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Cousins Construction CHRONICLES
CNSCONSTRUCTION.IO | (412) 347-1040
AUGUST 2025
RECRUITING FOR VALUES, TRAINING FOR SKILLS To be successful, a respected executive once said, you have to have your heart in your business and your business in your heart. We try to practice that kind of commitment at our company, and those values have helped us achieve rapid organic growth — driven from the inside out. seeking a better work-life balance. Perhaps they are on call six days a week, working around the clock answering calls and texts. HIRING WITH HEART
We don’t operate like that. There is no question that we are growing very fast. We work very, very, very hard. But our growth is not off the rails to the point where everybody has to be on call 24/7. We offer a decent work-life balance. Our employees get to go home at night and have time with their families. They take weekends and holidays off. WHAT WE LOOK FOR Our goal has always been to create the best contractor-client relationships possible, and we need every employee to be on board with that goal. We can teach new hires many of the skills we need. We have a carpenter in training as I write this — he’s building decks with one of our master carpenters. More important to us is whether the applicant is a good cultural fit. We need people whose values are a good match for ours. Our employees are on the front lines, talking to our customers. Does an applicant have good character? Are they honest and trustworthy? Are they likeable, personable, and friendly? Would our customers enjoy having this person around? LIVING OUR VALUES People in the community have seen us live our values. Late last year, we installed a new roof for a military widow
who had been cheated by another company. This contractor had done a shoddy job of patching her roof and left her with water pouring into her home. CNS replaced the lumber in the roof deck with a full synthetic underlayment and installed new GAF shingles with a 50-year warranty — free of charge. A few months later, we helped a retired couple who had given a dishonest contractor $80,000 to build a new home, only to be ghosted by the contractor and left with nothing but a bare, unprotected house frame. We installed beautiful James Hardie siding on their house for the price of vinyl. At our current rate of growth, we are seeing no signs of a dropoff in hiring. We’re looking to fill a variety of positions, including project managers, carpenters, deck builders, and customer service representatives. We expect to be recruiting salespeople soon as well. If you can sign on to these values, or if you know someone who can, get in touch!
One of the reasons our family founded the company was to offer homeowners honest, trustworthy, high-quality services. My cousin Calvin and I had seen so much unethical behavior while working for other contractors that we were determined to follow a different path. Now, we are finding that people want to work here because they have heard about our culture from someone they trust. We have had some great people come through our doors, and nearly all have come through word-of-mouth referrals. They know our company is growing and that everybody here is hard working and kind to each other. They know we do great work and we stand by our work. Those recruits have enabled us to expand our workforce by nearly 75% since late last year. THE LAW OF ATTRACTION Some applicants are looking to quit other contractors for specific reasons. They may be working at a much bigger company but they dislike the culture. Perhaps they aren’t on the same page with their employer’s treatment of customers or with the quality of their workmanship. Other applicants are
—Sam Milligan
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CNSCONSTRUCTION.IO | (412) 347-1040
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
Bring Coastal Cool and Boho Charm Into Every Room Boho Beach Bliss
NATURE IS YOUR BEST ACCESSORY. Coastal and boho styles draw inspiration from the great outdoors, so it’s no surprise that natural materials are a must. Choose light woods and jute rugs, and don’t be afraid to mix in raw textures like rattan, leather, and linen. The goal is to create an open, breezy, inviting space like your favorite seaside hideaway. DARE TO BE BOLD. Boho beach decor was made for the adventurous at heart. Bright colors, eclectic prints, and playful accessories are welcome here. Hang that vibrant tapestry, throw down those Moroccan floor cushions, and splash in green, turquoise, and gold pops. This style is about creating joy, so let your home reflect your happiest, most colorful self!
If you dream of salty air, sandy toes, and sun-drenched afternoons, it’s time to channel those vibes into your space with the ultimate style combo: boho beach decor. This look is about effortless creativity, colorful self- expression, and beachside serenity where you kick off your shoes and stay awhile. START WITH A BLANK CANVAS. First, you must embrace the power of a clean, white backdrop. White walls
and light floors are your first step to a vibrant, relaxed home. Think of it as setting the stage for a sandy beach backdrop, ready to be layered with bursts of color, texture, and character. Bright, clean walls allow woven rugs, colorful pillows, and leafy plants to truly pop. LAYER THE LOVE. Boho beach style is all about layering: the more texture, the better. Start with bold-patterned rugs and breezy textiles. Pile on plants at every level, like hanging greenery, oversized ferns, and tiny succulents perched on window sills. Drape a dreamy, sheer canopy over your bed and mix up your linens with playful patterns that feel like a sunny day at the beach. While you want to pack on personal touches, be sure to keep everything within a set color palette to avoid a cluttered look!
