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<channel>
<title>RoofersCoffeeShop</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/</link>
<description>Roofing Forum, Classifieds, Galleries and More!</description>
<language>en-us</language><item>
<title>Preparation is protection</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/preparation-is-protection</link>
<description>preparation-is-protection</description>
<pubDate>Sun, 24 May 2026 21:00:00 PDT</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/05/adams-reese-preparation-is-protection-canva.png'
            alt='Preparation is protection'
            title='Preparation is protection'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By Emma Peterson.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>How building systems, training teams and updating documents reduces your legal risk.&nbsp;</h2>

<p>From immigration investigations to OSHA inspections, there are a myriad of jobsite legal situations that could crop up out of nowhere. The best way to prepare your business for these unexpected scenarios is by training your team properly and keeping a core set of documents updated and organized. To learn more about how to do this, we sat down with <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/trent-cotney-rcs-influencer">Trent Cotney</a>, roofing litigation specialist and partner at the <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/adams-and-reese-llp">Adams and Reese</a> law firm, <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/rlw/the-profit-protection-playbook-for-contractors-5">for a Read Listen Watch (RLW)&reg; webinar</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<h3>Preparing your papers&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>

<p>When it comes to keeping papers in order and up to date, the first and foremost should always be your contracts. Trent highlighted the importance of keeping track of contracts:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote>
<p>A lot of people tend to ignore contracts until it&rsquo;s too late. My advice is to look at your contract every six months. And when you look at it, you should be making sure it is up to date and addressing any issues that might&rsquo;ve cropped up since the last time you checked it. I&rsquo;ll give you an example, say you have a customer who steps on a nail and files a personal injury claim. Next contract you make should have a nail disclaimer in it to give you a better defense if that situation comes back up later.&nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Additional documents that need to be in order include your labor papers, such as 1099s and W2s. You also always need to have a safety manual set up. Trent explained, &ldquo;You need to be able to dictate what kind of safety you&#39;re doing. We live in a world now where the multi-employer side doctrine may say that you, the primary roofing contractor, are liable for any subcontractor safety violations if you control their safety. So, it&#39;s important that you&#39;ve got strong contract and documentation set up to define who&rsquo;s responsible.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Training your team&nbsp;</h3>

<p>As for training your team, you need to make sure your on-site supervisors understand what to do when unexpected investigations occur. Trent used the example of OSHA inspections:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote>
<p>Your superintendent needs to understand what to do if [OSHA] shows up on your jobsite. Understanding how to navigate OSHA inspections is a beast. You need to know and be able to assert your rights when needed. It&#39;s things like knowing that supervisors, owners, officers and directors are not to be interviewed by OSHA without counsel present and that you need to limit the inspection to the purpose of why OSHA is out there.&nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The best way to make sure your on-site team is prepared is to give them proper training, resources and a standard operating procedure (SOP). If you need help getting these established, Trent&rsquo;s book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/OSHA-Defense-Know-Your-Rights/dp/B0959DDGJQ"><em>OSHA Defense: Know Your Rights</em></a>, is an invaluable resource to have on hand.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>You can also <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/rlw/the-profit-protection-playbook-for-contractors-5">Listen to the whole webinar</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g_PCY3vgNo">Watch the recording</a> to learn more.&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p>]]></content:encoded>
</item><item>
<title>Claves para entender contratos y proteger tu negocio</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/claves-para-entender-contratos-y-proteger-tu-negocio</link>
<description>claves-para-entender-contratos-y-proteger-tu-negocio</description>
<pubDate>Sun, 24 May 2026 03:00:00 PDT</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/05/adams-reese-claves-para-entender-contratos-y-proteger-tu-negocio.png'
            alt='Claves para entender contratos y proteger tu negocio'
            title='Claves para entender contratos y proteger tu negocio'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>Por Alberto Torres.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Evita errores costosos: lo que todo contratista debe saber antes de firmar un contrato.&nbsp;</h2>

