Pinnacle Group Renovations Shares in Safe Haven Foundation’s Passion for Saving Calgary’s At Risk Youth One Life at a Time.

September 3rd, 2010

Since 1999, Pinnacle Group Renovations has proudly supported Calgary’s Safe Haven  

As dedicated parents to four of their own children, Paul Klassen, GM of Pinnacle Group Renovations, and his wife Elaine believed in the mission and vision of this incredible non-profit organization committed to assisting Calgary’s vulnerable and at risk children and youth. Driving Pinnacle Group Renovations business philosophy is Paul’s belief in creating homes for life – making the home a family’s favourite place to be. However, for many children, home is far from a haven – a warm and wonderful sanctuary filled with love. It is for these children that Safe Haven Foundation is dedicated to helping stay off the streets and in school, giving them their future back. The Safe Haven Foundation was established in 1996, providing an innovative approach to early intervention and prevention of child abuse and youth homelessness. With the goal to reduce the number of girls living on the street by changing one life at a time, the Live Long Homes Program (now known as Haven’s Way), was opened in 2000 and is operated by the Boys and Girls Club of Calgary .

Safe Haven Foundation

Paul & Elaine have always held family values close to their heart, but an experience in their own lives provided them with further inspiration to support the valuable efforts of the Safe Haven Foundation. In 1998, Paul & Elaine found themselves in a position to help a family they had known from out of province locate their daughter who was living in a vulnerable situation, at times faced with fending for herself in very difficult circumstances in the inner-city of Calgary. Through a series of conversations, compassion and reassurance, they convinced this young teen to leave this behind and seek safety and refuge in their family home. Fast forward 15 years, and this once at risk teen is a vibrant, grateful and healthy contributing member of our society, running her own successful business enterprise. The Klassen’s consider her part of the family and feel fortunate to have had their lives and the lives of their children enriched by this experience. It solidified for them the idea that we truly are capable of positively impacting the lives of others, one individual at a time.

The Klassen’s have instilled their passion for helping Calgary’s youth into the corporate culture at Pinnacle Group where staff and trades have opportunities to contribute to this worthwhile foundation by providing volunteer labour and supplies to refurbish some of Haven’s Way safe homes used to house former street youth. As well, for the last several years at the Safe Haven Foundation’s annual gala, Paul & Elaine sponsor a table where they bring 6 guests to enjoy the evening’s events; a class act fundraising evening, bringing out Calgary’s caring business community as well as some of Calgary’s fantastic celebrity personalities. Paul is currently putting together a silent auction package from Pinnacle Group Renovations for this year’s upcoming Safe Haven Foundation Gala on October 23rd, 2010, which promises to be another premiere event featuring an exciting night of entertainment followed by both a silent and live auction fundraiser.

Last year at the gala, Paul decided to place a bid on one of the fun auction items – a luxurious Bentley for a weekend and two night’s accommodations at the Banff Springs Hotel. To Paul’s surprise he won the bid and recently enjoyed what he deems as the best ride of his life!! As Paul puts it, “I had boyish laugher coming out of my belly that I didn’t know existed!” He thoroughly put to the test this lavish Continental GT Convertible’s 550 horsepower engine, taking in the beauty of the scenery and wildlife surrounding him through Kananaskis Country, Golden, Jasper and Longview – a ride he and his wife Elaine won’t soon forget!

For more information on how you can make a difference in the life of an at risk youth or for details on attending one of Calgary’s premiere philanthropic events, visit www.safehavenfoundation.ca .

Okay Sir, You know that 550hp is fast right?

I Love you! Are you ready for a spin?

Looking Great Mr. and Mrs. Klassen!

Now this is truly fun!

Accommodations at the Banff Springs Hotel. "Paul, you can park the car now. It is time to check in."

Did you know that renovating in and of itself is a green initiative?

September 1st, 2010

The concept of renovating being a green initiative manifests itself on many levels when it comes to Pinnacle Group Renovations’ process.

