RoofersCoffeeShop

Top 4 Things Leap Learned at IRE

Sat, 02 Apr 2022 09:00:00 PDT

By Leap.

What is top of the mind of every roofing contractor after the tradeshow season?

Tradeshow season has come and gone, and contractors are now looking to apply what they have learned during the slower season to their business. The Leap team was at IRE, attending sessions, presenting a few themselves and talking to hundreds of roofing contractors. Read on to learn about their takeaways from IRE.

1 - How to hire and keep employees.

“Technology alters your hiring pool. Drones allow you to hire successful sales professionals that have no interest in climbing a roof.” says Chief Revenue Officer of Loveland Innovations Kevin Wunder. “A roofing contractor in Texas hired a school principal as a Licensed drone pilot for their roofing company.”

Director, Workforce Development at the Vinyl Rob Balfanz recommended connecting with trade schools and community colleges that have a Career Technical Education (CTE) program and give talks on why the industry is a good employer. He also said that other home improvement verticals may be hiring away the pool of contractors from roofing businesses, so an urgency is required.

2 - Communicating timelines to customers.

VP Marketing at Leap Shashi Bellamkonda’s takeaways are:

Keep the customers constantly informed about the supply chain delays
Educate the customer on the situation every business is facing with the supply chain issues
If you do not communicate appropriately with the customers, you run the risk of them thinking your company is delaying things and not supply chain issues

3 - Creating good estimates and not losing money on them.

COO Cotney Attorneys & Consultants John Kenney spoke about “Estimating the Right Way.” Estimating is a very key function that determines the profitability of the business. Top points from his talk:

Train your estimators well, wrong estimates can make you go out of business
Do not make estimating a multi-tasking function of another employee like a takeoff person
Create an estimating process and hand-off procedure to the project managers
Avoid mathematical errors and ask clarification questions
Be careful about bidding pricing in your contracts if the pricing is unknown. Use a resource to help you mitigate the risk of renegotiating pricing

4 - Adding new products like windows and doors to your roofing business.

Beacon Building Products’ Erik Zadrozny, Justin Powell, Greg Bloom lead a session for roofing contractors teaching roofing contractors to add windows and doors to their portfolios.

Learn more about Leap in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.leaptodigital.com.

Original article source: Leap

How 2021 Changed the Industry

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 18:00:00 PDT

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter.

Manufacturers, distributors and service providers talk about how businesses adapted to 2021 and highlights of the past year.

Karen Edwards, RCS COO, meets with experts for a LIVE Coffee Conversation, sponsored by SRS Distribution, to discuss how 2021 changed the roofing industry. These manufacturers, distributors and service provider experts celebrate the industry’s pivot to embrace technology, new partnerships and shifting markets throughout the pandemic.

A major theme in the conversation was the way partnerships and growing customer bases are huge successes of the past year.

“The highlights for us this year was just the number of acquisitions that we were able to do. So, as we look at 2020, we had a record year for acquisitions then, we bought 12 companies. 2021, we bought 31,” says Jeremy Goldschmeding from SRS Distribution. “We are so thankful to be able to partner with a lot of great companies. Put some investment behind them, watch them grow, see some opportunity for their employees that they may not have had in a smaller business. That's one of the most-proud things that we have to look back on 2021.”

Christian Zimprich of Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings told RCS that the biggest change of the year was a focus on innovation, not only on the product front, but from the industry as a whole. “The nimbleness with how the industry has reacted, and the partnerships that you build with your customer base, that is what really helps everything keep going,” says Christian. “I think one of the big successes is adapting to those changing conditions and then really highlighting the ways you can work with your customer, partners, and all the way up and down the stream, to help us all be better.”

From an economic standpoint, 2021 was a year that saw the market shift, and home renovation become much more popular. Mischa Fisher, chief economist from Angi, breaks down how the market changed. “People turned off their spending on other things, and that happened in 2020, and 2021, where people were taking specifically their restaurant budget or vacation budget, their commuting budget, pushing that into home improvement spend,” says Mischa. “The other thing that happened was, interest rates dropped. Then, on top of that, you also had home equity go up. Thus, the amount of value people get out of a home project has gone up.”

