Bill Sandeman: A Lineman's Second Life
Standing an imposing 6'6", Bill "Sandy" Sandeman still looks in shape to scrimmage 300-pound linemen—as he did for a decade in the National Football League (NFL) with the Dallas Cowboys and then the Atlanta Falcons. Waxing nostalgic about NFL "glory days," however, doesn't interest Sandeman. This 63-year-old with Popeye arms and a Huck Finn smile would rather discuss family, snow conditions and constructing custom homes along Lake Tahoe's West Shore.
Since 1992, Sandeman Construction has been building homes in the Rubicon, Tahoe Pines, Homewood and Tahoma subdivisions. During an era when Lake Tahoe dream cabins have been super-sized into timbered palaces, Sandeman has retained a knack for building site-compatible structures. He jokes that size doesn't always matter.
"My homes involve a different tax bracket from the lakefronts," he says. "They're the ones across the street. What's important is the good use of space. Plans need to be energy efficient and have a fun upswing to the design. I'm fortunate to have clients who enjoy the same things that I do."
Through word of mouth and client references, Sandeman enjoys a steady stream of year-round work that includes the construction of two homes this winter. Unguarded and welcoming, the lean and light-hearted contractor puts at ease anyone he meets. What's important, he believes, is attention to detail and taking care of the client's needs.
"One way to judge Sandy's success is to see how pleased his clients are," says Dennis Dodds, a Truckee-based engineer who has worked with Sandeman on several projects. "He goes the extra mile."
It was 14 years ago that Sandeman, his wife, Missy, an artist, and their 2 children moved to the mountains from San Diego. "I had been building spec homes and the market got soft," he says. "Then we were caught in a drive-by shooting near our home. I'd had enough. I knew it was time to pull up stakes."
The family moved from their comfortable suburban digs into a small home in Tahoma. Having grown up at the beach, mountain life had its challenges. Through his first winter, Sandeman pushed his two-wheel drive Chevy pick-up through the snow and shoveled roofs to pay the bills.
"That first winter our roof slid four feet, came off and busted through our living room window," he says. "We weren't sure what we'd gotten ourselves into, but the kids immediately liked their school and everything was so quiet and beautiful."
Within the year, they purchased an acre parcel that included the Stony Ridge Café and ten small cabins. They rebuilt and refurbished the property into a flavorful lodge called Tahoma Meadows. Missy decorated the cabins, painting indigenous flowers such as lupine and periwinkle on the walls. Visitors relaxed in a main cabin area and snacked in the newly re-opened restaurant. They eventually sold the successful business in 2000.
It was while running their bed and breakfast that Sandy discovered an abandoned property adjacent to Homewood Mountain Resort that had once been a plumber's warehouse. He immediately sized up its potential as their family residence.
"It was a mess, really old and beat up, but I liked its privacy and open size," he says. Working off the original structure, he converted the commercial building into a livable home that feels modern yet fi ts into its rustic surroundings. Downstairs, Sandeman constructed quarters for a bed and breakfast he and Missy named the Homewood Hideaway.
"When I retired from pro football, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do," says Sandeman, an offensive lineman. "I put an ad in the paper that read 'Ten-year NFL Vet seeks Employment.' At first I studied to get a teaching credential, but I knew deep down that I had a knack for building. I ended up getting my contractor's license instead." In his den, Sandeman still keeps mementos from his playing days, including team photos and a Falcon game ball given to him in 1973. He finds similarities between playing football and construction.
"It's a team effort to build a house. You have to have a good game plan. You have to keep up the dialogue—from your workers to your subs to the owners. And just like in a game, you can't run out of gas at the end, but finish strong. Most of all, you have to have fun. Construction is a fun business. It's full of challenges, but thank goodness you don't have to build something within an hour of play, like in a game. You have time to make some changes."
—Robert Frohlich
To contact Sandeman Construction or the Homewood Hideaway, call (530) 525-1117.