<p><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/podcast/gabriel-pinilla-construyendo-comunidades-ms-fuertes">En este episodio de La Voz de los Ruferos</a>, Jessica Bravo conversa con Gabriel Pinilla, abogado de <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/podcast/gabriel-pinilla-construyendo-comunidades-ms-fuertes">Adams &amp; Reese</a> con m&aacute;s de 20 a&ntilde;os de experiencia, sobre un tema fundamental para el crecimiento de los contratistas: la importancia de entender y negociar contratos en la industria del roofing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gabriel comenz&oacute; su carrera en el sur de Florida y actualmente trabaja en Colorado junto a <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/trent-cotney-rcs-influencer">Trent Cotney</a> desde 2020, colaborando estrechamente con empresas del sector. Su experiencia en m&uacute;ltiples estados le ha permitido ver de primera mano los retos legales que enfrentan muchos contratistas, especialmente aquellos que est&aacute;n en proceso de crecimiento. &ldquo;Trent est&aacute; muy comprometido con la industria del roofing. Tiene una verdadera pasi&oacute;n por impulsarla y hacerla evolucionar, algo que sinceramente no he visto en otros sectores,&rdquo; comparte Gabriel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Uno de los principales desaf&iacute;os que identifica es el manejo de contratos. Seg&uacute;n explica, muchas empresas nuevas firman acuerdos que son injustamente favorables al contratista general, sin comprender completamente las implicaciones legales. &ldquo;Enfocarte en las cl&aacute;usulas clave y negociarlas estrat&eacute;gicamente puede marcar la diferencia entre un contrato riesgoso y uno que realmente proteja tu negocio,&rdquo; se&ntilde;ala.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Desde su rol en Adams &amp; Reese, Gabriel trabaja directamente con contratistas para revisar, ajustar y redactar contratos m&aacute;s equilibrados. Este proceso no solo ayuda a evitar conflictos, sino que tambi&eacute;n fortalece la estructura y estabilidad del negocio a largo plazo. Adem&aacute;s de la asesor&iacute;a legal, Gabriel enfatiza la importancia de la educaci&oacute;n continua. Recomienda participar en eventos de la industria como los organizados por la <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/nrca">National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)</a>, donde ha tenido la oportunidad de presentar en espa&ntilde;ol sobre cl&aacute;usulas cr&iacute;ticas en construcci&oacute;n. &ldquo;Con el conocimiento adecuado, puedes tomar decisiones m&aacute;s seguras al momento de firmar. Y si tienes dudas, lo mejor es consultar antes, no despu&eacute;s de que surja el problema,&rdquo; explica.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Tambi&eacute;n sugiere considerar cursos b&aacute;sicos de leyes de negocios en colegios comunitarios o universidades locales, ya que estos conocimientos pueden ser clave para tomar decisiones m&aacute;s informadas. A medida que m&aacute;s contratistas latinos evolucionan hacia roles de liderazgo empresarial, contar con el apoyo adecuado, ya sea legal, educativo o comunitario, se vuelve esencial para construir negocios m&aacute;s s&oacute;lidos y sostenibles dentro de la industria del roofing.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/podcast/gabriel-pinilla-construyendo-comunidades-ms-fuertes"><strong>Escucha o mira el podcast para profundizar en estas claves y aprender c&oacute;mo proteger mejor tu negocio.</strong></a></p>]]></content:encoded>
</item><item>
<title>Trent Cotney: Lawyer, educator, advocate and leader</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/trent-cotney-lawyer-educator-advocate-and-leader</link>
<description>trent-cotney-lawyer-educator-advocate-and-leader</description>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2026 05:00:00 PDT</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/04/adams-reese-trent-cotney-lawyer-educator-advocate-and-leader.png'
            alt='Trent Cotney: Lawyer, educator, advocate and leader'
            title='Trent Cotney: Lawyer, educator, advocate and leader'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By Emma Peterson.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>How Trent Cotney supports the roofing industry from the courtroom and beyond.&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Just last year, <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/trent-cotney-rcs-influencer">Trent Cotney</a> was recognized in <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/trentcotneylegal_trent-cotney-has-been-recognized-in-the-best-activity-7231299126389321728-ALf5/">The Best Lawyers in America&reg; 2025 edition</a> for his construction law and litigation work. This recognition places Trent in the top 5% of lawyers in the U.S., but Trent is far more than &ldquo;just&rdquo; a lawyer. He is a writer, educator, expert and invaluable leader in the roofing industry! To learn more about the work Trent does, we interviewed him at the 2026 <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/ire">International Roofing Expo (IRE)</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>We started by focusing on his role as an educator as we caught him up with just after his IRE education session. He shared a bit about it, saying, &ldquo;I spoke on immigration today along with Ben Briggs, another one of the lawyers at <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/adams-and-reese-llp">Adams and Reese</a>. It was a good session, well attended and we got to answer a ton of questions about ice raids, I9 audits and all that kind of stuff.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>In addition to his role as an educator, Trent shares his extensive expertise with the industry as general counsel for a variety of trade associations, including but not limited to the National Roofing Contractors Association, Western States Roofing Association and Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Association. He elaborated on what he does as a general counsel to these organizations, explaining, &ldquo;In that role, not only do I make sure the association stays on the straight and narrow, but I also to provide them and their members with targeted, real world legal advice on regulatory issues.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>But wait, there&rsquo;s more! Trent is also a prolific writer, sharing insights and advice in multiple Amazon best-selling books and across industry publications (including on RoofersCoffeeShop&reg;!). His schedule might seem busy (because it is), but Trent wouldn&rsquo;t have it any other way. He explained, &ldquo;I really want to take the knowledge that I&#39;ve learned over the years and apply it for the good of the industry.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh9h940VCS4"><strong>Watch the whole interview to hear more about Trent and his work to support the industry.</strong></a></p>

