Check out our September newsletter!
Cousins Construction CHRONICLES
CALLTHECOUSINS.COM | (412) 347-1040
SEPTEMBER 2025
PRO BUILT, FAMILY-APPROVED
Our Family Business Gets a Fresh Image, New Name Ever since we founded our company more than two years ago, we have known what we are about. We’re family, and we like to treat our customers as family. Working for other contractors in years past, we have seen a lot of dishonest and deceptive practices, and we resolved to do the opposite. could tell that by watching our trucks roll by. We looked like just another company. The idea of renaming and rebranding our company has been in development for almost a year.
I’m happy to report that we’ve reached that new milestone this month: We are rebranding our company as Cousins Roofing, Siding, & Decks, a name that captures who we really are. It encompasses all of our employees, whom we treat like part of the family, in addition to the four family members who work in the company — my co-founder Calvin; our cousin Stephen Feldmeier, who is our vice president of business development; my brother Matthew, who does a variety of different jobs, from project manager to carpenter; and me. Our new logo is a big departure from our old one. The professional branding company we employed worked hard to put together our new look. The image at the center of our logo, showing Calvin holding a hammer and me with a carpenter’s pencil stuck behind my ear, tells the story of our company’s origin — as two cousins working out of the back of our truck. To us, this new name and logo are a true representation of everything we stand for. We hope when you see our new brand on our trucks, at home shows, on our newsletter, and in our ads around town, you will immediately think of everything family means to us — that you can trust us to be reliable, honest, skilled, and conscientious, providing you only the best design, construction, repair, and rehab services. You can count on us to stick to our slogan: “Pro-built, family-approved.” We hope you’ll watch for our trucks around the neighborhood. We are family here, and we look forward to treating you like a member of the family, too!
We crafted our business around making our customers’ experience as awesome, honest, and trustworthy as we possibly can. That is the core of our service mentality, and we have stuck to those values from the outset. I can’t say, however, that our early company name, branding, and logo have caught up with our sense of purpose. We founded the company under the name CNS Construction, after the first initials of my cousin, Calvin, and me, as in “Calvin ’n Sam.” My cousin’s buddy threw our initial logo together in an hour on a Zoom call. Calvin and I were sitting at my grandma’s table out in Aliquippa, watching while he made the logo by dragging and dropping digital clip art together. The logo didn’t have any particular meaning. We just thought it looked cool! The problem was that when we drove our trucks down the street, nobody knew what the name CNS stood for. We are family-centric and we provide really good service, but no one
—Sam Milligan
1
CALLTHECOUSINS.COM | (412) 347-1040
Published by Newsletter Pro | NewsletterPro.com
A Queen Needs Her Castle (Even if It’s Just a Cozy Corner) Welcome to the Woman Cave
The book nook of bliss: Surround yourself with towers of stories and poetry, soft throw blankets, a few glowing lanterns, and your favorite novel you’ve already read five times. Add a mug of something warm, and you’ve created a Pinterest fantasy. Craft queen command center: Whether you’re into painting, scrapbooking, knitting, or DIY wizardry, build a corner stacked with your favorite supplies, creative inspiration, and plenty of space to let the magic happen. Zen den retreat: Imagine low lighting, gentle music, flowing water from a tabletop fountain, and the scent of lavender filling the air. Now drop into a cozy cushion and let the world fade away. Fit and fierce gym zone: Whether you’re pumping iron or mastering your
It’s time to flip the script. Forget man caves stuffed with neon signs, bar stools, and sports memorabilia (unless that’s your jam). A woman cave is the ultimate self-care sanctuary, a place where cozy meets creative and everything inside reflects you. Whether escaping for quiet time, diving into a hobby, or craving a little glam, this is your personal retreat … and the rest of the world can wait. Claim your space and get creative. You don’t need a palace to create your dream escape. A forgotten basement corner, a spare room with good lighting, or even a backyard shed begging for a makeover will do. Think soft textures, bold colors, and items that spark joy. This is your haven — no permission slips required! Dream up your hideaway. Looking for inspiration? Let your passions lead the way:
yoga poses, this is your no-judgment sweat sanctuary. Decorate with fun art, motivational quotes, and all the gear you love. Make time for yourself. The secret to enjoying your woman cave? Schedule it. Add “me time” to your calendar like it’s the most important meeting of your week, because it is. Your woman cave celebrates everything you love — just remember to use your new favorite escape.