Green Earth Recycling

We all know that we live in a highly consumable society with a disposable mindset, though many of us are working to change this. Making the decision to renovate one’s house vs. selling and buying new, in essence captures this consciousness of becoming a less expendable society, similar to teaching our family’s how to use our infamous Blue Recycling containers now a common sight in Calgary! Embracing the concept of working with what you already have really does have many green pay offs at the end of the day!

Consider this – when our renovation families first meet our talented design team, our architectural designer helps maximize the strengths of the existing floor plan, while finding innovative ways to create spaces that appropriately meet the renovation needs of the family. Not every home renovation needs to be a ‘gutted to the studs’ project – we are committed to providing the best possible, environmentally conscious design to get the end result you need. Even in the instance that it is a complete home renovation from the ground up, there are many elements of the existing house that can be refurbished or reused. For example, a renovation project we just completed saw salvaged slate from the exterior of the home painstakingly reclaimed and re-installed on the newly renovated exterior; in addition quartz brick from a former fireplace was re-cut and used to frame the new spectacular main floor aquarium. Similarly, bricks from the old fireplace were reused when designing the cozy new master bedroom fireplace area. Amalgamating the old and the new is not only a green concept, but for some homeowners, this emotional connection to the past plays an integral part of creating meaningful design choices and peace of mind.

Renovating your home also provides the opportunity to update and change the not-so-environmentally-friendly building products of the past. From environmentally friendly paint products to energy efficient appliances, there is always room for improvement. We can dramatically reduce the carbon foot print of a home with eco- conscious choices like the installation of a new furnace, hot water tank and window systems. Thickening exterior walls, reinsulating ceilings and using products such as open-cell spray foam to provide increased insulation to outside wall cavities, all improve the insulation value of a home. It is not uncommon for us to reduce a home’s carbon foot print by 40% or more with these types of changes!


Pinnacle Group Renovations is committed to recycling as much renovation debris as possible from our sites. Working with our trade partner Clean Earth Recycling (www.recyclingcalgary.com), specialists in recycling construction material, it is possible for us to recycle as much as 65% of construction and demolition waste material from our renovation sites – now that is impressive! We had a unique experience recently when we presented one of our clients with potting soil to be used in their new temperature controlled solarium that was in fact compost from the recycling debris removed from their job site!

We are committed to incorporating green initiatives into our renovation process and encourage you to inquire about ways in which we can help you reduce your carbon foot print when renovating. For more information on Pinnacle’s carbon reduction initiatives we invite your inquiries!

Pump Hill Transformation- Creating Unique Spaces for Families

September 1st, 2010

For the past 6 ½ months, the team at Pinnacle Group Renovations has been transforming  a 2500 sq ft bungalow in the estate community of Pump Hill. This full home renovation is now complete and we couldn’t be happier with the spectacular result!

The home was gutted to the studs, incorporating several structural changes as well as an extensive eco-component which included the installation of a new furnace, hot water tanks and window systems. The ceilings were reinsulated and the exterior walls were thickened to improve the insulation value of the home. In addition, substantial open-cell spray foam was used to provide increased insulation to the outside wall cavities. We conservatively estimate that we have reduced this home’s carbon foot print by a significant 40%. As well, we recycled an extraordinary 10.5 tons of renovation debris! We are confident this project will be another award winning design recognized at this year’s upcoming SAM Awards.

Entrance into this crisp, contemporary design inspired home is through the solid hemlock custom front door where the grand foyer hosts an expansive, vaulted ceiling. Here you are greeted by an incredible floor to ceiling double sided fire place providing views from the foyer to the complete open concept great room.

The newly designed and constructed soaring 2 storey dormer found in the great room brings the outside views in, perfectly framing the magnificent backyard pine. There is liberal use of windows throughout the design of the home, capturing natural lighting wherever possible.

The kitchen boasts refined custom espresso maple cabinetry, triple build up granite counter tops, and an oversized island with seating for four. The complete appliance package was outfitted by Jerome’s, Calgary’s finest appliance supplier. A butler’s pantry equipped with its own dishwasher provides the transition between the kitchen and vaulted dining/flex room. Capturing the site lines of the two way fireplace, the open concept of this dining/flex room allows for the opportunity to transform it into anything from a formal dining room to a theater, den, home office or library.