<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wh9h940VCS4?si=U0WOi2TimFVGQD-M" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>]]></content:encoded>
</item><item>
<title>FRSA Expo returns with top-tier education and industry backing</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/frsa-expo-returns-with-top-tier-education-and-industry-backing</link>
<description>frsa-expo-returns-with-top-tier-education-and-industry-backing</description>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 12:00:00 PDT</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/05/frsa-expo-returns-with-top-tier-education-and-industry-backing.png'
            alt='FRSA Expo returns with top-tier education and industry backing'
            title='FRSA Expo returns with top-tier education and industry backing'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By Jenny Yu.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Contractors will gain practical insights from leading experts while connecting with top manufacturers and suppliers.&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/frsa">Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA)</a> is hosting its 104th Convention &amp; Expo from June 10-12, 2026, at the Gaylord Palms Resort &amp; Convention Center in in Kissimmee, Florida. With a strong lineup of sponsors and an educational program packed with timely topics, this year&rsquo;s event is set to provide contractors with practical insights and valuable networking opportunities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A wide range of industry leaders are lending their support for the event, underscoring its importance across the roofing and metal construction sectors. Platinum sponsors include <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/eagle-roofing-products">Eagle Roofing Products</a>, <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/abc-supply-co-inc">ABC Supply</a> and <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/tamko">TAMKO&reg;</a>; while gold sponsors <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/certainteed">CertainTeed LLC</a>, <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/polyglass-2">Polyglass</a> and <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/soprema-2">SOPREMA</a> further highlight the depth of industry participation. Additional support from emerald sponsor <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/adams-and-reese-llp">Adams &amp; Reese LLP</a>; sapphire sponsors <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/bitec-inc">BITEC</a>, <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/drexelmetals">Drexel Metals</a>, <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/metalforming-inc">MetalForming LLC</a> and <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/sika-corporation">Sika Corporation</a>; silver sponsor <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/srs-distribution-inc">SRS Building Products</a>; bronze sponsors <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/duro-last">Duro-Last&reg;</a>, <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/ib-roof-systems">IB Roof Systems&trade;</a>, <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/pac-clad-petersen">PAC-CLAD Petersen</a> and <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/roofhugger">Roof Hugger</a>; and affiliate sponsor, <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/rcasf">Roofing Contractors Association of South Florida (RCASF)</a>, reinforce the event&rsquo;s focus on innovation, performance and contractor success.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Educational sessions&nbsp;</h3>

