Archive for the ‘Neil Parsons’ Category
Tuesday, September 18th, 2012
Interior painting is one construction task that a large majority of homeowners are able do themselves. That doesn’t mean that they should, or even want to undertake the painting portion. The quality of the paint and painting can have a great impact on the overall appearance of the project. These considerations can create a dilemma. Since homeowners feel they can perform the painting, they typically do not value the cost from a professional painter like they do for the plumber, electrician, tiler installer…etc. Not only is there a pricing concern, homeowners tend to be very critical in their judgment of the quality of the painting. Because of this, many remodelers choose to not include painting as a part of their project and estimate.
The photo above is of a design build remodeling project in Georgia from AK Complete Home Renovations.
This now poses a new potential issue. The Design Build Pros will often warn offers to be leery of remodelers that choose not to offer paint as a part or at least an option for their projects. The finished wall painting can often display a lesser quality tape and spackling work on the wall board. This opens the door for the painter blaming the contractor and the contractor blaming the painter. The result is a headache for the homeowner to accompany a project that does not look as good as they envisioned.
The moral of the story: always give careful consideration to the interior painting portion of any remodeling project or addition regarding quality, pricing, and accountability. If you have questions about this or any other aspect of a project or a remodeling industry topic simply schedule a 15-minute free phone consultation with the Design Build Pros.
Tags:AK Complete Home Renovations, AK Renovations, Benjamin Moore Paint, ceramic tiler, Design Build Pros, Design Build Remodeling, electricial, Georgia design build remodeling, Jason Parsons, Neil Parsons, painting, plumber, remodeler, tape and spackle, wall board
Posted in Jason Parsons, Neil Parsons, Remodeling Industry Information, Tips for Selecting a Remodeler | No Comments »
Sunday, September 16th, 2012
The planning and budgeting phase of any remodeling project is over loaded with decisions to be made. These decisions are mostly the design elements and product selections. However, remodeling, unlike building a new home, almost always involves patching and renovating to an existing area. Ideally, the remodeled and unaltered areas will meet at the transition from one room to another at a door or doorway.
More often than one might guess, planned projects require a stop and start demolition point that is not clearly defined by a room change, door, or doorway. Continued ceilings are a situation to watch for. Halls, foyers, and adjoining rooms where the doorway has a flush header and goes completely to the ceiling are examples. The decision of where to stop will potentially affect many individual work tasks. These tasks may include flooring, drywall, molding, and painting. (more…)
Tags:AK Complete Home Renovations, Design Build Pros, Design Build Remodeling, drywall, electrial work, extreme remodel, Georgia kitchen design build remodeling, hgtv, Mark of Excellence Remodeling, Middletown design build remodeling, molding, Monmouth County, painting, plaster, sheetrock, wiring
Posted in Bathrooms, Jason Parsons, Kitchens, Neil Parsons, Remodeling Industry Information | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, September 12th, 2012
The Design Build Pros design and develop many master bedrooms for both new space and remodels. One of the development steps involved is the client filling out the DBP Project Profile Checklist. This form helps with the customization of the project for the preferences, styles, and needs of the individual person or family. Wish list desires are addressed. “Must have” and “do not want” items are noted. Very common on the must have side for today’s master bathroom is more storage and better organization. Typically this request is addressed through the effective use of vanities, wall cabinets, shower niches, towel cubbies, hooks, and racks.
