It’s that time of year again! The Annual Safe Haven Street of Dreams Gala is coming up the 22^nd of October, and this year promises to be one of the best yet.

The Safe Haven Foundation’s annual Street of Dreams Gala is one of the most prestigious philanthropic events of our city. Bringing out the generosity of Calgary’s compassionate business community, it’s a fun and lively evening of incredible food & drink, mingling of business owners and celebrity personalities, extraordinary Silent & Live Auction items, and most importantly the continued support of our city’s most vulnerable citizens; our at-risk children & youth.

Each year the Gala includes an impressive selection of Live and Silent Auction items from various businesses throughout the city. Last year’s items ranged from a Viking Ultimate Kitchen to an original painting by Jason Gogo! For this year’s Auction item, Pinnacle has pulled out all the stops, donating a complete media and custom credenza package valued at $25,000.00!! We are extremely excited about this incredible package, made possible by our trade partners Digital Lifestyles, 4 Star Electric and Van Go Artisans.

The complete specs of this amazing Auction Item are as follows:

Media Components/Digital Lifestyles:

• 55” Samsung Smart Hub LED HD TV and full Boston Acoustics surround system.
• Sony Blu-Ray DVD Player
• complete in home mesh network for Home Automation conveniences such as:
• Skype video calling and receiving direct from the TV with no computer required
• Integrated Skype camera included and integrated with the TV
• Facebook accessibility direct from the TV with no Computer or additional hardware
• required
• Netflix setup direct on TV (with Netflix subscription)
• Direct YOUTUBE access from TV
• Streaming music from any computer or connected device in the home
• View your digital pictures on the Smart Hub TV even though they may reside on another computer in the home
• One touch access via RTI wireless remote
• Full lighting control for that room that will allow you to have preset scenes and dimming patterns through your handheld remote or via the inwall keypad
• 1 ½” cabling conduit strung from TV to Media components allowing complete upgrade opportunity for future media components
• Complete installation and thorough client Familiarization Tour, complete with one year service and warranty

Millwork Components/Vango Artisans:

• Floating Media storage Credenza including:
• 96” long x 24” high x 22” stained Maple fully custom cabinetry
• Component storage for all media components including air-flow friendly mesh speaker cloth inset in credenza doors
• Full customization provided for sizing and placement of all media components
• Complete installation and one year warranty

Electrical Components/4-Star Electric:

• Complete electrical service to provide connection to all media components including connection to existing electrical panel. (Panel upgrade, if needed not included)
• Six (6) Par20 potlights installed in theatre area ceiling (Flat only, not vaulted) including complete electrical connections and ‘Smart Wiring’ required for lighting to ‘talk’ to wireless remote lighting control
• Complete final installation included and one year warranty

Peripherals:

• Complete project management by Pinnacle Group Renovations
• Thorough room/site protection for duration of installation including final clean and detail
• Drywall patching for pot lighting and repainting of (Flat) ceiling and media wall.
• Complete follow through warranty as per Pinnacle Group’s ‘Client for Life’ Program!

We are anticipating great interest in this Premiere Auction Package, and look forward to supporting the Street of Dreams Foundation in their continued efforts to help our city’s youth! And as a reminder….it’s not too late to visit the Street of Dreams Website and make a private donation, or purchase tickets to attend this highly anticipated fund-raising event! Street of Dreams Website for placing your donation or ordering Gala Tickets: http://www.safehavenfoundation.ca/street_of_dreams.php

Safe Haven Video…a MUST-SEE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Fht-mdsbYKc

Video of Media Package! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcNjwVUUCF8

As you can see, once we have a clear understanding of what distinguishes your family’s needs, we can begin creating a design; then progress to a 3D rendering of the newly remodelled space or your custom home design.

We use this rendering as the starting point of collaboration with you on the actual final design. We completely understand that seeing something on a blueprint or sketch is not the same as seeing something “virtually.” The 3D virtual experience allows you to be able to “walk through” the space and “experience” it without actually being there.

Our 3D modeling software allows you the freedom to explore possibilities. If you want to shift a wall, move a closet, make a room bigger/smaller, etc. we can immediately show you what it will look like; all of these changes can be done in real-time, with a simple click of the mouse!

Additionally, through this valuable process, we can work with you to achieve the perfect design in the most cost efficient process possible. We actually collaborate; not only with our interior designers and architects, but with our site supervisors, special suppliers, and professional trade affiliates. Based on your lifestyle needs and design flair, we make sure that our industry experts are consulted on how the end result that you envision can be achieved accurately; without unnecessary and unforeseen expenses. With the experts in the room, solutions can be discovered quickly, cost efficiencies can be implemented, timelines can be firm, and cost-overruns can be mitigated. Slight changes left unchecked by trained professionals, are often what lead to cost overruns. At Pinnacle Group, we prevent this from happening.

