Choosing the Right Contractor for the Job

 Before starting on your next home or office remodel, there are many things to take into consideration before CHOOSING THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR for the job. Just like anything else, research is key to making the right choice! Here are some simple steps we recommend before choosing your contractor.It could save you time and money!

• Get References: Don't be afraid to ask for references from the potential contractor. This will help you find out what their specialties are and what people really think of their work. Relying on website references may not be enough, you may  have to call around! This will also help you hire a reputable designer, architect or draftsman to produce a COMPLETE design package.
• Ask questions. Ask your contractor things like how long have they been in business and what work schedule will they follow? By asking questions, you get to better understand the contractor you are working with and get make sure they have the experience required before hiring them.
• Don't have your contractor draw your plans! The contractor will draw what THEY build - not necessarily what you want. By hiring a design firm to draw your plans, you can trust that they will be drawing the ideas you want and making sure are actually feasible.  The design firm can also make sure that the plans will be according to local codes.
• Don't let your contractor PM the project. Hire a Project Manager to watch the progress of the construction, keeps everyone on their toes, and give you updates on a regular basis. If you take on the project management details, you could spending ALL of you free time on the project. 
• Get a Quote: Make sure you get a quote from the your contractor before committing to anything. Review all of the fine details, extra costs involved, and how much they require as a down payment. 
• Hire a 3rd party quality control review for the plans BEFORE bidding anything.
• Use PLANCENTRAL or an outside reputable designer, architect or draftsman - NOT the one you already hired for the design.
• Using a third party design company also helps you get and KEEP a fresh perspective on the project! It will help find errors and omissions in the project. 

http://www.planmyhouse.com/PLANCENTRAL.html

Whats new for Fall at planMYhouse

If you haven't stopped into the planMYhouse showroom recently, you might not be up to date on everything that is going on! Over the summer, we turned the front portion of the showroom into A Pirates Pawn Shoppe where we sell all sorts of piratey goods from Flags and skulls to custom shirts, jewelry, Man lotion, and more! 

Now that fall is back, we have stocked the showroom with our wonderful gourds- come on in and check them out and get your fall decorations up before it's passed you by!


planMYhouse has a new vendor in the showroom- Campfire in a Can.
 What is Campfire in a Can? They are portable campfires you can bring just about anywhere. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles to fit your outdoor lifestyle. Still curious? Stop in today to check them out and see what they are all about. You can also check out their website for more information- http://www.campfireinacan.com/


At planMYhouse, we give you more than one reason to stop at the showroom! We now offer Plan Central, courtesy of planMYhouse. Plan Central is a full service project management division of planMYhouse. We can help you cut out the middle man when it comes to your construction or remodeling project. We will take on the task of working with the contractors, engineers, and everyone else so you can rest easy and know that your project is in the RIGHT hands! Call or stop in today to find out more! http://www.planmyhouse.com/PLANCENTRAL.html

Introducing Joanna Opela- Professional Mediator and Insurance Appraisal Umpire

Are you finding yourself disagreeing with your home owners insurance claim? Most people are not even aware that they have the right to dispute the findings via the Insurance Appraisal Process. 

So how does the appraisal process work and where does an Umpire come into play? 

The Appraisal policy (which can be found within your homeowners insurance policy) allows you to select an independent appraiser to determine the value of your damages, while the insurance company will also select an appraiser. Both Appraisers then select an Umpire. The Umpire essentially works as the arbitrator in the process and if both parties cannot come to an agreement, the Umpire can make the ruling. 

So why chose Joanna Opela as an Umpire?

As a Professional Insurance Mediation and  Umpire, Joanna strives to help people in conflict to find a path to resolution. Entering into an Insurance Appraisal can be a stressful situation. Not only do you want to put your trust in the hands of a competent and knowledge Appraisal, but you also want an impartial, unbiased Umpire to help the process along. The Umpire should be qualified to review the differences between the two parties. 

Joanna's experience with project management, construction, building repairs and materials, and the insurance appraisal process qualifies her as a choice above the rest to act as an appraisal umpire to resolve disputes.   

