The Family-First Approach Behind AlisonPaul’s Custom Homes

Allison Paul builds home around families.

"We do custom building, and they are truly custom homes," Ralph Busco said. "Every family is different. Were not one house fits all."

Since starting his company in 1987, Ralph has established AlisonPaul Builders as the premier source for one-of-a-kind homes in Brigantine and beyond. He has built hundreds of homes on the island, and the recent rise in property values indicates the custom home business won't be slowing down any time soon.

"Brigantine has changed a lot over the last year," Ralph said. "We're seeing buyers from other shore communities, like Ocean City and Sea Isle, which was rare up until recently. Buyers are finally seeing Brigantine as a great alternative to these other shore communities, which is good for the growth of Brigantine."

AlisonPaul Builders has a stake in the community growth. New homes are huge investments, and when working with Ralph and his team, clients can feel rest assured they are going to get their dream home exactly how they want it - because when Ralph says custom, he means it.

"We're never going to build the same house twice. That's not what we do," he said. "There's nothing wrong with that; our company is just providing a different service."

When planning a new build, not a single detail is overlooked. Clients don't only choose bedroom placement, they work with Ralph and his team on everything from where they plan on putting the TV in the family room, to choosing ceiling fans and showerheads, kitchen fixtures and backsplashes. With so many details, communication is key.

"We meet with clients once, twice a week on a job, not to mention the unlimited emails and phone calls exchanged daily. Every week I have probably four to five meetings on Saturdays and Sundays because a lot of people can't get off from work during the week.

I make time for them," Ralph said. "I'm on the job all the time. You have to be for custom."

Being on the job may mean Ralph is helping clients revise plans. He may be on the machines lifting granite or helping to sweep - basically, whatever needs to get done.

"It's a lot, but when people are investing in a new home, they want that go-to guy," Ralph said. "And that's me."

Ralph likes to say his team builds homes as if they are going to live in them - with the same level of care and attention to detail.

"I hire the best people I can," Ralph said. Some of his subcontractors have been with him for 25, 30 years. He uses the same crews and works with the same plumbers, electricians, and designers. He even hires someone whose main job is to keep the job site clean all day long. "We try to keep our job sites spotless, and that's from all phases of the job, from framing on," Ralph said. "It's a fulltime job, keeping it clean. These are big homes." In addition to building entire custom homes, AlisonPaul Builders does renovations - although currently limited to large scale jobs only, such as adding a second floor to a home, adding two or three bedrooms and similar projects.

Ralph is proud to say his family is supportive of - and involved with - AlisonPaul Builders. He's had the support of his wife, Kim, for 41 years. His adult children (and the company's namesakes), Alison and Paul, are both lawyers. Paul is in real estate law and also a realtor on the island, pitching in to help clients find homes and land for builds. Alison is an entertainment lawyer, but she likes to check out the homes and stay in the know.

"It's great," Ralph said. "It really is a family business."

AlisonPaul Builders
📍 3400 Atlantic Brigantine Blvd., Brigantine, NJ
📞 609-266-0591
🌐 www.alisonpaulbuilders.com
✉️ alisonpaulbuilders@gmail.com