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CNS Cousins Construction CHRONICLES
CNSCONSTRUCTION.IO | (412) 347-1040
JULY 2025
BUILT ON TRUST
CNS COUSINS LAUNCHES RELIABLE HOME REPAIR SERVICES
Since launching our company as an independent family business, our goal has been to help homeowners with any problem they face. But we are always honest. If a homeowner needed a small job done, such as replacing 200 square feet of siding, we would explain that the built-in costs for a siding job of any size, including bringing in trucks, a dumpster, and an installation team, would simply be too high to allow us to charge a fair price.
with trucks and tools we provide. If anyone has an issue, we tell our repair technicians to pretend it’s their grandmother calling — and to treat that customer just as they would treat her. Integrating our repair and construction services eliminates the big gray area in our industry between smaller jobs best suited to a handyman and bigger jobs that require a skilled contractor. In that gray area, homeowners can easily be misled. Let’s say you call a handyman for an estimate on repairing a few shingles when, unbeknownst to you, what you actually need is an entirely new roof. Some handymen won’t tell you the full story. Instead, they’ll sell you a roof- repair project — because that’s what they do. (When the only tool you have is a hammer, every job looks like a nail.) Similarly, if you call a construction contractor to look at a few missing shingles, they may pitch you an entirely new roof — because new roofs are what they do. Our repair and installation teams face no such conflict. Instead, they work hand-in-hand. If our repair tech sees that the scope of your problem is bigger than a repair job, they will be honest with you and turn you over to our Construction Division. Conversely, if you call us for a new roof and we see that all you need is a repair, we will call in our repair team. We service the Lifetime Workmanship Warranties we provide on all our
We hate it when we can’t help people.
Worse yet, that homeowner would have no choice but to venture into the Wild West of home maintenance — the realm of the independent handyman, such as Craigslist or Angi (formerly Angie’s List). While some have found honest service professionals, others were stuck with one of the unethical Chucks-in- a-Truck or Joe Schmoes who give our industry such a bad name. How could a homeowner get a small job done well, with the warranty to back up the workmanship? That was the problem we were looking to solve. That is how our Repair Division was born. We are excited to announce that CNS Cousins Construction is now offering skilled repairs for jobs of any size in all the areas we service, with lifetime workmanship warranties to match! True to our mission, we treat customers of our new Repair Division the same way we treat those who hire us for big construction jobs — like family. Our repair techs are fully trained and experienced, and they are equipped
construction projects. Handymen or small repair companies that claim to offer warranties often have a hard time backing them, because of a shortage of resources. For CNS Cousins, servicing our warranties, free of charge, is a central part of our brand. We also perform paid repairs for any homeowner in need. We will dispatch a repair truck to take a look at your problem for a small fee, usually $65. If a repair is warranted, the technician will give you a precise estimate of the cost and, if you decide to go ahead, the $65 fee will be applied to the cost. And we will stand by our work for a lifetime. If you need construction or repair work done on your home or outdoor living space, contact us today for a free estimate. Regardless of the size of your job, we would love to help! —Stephen Feldmeier
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CNSCONSTRUCTION.IO | (412) 347-1040
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Be the Cool, Calm, and Collected Dinner Host of Your Dreams Host Like a Pro
THE DAY BEFORE: CHOP, SET, AND ROLL
Prep anything you can store in the fridge overnight — salad dressings, chopped veggies, dessert, you name it. Then, set your table. Want to impress? Add candles, linens, or a low flower arrangement guests can see over. Remember, DIY decorating can help you stay within your budget while still looking stunning! DAY OF: SHOWTIME! Choose your outfit early and give yourself plenty of time to cook. Batch your cocktail before guests arrive so you won’t be shaking drinks all night. And don’t forget — music and lighting work wonders for setting the mood. FINAL TIPS You can prepare for the aftermath by emptying your dishwasher ahead of time ( your future self will thank you ). A secondary location for food and nibbles away from the kitchen will keep guests spread out. And most importantly? Enjoy it . After all, that’s the whole point.
Hosting a dinner party should feel like a joyful gathering, not a full-blown production. But let’s be honest — between menu planning, cleaning, and organizing, it can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you can throw a dinner party that’s unforgettable and low-stress as long as you plan. PICK YOUR PARTY VIBE First, decide on your theme. Is this an elegant Tuscan evening, a cozy, comfort-food night, or a breezy backyard bash? You can pull inspiration from the seasons, favorite travel destinations, or even your go-to movies! 2 WEEKS OUT: INVITATIONS AND INFO It’s time to rally the troops! Send
your invites — whether a group text or a fancy card — about two weeks in advance. Ask about dietary restrictions now to plan a menu that works for everyone. And don’t stress if someone can’t make it. That’s life! 1 WEEK OUT: MASTER YOUR MENU Lock in your menu and write your grocery list. Balance it with a showstopper main, a veggie or salad, a starchy side, and a dessert. To start things right, you can also add a simple appetizer and a signature cocktail. 3 DAYS OUT: SHOP TILL YOU DROP Get your grocery shopping done a few days in advance so you’re not sprinting through the supermarket the day of. This gives you time to double- check for forgotten ingredients.
THE UNEVEN TRUTH BEHIND SHINGLE INSTALLER CERTIFICATIONS CERTIFIED — BUT NOT QUALIFIED?