A second and equally important aspect of alignment is to ensure that you, the homeowner, choose a renovator/custom home builder that is in complete alignment with your needs and expectations.

You want to make sure that the Builder you choose for your project will actually be able to provide you with the finished product you had envisioned. They should have a proven track record of delivering an excellent building experience as demonstrated by their customer satisfaction scores.

Unfortunately, in renovation and custom home projects, the quality of a project sometimes falls short of the expectations of the homeowner. This is due to poor planning, poor execution, lack of systems and processes and most of all, a genuine lack of customer care. A great design cannot be properly executed without stellar business systems and a genuine understanding of a customer’s needs and expectations.

We hope this insight into Pinnacle’s DNA Process has been helpful. For more information please call our showroom at 403-720-8789 to request a copy of the entire DNA Document!

Part 2 in our DNA Process Series focuses on the 2^nd aspect of Pinnacle’s DNA Acronym; Needs. The specific needs of a prospective Client are the heart & soul of Pinnacle; our entire goal is to create a space that meets the individual needs of each family member. Our mantra is to Make Your Home Your Favourite Place To Be – successfully understanding and integrating your needs is what makes this possible!

The Needs portion of our DNA Process consists of 20 questions in an extensive and highly detailed questionnaire. This questionnaire is designed to cover all bases and to compel Clients to think about what they really want; exploring angles that they may not have ever considered before but are critical to the new design. We are serious about creating the perfect spaces for each of our Client Families!

Pinnacle’s questionnaire consists of basic questions such as “How many people are living in your home”, to specialized and specific questions such as “Do you have significant pieces of art or furniture that you want to keep in mind when designing your home”. From a 1-10 rating scale for each current room, to simple Yes/No answers for questions such as “Would you like a fireplace in your Master Bedroom”, to areas for extensive written answers for questions such as “What would your ideal Master Bedroom/Retreat look like”; this questionnaire is truly an in-depth analysis of the individual needs of each family member, and the overall driving force behind each renovation.

The interactive interview process that Pinnacle Group designers take Clients through is a very easy and exciting experience – our questionnaire is designed to get the ‘mental juices flowing’ and allow each member to express their own individual wishes. Once a family’s Needs are expressed and fully understood, the 3^rd part of our DNA Process begins… stay tuned for this information next week!

We all know the traditional definition of DNA; it is your individual characteristics and makeup that set you apart and make you unique from anyone else. Your personal DNA is what makes you unique as a person; at Pinnacle Group, we believe that each family also has a personalized ‘DNA’.

Paul Klassen, GM of Pinnacle Group, has recently trademarked a new process for Renovations. Coined the DNA-Process™, this is a procedure that makes an in-depth analysis of the needs and desires of each prospective Renovation Client. Far beyond the typical questions of “What is your budget” and “What colour would you like your walls”, this study personalizes every renovation by asking specific questions of each family member such as “Does your Family/Great Room have enough room for books, photos and trophies” & “How many pairs of shoes would you like to have storage for in your Master Bedroom”. Designed to ‘hone in’ on what is truly important to the family unit, this process ensures every angle is considered and eliminates post-project disappointment.

Over the next few blogs, we will share the fundamentals of our DNA Process; we hope you find this information useful!

Pinnacle Group’s DNA-Process™ stands for:

D– Design
N– Needs
A—Alignment

Design

Design is often taken for granted as a simple, superficial process mainly involving aesthetics rather than specific functionality; with this approach it is easy to overlook the prerequisites of each family member.

“I want this style of kitchen”, “I want a home theatre”, or “I want a big family room”, are typical examples of initial statements; however, this vagueness often leads to dissatisfaction.

At Pinnacle Group, we go far beyond superficial discussions when determining the right design for your home. From the onset, we pay close attention to all of the details of your vision, no matter how clear or vague that vision may be. Whether or not you are completely sure about what you really want or need, our extensive needs analysis questionnaire that each family member fills out, allows us to uncover the small nuances that often make the biggest differences.

These findings are incorporated into an initial rendering where the collaboration process moves into full swing! A 3D model of your new space is projected on our boardroom big screen TV, capturing and illuminating the distinctive character of your renovation or custom home build. This allows you to “feel” what the new design space will be like. This process also allows for the freedom to explore many different possibilities and options; you won’t be limited by the initial design but instead will find this is just the starting point of discussion to determine the perfect spaces that will suite your family.

