Businesses across the world have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and unfortunately, Window Nation is no exception. When many businesses were forced to temporarily closed, we were fortunate to be deemed essential in many states, which allowed us to operate during the stay-at-home-order. We also modified our practices to fit the needs of homeowners in these unprecedented times. In-home estimates were replaced with virtual consultations, and special precautions were adopted to prevent the spread of illness in our showrooms. We continue to follow CDC guidelines by sanitizing our offices daily, enforcing mask-wearing, and allowing our teams to work from home whenever possible.
Now, six months after the start of the pandemic, we face a new challenge: customers are facing delays caused by COVID-19. We understand you might have questions about the status of your project, and our team of home improvement experts is here to help.
What’s Going On?
As we quarantined in our homes this spring, many homeowners started home improvement projects at an unprecedented pace. According to a study found in BusinessWire, nearly 57% of homeowners started a home improvement project during the first three months of COVID-19. DIY projects grew in popularity, with many home improvement box stores recording record sales at the height of quarantine. According to Remodeling Magazine, Home Depot recorded 7.1% sales growth year-over-year, while Tractor Supply saw stock increase 69%.
The spike in demand coupled with restrictions from the pandemic caused supply and raw material shortages for many home improvement companies. According to Remodeling Magazine, nearly half of builders reported supply disruptions, while 80% of business believed supply challenges could impact their plans for the remainder of 2020 and 2021. Demand for appliances including air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines saw significant growth year-over-year. The flooring industry was also impacted, with many customers being forced to choose between putting the project on hold or choosing a back-up flooring option. The pandemic also caused labor shortages, with nearly 52% of construction firms reporting issues finding skilled labor due to fears of contracting COVID-19, according to The Construction Association.
What Does this Mean for Window Nation?
Our team hasn’t been spared from the challenges our peers face in the home improvement industry. Our customers may be experiencing delays in the ordering and installation in their project. We want to provide our customers with custom, top-of-the-line windows that are made with the highest quality materials, which could result in manufacturing delays. We understand this is frustrating, and you can feel comfortable knowing our team is working round-the-clock to resolve delays stemming from COVID-19.
Fortunately, our team is well-equipped to handle the surge in demand. We understand the installation is just as important of the quality of the window itself, and we pride ourselves on getting it right the first time. Our installers receive an average of 23 hours of continuous training on window installation, so you can trust you’re working with some of the best installers in the industry.
If your installation has been delayed until late fall or early winter, we understand you might be concerned about inclement weather. Rest assured that our teams have more than 16 years of experience installing windows in all weather conditions and our team will take steps to keep your home as comfortable as possible in any type of climate. Our team has installed over one million windows in all types of weather conditions, so you can feel comfortable knowing your windows will be installed properly no matter the season.
Is Home Improvement the Only Industry Affected?
Unfortunately, delays caused by COVID-19 are a widespread issue. One of the industries most impacted by COVID-19 is e-commerce as a result of brick-and-mortar stores being forced to shut down. Online shopping traffic increased 55% year-over-year in March and April when states were under strict stay-at-home orders. Many businesses reported shipments being delayed by almost two days, while larger orders like furniture were delayed almost three days. Companies from American Eagle Outfitters to Amazon reported shipment delays due to additional safety precautions taken in distribution centers. According to DigitalCommerce360, major shipping carriers also experienced shipping delays, with most delivering packages on time just 85% of the time.
What Happens Now?
With COVID-19 cases increasing every day, life as we know it won’t be returning to normal any time soon. Our team continues to monitor the situation and will communicate any changes caused by the pandemic. Our team is taking additional measures to communicate with customers to ensure all parties have clear, up-to-date information about their project. Our customers are our priority, and you can feel comfortable knowing we’re working to ensure your project is completed as quickly as possible.
