2009 Minneapolis Home & Garden Show
This was PGC’s inaugural year at the Minneapolis Home & Garden Show, as well as the show’s 75th year. The show ran from Wednesday, March 4th – Sunday, March 8th, and it was a great success. We displayed a piece of Golden Noir granite that was a show stopper. I cannot tell you how many people stopped by our booth just to admire it and jot down the name.
Below are some photos from the show:
Feel free to share…
Angie
Posted in Business, Company, Granite on March 10th, 2009 by Angie | | 0 Comments
Truly Unethical Practices!
This past Sunday afternoon, my boyfriend and I went to Mongo’s Grill in Maple Grove for lunch. It was fantastic by the way, but on the way out of the restaurant, I noticed a sign outside the door of one of PGC’s “competitor’s.” It said “$19.00/SF (square foot) installation & fabrication” through the end of February. Well, of course this sparked my interest, as I know it is IMPOSSIBLE to provide quality, custom granite countertops at that cost.
I went inside and asked the saleswoman what was included with the $19/SF charge. She explained that was just the cost of fabrication and installation, and there would be additional charges for material cost. For example, some of the materials were labeled at $39/SF (yep, that is one of the places it comes from Barb), in addition to the $19/SF fabrication and installation charge, that brings you to $58/SF. While I was there, another customer came into the showroom and I did not get the chance to ask if that included measure and delivery? Does it include backsplash? What about sink cutouts/cooktop preps? If not, I can only assume that would add an additional $10-$20/SF onto the price.
It is really unfortunate that tactics like this are allowed, as it is deceiving and some might argue, severely unethical. At PGC our pricing per SF always includes, material, measuring, fabrication, delivery and installation. When requested, backsplash is always included, if not, it is optioned. We put it all up front initially on the proposal to make sure the customer knows exactly what they are getting. We do not believe in “hidden costs.”
It is apparent that this “competitor” is taking advantage of the consumer and their pocketbooks. While PGC does not claim to be “the cheapest,” our goal is to be “the best”. We will not knowingly mislead the customer just to get them in the door, but once they are in the door, we know they will be impressed and excited about the customer service and quality they receive from start to finish.
Feel free to share…
Angie
Posted in Business, Company, Granite, Industry News on February 24th, 2009 by Angie | | 0 Comments
Be Happy—Watch Less TV!
I’ve mentioned this before, but with all the negative news these days, I just don’t watch that much TV. Frankly, it can be down-right depressing. You can be in the middle of a show, or movie, that you are enjoying, when all of a sudden, here comes that trailer from the local news channel… “More bad news for the economy at 10:00!” Yikes!
So how is it that some people just seem to be happy, no matter what the circumstances? Well according to, “What Happy People Don’t Do“, an article published in the November 19, 2008, New York Times, by Roni Caryn Rabin, “Happy people spend a lot of time socializing, going to church and reading newspapers — but they don’t spend a lot of time watching television a new study finds.” The study looked at what activities happy people do instead of just demographic factors like many other studies on happiness.
I don’t know about you, but I am truly looking forward to the holidays this year, socializing with family and friends. I can’t think of a better way to forget many of lifes problems.
Why not do yourself a favor this Thanksgiving and holiday season…watch less TV and enjoy the company of family, friends, and all those dear to you. You will be glad you did!
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Business, Uncategorized on November 25th, 2008 by Barb | | 0 Comments
2008 COTY Awards—A Successful Event!
Last night, fellow NARI members came together at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota Campus to recognize the work of those remodelers that stand out in the field, at the 12th Annual COTY Awards. The COTY Awards recognize remodeler contractors, as well as associates in the NARI organization.
Congratulations to the following companies who won this years awards:
- Residential Kitchen $60,000 and Under—
Honorable Mention: Otagawa-Anschel Design-Build
Winner: Nygren Remodeling Inc. - Residential Kitchen $60,000 – $75,000—
Honorable Mention: College City Construction
Winner: House Lift Remodeler - Residential Kitchen $75,001 – $90,000—
Honorable Mention: Awad & Koonz
Winner: Streeter & Associates - Residential Kitchen Over $90,001 – $120,000—
Honorable Mention: mackmiller design +build
Winner: J.W. Williams Construction Design Build - Residential Kitchen Over $120,000—
Honorable Mention: mackmiller design +build
Winner: Streeter & Associates - Residential Bath $30,000 and Under—
Honorable Mention: White Crane Construction
Winner: Orfield Design & Construction, Inc. - Residential Bath $30,001 - $60,000—
Honorable Mention: mackmiller design +build
Winner: New Spaces - Residential Bath Over $60,000—
Honorable Mention: Streeter & Associates
Winner: Aulik & Associates, Inc. - Residential Interior $150,000 and Under—
Honorable Mention: mackmiller design +build
Winner: Ispiri Design Build Remodel - Residential Interior Over $150,000—
Honorable Mention: mackmiller design +build
Winner: Aulik & Associates, Inc. - Residential Interior Specialty—
Honorable Mention: TreHus Architects + Interior Designers + Builders
Winner: McDonald Remodeling, Inc. - Commerical Interior, Exterior or Specialty—
Winner: Braden Construction - Residential Addition Over $200,000—
Honorable Mention: Knight Construciton Design, Inc.
Winner: Streeter & Associates, Inc. - Residential Historical Renovation/Restoration—
Honorable Mention: House Lift Remodeler
Winner: TreHus Architects + Interior Designers + Builders - Residential Exterior—
Honorable Mention: Jones Design Build
Winner: DiGiacomo Homes & Renovation, Inc. - Entire House $250,000 and Under—
Honorable Mention: w.b. builders
Winner: South Face Construction - Entire House Over $250,001—$500,000
Honorable Mention: DiGiacomo Homes & Renovation, Inc.
Winner: Orfield Remodeling, Inc. - Entire House Over $500,000
Honorable Mention: COI Design
Winner: Aulik & Associates, Inc. - Best Newcomer Award—
Winner: McDonald Remodeling, Inc. - Universal Design—
Winner: mackmiller design +build - Associate of the Year—
Honorable Mention: Warners’ Stellian Company, Inc.
Winner: Shaw/Steward Lumber Company - Best of Show—
Winner: DiGiacomo Homes & Renovation, Inc.
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Following are some photos from the event:
Posted in Business, Company on November 14th, 2008 by Barb | | 2 Comments
Holiday Gift Ideas…
With Thanksgiving only two weeks away, now is the perfect time to start thinking about gift ideas for Christmas. Whether it be a gift for your child’s teacher, your best friend, your parents, or an animal lover in your life, PGC has just the gift for you! From vases, figurines, beautiful granite tables, and personalized custom laser etchings, you are bound to find the perfect gift.
Ordering is as easy as clicking here or calling our customer service personnel for more detailed information. Don’t waste any time. Get your order placed now, and avoid the rush of last minute shopping! Enjoy your holiday season and cherish the memories that will be made.
Feel free to share…
Angie
Posted in Business, Company on November 13th, 2008 by Angie | | 0 Comments