Mischa also adds that in 2021, the 30-year-old Angie's List brand was turned into Angi, integrating everything, which was a major win for the company.

The market wasn’t the only shift of the last year, plenty of companies also went online, making the internet the place to go for things traditionally done in person like training.

Trent Cotney of Cotney Attorneys & Consultants talks about the company’s new shopcotney.com digital trainings. “We focused, first, on estimating training. There really wasn't anything in the market that focused on roofing-specific estimating training,” says Trent. “So, we put this plan together, and what we did, is we developed it from beginner, to intermediate, to advanced, to certification, and it's done incredibly well. You're basically a pro even within 62 days.”

Trent adds that these trainings are a game changer in terms of a holistic approach to problem solving legal matters, “one of the things that's consistently said is that when people call me with a legal problem, they really have a business problem that wasn't solved, and that caused that legal issue.”

2021 certainly was a year that changed the industry for the better, making companies more resilient, full of new partnerships and customer connections, focused efforts on going more digital and bringing everyone’s attention to the importance of the home.

Watch the entire LIVE Coffee Conversation for more insight into how the industry adapted to 2021, and what changes that were made are here to stay.

Adams and Reese Expands Their Nationally Ranked Construction Group

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 14:00:00 PDT

This expansion creates one of the largest construction law practices in the country.

Adams and Reese LLP is pleased to announce the expansion of its nationally ranked construction practice with the combination of Tampa, Florida-based Cotney Construction Law LLP, a full-service legal and consulting firm serving the construction and infrastructure industries with 16 attorneys and professionals located across the United States. These additions join Adams and Reese's current roster of 58 construction attorneys and takes the group to 75, now one of the largest construction practices in the country. The combination strengthens Adams and Reese's capabilities in high-stakes commercial disputes and transactions. The combined practice now boasts eight Florida Bar board-certified construction lawyers, as well as two Florida certified general contractors.

The complete list of attorneys joining Adams and Reese today includes:

"Our construction practice is a driver for the firm, and client needs are fueling its growth. Our strategic plan calls for doubling down on existing areas of strength," said Gif Thornton, managing partner of Adams and Reese. "Trent and the Cotney team are national leaders in the construction law space, and their capabilities complement ours. This combination moves us toward dominance nationally and in the Southeast in particular, coinciding with the economic growth in the region."

The team joining Adams and Reese brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in serving publicly traded companies, private businesses and individuals in transactions and disputes nationally and internationally. Their singular focus is meeting an array of legal, business and consulting needs in the construction space, as evidenced by national rankings by Chambers USA, Construction Executive, Construction Tech Review, Finance Monthly, Forbes and U.S. News & World Report, among others.

"We are excited about this opportunity to add our already deep bench to a national firm like Adams and Reese, whose resources and platform will take us to the next level," said Trent Cotney, who served as chief executive officer of his firm and now becomes a partner at Adams and Reese. "As advocates for construction clients in the U.S. and around the world, our combined team has a deep understanding of what we must bring to bear when providing the most comprehensive counsel to our clients, and we can better meet their needs through our collective strengths. Our team shares Adams and Reese's forward-thinking vision and commitment to diversity, which will exponentially grow our combined capabilities."

The new team of attorneys relocates to Adams and Reese's downtown Tampa office, located at 100 N. Tampa Street, Suite 4000.

"Every major city nationwide is seeing dramatic changes to its skyline, and the country is ripe with new construction and infrastructure projects that require the experience of trained construction lawyers," said David Toney, leader of Adams and Reese's Construction Team and a member of the firm's Executive Committee. "This combination gives us the horsepower to respond to that need both now and into the future."

"As the complexity of business challenges increases in response to a more interconnected global economy, our clients are seeking sophisticated advice at national and international levels," said Jeffrey Brooks, chair of the Executive Committee at Adams and Reese. "The successful combination with Cotney will serve as a platform for our continued growth, as well as an exemplar of the partnership we seek in that mission."