Another request, especially for bathrooms to be used by more than one person, is a private or semi-private area for the toilet. This is achieved with a partition wall or a wall and door, also known as a water closet. A water closet is technically defined as a room with a toilet and possibly a sink. Therefore, what many refer to as a powder room would be a water closet. Add a tub or shower and now it is considered a bathroom. Within a bathroom, a water closet creates a private room for a toilet. (more…)
Tags:Cosmo Kramer, Design Build Pros, Design Build Remodeling, Jason Parsons, master bathroom, Neil Parsons, powder room, project profile checklist, Seinfeld TV show, water closet
Posted in Architecture, Bathrooms, Home and Family Lifestyle, Jason Parsons, Neil Parsons, Remodeling Industry Information, Remodeling Project Design | No Comments »
Monday, September 10th, 2012
Black Swan (2010)
I will admit that I discounted this film while it was in theaters, and after, as a “chick flick” even with the critical praise, Oscar Award (Natalie Portman for Best Actress), and the recommendation of friends. So, in search of a free movie, I watched the trailer and realized I may have been very wrong in my pre-judgement.
Black Swan is intense and suspenseful. Portman was excellent and the story line was very good. Portman, the queen swan, is tormented by her inner self as well as the many antagonistic characters, real or perceived. The movie offers twists and look-away, cringing moments in a well done script and acting. It reminded me a bit of the lesser Single White Female (1992).
Who knew there was so much blood, violence, and sex in the world of ballet? I am now a fan of the ballet…as long as Mila Kunis is in it! Come on, you must have expected me to reference her role in movie and the audience draw that she, and the actions of her character, created. ~ Reviewed by Neil Parsons 2012-09-10
The Design Build Pros, brothers Jason Parsons and Neil Parsons, actually do have personal lives…sometimes. One of their hobbies is movie watching. While their tastes are similar, there are personal lifestyle differences and demographics that influence the movies they watch and like. Neil is 15 years older than Jason and has one son in college. Jason has three young sons very close in age.
Click here for other movie reviews.
Posted in Home and Family Lifestyle, Jason Parsons, Neil Parsons | No Comments »
Sunday, September 9th, 2012
When it comes to home remodeling projects how is “value” defined? First we must start with what is valuable or important to the individual family. In the opinion of the Design Build Pros, this trumps all other factors including resale value, equity, the neighborhood demographic. That is why we always start each initial meeting with a series of Project Profile questions that have nothing to do with construction. Topics include kids, pets, school, careers, travel…etc. The pros and cons of “moving versus improving” are also discussed up front. Then the other factors and actual construction are considered.
Planning and buying a home improvement project is often a unique, first time purchase for a homeowner. Often, they have no history or buying experience to rely upon regarding decision making. People are more likely to purchase more homes in their lifetime than major design build remodeling projects such as additions, add-a-levels, bedroom suites, full kitchen and bathroom renovations. Magazines, the internet, and home improvement television shows fuel the ideas and fantasies of what people want for their home. Daily life provides the ideas of what they need. Now, how does one obtain these wants and needs with value and as a prudent investment? (more…)
Tags:203K loan, add-a-level, addition, architect, bathroom, bedroom suite, Design Build Pros, Design Build Remodeling, financial planner, home value, Jason Parsons, Kitchen, move vs improve, Neil Parsons, project designer, resale value, return on investment
Posted in Home and Family Lifestyle, Jason Parsons, Neil Parsons, Remodeling Industry Information, Tips for Selecting a Remodeler | No Comments »
Monday, September 3rd, 2012
Homeowners and remodelers alike have found the downloadable, free e-booklet “Improving the Remodeling Estimate” quite informative and valuable. This Design Build Pros seven-page special report describes the ideal process for the initial remodeler-homeowner meeting from the perspective of each party in order to help make the experience mutually beneficial and productive. This paves the way to save time and money with the Design Build Pros unique process. 
