Friday Things - May 7, 2021
/May day Mayday!!!
I always feel the words Mayday are interesting. One hand the first of May - or May Day is the promise of FOR SURE spring. Dancing around the maypole, delivering flowers to friends, basking in the sun and being confident in the knowledge that snow is in the past and summer is right around the corner. On the other hand MayDay can be a cry for help. It is the call for “I’m in trouble” “send reinforcements” “There is a problem that needs to be solved.”
When you are a home improvement contractor and business owner, and when you are 14 months into a pandemic and the entire industry is ravaged by supply chain issues I assure you, both versions of May Day are true.
So here we are. Supply chains are disrupted in a new and different way every few weeks. First, tempered glass is tough to get, then bay window shells are a problem, oop… fun… now the most popular 3 colors of shingles are gone. Oh, no black soffits now.. check. What? 60% of the colors on are most popular brand of siding are out of production? Ok. Should we start the nationwide scavenger hunt now so we can make good on our existing contracts? I guess so. And today, another price increase. Prices have gone up across the board 15-20% in the last few months.
This business is not for the faint of heart. The joy of business ownership is the pace and the non stop change. If you’ve read the how it all started.. you know that Steve craves this. The monotony of digging ditches and constant repetition of tasks was killing him. I never wrote about my background, but between my 12 years at an amusement park and 12 years in a fiercely entrepreneurial and successful corporate setting… I was made for this. One of the things I am best at is taking big chunks of complicated information and making it easy. One of the things Steve is best at is listening to what is needed and finding the right solution. May day May day. We’ve got this.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention that although we believe in a cheeseburger every Friday, tacos do their part in fueling our business too. Happy (belated) Cinco de Mayo. Today’s burger does indeed include a little avocado ranch sauce. Best served with a side of chips and salsa.
Roofing and Siding Jobs are in full swing. Road restrictions are lifted in many places and we are feeling the increased activity from interacting with 4 additional suppliers as well as the different install crews, dumpster companies, electricians, etc.
Our May schedule is filled for appointments… so we are currently booking out into June. When Steve is with you at the table helping you make selections and get your project into budget it truly is best for both decision makers to be present, to know what you want and to be ready to make a decision. Thinking about it for a few days is absolutely an option for you, but it may delay your project by 4-6 weeks. That isn’t weird window guy fake urgency. That is actual urgency.
Supply chains are very very impacted by COVID. Selections are shrinking, prices are increasing and delivery times are double and triple what they have been in past years. Grace is needed to get us through.
We are so pleased to announce that we have been nominated as Minnesota’s Best Window Contractor, Minnesota’s Best Roofing Contractor and Minnesota’s Best Gutter Contractor. Voting is happening now and we’d love your vote. You can vote one time a day until the end of May. As we continue to head down this path of no in-person home shows this piece of online credibility is so important.
We continue to work on finishing touches for our next TV commercial and will be delighted to share when it is completed!
Tessie is NINE.
Our baby girl turned NINE last weekend. We pulled out all the stops to create a massively fun OUTDOOR party for her friends that included an outdoor Fairy Woodland Scavenger Hunt, Fairy Bingo (of course Steve was the one calling things like “Blue fairy!!”) Lots of running around and giggling, and the hit of the party was the girls creating their own take hope fairy gardens. Our baby girl turned NINE last weekend. We pulled out all the stops to create a massively fun OUTDOOR party for her friends that included an outdoor Fairy Woodland Scavenger Hunt, Fairy Bingo (of course Steve was the one calling things like “Blue fairy!!”) Lots of running around and giggling, and the hit of the party was the girls creating their own take hope fairy gardens
Last but not least, the cheeseburger. If you’ve noticed a trend with avocado… you’re right. I love it. So this lovely creation with an avocado ranch sauce was a must include.
Stay safe. Stay careful. Be hopeful of the good that is to come. Peace.
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.
