Beware of the Hail Storm Hustlers

This is a story about Mike. Mike has lived in his home for 10 years and he knows he knows he needs a roof. Mike was thrilled when that hail storm came through his neighborhood. Like a kid waiting for a birthday gift he was smiling from ear to ear and rubbing his hands together in expectation.

HAIL. Not good.

But then it started.

His phone started ringing non stop.

The door knockers started. All morning there were guys knocking on his door. The curiosity got the best of him; and he answered.

A fast talking guy with shorts and a t shirt with no logo anywhere was standing there.

Hey you have hail damage.

I can get you a new roof.

I work for XYZ company. They have been in in business 20 years.

Your neighbor already signed a contract with me.

Sign this contract and call in the claim RIGHT NOW so we can get started

I’ll head up to your roof while you call and take a look at the damage.

Mike was emotional. He was overwhelmed by all the words and he heard what he wanted to hear.

He heard:

1. He was getting a new roof

2. For free

3. His trusted neighbors believed this guy so he should to

4. The faster he signed up, the faster he could get that roof on

5. Damage damage damage. He didn’t want a damaged roof - he didn’t know how bad it was but he sure didn’t want water inside. He had to move fast

6. Pictures of his roof were coming.

You know what he didn’t do? Think. All he did was react. If he was thinking he would have done the following

1. Asked what company he worked for. And honestly, asked for proof. A business card, a contract with a logo on it, some sort of proof that he worked for a reputable company. He could have grabbed his phone and looked up that company to ensure they were active and licensed.

2. Not taken direction based on something a random guy who showed up on his step told him to do. I mean, honestly. If you feel a claim is warranted, you decide when to make the claim.

3. Not just assumed that if is neighbor did it, it was a good idea. My neighbors, for example, are not all people I would take direction from.

4. Roofing labor after a hail storm is not magic. It is still a supply and demand. The demand for roofing labor does not magically produce it. Therefore signing a contract has relatively no impact on how fast the roof goes on. Sorry Mike.

5. Hail can tear up a roof and absolutely require full replacement. If there wasn’t water in the house during the storm, there isn’t an ongoing water concern. He had time to make a decision.

But Mike didn’t do any of that. He was emotional. He let a felon on his roof. He signed a fake contract with that felon. And he gave that felon $5000 , but never got his new roof.

Don’t be like Mike.

As a homeowner you ALWAYS have a choice. YOU decide who goes on your roof. YOU decide when you call in your claim. YOU decide what contractor you hire. YOU take the time to make sure you have a reputable and local company to do the work. The Twin Cities has many many qualified roofing contractors. and one may very well reach out to you to try and help. Just stay in charge of the situation and do all your due diligence.

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We are a shop at home company specializing in replacing windows, siding, roofs and front entry doors.   As we sit with you and learn about what you want to change on your home we can provide the best product and color options to you.  You can expect lots of questions from us as we try to understand what you're looking for.  For that reason,  it is best if both homeowners are there.   We commit to giving you a detailed, same day estimate.   Every time.

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Steve the Window Guy for Universal Windows Direct is a full exterior remodeling company focusing on replacing windows, siding and roofing. Steve and his team of are experts in working with people just like you to create a plan for the most cost efficient way to complete your exterior remodeling project. We are part of a national dealer network that has catupulted to the 10th largest* remodeling company in the nation. Locally we have an A+ rating with the BBB with zero complaints. Steve has been recognized by Universal Windows Direct as National Dealer of the Year three times for his hard work and dedication to getting things right. We are locally owned and operated in Bloomington, MN and work throughtout the Twin Cities Metro. Updating your home can be easy.

We believe Steve the Window, Siding and Roofing Guy was just too long of a name.

*Source: Qualified Remodelers Top 500 List, Published September 2019.

mbrager@universalwindowsdirect.com

Stay Safe MN!

Governor Walz has announced that his Stay at Home Order will expire at midnight on May 17 at which point we will transition into a Stay Safe Order.

So what does that mean for Steve the Window Guy?

First, it’s a chance to take a really deep breath because we are moving in the right direction. As an exterior contractor we have been an essential business operating throughout the Stay at Home, but always with precautions. This latest announcement allows us to continue most of what we were doing, as well as add a few new things.

We will continue:

• Providing consultations and estimates on roofing and siding replacements on your home

• Providing estimates for window replacement and door replacement projects

• Installing the previously sold product in our warehouse

• Installing siding and roofing jobs in our pipeline

• Disinfecting

• Washing our hands

• Social Distancing

• Working from home as much as possible

We will add:

• We will re-open our showroom so you can look at full size samples of our products. Available products include front entry door with sidelight, sliding glass patio door, bay window, slider window, double hung window and casement window. Additionally, we have siding, roofing, gutter and gutter topper samples on display. Showroom hours are by appointment only at this time. Call Kasey in the office to schedule at 612-866-2888.

• We will also add an additional salesman to the team to assist us with providing consultations and estimates. We know we can onboard both virtually and in person and we are looking forward to growing our team.

Cautiously optimistic is the phrase that works best right now. We feel good about where we are at. We’ve taken our time at home to get some incredible work done. We have a near perfect weather forecast approaching and the State is feeling prepared for the inevitable peak in infections for COVID-19. We will continue to follow all COVID-19 procedures for appointments and installs and we look forward to helping you make some changes to your home.

From our family to yours, stay safe MN.

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We are a shop at home company specializing in replacing windows, siding, roofs and front entry doors.   As we sit with you and learn about what you want to change on your home we can provide the best product and color options to you.  You can expect lots of questions from us as we try to understand what you're looking for.  For that reason,  it is best if both homeowners are there.   We commit to giving you a detailed, same day estimate.   Every time.

---

Steve the Window Guy for Universal Windows Direct is a full exterior remodeling company focusing on replacing windows, siding and roofing. Steve and his team of are experts in working with people just like you to create a plan for the most cost efficient way to complete your exterior remodeling project. We are part of a national dealer network that has catupulted to the 10th largest* remodeling company in the nation. Locally we have an A+ rating with the BBB with zero complaints. Steve has been recognized by Universal Windows Direct as National Dealer of the Year three times for his hard work and dedication to getting things right. We are locally owned and operated in Bloomington, MN and work throughtout the Twin Cities Metro. Updating your home can be easy.

We believe Steve the Window, Siding and Roofing Guy was just too long of a name.

*Source: Qualified Remodelers Top 500 List, Published September 2019.

Steve the Window Guy and Universal Windows Direct, MN earn Angie's List Super Service Award 2014

Universal Windows Direct Earns Esteemed 2014 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

Universal Windows Direct has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2014.

Steve the Window Guy, owner of Universal Windows Direct said, “As a family owned business, earning the trust and the praise of our customers is the most important thing to us.We are honored to once again receive this award.It lets us know that our hard work and determination is paying off.”

“Only about 5 percent of the Window companies in Twin Cities have performed so consistently well enough to earn our Super Service Award,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “It’s a really high standard.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2014 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade; the company must be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

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Angie's List helps facilitate happy transactions between nearly 3 million consumers nationwide and its collection of highly-rated service providers in 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to health care. Built on a foundation of authentic reviews of local service, Angie's List connects consumers directly to its online marketplace of services from member-reviewed providers, and offers unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.