There are no industry rules or guidelines as how the design build remodeling process should go or even begin. The information compiled in this report is based upon actual experiences and interactions with homeowners by the Design Build Pros and their associates. Applying these principles and methods speeds up the process, avoids wasted time and frustration, and opens the door for clear transparency and great communication. (more…)
Tags:addition, Design Build Pros, Design Build Remodeling, home improvement, Jason Parsons, Neil Parsons, remodeler, remodeling estimate
Posted in Jason Parsons, Neil Parsons, Remodeling Industry Information, Tips for Selecting a Remodeler | No Comments »
Saturday, September 1st, 2012
The Next Three Days (2010)
I do not go to the movie theater often these days, so I find myself watching films well after the commercials and hype. The Next Three Days is a film that caught my attention was it was in theaters, but over time fell off my radar. While searching for a free, on-demand movie, I re-discovered this Russell Crowe – Elizabeth Banks film. The story line is somewhat different: the wife is arrested for murder and the husband is convinced she is innocent and tries several ways to get her out of jail. No spoilers, but there is a car chase scene that will have you gripping the side of your chair! (more…)
Tags:Design Build Pros, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Parsons, movie reviews, Neil Parsons, regular guys in the remodeling industry, Russell Crowe, The Next Three Days
Posted in Home and Family Lifestyle, Jason Parsons, Neil Parsons | No Comments »
Monday, August 27th, 2012
For years now, Europeans have found the key to unlocking a bathroom’s potential is the comfort provided by towel radiators. Towel radiators offer comfortable radiant heat in the bathroom while at the same time providing the luxury of warm, dry towels and bathrobes.
Click the image to view a video catalog of towel warmers available from our friends at Warmly Yours.
In America, towel warmers first appeared in the early 1900s in upper class homes. These early units were typically hydronic, as many homes at the time were heated by hot water systems. During the depression and war eras, towel warmers were too extravagant for most common homes to have, but they have started to become popular again in recent years. (more…)
Tags:bathroom design ideas, bathroom remodeling ideas, Design Build Remodeling, heated towel rack, Jason Parsons, Monmouth county remodeling, Neil Parsons, towel warmer, Warmly Yours
Posted in Bathrooms, Home and Family Lifestyle, Jason Parsons, Neil Parsons, Remodeling Industry Information | 3 Comments »
Saturday, August 11th, 2012
When planning and researching a bathroom remodeling project there is always much to consider. Most of the decisions and information are obvious. What layout and type of fixtures should we choose? What color and style for the tile will look best? And of course, how much will it cost? When after thoughts pop up they tend to hinder the construction progress of the remodeler and annoy the homeowner with the added cost and oversight. Here are six common items, task and/or decisions that tend to come up after the order, during the construction, or after the completion. (more…)
Tags:AK Renovations, bathroom remodeling, Design Build Pros, Design Build Remodeling, gap sealing, heated floor, heated towel bar, Jason Parsons, Neil Parsons, QuietRock, shower, spray foam insulation
Posted in Bathrooms, Home and Family Lifestyle, Jason Parsons, Neil Parsons, Remodeling Industry Information, Remodeling Project Photos | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, August 8th, 2012
Who hasn’t banged their head or elbow on a shower soap dish or corner shelf? If you haven’t, consider yourself very fortunate. Hair care products, soaps, gels and more need all a place in the shower. Factor in that target marketing is effective in prompting most family members to want their own particular brand making the number of shower items multiply. As the number of household shower items grew, so did the popularity of ceramic soap dishes and corner shelves that protrude from the wall tile. Then came the shower caddy. The plastic or metal shelves with a loop or hook above to attach to the shower head.
Today, a shower niche is a design consideration in almost every new bathroom or bathroom remodel. The niche is an inset in the wall within the tile area. A great product is a one-piece plastic mold with a nailing flange. The unit recesses into the wall cavity and is fastened to the wall studs. A cement wall board is typically used to cover the walls inside the tub and shower area. Then tile is glued to the wall board and also placed inside of the shower niche mold. Because of the tight area, and as an accent, a smaller sized complimentary tile is often designated for the niche. (more…)
Tags:bathroom remodeling in New Jersey, Best Tile, cement board, Design Build Pros, Design Build Remodeling, Jason Parsons, Middlesex County, Neil Parsons, Shower head, shower niche
Posted in Bathrooms, Jason Parsons, Neil Parsons, Remodeling Industry Information, Remodeling Project Design | 1 Comment »
