by Michele Weaver | Apr 19, 2018 | Company News
Have you taken advantage of our many services we offer for developers? If not, now is the time to check it out!
Home Design
- We offer over 2500 plans in our library!
- Multi-elevation plan sets — a core plan with different elevation styles saves time and money.
- Custom home design.
- Plan alterations.
- Promotional artwork — market the plan before purchasing the full construction set.
Marketing Materials
- Streetscapes
- Plat maps
- Community logos
- Community signage
- Amenities artwork
- Billboards
- Lot Markers
Builder Programs
- Builder-Centric℠ GOLD — receive discounts and materials to help you sell more homes.
- Woman-Centric Matters!® — recognizing the importance of women’s preferences in the home.
Learn more with our Developer Services program, and contact us today!
by Michele Weaver | Mar 9, 2018 | Company News
It’s that time of year again…March Mania!
Participate in our Home Plan Bracket Challenge and enjoy $200 off your home plan purchase!
In addition, for each round in which you participate you will be entered to win an Omaha Steaks gift card.
Click the “Play Now!” button below to learn more and enter your bracket picks.
Play Now!
NOTE: See the March Mania page for complete rules and details.
by Michele Weaver | Feb 26, 2018 | Company News
As President of Design Basics, LLC, I’m excited to share that this year marks our 35th year in business! In 1983, Design Basics began as a custom home plan design firm for professional builders in our local community of Omaha, Nebraska. Over the years, the popularity of our designs grew and we expanded our focus to designing plans that would be adaptable in any location. Since then, interest in our plans has reached to all 50 states and Canada as well as countries around the world.
Over the years we have not just adapted to changes in the market, but have been the catalyst for many of the design amenities, builder programs, and industry trends you still see today. For instance, our signature program, Woman-Centric Matters!®, was launched in 2005. Recognizing that women make a majority of the buying decisions, the program focuses on teaching builders how to market, sell, and design their products and services around the things that actually matter to women. This year the focus of the Program is shifting to training and certification, and is open to other companies in the building industry – if your business partners are also focusing on women’s preferences, marketing and design becomes even more targeted and efficient.
Around this same time, we launched our HER HOME™ brand with a publication targeted to women home buyers/owners, helping them make wise, informed decisions. The magazine continues to be a favorite among readers and builders alike. Our 2018 edition is available in digital format on our website and is packed with valuable information around home design, amenities, and products for the home (see link below). Builders, and other industry providers, are welcome to order custom versions to use for your own business – contact us for more information.
In addition to our dedication to quality, forward-thinking home design, we are also active in the community. Through our Plans for Education program, we are able to donate home plans to high schools and colleges for classroom instruction as well as hands on learning. We have participated in St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Home Giveaway, Jan’s House of Hope cancer awareness crusade (read our current story in the HER HOME edition linked below), and most recently a supporter of Homes For Our Troops, which builds specially-adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans. Internally, our Employee Wellness Initiative has taken off with employees participating in National Walk at Lunch Day, National Wear Red Day, and various other charges.
In January we exhibited at the National Association of Home Builders International Builders’ Show in Orlando where we were recognized as one of only 60 companies that has been exhibiting for 25 years! This year’s show was a huge success with a record number of visitors stopping by our booth to discuss home design. We look forward to and are already planning for 2019 – we hope to see you in Vegas!
This year will we be launching a new website with an enhanced plan search tool, making it easier than ever to find and compare home plans that meet your requirements. And, Builders, we invite you to explore our Builder-Centric℠ GOLD program where you can earn free home plans, discounts on products and services, FREE plan upgrades, and much more! As always, you can count on the Design Basics’ team to deliver innovation and leadership through creative home design, marketing, and business transformation solutions.
Design Basics…where great design matters.