Should I Schedule a Home Inspection? ASK YOUR CONTRACTOR
the underlayment is in good shape, and the flashing around your chimney, vents, and skylights is watertight and free of damage. The roof deck, a separate layer of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) on top of the roof deck, should be installed correctly. (OSB is made of wood strands tightly pressed together with resin or glue.) Gutters should be clean and free-flowing to prevent wet material from accumulating, freezing, and expanding in your gutters, risking serious damage. If you can’t get access to the roof, an aerial inspection via drone can offer a helpful bird’s-eye view.
whether the ventilation is adequate. Your attic should be equipped with a system of soffits and vents that keep the air inside at about the same temperature as the outdoors. This system is designed to prevent harmful ice dams from forming on and under your shingles during the winter. Roofs with good ventilation last longer than those without. We are available to perform a 29-point roof inspection and look over other parts of your home’s exterior to make sure it’s solid and ready for whatever weather comes our way. We are dedicated to identifying even minor issues before they become a problem and cause significant damage to your home. Call us today for an appointment!
Big storms in the Pittsburgh area recently have many homeowners thinking about doing more preventive maintenance. Given the last six months’ experience with tornados, derechos, and gusty winds, tightening things up a bit is not a bad idea. Getting a complete picture of areas needing improvement can be difficult when you’re working by yourself in your spare time, however. A complete inspection is more than just a once- over. It involves a close examination of the roof to ensure all the shingles are intact and tightly fastened down,
A thorough inspection includes checking inside your attic to see
2 CALLTHECOUSINS.COM | (412) 347-1040
@CousinsRoofingSidingDecks
The Good Book
Higher Tariffs Elevate Home- Improvement Costs A Trickle-Down Effect Most of the products we use in building and remodeling our customers’ roofs, siding, decks, and outdoor living spaces are made in the U.S.A. We have always preferred using American- made products, not only for their quality, but because of the responsive customer service offered by many U.S. manufacturers. Nevertheless, some of the raw materials these manufacturers use have been hit by rising import tariffs, affecting the prices our suppliers charge us. Aluminum prices have risen 15%–25%, for example, pushing up costs for gutters, fascia wrap, chimney flashing, aluminum deck railings, and other products containing the metal. The Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on aluminum last March, and then raised it to 50% in June. The world’s four largest aluminum producers are China, India, Russia, and Canada. We are also seeing an impact on the plastic pellets used in manufacturing composite materials for decking and other supplies. Vietnam, China, and South Korea are among the major exporters of plastic pellets, along with the United States. Tariffs on U.S. imports from Vietnam currently are set at 20%, China at 30%, and South Korea at 15%. Housing experts say many home improvements are still well worth undertaking. Among them is a new roof, which can bring both peace of mind and a higher resale value for your home, according to a researcher for an independent housing-industry consulting firm quoted on Realtor.com, a real-estate listings website. Both homebuyers and appraisers view a new roof as a major plus that can give you great peace of mind. Homes aged 20–39 years old are due for necessary remodels, the researcher added. Outdoor living spaces are another home upgrade that will continue to add value by boosting the usable square footage of your home and expanding the kinds of activities you can enjoy there. And some suppliers are finding ways to keep their prices down. One of our suppliers, a key maker of acrylic roofs for outdoor living spaces, will likely relocate much of its manufacturing to the United States in the coming year. If you would like to budget for a home-improvement project, call us for a consultation. We will be glad to arrange the best available pricing and timing for your project.
“Comfort your hearts and establish them in every good
work and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:17
Testimonials
“CNS is a great company. This company was very professional, had quality workmanship, and outstanding communication. Joe, our salesperson, took the time to explain all about the siding and shutters. Calvin, the project manager/ owner, periodically came to check how the project was coming along and make sure we didn’t have any questions. This siding job exceeded our expectations by delivering high quality results. We would highly recommend this company.” –Kathy Policicchio
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
3
CALLTHECOUSINS.COM | (412) 347-1040
@cnscousins
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
2681 Sidney St. Pittsburgh, PA 15203
@CousinsRoofingSidingDecks
@cnscousins
INSIDE 1
Family Ties, Fresh Identity: Cousins Relaunch the Business With Style
2
Move Over Man Cave, the Woman Cave Has Arrived! A 29-Point Exam: Get Your Roof Checked Out! Tariffs Lift Some Home-Improvement Costs CNS Testimonials
3
4
Creative Ways to Style a Lush Plant Corner
Turn Any Corner Into a Plant Paradise
A Green Transformation for a Small Nook
Looking to bring life to a quiet nook? Create your very own plant paradise that’s equal parts stylish and soothing. Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or just starting, this setup blends charm with nature’s best. Float Fresh Greenery Suspend your favorite plants to add visual interest. Wall-mounted planters or boho-style hangers give your space an airy, whimsical ambiance. Garnish With Glass Gardens Tiny terrariums are big on personality. Fill them with moss, stones, and mini plants for easy, eye- catching charm. These small glass gardens can be placed on tables, shelves, or hung from the ceiling.
Go Big or Go Home Anchor your corner with a bold botanical centerpiece. Large leafy greens like monstera or snake plants bring structure and elegance. Finish With Flair Warm woods, soft ceramics, and natural-toned accessories set a serene scene. Add a gentle spotlight, and watch your plant corner glow by evening.
4 CALLTHECOUSINS.COM | (412) 347-1040
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator