the business
Brad and his wife Elly purchased their first house in Birdsboro, PA in 2014 - an 1800’s twin. The housing market crash had just started to recover in parts of the country but, in our area, homes were still sitting and at low prices. This property had been left vacant for four years - the sewer line to the street was clogged, knob and tube wiring, none of the plumbing worked, the back room was a dirt floor, a corner of the kitchen was sinking, nothing updated in decades - it needed help and they had student loans. Seeing an old home come back to life was exhilarating. Even in a buyer’s market the house was under contract in under a week at asking. Just like that - the student loans were gone, but the plethora of distressed homed remained.
This kick started a cycle of buying distressed homes, living in them for two years and then reselling. By 2019, Brad and Elly had left their jobs and taken home remodel full time. Along with remodeling the home they lived in, they purchased additional projects. Over the years, the company grew with several wonderful employees that allowed the work to go beyond repairing distressed homes. Dapper Duck Designs kept a full schedule of contracting and had the pleasure of working with other investors, business owners, and homeowners to help bring their project back to life. It was a great joy to get to know the community and work on so many different projects.
Dapper Duck Designs never specialized and has worked in all rooms, at all stages, with all trades. This breadth of knowledge has become an asset for project design. In 2026, Brad and Elly moved their family out to Lancaster County. This property was lucky #19 - no broken windows, no sinking floors, no raccoons in the attack - and now a place they call home. While they are no longer the crew that swings the hammers, they still enjoy the transformation of a space the same as they did in 2014.
Licensed and insured. PA145143
BRAD WASSON | DESIGNER/PROJECT MANAGER
Brad finished at Drexel University in 2012 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.
Following college, he began working as an engineer and remodeling homes during his off hours. Over time his passion for home remodel became his full time focus. He leans on his college training, engineering background, and extensive experience as a general contractor to produce thorough designs. With his over 10 years of experience, Brad has developed strong project management skills while working with inspectors for township inspections/permitting and structural engineers when needed as well as contractors and sub contractors to keep projects to schedule and within scope.
Brad easily partners with clients and contractors in taking their project from start to finish with constant, clear communication and transparency.