Adams and Reese, founded in 1951, is a multidisciplinary law firm with over 270 attorneys and advisors strategically located throughout the United States and Washington, D.C. The American Lawyer includes Adams and Reese on its distinguished list of the nation's top law firms, the Am Law 200. The National Law Journal also includes the firm among the top 200 on the NLJ 500 list of the nation's largest law firms. Learn more at www.adamsandreese.com.

Don’t Miss LEGALCon 2022!

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 18:00:00 PST

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter.

Learn about contract law and roof system technology during NRCA’s virtual legal conference.

The National Roofing Contractors Association Legal Resource Center will host a virtual legal conference, LEGALCon 2022, this March 10! LEGALCon 2022 is a one-day conference led by legal and technical experts in the roofing industry. The best part? It’s all virtual!

Your entire company’s employees have the chance to gain knowledge of new laws and innovative roofing technology from the comfort of their homes or offices. Registration for NRCA members is $99 and $149 for nonmembers. Secure your spot today!

Here’s the tentative schedule for the conference:

OSHA Updates and Defense Tactics – Join Trent Cotney from Cotney Attorneys & Consultants to learn about the latest OSHA updates and new rules. This session will teach attendees about changes to OSHA rules that affect the roofing and construction industry. It is set to take place from 8 – 9 a.m. CST.
I Can’t Take It Anymore! Managing Harassment Claims and Conducting Lawful and Effective Investigations – Philip Siegel from Hendrick Phillips Salzman & Siegel will teach attendees about effective harassment and discrimination policies and how to keep proper documentation of reports. This session is scheduled to take place 10 – 11 a.m. CST.
Latest Technical Issues Affecting Roofing Contractors – Join Mark Graham, NRCA vice president of technical services, as he teaches attendees about new technical developments in the roofing industry. He'll also discuss how contractors can reduce liability as a result of these updates. This session is set to take place from noon – 1 p.m. CST.
Legal Issues with Material Volatility – Trent Cotney will finish off the day with a presentation about updates to material availability and price increases the industry is still facing. He’ll give attendees a thorough look at contract changes to make for new and existing projects, as well. This session will take place from 2 – 3 p.m. CST.

Register for LEGALCon 2022 today for an inside look at legal updates in the roofing industry!

Learn more about NRCA in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.nrca.net.

Avoiding Skin Cancer Caused by Sun Exposure

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 06:00:00 PST

By Cotney Attorneys & Consultants.

Tips for roofers to avoid skin cancer and warning signs to look for.

Roofers are as likely as anyone on earth to develop skin cancer due to sun exposure. While light sun exposure can help us absorb essential vitamin D, many of the sun’s effects are dangerous.

There are several skin conditions related to excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light or rays and skin cancer is among the most worrisome.

Skin cancer is the nation’s most prevalent type of cancer and UV rays are the number one cause. Unfortunately, UV light from tanning beds is just as dangerous. There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma; and the worst one, melanoma. Fortunately, basal cell and squamous cell make up 95% of skin cancers.

Known as non-melanoma skin cancers, basal cell and squamous cell cancers are highly curable when treated early. Melanoma made up of abnormal skin pigment cells, is the most dangerous. It accounts for 75% of all skin cancer deaths.

Cumulative exposure to the sun causes basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. So, what you did as a teenager, basking in the sun all summer, can lead to these carcinomas later in life.

Melanoma happens after repeated exposure to the sun. People with light skin or those who burn easily are most likely to get melanoma. Therefore, it is important to protect yourself and your children from sunburn, which can lead to skin cancer.

Tips to avoid skin cancer

Wear sunscreen to protect from UV rays, even while driving or riding in a car. Reapply sunscreen frequently and always use SPF 30 or higher to protect from UVB rays. Use sunscreen containing zinc oxide to protect you from UVA rays.
Most sun exposure occurs when we are children. Remember that when determining how to protect your family from the sun’s harmful rays.
Roofers constantly exposed to the sun’s dangerous rays should take extra precautions, such as wearing a hat, covering the neck, wearing long-sleeved shirts and using sunscreen daily.
Check your body periodically for any irregular moles or other markings. Changes in the color or shape of existing moles may indicate skin cancer.