We sometimes encounter homeowners who have been persuaded to choose a different roofing contractor because they hold a certification from a particular shingle manufacturer. This reflects a potentially costly misunderstanding of what shingle manufacturers’ certifications mean. Don’t let contractors mislead you on this point! All shingle certifications are not the same! Different manufacturers have starkly different requirements for awarding a “certified installer” designation. Some roofing manufacturers’ certifications are for sale — literally. The only criteria for using the manufacturer’s seal of approval, including its emblem on a contractor’s truck, ads, and business cards, is cash. That’s right: They sell their certifications — with no regard for the quality of the contractor’s work. In return for a payment, suddenly the contractor is a “Gold Installer.” The homeowner is led to believe they’re getting top-tier service, when nothing of the kind is actually assured. A few manufacturers, however, require contractors to meet exacting standards for quality and workmanship
before awarding a certification. GAF, America’s biggest shingle producer and creator of thousands of U.S. jobs, puts contractors through a grueling certification process. CNS Cousins Construction had to meet the company’s criteria for the number of roofs installed and exceed tough standards set by GAF roof inspectors before earning the company’s seal of approval. We are proud to have moved up this year from our previous GAF certification as “Certified Plus,” signifying consistently high-quality work, professionalism, and integrity, to “Master Elite Installer” — a level reflecting exceptional knowledge, customer service, roofing skills, and long-term performance. Our Master Elite status allows us to offer an enhanced “Silver Pledge” warranty on GAF roofing we install, ensuring broader protections for homeowners. With whom do you want to work? A company that buys its certification, or one that has had to earn it? CNS Cousins Construction is proud to be a Silver Pledge Installer for GAF. We earned it, and we know we deserve it. Can you say the same about your roofing contractor?
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CNSCONSTRUCTION.IO | (412) 347-1040
@CNS-Construction
ADD A SUNROOM, ADD SERIOUS VALUE: A BRIGHT MOVE FOR YOUR HOME A 3-Season Winner Homeowners enjoy their outdoor living spaces during the summer months, but many struggle to find just the right combination of sun and shade. A growing number are maximizing their enjoyment and sending their home value soaring at the same time by installing a new custom sunroom. In recognition of July 3 as National Stay Out of the Sun Day, this is a good time for an update on the growing demand we are seeing for our new Sunspace Sunrooms. As the exclusive Pittsburgh-area dealer for these innovative home additions, we’re helping a growing number of homeowners create the light, open-air feeling they want in an outdoor living space, while also offering shelter from UV rays, bugs, and harsh weather. Sunspace’s modular sunrooms come in a variety of designs and colors. Its vinyl windows look like glass, and they can be opened on all three sides or closed when the weather requires, creating a room useful for three seasons of the year. Sunspace also offers an acrylic roof system that allows light to pass through while blocking UV rays. This presents an advantage over conventional patio roofs that block most light from a home’s interior.
The Good Book
“Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord …” Ephesians 6:7
CNS Testimonials “CNS Construction was a great siding, deck, and roofing company to work with … CNS was willing to complete the siding repair on an area of my house that was certainly challenging to reach, and they came up with a creative solution to complete the project, which two other siding/roofing contractors had turned down previously due to access concerns. I really appreciated the creative thinking CNS put in to complete my ‘smaller’ siding repair job … They were fantastic to work with and came in at a very reasonable price. Communication was great as well.” –Sean Whitaker
Consider the advantages of a sunroom compared with a conventional deck. With average single-family homes going for about $200,000–$250,000 in our area, a $40,000 deck costs 20% as much as your home, but you can only use it 4–5 months of the year. If you invest in a Sunspace Sunroom instead, you are significantly increasing your living space for three seasons or more. Designed and built in Canada, these additions are perfectly suited to the fluctuations in climate in the Pittsburgh region. The company’s Model 200 sunroom has a fixed-light transom system in vinyl or glass. The product comes in seven different colors to harmonize with your home’s exterior, with three choices of light-filtering levels. For a more economical approach, Sunspace’s Model 100 studio version is a fully screened addition that allows homeowners to add solid windows later if they want. Call us today at (412) 347-1040 to explore Sunspace Sunroom options for your home!
OUR SERVICES:
• Roofing • Siding • Gutters, Soffit, and Fascia • Decks • Roof Construction • James Hardie Siding • Windows and Doors
• Design and Build • Architectural Drawings • Concrete • Stamped Patios • Outdoor Kitchens • Outdoor Living Spaces • Repairs
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CNSCONSTRUCTION.IO | (412) 347-1040
@cnscousins
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@CNS-Construction
2681 Sidney St. Pittsburgh, PA 15203
@cnscousins
INSIDE 1
From Big Builds to Small Fixes: Announcing Our New Repair Division
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The Art of Hosting Without Losing Your Mind
Why That Roofer Certification Might Not Mean What It Seems Let the Sunshine In: How a Sunroom Boosts Your Home’s Value
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CNS Testimonials
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Fruits and Veggies That Reach New Heights
Vine and Dandy
Help Your Vertical Garden Soar
Vertical gardening is all about going up , not out — a space- saving, eye-catching way to grow your favorite fruits and veggies. It looks great, makes harvesting easier, and keeps your produce clean and happy. Lucky for you, vertical gardening can produce a variety of tasty harvests! TOMATOES
With a bit of support from a trellis, these juicy beauties will grow tall and proud. Pick the indeterminate varieties and enjoy a tomato parade all season long. CUCUMBERS Grow them up a trellis, and you’ll get straight, crisp, dirt-free cukes — perfect for salads or pickles and easy to pluck without scavenging in the dirt. SQUASH Lighter varieties like zucchini or acorn squash climb exceptionally well! Just give these squash a little extra support and watch them rise. MELONS Believe it or not, melons can go vertical! All they need is a strong trellis and a fruit hammock (yes, that’s a thing).
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