Cotney Consulting Group
The estimate must reflect the region, not just the roof
By Cotney Consulting Group. A roof may look familiar on the drawings, but the operating conditions may not be. Canadian roofing contractors working across different provinces, territories and climate zones cannot rely on a single standard estimating model for every project. The membrane may be the same, the insulation may ...
Lock in your WRE 2026 schedule
By Emma Peterson. This year’s show is coming up fast with the first day being September 27, 2026 and we wanted to help you build the ultimate attendee schedule. The Western Roofing Expo (WRE), which is sponsored by Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA), is one of the premier events in the ...
Heat cramps: The warning sign too many roofers ignore
By Cotney Consulting Group. Ignoring heat cramps doesn't demonstrate strength. It increases the likelihood that the body's cooling system will continue to deteriorate. Every experienced roofer has probably seen it happen. A crew member suddenly stops what they're doing and grabs the back of their leg. Maybe it's a calf ...
An uneven but expanding market
By Emma Peterson. Industry veteran John Kenney shares his perspective on the current opportunities and challenges in the construction coatings market. In a new CoatingsTalk™, Heidi J. Ellsworth spoke with John Kenney about the state of the construction coatings industry and what is driving its current changes. John is the ...
Sharpen your estimating skills with this advanced workshop
By Emma Peterson. Want to take your estimating skills to the next level? Don’t miss the chance to learn in-person from industry expert John Kenney! John Kenney will be teaching an Advanced Roofing Estimating Workshop in Lakewood, Florida this coming November. John, CEO of Cotney Consulting Group, has an ...
A short roofing season requires a longer planning horizon
By Cotney Consulting Group. The strongest Canadian roofing companies do not wait for good weather before beginning planning. In many parts of Canada, the roofing season is not simply busy. It is compressed. Contractors may have only a limited number of dependable months to complete a large portion of their ...
The first hour on the jobsite predicts the entire project
By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. The first hour on a jobsite isn't just another sixty minutes on the schedule. It's where preparation meets execution. I've walked onto enough roofing projects over the years to know that crews usually understand how the day is going to unfold long before lunch. ...
Estimating is the beginning of project management
By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. A strong estimator does not simply ask what the project will cost. They ask what the project will require. Estimating is often described as the process of determining what a roofing project should cost. That is certainly part of the responsibility, but ...
When every second counts: Emergency planning for roofing crews
By Cotney Consulting Group. Emergencies will always be unpredictable — but how your crew responds doesn’t have to be. Roofing is one of the most unpredictable jobs in construction. Crews work high above the ground, exposed to heat, wind, tools, power and weather, which leaves no room for hesitation when things ...
Before you dig
By Cotney Consulting Group. Utility locating, trenching and excavation safety. Outdoor contractors break ground every day. Landscapers install drainage and irrigation. Lighting contractors bury cable. Pool and spa crews run plumbing and electrical lines. Hardscape contractors excavate for walls, patios and outdoor structures. Sports-surface crews prepare bases and install underground ...
