Sandown was once part of Kingston and was incorporated in 1756. It’s named after Sandown on the Isle of Wight. Today it’s a growing residential town along Route 121A (Main Street), with Phillips Pond near the center and Angle Pond on the Hampstead line. Dom’s Workshop, Inc is a residential general contractor based in Plaistow, NH. Route 121A connects the two towns through East Hampstead. We remodel kitchens and bathrooms, finish basements, and build additions, garages, and new homes for Sandown homeowners, with one point of contact from the first visit to the last punch-list item.
Call (978) 775-8642 Request an estimate
Sandown homes we work on
Pond homes on Phillips Pond, Angle Pond and Cub Pond
Sandown’s ponds are surrounded by homes that started as summer camps and have been turned into year-round houses over the years. They often have small footprints, crawlspaces or shallow foundations, limited insulation, and add-ons built at different times. A good remodel here deals with comfort and structure first, then expands the kitchen and bath to fit full-time living. Shoreland rules also limit how far you can build, so we check them before you settle on a design.
Newer family neighborhoods
Much of Sandown’s housing is colonials, capes, and raised ranches on wooded lots, with a private well and septic. Families in these homes typically want a finished basement for kids or guests, a bigger kitchen, a second-floor bath that can handle a busy morning, or a mudroom at the garage door.
Older homes near the Meeting House
The Sandown Meeting House, built in 1774, is still regarded as an excellent example of early New England church architecture. A few older homes stand along the main roads. Remodels in these houses need the same careful approach as any antique: assess the structure first, then fit modern kitchens and baths around the original features.
Remodeling services for Sandown homeowners
- Kitchen remodeling: better prep space, storage, lighting, and layouts that open to the family room.
- Bathroom remodeling: family baths, primary suites, and walk-in showers.
- Basement finishing: playrooms, media rooms, offices, and guest suites.
- Room additions: family rooms, bedroom suites, and in-law space.
- Garage remodeling: mudroom links, finished garages, and conversions.
- New home construction and whole-home remodeling.
For budgets, see our basement and bathroom cost guides.
Turning a Sandown pond camp into a year-round home
Here’s the order we usually work through on a camp-to-home conversion:
- Foundation and structure. Is the house on piers, a crawlspace, or a full foundation? What condition are the sills and floor framing in?
- Septic. Pond-area lots often have older or smaller systems. Year-round use or more bedrooms will likely need a septic review or upgrade.
- Shoreland limits. NH’s shoreland protection rules apply on larger ponds and can limit added footprint and tree removal near the water.
- Insulation, heat and plumbing. Walls, roof, and floors brought up to a comfortable year-round standard, plus a heat source and plumbing protected from freezing.
- Living space. Once the house is sound, the kitchen, bath, and layout can be designed for full-time living.
Giving a growing Sandown family more room
Sandown’s population has been growing, and many families would rather add space than move. The options we usually compare:
- Finish the basement. It often gives you the most square footage for the least construction, and it’s a good fit for a playroom, media room, or guest suite.
- Bump out the kitchen. A small addition at the back can make room for an island and an eating area.
- Add a bedroom suite. A first-floor suite works well for guests or a parent. It requires a septic review.
- Build over the garage. A bonus room above the garage can become an office or a kids’ hangout.
Permits and planning in Sandown
Sandown has its own building department. Most structural, mechanical, and addition work needs a permit. We can take care of permits for you and coordinate the inspections. For pond-area lots, we also check septic and shoreland requirements before design.
To see the full process, read How a Remodel Works with Dom’s Workshop.
Why Sandown homeowners call a Plaistow GC
We’re close by, so site visits are easy to schedule. You’ll have one contact who coordinates the trades, and a written scope before anything starts. Read what past clients say on our reviews page.
Neighboring towns
Sandown borders Fremont to the northeast, Danville to the east, Hampstead to the south, and Derry to the southwest. We also serve Plaistow, Kingston, and Raymond. See Areas We Serve.
Sandown remodeling FAQ
Can you convert our pond camp into a year-round home?
Yes. We start with the foundation, septic, and shoreland rules, then plan insulation, heat, and the new living space.
Can you finish our basement for the kids?
Yes. We handle moisture and egress first, then design the layout. Adding a bathroom is often possible.
We’re on a well and septic. Can we add a bedroom?
Possibly. A new bedroom usually requires checking septic capacity, and we look at that early.
What’s the first step?
Call (978) 775-8642 or request an estimate. We’ll talk through what isn’t working, visit the house, and follow up with a written scope.
Do you take care of permits in Sandown?
We can take care of permits for you.
Plan your Sandown project
Dom’s Workshop, Inc, based in Plaistow, NH, serving Rockingham County, NH
(978) 775-8642 · Dom@doms-workshop.com