SMART MOVES FOR A STORM-DAMAGED ROOF AFTER THE WIND HITS
Homeowners in the Pittsburgh area have been hit hard this year by some of the most turbulent weather in memory. Our region experienced wide swaths of wind damage, including 10 tornadoes compared to the annual average of six. The high winds wreaked havoc with many homeowners’ roofs, lifting and tearing off shingles, tiles, and metal panels; stripping granules from shingles; and sending flying debris that caused structure damage. All of these types of damage can cause roof leaks that trigger rot and mold. To help you recover quickly and efficiently, with as little damage to your wallet as possible, here are a few tips on what to do if your roof has taken a beating from the weather. POSTPONE PERMANENT REPAIRS. If you are going to make an insurance claim, do not make any permanent repairs. Your insurance company will send an adjustor out to see the damage in its entirety, so any repairs you make should only be temporary. HALT FURTHER DAMAGE. The insurance company will want you to halt any additional damage to your ceiling or attic from water or other sources.
Protect your home by covering holes and damaged areas with tarps until the insurance company can send someone to look at your roof. Most insurance companies will pay for temporary repairs, so you stand a good chance of being reimbursed for these expenses. HIRE A RELIABLE CONTRACTOR. Wherever severe storms hit, storm-chasers will follow, offering fast, cheap repairs to damaged roofs and other structures. We strongly advise bypassing these itinerant salespeople in favor of working with a reliable local company. If you hire a traveling fix-it crew, they are likely to be long gone if you have any complaints or problems with their work. At that point, you may get stuck paying yet another contractor to patch up the damage the storm-chasers caused. As an owner-operated business, we are always proud of our work and strive to exceed customers’ expectations. If you have roof damage or other weather-related problems to your home, call us at (412) 347-1040 . We will be glad to help you with both temporary and permanent repairs — plus a lifetime guarantee on our workmanship!
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CNSCONSTRUCTION.IO | (412) 347-1040
@CNS-Construction
STYLE MEETS STRENGTH: TRANSFORM YOUR OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE Concrete Chic One of our most popular materials for exterior projects these days is as old as civilization itself — concrete. Beautiful brushed, stamped versions of this everyday material are growing in popularity as a stylish, affordable outdoor hardscape. Concrete has a clean, minimalist aesthetic, and it can mimic brick, wood, or stone at a small fraction of the cost. Different finishes, stamps, stains, and sealers can give brushed concrete almost any look, from rustic to contemporary. Concrete hardscapes can be a great fit for customers whose homes have only a small or no step down onto the ground. There’s no need to build framing to support a deck, and it eliminates the risk of rot in a deck that lacks adequate clearance. Also, a concrete hardscape can be built to fit a surface of any shape. Folks who are building a curved retaining wall or a circular space for a firepit can design a concrete base in a variety of shapes and colors. Concrete also forms a great foundation for our Sunspace Sunrooms or louvered pergolas. Our concrete installers approach their art with care, excavating the site to lay a 4–8-inch base of packed gravel and framing the area to the desired shape. Pending dry, favorable weather, they pour the concrete in a day and wait until conditions are exactly right to apply the stamps. Then, they give the concrete time to cure before adding base color and accents to create the desired finish. Once installed, concrete is low-maintenance and requires re-sealing only every 3–5 years. If you have any doubts about its durability or versatility, take a look at the Pantheon — one of the ancient Romans’ many concrete landmarks, which still stands today! Our customers are often surprised to learn that concrete affords them all those benefits, at a significantly lower cost than a deck. If you would like to explore uses for our brushed, stamped concrete hardscapes around your home, call us for a consultation today!
The Good Book “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
CNS Testimonials “CNS Cousins Construction did a fantastic job rebuilding my deck. Ryan and his team worked through some very inclement weather to complete the job. They went above and beyond with their attention to detail and quality workmanship. They’ll be replacing the siding on the addition to the house next, and I’m looking forward to the same excellent results.” –John Shimkus
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
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
2681 Sidney St. Pittsburgh, PA 15203
@CNS-Construction
@cnscousins
INSIDE 1
We Are Hiring! Putting Integrity Above Resumes Ride the Wave of Style With Boho Beach Decor Tips on Recovering After Weather Damage to Your Roof How Brushed, Stamped Concrete Can Transform Your Outdoor Vibe CNS Testimonials
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4 Accent Wall Ideas to Transform Any Room Refresh Your Room With Eye-Catching Accent Walls Make a Statement! Want to refresh your space without a complete remodel? These creative accent wall ideas pack major personality with minimal effort. BATTEN DOWN IN STYLE
For a clean and custom look, try a batten wall. These thin wood strips create a crisp grid effect, adding texture and depth. It’s classic yet contemporary and DIY-friendly. BRICK IT ON Dreaming of a downtown loft vibe? Faux brick is your shortcut to that raw, industrial charm, without the hassle of actual bricks. It’s rustic, rugged, and ridiculously easy to install. GO BOLD IN BLACK
One wall. One paint can. Endless impact. A black accent wall brings instant drama and elegance to your space. Bonus: It makes artwork and furniture pop like never before. GET GROWING Turn your wall into a lush vertical garden. Living plant walls bring a breath of fresh air ( literally ) and double as stunning natural decor. Green is definitely the new glam.
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CNSCONSTRUCTION.IO | (412) 347-1040
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