Best Regards,
Kathryn Dick
President
Contact us: 800.947.7526
Resource Links:
HER HOME Magazine: http://www.designbasics.com/bookstore/her_home_magazine.asp
Woman-Centric Matters! Builder Program: http://www.designbasics.com/woman-centric-matters.asp
Builder-Centric GOLD Builder Program: http://www.designbasics.com/homebuilders/builder-centric.asp
Blog: http://blog.designbasics.com/
Website: www.DesignBasics.com
by Michele Weaver | Feb 23, 2018 | Company News
The NAHB’s International Builders’ Show and the NKBA’s Kitchen and Bath Show, were again held concurrently last month in Orlando. What were some of the highlights?
Home Plans. Two design aspects were particularly in demand at the 2018 show: dual owner’s suites (think multi-generational housing), and multi-elevation plan sets. Tied for most popular/top selling were: the dual master Cedar Glen II (with sibling plans Cedar Grove and Cedar Creek); and the multi-elevation Jensen plan set including the Jensen Place, Jensen Falls, and Jensen Creek plans.
Home Design Amenities. Not surprisingly, builders at this year’s show were looking for what’s new. Education sessions touted today’s trends toward family foyers with drop zones and benches, pocket offices, pet centers, prep pantries, and oversized, doorless showers as today’s must-haves – amenities appearing in Design Basics’ plans 10-15 years ago! Visitors to our booth were among the first to see some of our newest pre-trend amenities, including the innovative Stor-N-More™, Appliance Center, and Ante Room.
Developer Services. Being able to build out a varied, attractive, and cost-effective neighborhood using a small number of base floorplans with multiple elevations is a “sweet spot” with many of our land developer/home builder clients. Marketing services, such as rendered streetscapes and presentation plat maps garnered lots of attention as well.
Innovative Products. Here are a couple of our favorites*: Though they debuted previously, Brinks Home Security’s innovative “push, pull, turn” door handle sets really caught our 
eye. Whether your hands are full or for easier access by everyone, including the elderly, this is great technology!
The Beale MeasureFill pull-down kitchen faucet from American Standard. This innovative faucet delivers an exact volume of water – from half-cup to five cups – with a turn of the dial. A great time and energy saver when the faucet dispenses just the right amount of water! (photo courtesy: American Standard)
The IBS is the National Association of Home Builders’ premier event, made possible by the approximately 1500 exhibitors. Design Basics’ ongoing support of NAHB was recognized through identifying Design Basics as 1 of just 60 exhibitors belonging to the IBS Quarter Century Exhibitors club. In fact, Design Basics was the only major home plan design service exhibiting at the 2018 IBS!
Make plans to attend 2019 IBS in Las Vegas!
(*Product spotlights are for informational purposes only; we do not formally endorse any product or service.)
by Michele Weaver | Feb 23, 2018 | Company News
The first day of spring is a few weeks away, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start dreaming of warmer temps, flowers blooming, and…a new home!
What better time than now to browse our home plan collection and select your dream home?
Think Spring, and enjoy 15% off your home plan purchase* — now through March 9!
Search Plans
*To take advantage of our Think Spring offer, order online or contact us at 800.947.7526 with your plan order and mention offer code 33SPR. Offer valid: February 19 – March 9, 2018. The 15% discount offer applies to construction prints only (PDF, sets, or CAD files), and does not include study sets, dimensional plans, or Construction License only orders.
by Michele Weaver | Jan 31, 2018 | Company News
Expand your plan library by purchasing a multi-elevation plan set and save an additional 15% off the already discounted price!
Choose from over 100 plan sets with two, three, or four elevations to create a cohesive, yet varied look for your neighborhood. Builder Plan Sets include one full construction print and one single-build license for each elevation.
Search Plan Sets
To take advantage of our Valentine’s Day offer, contact us at 800.947.7526 with your plan order and mention offer code 33VAL. Offer valid: February 1-14, 2018. The 15% discount offer applies to construction sets only (PDF, prints, or CAD files), and does not include study sets, dimensional plans, or Construction License only orders.