<p>Education remains the cornerstone of the convention, with sessions designed to address today&rsquo;s most pressing challenges in the industry while providing attendees with opportunities to earn CE credits. Legal and compliance topics are a hot topic with multiple sessions led by <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/trent-cotney-rcs-influencer">Trent Cotney</a>, RoofersCoffeeShop&reg; Influencer and partner at Adams &amp; Reese LLP, including:&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li><strong>&ldquo;Building an OSHA Inspection SOP&rdquo;</strong> - Wednesday, June 10, 8:00 a.m.&nbsp;</li>
	<li><strong>&ldquo;Roofing Legal, Labor and Policy Trends&rdquo;</strong> - Wednesday, June 10, 12:30 p.m. and Friday, June 12, 7:00 a.m.&nbsp;</li>
	<li><strong>&ldquo;Artificial Intelligence in Roofing&rdquo;</strong> - Thursday, June 11, 7:00 a.m.&nbsp;</li>
	<li><strong>&ldquo;ICE Raids and I-9 Audit Defense&rdquo;</strong> - Thursday, June 11, 8:15 a.m. and Friday, June 12, 8:15 a.m.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p>These sessions will provide contractors with actionable guidance on navigating regulations, mitigating risk and adapting to emerging technologies.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Business operations are also a key focus. <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/john-kenney-speakers-bureau">John Kenney</a>, Influencer of The Coffee Shops&trade; and CEO of <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/cotney-consulting-group">Cotney Consulting Group</a>, will lead <strong>&ldquo;Estimating for Small Business&rdquo;</strong> on Wednesday, June 10, at 9:15 a.m. and Thursday, June 11, at 7:00 a.m., offering practical strategies to improve accuracy and profitability for contractors of all sizes. Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/chad-westbrook">Chad Westbrook</a>, founder of <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/service-alignment">Service Alignment</a>, will present <strong>&ldquo;Documenting a Roofing Project&rdquo;</strong> on Thursday, June 11, at 9:30 a.m. and Friday, June 12, at 7:00 a.m., helping attendees strengthen processes that support accountability, communication and long-term project success.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additional sessions cover critical issues including Florida Building Code updates, metal roofing best practices and safety topics such as heat illness prevention. The <strong>&ldquo;<a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/nrca-career-and-technical-education-cte">SkillsUSA</a>: Build a Workforce Pipeline&rdquo;</strong> session on Thursday, June 11, at 9:30 a.m., will also highlight strategies for developing the next generation of roofers, a growing priority for contractors facing ongoing workforce shortages. Together, these seminars provide well-rounded education opportunities tailored to both roofing and sheet metal professionals.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://events.american-tradeshow.com/frsa2026"><strong>Register to reserve your spot and take full advantage of everything the 104th FRSA Convention &amp; Expo has to offer!</strong></a></p>]]></content:encoded>
</item><item>
<title>Road to FRSA 2026</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/road-to-frsa-2026</link>
<description>road-to-frsa-2026</description>
<pubDate>Sun, 17 May 2026 09:00:00 PDT</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/05/frsa-road-to-frsa-2026.png'
            alt='Road to FRSA 2026'
            title='Road to FRSA 2026'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By Emma Peterson.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>The highly anticipated 104th Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Association Convention and Expo is just around the corner!&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

<p><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/podcast/tibor-torok-countdown-to-frsa-2026">In a new Roofing Road Trips&reg;</a>, Megan Ellsworth sat down with Tibor Torok, president of the <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/frsa">Florida Roofing and Sheet Metall Association (FRSA)</a>, for a conversation about their annual convention and expo. This year&rsquo;s show will take place <strong>June 10-12, 2026</strong>, at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Florida.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is a highly anticipated event, drawing thousands of contractors, suppliers and industry leaders from across Florida and beyond. Tibor explained, &ldquo;There&#39;s only one roofing association that is larger than our trade show, and that&#39;s the NRCA...People from all over gravitate to our show to see what&#39;s upcoming, what&#39;s new.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>In preparation for this, Tibor and his team have been working hard at making sure the show will be one to remember. He spoke a bit about the event highlights attendees can look forward to this year:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote>
<p>We have a dozen or so first-time exhibitors offering new products and services in addition to the hundreds of long-term people that come year after year and support us. We have a free welcome reception (sponsored by <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/adams-and-reese-llp">Adams and Reese</a>) and a business lunch that are great for networking. There&rsquo;s also a Jimmy Buffet themed casino party, a clay sporting tournament and a golf tournament for people to enjoy.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>