Warning signs

In addition to changing shapes and colors on moles, there are other warning signs for skin cancer, including redness or swelling beyond a mole’s border. Other signs include itching, pain and tenderness that will not go away, or goes away, then comes back.

Any appearance of a mole that is oozing, bleeding or scaly or the appearance of a bump can also be warning signs for skin cancer. The most common occurrences are on the face, neck, ears, hands, chest, back and legs.

Protect yourself from skin cancer by always using sunscreen and getting regular examinations by a dermatologist. Anyone at high risk of skin cancer should be screened every six months.

A full-body scan can find spots that may indicate skin cancer. The doctor will typically take a biopsy of the area then send it to a lab to determine if there is skin cancer present in any form. Removing skin cancer often requires only minor outpatient surgery.

About Trent Cotney 

Trent Cotney is an advocate for the roofing industry, General Counsel of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and several other industry associations. For more information, contact the author at 866.303.5868 or go to www.cotneycl.com.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Industry Experts Share Their 2022 Predictions LIVE at IRE

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 06:00:00 PST

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter.

The roofing industry kept pace as the world went more digital. Learn what these experts predict for the upcoming year in our LIVE Coffee Conversations.

Karen Edwards, RCS COO, meets with experts for a LIVE Coffee Conversation, sponsored by SRS Distribution, to discuss how 2021 changed the way the roofing industry does business and what they are looking forward to in 2022. These manufacturer, distributor and service provider experts celebrate the industry’s pivot to embrace technology, give their predictions for 2022 and provide advice to roofing contractors looking to stay on the cutting edge of a rapidly changing industry.

Jeremy Goldschmeding from SRS Distribution anticipates demand will normalize and that new construction will be strong.

“I think that what contractors really have to focus on is, ‘what do they value?’ I think that that's going to be an even bigger deal in 2022 and going forward,” says Jeremy. “Those contractors who really understand what their mission is, how they sell their value, how they go into the home and just try to be different — I think that...the further evolution of just that mission clarity is going to be really, really key.”

“I totally agree. Leveraging with relationships and partnerships in the market is important, but so is really being able to react as things change,” says Christian Zimprich of Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings. “It's about being nimble and being able to react...expecting the unexpected and taking whatever is thrown at us the best we can.”

Mischa Fisher, chief economist from Angi, expects the demand to remain the same. “Expect material prices to go up probably more than they have both because of shipping and because of the raw materials inputs,” says Mischa. “Expect manufacturers to build that into their planning for this year. I mean, when you've got uncertainty, people are going to not err on the side of losing money. But on the other hand, consumers can pay more. So you should probably be expecting to raise your prices too.”

Trent Cotney of Cotney Attorneys & Consultants predicts that in Q1 and Q2 a lot more mergers, acquisitions and deals are going to happen.

“In addition to that, I think it is important to improvise, adapt and overcome. I think everybody from contractors to distribution to manufacturing is very familiar with the uncertainty that we've experienced,” says Trent. “One thing that you can always say about the roofing industry is that we're resilient. So regardless of what's thrown our way, we'll continue to move forward and be on top.”

Read, Listen or Watch the entire LIVE Coffee Conversation for more insight into what is happening across the country and what everyone is expecting in 2022.

Two Types of Workplace Stress

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 12:00:00 PST

By Cotney Attorneys & Consultants.

Stress can be a great motivator on a job site. Sometimes it is positive stress and sometimes it is negative stress.

How employees feel at work affects their performance and ability to work safely. The level of stress they experience on the job significantly affects whether they can do their best work.

Typically, this discussion revolves around two types of stress: eustress, or good stress, and distress, negative stress. But there are other ways to categorize it – motivating stress and unnecessary stress.

