opportunity to refine, innovate, and build something that would stand the test of time, both structurally and stylistically.
Those early days laid the groundwork for what would become Tab Premium Built Homes: a full-service, luxury custom home builder offering complete in-house design and build services. From the first sketch to the final walkthrough, the team guides clients through every step, making the process as personal and tailored as the homes themselves.
“An important part of the design process is to first sit down with the family and get to know their needs and desires,” says Andy. “Then we begin to bring to life what they have imagined.”
Deep Roots in New Bern
While Tab Premium Built Homes could reasonably have found success in any upscale market, its story is firmly planted in New Bern soil. “My family has been in New Bern for generations. Our family genealogy actually goes back directly to Bern, Switzerland” he explains. “We are here because my family has very deep roots in New Bern and Eastern NC. I could not imagine living anywhere else.”
That connection is more than sentiment. It shapes the way Tab approaches its work. To build in New Bern and the surrounding Eastern North Carolina communities is to contribute to a shared story—one where historic charm, coastal light, and Southern hospitality all come together. The company’s custom homes often reflect that blend: gracious porches, timeless details, and modern comforts designed for the way Eastern North Carolinians actually live.
Many of the homes Tab builds are for families who grew up here or, increasingly, for people who fell in love with New Bern and decided to never leave. The company’s reputation for excellence has quietly helped elevate the region’s profile, attracting discerning homeowners who value thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship.
A Family Business in Every Sense
Though Tab Premium Built Homes has earned statewide and national recognition, at its core it remains a family business. Andy is the sole proprietor, but he is far from alone in the day to day life of the company. His three children, Austin, Drew and Coley, are actively involved in the business, working alongside another key employee, Heather Blankenship who helps keeps their clients updated on their homes progress and manages the real estate services side of the business.
That multigenerational involvement reinforces the company’s long-term perspective. These are homes they expect to drive by twenty years from now, proud to say, “We built that.” Decisions about materials, design, and construction aren’t just about today’s trends; they’re about durability, livability, and the family names attached to every job.
Setting the Bar for Southern Living
For the last 21 years, Tab has held a distinction no one else in the area can claim: it is the region’s only Southern Living Custom Home Builder.
This coveted designation aligns Tab with one of the most respected names in Southern architecture and lifestyle. Southern Living handpicks a small network of custom builders across the South who demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship, customer service, and design sensibility. Tab hasn’t just maintained that relationship for over two decades—Andy also served a term on Southern Living’s Board of Directors, helping to shape the future of Southern residential design.
This partnership gives clients access to a rich portfolio of Southern Living–inspired plans, styles, and ideas, all of which can be customized to fit their lifestyle, location, and taste. It’s an endorsement that speaks volumes: Tab builds homes that embody the best of Southern living, in all its gracious, welcoming, and detail rich forms.
Award-Winning Craftsmanship
Within the homebuilding industry, Tab Premium Built Homes has earned a reputation that extends well beyond New Bern. The company has twice received the North Carolina Home Builders Association’s prestigious award for Best Custom-Built Home in the state—an honor that places their work among the very best in North Carolina.
Over the years, Tab’s projects have also been featured in multiple magazines and have received numerous other accolades. Their portfolio includes homes for high profile clients, including bestselling author Nicholas Sparks and PGA golfer Curtis Strange—proof that even those accustomed to excellence in their own professions seek out Tab when it’s time to build a home.
Design, Build, and the Difference in the Details
What sets Tab Premium Built Homes apart is the way design and construction come together under one roof. As a true design-build firm, the company manages everything in-house—from initial concepts and floor plans to final finishes and construction management.
This integrated approach allows for a smoother, more collaborative experience. Clients don’t have to juggle architects, designers, and builders; instead, they work with one cohesive team that listens closely, anticipates needs, and treats every element—down to the choice of trim profile or stair rail—as part of a larger vision.
In an industry where speed and volume can sometimes overshadow care, Tab’s commitment to doing things the right way, not just the easy way, has become its signature.
Building on Legacy
After more than thirty five years, Tab Premium Built Homes is still telling the same essential story: of a family deeply rooted in New Bern, of a builder driven by creativity and craftsmanship, and of a company that believes a home should be as enduring as the memories made inside it.
From its Southern Living designation and statewide awards to the quiet pride of seeing a family settle into a newly finished home, Tab’s legacy is written in foundation footings and rooflines, front porches and back patios—all across Eastern North Carolina.
In a town whose history is etched into every street and shoreline, Tab Premium Built Homes is helping write the next chapter—one beautifully crafted home at a time.
Where to Find Them
Tab Premium Built Homes is located at 2851 Trent Road in New Bern, a fittingly accessible home base for a company so woven into the fabric of the community. The office is open: Monday–Thursday: 8:00am to 6:00pm, Friday: 8:00am to 12:00pm. Other times are available by appointment.
Prospective clients and curious neighbors alike can learn more about the company’s history, philosophy, and portfolio of homes by visiting their website at:
www.tabpremiumbuilthomes.com