Please contact her today for more information at info@planmyhouse.com
or at http://www.planmyhouse.com/Joannabio.html

Introducing the PLAN CENTER at planMYhouse

planMYhouse is morphing into the PLAN CENTER, your one stop shop for complete construction documents, no project too small and no project too big.  Get your instructions done right the first time.

Hire Plan Center to run the project from conception, not an architectural firm.  Architectural firms tend to spend loads of time and wait for the last minute to get the other disciplines the information, and constantly change that information making it difficult for other disciplines to get their work done without errors and on time, this old way is stressful, wasteful and has too much margin for error.

 
Plan Center will  provide quality control with a team of experts in their fields - that will review the project from an uninvolved view point and give feed back for potential problems in the City and in the field - HENCE saving time and MONEY$$$$$$.

What do you have to lose? Contact us today or stop by the showroom to learn more about the new planMYhouse Plan Center!!

Spring is Finally Here

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's been an awfully long winter here in Minnesota! We went from winter, passed over spring and went right into summer.

Even though we may have skipped a season or two, doesn't mean you need to skip your spring cleaning and put off those renovation projects you have been thinking about all winter long. 


Stop into planMYhouse or send us a note to see how we can help streamline the process for you. We have customizable garage organizers, decorative lighting options and home decor, eco-friendly household cleaning products, and of course, custom remodeling plans.

What are you waiting for?!?! Still not convinced? Stop into the showroom to see what we have to offer or just stop by to chat!

Corporate Meeting Place with Style

Need a neutral place to meet with clients that's not in someone’s home, noisy coffee shop or restaurant?

Need a neutral place that's not yours or their attorney's office?

Need some space?

planMYhouse offera a Corporate Conference Room Punch card for your small meeting needs.

Purchase 10 meetings for $100 and get two meetings free!

Call to schedule your meeting M-F 9-5

Evenings and Weekends available by request.

Catering, Coffee or snacks with advanced notice (additional fee’s may apply).

Call Us today 651-342-0340

Downtown Rummage Sale- THIS WEEKEND!

Stillwater Downtown Rummage Sale
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
10 am to 7 pm

Come to plan my house for the spring sale items - cards, toys, garden globes
rummage sale electronics - used printers, phones, cables, computers and accessories.
great stuff - priced to move.

Visit Mainstreet Stillwater discover Stillwater on Facebook for more info on stores involved and their specials for the weekend!

Get ready to Paint the Town Red

The beautiful city of Stillwater is putting together a fabulous event called Paint the Town Red. The event will be showcasing all of the wonderful places to shop, eat, and peruse on Main Street. More information will be coming soon, so stay tuned as you won't want to miss this event!

In the mean time, enjoy a Special Valentines Day Sale from planMYhouse:
clean-out the garage and organize it special
Free consultation and 30% off any merchandise order.
Installation also available.

Stop in to Plan My House from 12-6 during sale days and see how we can get everything off the garage floor, make work space andstorage that works all year. Get your Sweetie a "SWEET" garage this year (no chocolates involved).

Keeping it Clean in 2011

At planMYhouse,  providing quality plans for your home is our number one priority...but why stop there with what we do. We went a step further to provide you with eco-friendly vendors and quality craftsmen to put the finishing touches to your renovations, but why stop there.

We want you to take care of your home, the way we do....by using Shaklee products. You might be thinking to yourself, "what are you trying to sell me," or "I'm not interested in trying anything new,".

Shaklee products have been around for over 50 years in the US, helping keep our homes clean and green.

Don't believe us, come in and try it out. We have the full line of eco-friendly cleaning products to try in the showroom and we can order them for you.

"We believe that the small act of scouring the sink can be part of the giant act of changing the world."

Get Clean offers you nontoxic and natural cleaning choices that are SAFE, POWERFUL, GREEN and SMART. Because when it comes to keeping your house clean and the earth safe, you shouldn’t have to choose.

Stop by the planMYhouse showroom today to try it out and see what else we have in store.
www.shaklee.com or check out our website www.planMYhouse.com