Unnecessary stress

Unnecessary stress is stress put on construction workers unnecessarily. There are some common sources of this negative stress:

Bad leadership – This category does not just fall to managers and supervisors. Experienced workers are also leaders. Everyone suffers when leaders are not doing the best job they can do.
Poor pre-planning – If work tasks are not planned out properly, it can impact production schedules and create hazards for everyone working on the tasks. Individuals will face unnecessary stress due to the effects on schedules and safety.
Poor communications – Those who disrespect their fellow workers, yell at them and belittle them create unnecessary stress, not to mention acting unprofessionally. How workers communicate with each other plays into work safety and efficiency.

Motivating stress

Motivating stress comes from other sources and it is positive stress. There are several sources of motivating stress:

Wanting to do a great job – Employees who want to do a great job for coworkers and supervisors want the entire company to benefit. This is motivating stress to do a better job.
Taking on a new task or procedure can be challenging to take on a new task or procedure. But this should be viewed as a motivating factor, not as negative stress. It helps everyone to get outside of their comfort zone. It is vital for growth.

There are times in everyone’s life when something strains their capacity – stress that needs to be identified. It is imperative to turn negative stress into motivating stress. Otherwise, it is a drag on people both mentally and physically.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to one-third of U.S. workers report high stress levels at work. And 40% say their jobs are very stressful. Many feel burned out. This can lead to employee disengagement.

Encourage employees to sustain their innovation through motivation, the drive from within. What is your company doing to drive motivation?

Instead of thinking of stress in just the two traditional forms, rethink it as motivating stress or unnecessary stress. How can you eliminate unnecessary stress? Instead, embrace motivating stress, which leaves you with more efficient and safer workers.

Give your employees autonomy and purpose and in return, you will get employees who thrive. If employees feel trusted and empowered, they are more likely to show initiative and take ownership of their part of a project. Giving employees autonomy is part of employee engagement and in addition to safety, it translates into improved performance and higher retention rates.

About Trent Cotney 

Become a Certified Roofing Project Manager

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 06:00:00 PST

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter.

Step up on the next ladder rung of your career by becoming a certified professional roofing project manager.

Cotney Consulting Group Roofing Project Management Certification Training Program is designed for professionals looking to advance their career towards a managerial role in the roofing industry or for roofing companies looking to train their candidates to become project managers.

Project managers play a pivotal role in the success of their company as they are responsible for planning and controlling every stage of a roofing installation, from pre-construction to completion. Project managers must be able to effectively plan for multiple concurrent construction projects to be completed on time and within budget while guaranteeing that roofing teams work in safe conditions in order for a job to be successfully completed. That is why it is so critical to ensure that project managers are well trained and provided with all the necessary tools for their success.

Cotney’s Roofing Project Manager Certification Training Program provides the necessary training to prepare candidates to take on a professional management role. In this self-paced course, participants will master aspects of project management, like project scheduling, coordination and cost systems.

Learning modules:

The Business of Roofing
Introduction to Project Management
Project Estimating

Project Risk Management
Project Planning
Concepts of Project Scheduling
Production Planning
Managing Time

Resource Management
Project Scheduling Applications
Project Coordination
Project Cost System
Project Financial Management

From organizational to strategic aspects, those who take this course will gain the knowledge and fundamentals for overall success.

Get ready to take the next step in your career, take Cotney’s Roofing Project Manager Certification Training Program and become a certified roofing project manager.

Learn more about Cotney Consulting Group in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.cotneycl.com.

About Cotney Attorneys & Consultants

Cotney Attorneys & Consultants, LLP is a national construction law firm that advocates for the roofing industry. The firm serves as General Counsel to National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), West Coast Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) and a number of other national, regional, local industry associations. Cotney Attorneys & Consultants’ practice areas include construction law, litigation, arbitration, contract review & drafting, immigration, employment, OSHA defense, licensing defense, bid protests, lien law, bond law and alternative dispute resolution. Learn more at www.cotneycl.com.

Recordable Injuries: Why Employees Should Care

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 06:00:00 PST

By Cotney Attorneys & Consultants.

Why reporting an injury is crucial to the wellbeing of your business and how to avoid recordable injuries by taking action quickly.

