Category Archives: Neil Parsons

Design Build Planners Receives 2016 Best Businesses of Red Bank Award

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Design Build Planners named best of Red bank NJ 2016 (1)Red Bank, August 08, 2016 — Design Build Planners has been selected for the 2016 Best Businesses of Red Bank Award in the Architects category by the Best Businesses of Red Bank Award Program. This marks the third year in a row that this Red Bank business has won this prestigious award.

Each year, the Best Businesses of Red Bank Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Red Bank area a great place to live, work and play. Continue reading

Remodeling Industry Joke

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Neil Parsons Design Build PlannersRecently, conducting a sales training class made me think of one of my favorite jokes related to the remodeling industry. Joke telling is actually an exercise that I apply to my training. Telling a joke well requires the same attributes as a good sales presentation: knowledge, confidence, timing and delivery.

I apologize in advance if any part of this joke offends you based on your heritage, religion…or profession.

Here is the remodeling industry joke: Continue reading

Are Remodelers Taking a Fresh Look at Siding Options?

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Are Remodelers Taking a Fresh Look at Vinyl Siding?

Hardi Plank - Design Build Planners Remodeler Network (2)Recently, Tess Wittler wrote an article for Professional Remodeler Magazine examining the decline of vinyl siding. According to the article, “Vinyl siding has lost traction in the exterior cladding market every year since 2007. While vinyl siding is still the top choice across the U.S. and Canada, its market share fell from 39 percent in 2003 to 27 percent by 2013.

While vinyl siding is the first thing to pops into your head when considering an exterior remodel, the fast emerging option is Hardi-Plank cement fiber. Including installation, vinyl siding is approximately $100 less per square foot.

So how do Neil Parsons and the Design Build Planners accommodate the desire to move away from vinyl, but still be cognizant of the budget?

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Ice Bucket Challenge: Design Build Planners Edition

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Ice Bucket Challenge-Design Build PlannersIf you’ve been on social media lately, surely you have seen short videos of people dumping buckets of water on themselves. In these videos, after completing the “Ice Bucket Challenge”, the participants nominates friends to do the same, or gives their nominees the option of donating $100 to the ASL Association. A number of high profile figures have dumped ice on their heads, like Chris Christie, Justin Timberlake, and Mark Zuckerberg. On the other hand, President Obama chose just to donate. Continue reading

6 Tips To Improve the Home Remodeling Experience

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Design Build Planners New JerseyHomeowners and Remodelers – Have you ever had a sub-par experience with a home improvement project?

If you’re like most people, you have.

For homeowners and remodelers alike, the remodeling experience often falls short of expectations due to a lack of communication before the project begins.

Without both parties establishing ground rules for the project, assumptions are made Continue reading

Design Build Planners Receives 2014 Best of Toms River Award

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best of Toms River 2014TOMS RIVER July 10, 2014 — Design Build Planners has been selected for the 2014 Best of Toms River Award in the Home Remodeling category by the Toms River Award Program.

Each year, the Toms River Award Program identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category.These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Toms River area a great place to live, work and play. Continue reading

Common Remodeling Project Complaints

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Almost without exception, each homeowner that Design Build Planners meets with has either had a bad, past remodeling experience or knows someone personally that has. The seven most common remodeling project complaints that DBP hears begin with:

  • http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photography-couple-arguing-expenses-image29661362“The project took way too long…”
  • “My house and yard were a mess…”
  • “Too many surprises, extra costs…”
  • “I couldn’t communicate with the workers…”
  • “They would not call me back…”
  • “No project schedule…”
  • “I had to manage the project myself…” Continue reading

8 Desirable New Jersey Home Features

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Family of five standing in front of home.  Children - 11 to 14 years.  Parents - 40s.In a recent interview, Neil Parsons, owner of Design Build Planners, was asked about 8 desirable New Jersey home features that many buyers are seeking. These features add value in selling a home and provide comfort and enjoyment for the current owners. Below are the items posed to Neil and his thoughts on them with relevance to current homeowner design build remodeling project requests. Continue reading

NJ Wine Cellar Design Ideas

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NJ Wine Cellar Design Ideas

Building a wine room can be a very exciting proposition for just about anyone. The commitment to build a wine cellar usually means you’ve already built up your wine collection to a point where you need a place to store all of those bottles, and having that many bottles of good wine is a joy all on its own. Of course, having all those wine bottles also means that you’ve spent a great deal of money on all of them, so you probably aren’t looking to skimp on costs for the wine cellar itself. All that said, you definitely don’t want to overspend when it comes to building your wine cellar either.

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A Guide to Evaluating NJ Kitchen Contractors

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NJ Kitchen Contractor and Design SpecialistsIs it time to start remodeling your kitchen? You’d be surprised at just how much happier you are when your kitchen is a place you actually enjoy spending time in. Think about it – you prepare your family’s meals in there, the stuff that keeps them well-fueled and healthy. Isn’t it in your best interest to make that space into an area where you actually want to spend time in? We certainly think so.

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