Letter from the President
                    of The Gutter People

I have never seen this industry so uncertain in the 30 years I have been around! Since 1978 my company has serviced all seven Western New York Counties for Roofing, Siding, Gutters, Windows, Insulation, General Construction and provided solutions for Ice Relief.  I have noticed the industry changing last May 2008.  With the calls I am receiving now from smaller companies and even our area's largest competitors, I cringe to think of what will be left when the smoke clears.

During these hard times, we are seeing the lay off's of factory, plant workers, laborers, sales companies and most every type of job industry.  But we are also seeing an increase in the construction industry.  Neighbors, brothers-in-law, sisters and cousins starting their own construction business just to put food on the table. I don't blame them, we all need to provide for our families. But here is what homeowners across Western New York are seeing: The cheapest price ever! Why? No insurance or worker's compensation, no overhead, no business plan or just bad estimating. What will be left is the impossible means of warranty service.

Let's face it, no matter how good you are, even if you didn't contribute to the problem, you need to be able to afford to review the problem to direct or resolve when called upon.  How can you expect someone to do that when you know he or she barely covered the material cost to do your roof, or other project.  What about that roof? It protects everything you own! Are you ready to roll the dice on it?

I saw a similar trend after the Gulf War in the early 90's. Back then we dropped 40% in business and when we came out after that we so back-logged trying solve other "fly-by-nighters" problems that they left.  Some of those people lost a good friend or won't even talk to their brother anymore because of the problems they were left with. Dont' get me wrong, not every new company will do this and it won't be intentional.

Use some common sence when deciding your home's protection of any phase.  30 years of stellar customer base and still bamboozled by slick talkers or politics.  Guess who will pay the price on the long run? Not them! They may not be around.

Thank you,
Kevin Nowak
President, The Gutter People of WNY, inc.