The luxurious master retreat incorporates an impressive two-way fireplace, strategically located above the relaxing soaker tub, sharing views from the master bedroom to the ensuite. Adjacent to the soaker tub is a 6 ft x 4 ft floor to ceiling glass tiled shower with dual shower heads. Dual sinks can be found in the 10 ft long custom vanity featuring exquisite leathered-granite vanity tops.

A secondary bedroom was built inclusive with its own 3 piece bath and vanity allowing for a guest bedroom providing a welcoming sanctuary for visiting family and friends.

The rear entry to this home was completely reconfigured to accept a walk-in laundry area and sizeable mudroom complete with under counter washer and dryer.

The stairwell leading to the lower level was relocated from the far end of the house to a more central location and features a gorgeous maple, radius tread, wrought iron railing system designed by Prestige Railing. A games room area and dedicated exercise room were created on the lower level, still leaving more than half of the generous 2500 sq ft basement to be developed in the future if desired. A complete floor plan was created by our architectural designer ensuring that future bath, media and bedrooms all meshed with mechanical placements.

The entire home was also smart wired with a completely integrated sound, media and security system with recessed TV niches provided in both the great room and master retreat.

To further enhance this home, the exterior was painted and the overhead garage doors, roofing, windows, gutters and eavestroph were replaced, maintaining a subtle yet sophisticated estate feel. The exterior may be subtle and unassuming; however one step through the front door and it becomes quickly apparent; this home is a spectacular estate bungalow with the very best of new technology and design welcoming our homeowner and guests.

We would like to extend a sincere thanks and congratulations to all of the trades, suppliers and Pinnacle staff who contributed to this fine project and a very special thank-you to our valued client for allowing us the privilege of transforming their home into their favourite place to be! We look forward to posting our before and after gallery of this prominent home renovation to our website in the near future.

Home Is Where The Heart Is!

August 11th, 2010

There is much truth spoken in the familiar statement – “Home is where the heart is”. It is where many of our childhood memories reside and where fond memories are then created as we raise our own children. When sitting down with our clients, it is important to take a step back from the 30,000 foot level, the pilot’s level, to really understand the needs, dreams and wishes of our clients so we can truly capture their passion in the renovation.

Capturing the essence of our clients’ family and creating unique spaces that support their needs is truly the heart beat of Pinnacle Group Renovations business philosophy and dramatically influences the entire renovation process. Paul Klassen, General Manger and Founder of Pinnacle Group Renovations, has in many ways made it his mission to support the family unit, encouraging healthy, connected, honest family values. This is not something that he takes lightly and having raised 4 wonderful children, he knows all too well the importance of creating a home in which the family resides with pride!

When the Klassen’s decided to renovate their own home, it was imperative that they create an entertainment space where their children would want to hang out with their friends so they could continue to encourage and support the family values that they believed in. It wasn’t long before their home became grand central station which was exactly the intent – their home truly was their family’s favorite place to be! It was a hub of activity where Paul and his wife happily watched their children flourish, maintaining the ever important connection and communication with their adolescent children. As their lifestyle has evolved, the welcoming atmosphere continues to be important as they now make room for their grand children to enjoy their family’s haven!

A successful renovation requires the input of all family members and with this – the result is nothing short of fantastic! To help families come together and discuss their vision for their new family space, Pinnacle developed a Project Idea Book used in the initial stages of a renovation. Clients are encouraged to sit down as a family and provide their individual input into design ideas, decorating tastes, and space requirements so that the renovation truly is a family affair! This has been a highly successful mandate that Pinnacle’s clients have fully embraced!

Illuminate Your Renovation! Digital Lifestyle Solutions Part 1

July 4th, 2010

Pinnacle Group Renovations is proud of our incredible vendors and trades that together make up our extremely talented and dedicated team. We are unified by our goal to create a positive and respectful working environment and are dedicated to delivering an unsurpassed renovation experience to our clients!

Digital Lifestyles is one such vendor that we have been working with over the past 3 years. We are all aware of the steady progression of technology and the incredible array of lighting, sound, home theatre and security products that can sometimes seem daunting. However, together with Digital Lifestyles, we help our clients discern the best possible digital solutions for their home renovation to enhance the comfort of their home, making it their favourite place to be!

Whether it’s fully automated lighting illuminating your home according to your watch, the entertainment a home theatre provides, impressive music packages with state of the art sound and control, the peace of mind a security system brings, or the convenience of a smart-wired home, Digital Lifestyles has the ability and experience to help our customers create a truly customized digital home environment.

We recently had the opportunity to tour Digital Lifestyles showroom which they frequently update with the most leading edge, current technology solutions available to our clients and we were incredibly impressed as always! The variety of choices is amazing and we are certainly glad to have Digital Lifestyles on board to help guide our clients through this tech-savvy portion of their renovation.

Just in lighting alone – it is incredible how much has changed over the years.

Essentially, the lighting options that were once only available in upscale, luxury homes are now becoming common place. The cost of automated lighting systems has drastically reduced due to the ease of installation of new products and the decrease in hardware costs. Mike Dummer, at Digital Lifestyles reports that gone will be the day of the traditional on/off light switch; this will be driven by the incredible energy conservation offered by programmed dimming and the ability to create mood and accent lighting scenes that were not possible by the traditional light switch. Programmed dimming, allows you to run your lights at 90%, saving an incredible amount of energy without any noticeable difference in brightness at barely more than the cost of your conventional dimmers and switches. The concept of lighting a home has also changed from installing a single on/off circuit to the ability to customize and design your lighting scene determined by individual room requirements.

We will continue in future blog postings to provide information on additional exciting digital lifestyle solutions available to our clients when renovating their homes.

Homes For Life – A Project Overview Of Our Recent Executive Willow Park Complete Home Renovation

June 21st, 2010


Over the past 12 months, we have been working on a spectacular home renovation in Calgary’s SW estate community of Willow Park. Our esteemed architect, Dwayne Seal, worked on this project and seamlessly turned the client’s definitive and expansive wish list into a reality. In just a few short weeks, we will enjoy the very rewarding and emotional moment of turning the keys over to our client to enjoy their dream home!

The variety of design initiatives and criteria on this 4000 sq ft project are truly phenomenal and required the talents of many of our trades, suppliers and staff members to execute a successful result. No stone was left unturned in this renovation and central to the modifications was embracing the concept of “homes for life”; a vast majority of our clients often love the comfort of their established neighborhood and are content with their chosen lot, however their existing floor plan no longer embraces their evolving family lifestyle and/or they have future considerations they would like addressed. This project was no exception. The home owners wanted to create a home that would potentially stay in the family for generations to come as well as would accommodate potential health requirements of their live-in mother.

One of our client’s main requests was creating a home infused with as much light as possible, allowing for year round horticulture opportunities in a temperature controlled solarium. Expansive window treatments were created with two stories of great windows capturing amazing views of the Willow Park Golf course, along with two incredible skylights. Oversized window wells were built in the basement, providing incredible light transfer.

A very unique design element was a secret kitchen. This was included in the main kitchen floor plan, which needed to accommodate a significant amount of entertaining. This secret kitchen was built behind a seamless cabinetry unit. The intent was that the secret kitchen would be used by caterers and effectively keeping the hub of cooking activity separate from visiting guests.

An exotic river rock spa & steam room was built, exuding a truly distinct, relaxing spa feel complete with a steam shower that seats three, a five person sauna and an area that accommodates a massage table.

Other phenomenal assets in this house include an exclusive fitness room, humidity-controlled wine cellar, dedicated theatre, an impressive main floor aquarium, two story fire place, expansive dance floor, built-in puppy wash, spiral staircase, rough-in for a wheelchair lift, a truly impressive main floor aquarium and a marvelous master ensuite with secondary ensuites in each bedroom.

There were extensive landscape renovations completed on this project as well, including a court yard style front yard and a back yard featuring ponds, bridges, an outdoor fireplace and kitchen and beautiful his and her decks.

We are extremely proud of this significant project and we are grateful to our client for the opportunity to create a home that is their favourite place to be! On Tuesday July 6th, 2010, our client has graciously allowed us access to their home so we can host an exclusive Willow Park Showcase! If you are interested in being added to our limited, private guest list for this event – please email us at greatresults@pinnaclerenovations.ca

Reno Green Renovation Tips

June 5th, 2010

Did you know a single re-roof using an enviro-friendly roofing product could save 800 tires from ending up in the landfill?

There are many exciting eco-conscious solutions available when selecting roofing products. These range from solar roofing tiles which we touched on in our May Reno Green Tip, to a product called EUROSHIELD™ which contains a minimum of 75% recycled materials, the majority of which is crumb rubber from tires!

>> View the Video for this RenoGreen Tip!

After many years of research and development, EUROSHIELD™ Roofing Products were created with the goal of recycling the tremendous amount of used tires destined for the landfill. The result was one of the world’s finest synthetic roofing products available on the market today.  The production of a EUROSHIELD™ roof on an average sized home uses anywhere from 600-1000 rubber tires! This product is affordable, maintenance free and increases the value of your home. It is attractive, lightweight yet durable, and is fast and easy to install. EUROSHIELD™ manufactures three types of eco-friendly roofing systems – EuroSlate™, EuroTile™ and EuroShake™. As well, any scrap material generated through the installation process can be collected and recycled again – virtually eliminating environmentally harmful waste!

In addition to this product, Iko is a manufacturer/supplier of an environmentally friendly roofing alternative made from 30% recycled material. Iko is the only asphalt manufacturer recognized by BuiltGreen™.

You can further reduce your carbon footprint by contacting a roofing installation company that recycles your old roofing product. Asphalt shingles can be recycled for roads and cedar shakes can be recycled for mulch. From start to finish your roofing project can be a complete green initiative!

For more information on these products and other environmentally friendly roofing initiatives, contact a reputable authorized installer.

Photo Gallery: A Gorgeous Makeover in Willow Park!

June 5th, 2010

In case you haven’t checked our online photo gallery recently, you may have missed the latest addition!

This Photo Gallery showcases one of our latest renovation projects. Rather than moving, this active retired couple decided to renovate so they could remain in the home in which they had created more than 30 years of fond family memories.

We invite you to see this photo gallery and others on our website!

Mary Wallace: A Special Thank You!

June 5th, 2010

On May 20th, Pinnacle Group hosted a gathering at Paul & Elaine Klassen’s residence to celebrate our dear colleague & friend Mary Wallace who will be heading out east to embark on a new adventure with her family!

Many of our fabulous previous clients & trades came out to wish her well and share their appreciation for her valued interior design talents and the tremendous contributions she made to many Pinnacle projects over the years! It was a great evening filled with delicious food, fabulous conversation and extensive reminiscing!

We have appreciated her commitment, and will sincerely miss her vibrant and genuine demeanor but look forward to staying in touch! All the best Mary!

Top 10 Questions to Consider When Interviewing your Renovator

May 26th, 2010

When you bring contractors, carpenters, plumbers and assorted workmen into your home, you are potentially opening up a significant portion of your family’s home life to them. Not only do you need to confirm that they are competent professionals, it’s imperative that you assess their integrity as well. You want to know that not only can you trust them to orchestrate the project correctly, but they must also respect your family, your home, and its contents.

Our Vision is Clear

You can avoid most serious problems with a little planning and foresight. You want both capable and honest workers in your home, and you can increase your chances of a successful and stress-free renovation by referring to this list of the top 10 questions to ask a renovation company before hiring them.  Please read our Free Report Here. Thank You.

Our Vision & Goals
Pinnacle’s Vision…The Very Best for Your Home

Pinnacle Group’s vision is to provide premium renovation solutions by combining our client’s needs and wishes with outstanding designs, professional workmanship, exceptional service, and integrity; while continually improving the client experience. In order to achieve this goal, each Pinnacle Group team member will receive the necessary educational training and corporate support required to empower them to profitably produce those results.