Cotney Consulting Group
Your roof is a complete system, not just the material you see
By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. Your roof is not simply the shingles, panels or membrane visible from outside. When most homeowners look at a roof, they see shingles, metal panels, tile, or another finished surface. That visible material is important, but it is only one part of what protects the building. ...
Are you ready for the robots?
By Emma Peterson. John Kenney shares why contractors with strong systems, clear workflows and documented processes will be best positioned to embrace new technologies. For many of us, robots seem like something from a science fiction movie – something that might be cool but is far from becoming a ...
The value of running a tight ship
By Emma Peterson. As regulations evolve, contractors who embrace systems and accountability are finding it easier to stay compliant and protect their operations. In a new From the Ground Up™ episode, Karol Weyman sat down with John Kenney, CEO of Cotney Consulting Group, to talk about the legal, safety and ...
The hidden cost of a poor project handover
By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. One of the most expensive mistakes a roofing contractor can make often happens before the project even reaches site. It happens during the handover. A project may have been estimated carefully, priced competitively and secured on acceptable terms. Still, if the information gathered ...
The business of coatings: Economic trends and opportunities
By Emma Peterson. Join Heidi J. Ellsworth and John Kenney for a live discussion on the market forces affecting coatings contractors and the strategies that can help businesses thrive. On August 12, 2026 at 11a.m. PT (2 p.m. ET), Heidi J. Ellsworth will host a live CoatingsTalk™ with John Kenney. ...
When the heat takes over
By Cotney Consulting Group. How extreme temperatures increase jobsite risk. Extreme heat doesn’t usually cause the first mistake on a job. It causes the second one. The missed step. The rushed movement. The decision felt fine at the moment, but it wasn’t. Crews understand heat. They work through it every ...
The estimate doesn't end when the bid is submitted
By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. The estimate is not finished until the final project review is complete and the lessons learned have been carried forward to the next opportunity. One of the biggest misconceptions in our industry is that estimating ends when the proposal is delivered or the ...
When everything is urgent
By Cotney Consulting Group. Managing stress during high-traffic roofing seasons. Every roofing company has a season when everything feels urgent. Phones ring nonstop. Backlogs grow. Crews are stretched thin. Weather windows close fast. Customers want answers yesterday. Busy seasons are good for business, but they’re also when safety risk quietly increases. ...
Your commercial roof is not a storage area
By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. Commercial roofing materials are durable, but they are not indestructible. A commercial roof is designed to protect the building from the weather. It is not intended to serve as a workshop, storage platform or unrestricted walkway for every contractor who needs access to rooftop equipment. Yet ...
The silica citation nobody sees coming
By Cotney Consulting Group. Why roofing crews are getting flagged, and how you can avoid it. Many roofing contractors are surprised when an OSHA inspector brings up silica exposure. After all, most roofers don’t think of themselves as “silica trades.” They’re not mining, blasting or pouring concrete, silica citations are appearing ...