<p>FRSA will also be offering over 30 hours of continuing education. Taught by professionals in the field, these courses cover everything from Florida building codes and sales training to metal roofing training and fall protection education.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>All of this can feel like a lot to take in, especially if this is your first time attending the FRSA Convention and Expo. Tibor&rsquo;s advice to newcomers? Take your time and ask questions. He explained:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote>
<p>Last year we had over 5,000 attendees. So, give yourself time for things like registration. Also Gaylord Palms is large and events happen in multiple locations. Download the show app to get a complete exhibitor list, seminar schedule and floor plan. Overall, take your time and enjoy learning about the new products and methods in the industry. And if you have any questions, ask. You&rsquo;ll be surprised how many people will engage with you.&nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/podcast/tibor-torok-countdown-to-frsa-2026">Listen to the episode</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pL3sblVbv7k">Watch the recording</a> to hear more from Tibor. And if you haven&#39;t already, <a href="https://events.american-tradeshow.com/frsa2026">make sure to register for the 104th FRSA Convention and Expo.</a></strong></p>]]></content:encoded>
</item><item>
<title>How partnership informs performance</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/how-partnership-informs-performance</link>
<description>how-partnership-informs-performance</description>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 21:00:00 PDT</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/04/iibec-how-partnership-informs-performance.png'
            alt='How partnership informs performance'
            title='How partnership informs performance'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By Jenny Yu.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Attendees of the 2026 IIBEC Convention gained insights, education and networking opportunities.&nbsp;</h2>

<p>On March 12-15, 2026, the 2026 IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show delivered on its promise to bring together roofing and building enclosure professionals for education, collaboration and innovation. <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/podcast/brian-pallasch-on-the-road-to-iibec-2026-building-enclosure-excellence">In an episode of Roofing Road Trips&reg;</a>, Heidi J. Ellsworth spoke with Brian Pallasch, EVP and CEO of the <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/iibec-international-institute-of-building-enclosure-consultants">International Institute of Building Encloser Consultants (IIBEC)</a>, about the key takeaways that continue to shape how contractors, consultants and manufacturers work together.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For Brian, one central theme for the conference was collaboration. &ldquo;It really is about the partnership,&rdquo; Brian stated. &ldquo;When the contractor, the architect, the building enclosure consultant and the manufacturer work together, it&rsquo;s to the benefit of the owner and the building. It&rsquo;s a team.&rdquo; As building systems grow more complex, this team approach is becoming essential across the industry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Brian also emphasized that IIBEC members play a critical role in ensuring quality and performance. &ldquo;Our members are there to help the owner, the roofing contractor and the manufacturer get the job done &mdash; well done and right,&rdquo; he said. That focus on quality was evident in both the educational sessions and conversations happening on the trade show floor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In addition, another key topic present throughout the conference and trade show was the long-term durability of building performance. &ldquo;The idea of commissioning is, as buildings get more complex, you want to make sure that plans are actually being followed on the job site,&rdquo; Brian explained, adding that building owners are increasingly focused on results: &ldquo;They want to make sure that the building that they paid for is the building that they&rsquo;re getting.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Coffee Shops&trade; was thrilled to be part of such a successful event, recording live interviews that highlighted the innovation, learning and networking in strong supply. One standout moment included <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/search?s=Coffee+Conversations+LIVE+From+IIBEC+2026+Sponsored+by+Western+Colloid#:~:text=Webinar%3A%20Coffee%20Conversations%20LIVE%20From%20IIBEC%202026%20Sponsored%20by%20Western%20Colloid">a Coffee Conversations&reg;</a> sponsored by <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/western-colloid-2">Western Colloid Fluid Applied Roofing and Coating Systems</a>, featuring a panel of industry experts who discussed the factors shaping the future of the roofing and building enclosure industry.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;We had Lauren Morley, owner and president of <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/r3ng-roofing-and-gutters">R3NG Roofing and Gutters</a>; Greg Hlavaty,&nbsp; president of Western Colloid; and two amazing consultants, Sean Connolly and Dustin Smoot,&rdquo; Megan Ellsworth of The Coffee Shops shared. &ldquo;It was a fabulous conversation.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Other highlights included a state-of-the-industry address by RCS Influencer and <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/adams-and-reese-llp">Adams &amp; Reese LLP</a> Partner <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/trent-cotney-rcs-influencer">Trent Cotney</a>; a live demo showcasing the strength of <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/usg">USG Securock&reg;</a> cover boards; and visits with <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/johns-manville-2">Johns Manville</a> and <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/polyglass-2">Polyglass</a> at their hospitality booths.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Overall, as the industry continues to evolve, IIBEC remains a hub for innovation, connection and professional growth.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/podcast/brian-pallasch-on-the-road-to-iibec-2026-building-enclosure-excellence"><strong>Listen to the full podcast to hear more insights about the 2026 IIBEC International Convention and Trade Show.</strong></a></p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Keeping up with Cotney</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/keeping-up-with-cotney</link>
<description>keeping-up-with-cotney</description>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 06:00:00 PDT</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/04/cotney-keeping-up-with-cotney-canva.png'
            alt='Keeping up with Cotney'
            title='Keeping up with Cotney'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By Emma Peterson.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>The latest Cotney Brief shares April 2026 construction law insights and updates.&nbsp;</h2>