While some work-related injuries may seem pretty insignificant, all work injuries should be reported, no matter how small. Recording them protects you and also protects your company by preventing the first-aid injury from elevating to an OSHA-recordable injury.

OSHA, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, oversees worker safety.

What is a recordable injury?

OSHA requires that all work-related injuries be recorded. Of course, all severe injuries are always recordable. This includes any injury resulting in missed workdays, restricted duty, loss of consciousness or death.

Recordable injuries are considered a negative mark on a company’s safety record because insurance companies and large contractors bidding out work look at Total Recordable Incident Rates and Experience Modifier Rates. Those quantify the rate of workplace injuries.

Insurance companies base the cost of premiums and insurability primarily on those injury rates. They can also be significant factors in being awarded future project bids. When a company’s injury rate is high, larger companies will not even allow the subcontractor to bid on work because it is deemed too much of a liability.

A high rate of recordable injuries can significantly impact business because if a company is spending so much on insurance, it may lose work, lay off employees, not give employee bonuses or skip other perks.

So, the overall goal is to prevent incidents and injuries. When they do occur, however, they need to be reported immediately.

Employees need to be made aware that even if an injury does not involve a loss of consciousness or fractures, it should still be recorded. More common, less severe injuries should be recorded based on the medical care provided following the injury. For example, if it only requires first aid, it does not need to be recorded but should still be reported.

First aid examples as defined by OSHA

Using bandages
Cleaning a wound

Using hot or cold therapy
Using non-prescription medicine

Recordable versus not recordable injuries

Say an employee gets a small cut on their knee. They decide not to report it and wipe blood on their dirty pants. Three days later, their cut gets infected and swells. The plant doctor prescribes antibiotics. This is a RECORDABLE injury because the treatment went beyond first aid.

Had the employee immediately alerted their supervisor, they would have been taken to the plant doctor, who would have cleaned the cut and bandaged it, avoiding the infection and the need for antibiotics. Therefore, this WOULD NOT have been a recordable injury.

If enough small injuries turn into recordable injuries, it can affect whether your company can bid on a $100 million job or not.

Taking this all in should lead you to conclude that you are harming your business by not reporting an injury. Every company employee depends on each other to complete work. So, working safely and reporting injuries is a responsibility every employee should take seriously.

About Trent Cotney

RoofersCoffeeShop

Top 4 Things Leap Learned at IRE

What is top of the mind of every roofing contractor after the tradeshow season?

1 - How to hire and keep employees.

2 - Communicating timelines to customers.

3 - Creating good estimates and not losing money on them.

4 - Adding new products like windows and doors to your roofing business.

How 2021 Changed the Industry

Manufacturers, distributors and service providers talk about how businesses adapted to 2021 and highlights of the past year.

Top February Stories: Apps for Business, Supply Issues and People

Here’s what’s trending on RoofersCoffeeShop®(RCS) this past month.

Honorable Mention (#6-#10)

Read the Top 5 articles:

Adams and Reese Expands Their Nationally Ranked Construction Group

This expansion creates one of the largest construction law practices in the country.

Don’t Miss LEGALCon 2022!

Learn about contract law and roof system technology during NRCA’s virtual legal conference.

Avoiding Skin Cancer Caused by Sun Exposure

Tips for roofers to avoid skin cancer and warning signs to look for.

Tips to avoid skin cancer

Warning signs

Industry Experts Share Their 2022 Predictions LIVE at IRE

The roofing industry kept pace as the world went more digital. Learn what these experts predict for the upcoming year in our LIVE Coffee Conversations.

Two Types of Workplace Stress

Stress can be a great motivator on a job site. Sometimes it is positive stress and sometimes it is negative stress.

Unnecessary stress

Motivating stress

Become a Certified Roofing Project Manager

Step up on the next ladder rung of your career by becoming a certified professional roofing project manager.

Recordable Injuries: Why Employees Should Care

Why reporting an injury is crucial to the wellbeing of your business and how to avoid recordable injuries by taking action quickly.

What is a recordable injury?

First aid examples as defined by OSHA

Recordable versus not recordable injuries