We understand how important every single detail can be and the effect that the smallest change can make on your dream home. With the use of Pinnacle’s DNA-Process™ along with our 3D modeling software, we have completely eliminated the uncertainty of how your final project will turn out from the very start. A visit to Pinnacle’s Customer satisfaction scores supports the fact that we are indeed capturing those important design nuances in every area of our client’s home design.

As promised, the address to our project in this year’s RenoMark Reno Tour has been released! This stunning 1800 SF walkout bungalow in Willow Park is definitely a must-see! With every wall relocated and emphasis on Aging in Place, this is a unique home in many ways and one you will not want to miss the opportunity to tour. Come by and see us this Saturday, October 1st, from 11am – 5pm at 608 Wilderness Drive SE!

Once again each guest will have an opportunity to enter our draw for a free iPad; winner to be announced late October!

Come and tour this incredible project, chat with our friendly Staff and Suppliers, and see how Pinnacle can be your Renovator of Choice! We look forward to seeing you there!

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The 2011 Fall RenoMark™ Renovation Tour is slated for Saturday, October 1^st between 11:00am and 5:00pm! This annual event provides prospective renovation clients a chance to tour a number of completed projects by various Renovators throughout the city. Calgary Renovators participating in this popular event must be members of the Canadian Home Builders Association as well as RenoMark™ members; by virtue of these two memberships, comes the opportunity to participate in the Reno Tour.

Pinnacle Group, a founding member of RenoMark™, has been an active participant in the Reno Tour for the past 6 years. Each year we open up one of our recently completed projects for public viewing, and invite guests to join us for individual or personalized tours, as well as a chance to discuss the many facets of a renovation with our qualified Staff and Trade Partners! This year we have an additional incentive for guests touring our project; each guest that comes through our doors will receive an entry to win a free iPad Touch!

This year’s project is a beautiful walk-out bungalow in the esteemed neighborhood of Willowpark. Through our extensive client interview process, “Aging in Place” was identified as a priority for this client, and Pinnacle created a main floor re-design that would accommodate all future living needs. Every wall was relocated, and various features were incorporated: widened doorways, curbless showers, wiring for future intercoms, as well as rough-ins for wheel chair lifts. We also reduced the carbon foot print of this aged home by thickening outside walls and replacing windows, attic insulation, and the furnace and hot water tanks. For those interested in maintaining their independence during their senior years, this home is a must-see!!

Stay tuned; the address of this home will be posted on our website the week of September 26^th!

Luke Boyer

Luke Boyer has been with Pinnacle for the past 2 ½ years as a Site Assistant, and has been an integral part in the overseeing and completion of our projects. During his time with Pinnacle, he has shown exemplary leadership and problem solving skills, making him an essential part of our Team!

This past year, Luke decided to enrol in the Carpenter Apprentice Program at SAIT, which will enable him to obtain his Journeyman Carpenter Certificate. Paul Klassen, GM of Pinnacle, is a Journeyman Carpenter himself, and is able to employ up to 2 aspiring Apprentices to help them meet the requirements to obtain their Journeyman Certificate. The Apprenticeship Program is a 4 year course that includes technical training and exams, as well as employment under a qualified Journeyman.

Luke has completed one full term of classes at SAIT, and true to form, came away with an impressive academic record! Diligently applying himself to his studies, Luke scored above 80% on each of his exams; we are extremely proud of him and his accomplishment! In addition to academic class time, the Apprenticeship Program includes hands-on training in woodworking and carpentry. Luke completed his first projects with impressive attention to detail and finishing skills. His first 3 projects consisted of a Finishing Stool, Nail Tray and Bench Hook; all items made with solely hand tools!

We are thrilled Luke has taken the initiative to further his education and occupational skills, and we are happy to be a part of his success. We look forward to helping him reach his goal of a Certified Journeyman Carpenter!

Luke with his finished projects

The 2^nd last installment of our customized questionnaire brings us to References, Products, and Start/Completion/Cost guarantees!

Question 13: Do you have references in my neighborhood?
Pinnacle Group:  We go beyond just providing references to our Clients. Since 2004, Pinnacle Group has hired Client Insight Inc.™ a Calgary-based, 3^rd party assessment/survey Company, to perform post-project Client satisfaction interviews to measure the results. Client Insight works with businesses of all disciplines in bringing unbiased, in-depth, 3^rd party survey results.  Today, we can confidently say that these third party assessments have become an integral part of Pinnacle’s business process, providing a crystal clear understanding of our Clients’ experiences. Leaving no stone unturned, the assessments provide the opportunity to continually improve and enhance Pinnacle’s renovation process, keep management informed and ensure quality and excellence. The Client feedback in many ways drives project completion and enhances Pinnacle’s corporate culture. As well, the results are used for training Employees, Suppliers and Trades. We publicly share our findings as our Client Surveys accurately reflect what makes Pinnacle unique and we wholeheartedly embrace the opportunity to provide this transparency. It is our position that there is no better way for a future Client to gain insight, build trust and even be inspired by allowing them a glimpse into the Pinnacle experience directly from the Voice of past Customers. These assessments offer a true to life synopsis of our projects gathered from our Clients’ perspective. Our hope is that by sharing these results with you, you will truly realize our commitment to providing the very best renovation experience possible!

Question 14: Do you have a Design Studio where I can compare products?
Pinnacle Group:  Our Design Studio provides more than just samples of products; it is where our Clients’ projects come to life with our 3D modeling software in our boardroom containing the latest technology to best portray your designs in the most life-like capacity possible. A visit to our Studio also helps our clients realize we are committed to the long term success of our business as it relates to our client experience. By investing in both a state of the art design studio, as well as collaborating with VanGo Artisans by bringing our custom cabinetry division in-house we are able to offer even more options. By incorporating the finest equipment which includes CNC machinery for the very finest in dovetail joinery; we are also able to create and then produce literally any custom cabinetry design detail you can imagine! We offer all of this in addition to our entire renovation experience, truly providing your family with spectacular custom options. When beginning the design process, a 3D model of a Client’s new space is projected on our boardroom big screen, allowing the Client to “feel” what the designed spaces will be like; you can physically see what your home or renovation would actually look like, making sure you are completely satisfied with every single detail before your project even begins. As well, any changes you want can be instantly applied, giving you room to experiment and try things that might not otherwise be possible. The emotional feedback during this session allows Pinnacle Group’s design team to capture what truly embodies the soul of the family, and as a result, they are better prepared to create the spaces that suite each of our Client families.

Question 15: Do you provide a written contract proposal that includes a start date, completion date, full details of the work and material, and the complete cost?
Pinnacle Group:   Pinnacle Group is the only RenoMark™ Renovator with a patented SCC Guarantee™ – we GUARANTEE your START DATE, COMPLETION DATE and project COST.  Pinnacle’s SCC Guarantee™, simply ensures that the most significant Consumer concerns surrounding renovations and custom homes voiced by independent industry studies are unequivocally addressed and are put in writing. Pinnacle takes our SCC Guarantee™ very seriously; so seriously in fact that if we miss your project’s completion date; we pay you a $400.00/per day non-complete Penalty! Incidentally, Pinnacle Group has not missed a substantial completion date since we began tracking our results in 2004!

Check back at the end of the week for the final 2 questions!

Come join us this Saturday, August 13^th for a tour of a fabulous Custom Estate Home currently underway in the prestigious acreage area of Dewinton! As mentioned in our previous blog, this is an incredible opportunity to view the workmanship of Pinnacle’s Trades, ask questions of our Staff and Suppliers, as well as get a close-up view of what happens behind ‘closed doors’ on a Pinnacle Project!

This stunning Custom Home is situated in the acreages of Dewinton, and boasts impressive city/mountain views that are surpassed only by the incredible design of the home itself!

Some of the amazing features you will find inside this home are:

• HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilator) coupled with in-floor radiant hearing in the basement for maximum efficiency.
• LVL Engineered beams span enormous distances for optimum free spanning capability; allowing more open space without support posts!
• Zoned heating dampers allow a single furnace to be controlled with independent thermostats; translating to more balance heating and cooling; thereby providing optimal comfort.
• Low E double and triple-pane, wood/metal-clad windows by LUX WINDOWS are amongst the very best in class. Stain-grade clear fir provides both staining and painting options.
• Future bonus room design, heating and stairwell are all ready for expansion in Phase Two!
• Veranda framing has no exposed fasteners or joist hangers; ensuring a clean visual from the walkout patio. Pride of workmanship prevails!
• Composite decking means maintenance-free enjoyment for a lifetime of outside activities.
• A gourmet kitchen with amenities fit for the finest Chef’s … or up and coming participants in Top Chef Canada™!
• Executive suite of appliances including Wolf, Subzero and Meile.
• Eastern-Open Staircase presents Period-specific alignment to the Country Cottage design!
• Full home Media wiring will provide SMART lighting controls, central sound, security, and multiple media options for years to come.

We are very excited about this project, and hope that you will come by this Saturday to find out why! Click on the link below for time, directions, and a map to the site. We look forward to seeing you!

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