Friday Things - January 8, 2021

Happy New Year!

Although the ceremonial turning of the calendar pages didn’t magically make the year feel different or better…. we are filled with HOPE that positive changes are on the horizon. Looking back at the past week we have the following little nuggets to share with you.

• Our annual Dealer Network Meeting and goal setting session was this week. However this time it did not happen in a fancy location with waves crashing in the background and ideas swirling through every conversation all night long. It happened in the comfort of our conference room. Virtually. With Tessie passing us notes about how bored she was. That said, connection in any form is good for you.

• Speaking of Tessie, Distance Learning has resumed and Melissa is still at home doing her best to support Tessie while maintaining the must-do’s in the office.

• Steve started strong with making some sales early this week. It is always a positive thing to start the year off with new business in the books.

• Kasey is continuing to manage the office, wrapping up 2020 and preparing for 2021. We are grateful for her and the tremendous dedication she puts into helping every person she interacts with.

• We know that home shows and events will likely be cancelled until at least summer. This is both good and bad… it frees up time for us to work on other aspects of the business but it has been an important way for us to connect face to face with customers and build relationships. We do have a showroom in our Bloomington office with our full home show display inside of it so if you ever want to chat with Steve while standing next to a bay window sample… come on over. Showroom is open by appointments only. 612-866-2888

• Our new TV commercial is being planned and we look forward to getting that shot and out there.

Last but not least, this week’s cheeseburger is the Philly Cheeseburger. Onions, peppers, and spicy cheese on a burger with a nice toasted bun. mmm.

Enjoy the weekend. Stay safe. Stay careful. Be hopeful of the good that is to come.

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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.

An important message about your install

We know that once you make the decision to replace windows or doors in your home you want the work to be done right away. We know the waiting is the hardest part. (We recently bought a piece of furniture and had to wait nearly 3 months… it was excruciating)

The sales agreement that you and Steve wrote up together provides an estimated range (in weeks) for when your installation is estimated to begin. Currently, we are seeing several things that I wanted you to be aware of that may affect this date for you.

1. Supply chain shortages are affecting the ability of our factory to obtain building materials including bay window shells, tempered glass, geometric glass, some vinyl products and shingles. Note: all sliding glass patio doors are made with tempered glass.

2. Reduced capacity at the factory is extending completion times on products to double what they were pre-COVID.

3. Incomplete shipping manifests from the factory - not a huge deal considering how many adjustments they are making on the production line to maximize the output… but it does take away our ability to give estimated dates that jobs come off the line or get loaded on to our truck. Each week when our delivery comes it is a surprise. Usually a good surprise. Not always.

So as much as we hate to say it, calling the office for an update will not yield you any new information. What I have shared in this update is all that I know until the job arrives in the warehouse. No, this isn’t normal. This isn’t how it has ever been before but this is how it is now.

When the truck is unloaded we make sure we have everything needed for the order and when we do we make calls to get the install scheduled.

Here is the Good news

We are not currently running behind on estimated install dates. With the exception of a handful of jobs where we are waiting for the full job to be delivered to us, we are installing on the late end of the estimated dates on your sales agreement.

We continue to install all winter long. The installers bundle up. They have thermoses full of hot coffee and sometimes soup. We watch the temperatures and don’t install at 10 degrees or below. We remove and set one window or door at at time to reduce the time your home is exposed to the cold. The installs might take a little longer, but they keep happening.

Jeff, Matt and Donovan and their crews are committed to getting jobs installed. They like working. We manage their schedules based on what is coming in. We continue to do our best to install in the order we sold in. We are pleased with the commitment and quality of our installers. They are worth the wait.

Please see this update as full transparency and know that we are always AS EXCITED as you are to see your windows or doors replaced. It always makes a difference. It is always worth it. We believe you’re gonna be so glad you did this.

Thanks for your patience!

mbrager@universalwindowsdirect.com

This should take one minute. If you would prefer to do this over the phone call 612-866-2888.

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.

---

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.