Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney recently has received a lot of calls regarding workmanship warranties and manufactured material warranties from the field. He joined If Walls Could Talk to break down some of the key features roofing contractors need to have in their contractors when it comes to workmanship and material warranties. He also explained that working with manufacturers and distributors to find a solution is often the best route to keep customers happy. Cotney also addressed the continued need to monitor field crews for heat illness and exposure to the sun during the final weeks of peak roofing season. “It’s just incredibly hot across the U.S. and it’s an incredibly dangerous time for our industry,” Cotney warned. Though efforts to create a new heat standard by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have stalled, regulators are still considering making updates that provide clarity to jobsite requirements over heat exposure. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is “You always have the duty to prevent your employees from suffering heat injury or illness and I’d recommend knowing the known hazards,” he said. Listen to the full conversation now.
Federal regulators are urging contractors to adopt proactive self-auditing practices, with experts like Trent Cotney recommending independent audits to strengthen safety, labor compliance, and inclusion policies while minimizing exposure to penalties. He also highlighted broader industry challenges, including labor shortages tied to immigration enforcement and rising costs from tariffs, urging contractors to stay proactive and adaptable.
W&C contributor Thea Dudley—aka “The Credit Overlord”—previews her upcoming METALCON workshop, emphasizing the critical role of back-office systems, especially credit and collections—in helping contractors protect their cash flow and avoid costly business failures.
Credit card surcharges are becoming more common as processing fees rise, but Thea Dudley stresses they must be implemented legally, transparently, and with advance notice to customers. She advises contractors to phase in changes carefully, avoid surprises at payment, and follow merchant service rules to maintain trust.
Construction attorney Trent Cotney outlines key tax benefits and workforce development provisions in a new federal bill, along with recent OSHA enforcement changes that offer significant relief and opportunities for contractors.
In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, Walls & Ceilings Editor John Wyatt speaks with Tom Harris about ratio monitoring in spray foam insulation and how it's reshaping quality control in the industry. While this technology offers real-time verification and reporting of chemical ratios, it complements but doesn’t replace the need for skilled, attentive installation.
Industry leaders Jill Bloom, Anna Anderson, and Josey Parks explore how AI is rapidly transforming the construction and roofing industries, from automating customer interactions to streamlining operations and sales. They emphasize that contractors who adopt AI tools now—like chatbots, CRMs, and lead-matching platforms—will gain a major competitive edge over those relying on outdated systems.
AI-generated summaries of search results are here to stay, making marketing your roofing company a challenge. Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited, is here to provide the latest updates and information on successfully navigating digital marketing on search engines.
Held at Margaritaville Lake Resort, the TLPCA convention gathered construction leaders to celebrate innovation, honor veteran contributions, and address workforce and labor issues. Mike Griffin received a Lifetime Achievement Award, while Trey Harris led impactful fundraising for industry education.
Billy Downs, president of Ford’s Garage, shares how his people-first leadership philosophy, rooted in his “Hospitality Wheel” concept, continues to drive business success and meaningful customer experiences.
At the FRSA convention, construction law expert Trent Cotney emphasized the legal risks prime contractors face due to subcontractor actions, highlighting the importance of strong contracts, job site oversight, and thorough documentation. He also addressed growing concerns over ICE job site raids, urging contractors to prioritize compliance and support for their crews while advocating for more efficient labor policies.
WC Legal Insights Expert Trent Cotney said he’s seeing increased immigration enforcement in unexpected places in Florida. From major busts in Tallahassee with more than 100 arrests, to smaller enforcement pushes on the highway, construction companies are at high risk for attention from federal and local authorities. Roofing contractors should be aware of high-volume areas for ICE enforcement and know their rights, says Cotney, who said he’s seeing increased immigration enforcement across Florida. “The administration has made it very clear what its position on the border is,” he explained. “We’ve seen an uptick in ICE enforcement in construction and not just in “Blue” states, it’s been in “Red” states equally.” Even companies that are fully compliant with I-9 documentation can still fall under scrutiny for having employees that face deportation, Cotney said. With the help of local authorities, ICE agents are targeting at the jobsite, at familiar intersections, and even where materials are being picked up. Listen to the full conversation here.
Over the past 25 years, building envelope design has undergone a major shift toward high-performance wall systems focused on air, water, and thermal control. In a recent interview, TruFast’s Jason Wigboldy explained how innovations like the Thermal Insulation Fastening System and Tube Seal Fastener Technology are helping contractors build smarter, faster, and more efficiently.
In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, W&C Editor John Wyatt talks with Tom Harris of Tom Harris PUR Consulting on the importance of verified products.
The OSHA Walkaround Rule enacted during the Biden Administration faced major objections from some in the construction trades because it allowed third-party representatives to visually inspect jobsites, regardless of their profession -- or who they are. “It’s key for our listeners to understand that if OSHA asks for a third party that’s not the contractor to be involved in the walkaround inspection, that they should object,” explained W&C Legal Insights Expert Trent Cotney, of Adams & Reese, in this brief episode. Concerns like liability coverage, proprietary rights and materials staging make legitimate arguments for exemptions, and should be utilized, he continued. Listen to the full conversation here.
Websites are a staple for any business, including wall and ceiling contractors, but there’s more to maintaining them than updating them with photos and sales offers. Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited, warns contractors that their sites may not be accessible and offers solutions on how to ensure they’re compliant.
Jill Bloom speaks with Ron Rice of CertainTeed Ceilings/Saint-Gobain about his industry leadership and recognition at CISCA Connect 2024, particularly his groundbreaking work on establishing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for metal ceilings. Rice also emphasizes the importance of circularity in construction, advocating for smarter material selection, deconstruction, and reuse to support sustainability efforts led by architects, contractors, and manufacturers alike.
Optiline has made ambitious moves to expand beyond its New England territory. Two of its staff discuss this strategy.
In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, W&C’s Jill Bloom speaks with Mike Mazzone of Statewide General Contracting about the evolving construction landscape in Hawaii, where growth is beginning to pick up after a slow few years. Mazzone shares his personal journey into the industry, the company’s shift toward specialty work like stretched fabric systems, and his unique perspective as a contractor based in the islands.
Contractors are often the subject of people’s poor perceptions of the trade and how they treat customers. And in a digital world, people with negative things to say about contractors don’t sit idly by. W&C Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney, partner with Adams & Reese, said it’s becoming more important for contractors to stand their ground and respond to negative emails and text messages about performance, because it’s that documentation that could be the difference between winning and losing in court. Listen to the full conversation now.