<p>For contractors working in roofing and construction, the Cotney Briefs are an invaluable resource to keeping up with legal and regulatory changes affecting the industry. These briefs are written by <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/trent-cotney-rcs-influencer">Trent Cotney</a>, a lawyer and partner at <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/adams-and-reese-llp">Adams and Reese</a> law firm. Here&rsquo;s what the April 2026 brief highlighted.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h3>1 &ndash; Compliance stakes raise with an E-Verify law&nbsp;</h3>

<p>Ohio recently enacted House Bill 246, otherwise known as the E-Verify Workforce Integrity Act. Originally signed in December of 2025, this law &ldquo;covers nonresidential construction contractors, subcontractors at any tier and labor brokers that hire employees for covered nonresidential construction projects.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>What does it mean? The covered employers must run new employees through E-verify unless a limited exception applies. If the employee receives a final nonconfirmation, the employer must terminate employment.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>What this means for contractors:</strong> If you are performing nonresidential construction work in Ohio, it is crucial to review your hiring processes to confirm E-Verify compliance and ensure that your record keeping is accurate as to avoid violations, which can lead to &ldquo;monetary penalties, disqualification from public contracting, and in some cases license consequences for knowingly employing unauthorized workers.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<h3>2 &ndash; Duty to inquire court case&nbsp;</h3>

<p>In a case between Korte Construction Co. And the Secretary of the Army, a Federal Circuit court was asked to look at an issue of Korte needed to install chilled water improvements as part of a project. Korte argued that this improvement was not shown in the drawings as they were not detailed enough and they are not required to do this. Opposingly, the Army was seeking a refund of roughly $493,000 for the lack of chilled water improvements.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the core of this issue is solicitation. As Trent wrote, &ldquo;The main issue was whether the solicitation, read as a whole, required Korte to perform the chilled water work. A related issue was inconsistency between the specifications and drawings which created a patent ambiguity.&rdquo; The recent result of this case? The Federal Circuit found that the specifications and drawings together unambiguously called for the chilled water improvements and that Korte&rsquo;s interpretation was &ldquo;not reasonable.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>What this means for contractors:</strong> This case is a reminder of the importance of reading solicitations (specifications, drawings, etc.) as a whole rather than individuals. Further, it highlights the importance of raising the issue of inconsistent, incomplete and/or unclear plans prior to a bid.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h3>3 &ndash; Water intrusion contract provision&nbsp;</h3>

<p>Water intrusion is one of the most common and expensive issues in the roofing industry. It is also a frequent source of dispute as most contracts don&rsquo;t properly address temporary dry-in obligations.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>What this means for contractors:</strong> In order to avoid these disputes, contractors should consider adding a provision to their contracts that specifically addresses water intrusion and temporary dry-in obligations. Trent recommends something like this:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote>
<p>Contractor shall take commercially reasonable measures to provide temporary dry-in and protect only those portions of the Work directly opened or disturbed by Contractor during performance of its scope. Contractor&rsquo;s obligation is limited to the exercise of reasonable care under the circumstances then existing, taking into account the stage of construction, weather conditions, available access, project sequencing, occupancy constraints, and the condition of the existing structure. Contractor does not guarantee or warrant that the Project, the building envelope, or any portion of the premises will remain watertight or free from water intrusion during the course of construction.*&nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://www.trentcotney.com/the-cotney-brief/the-cotney-brief-construction-law-simplified-april-2026/"><em>*Read the whole provision.</em></a></p>

<h3>4 &ndash; What softening confidence means legally&nbsp;</h3>

<p>The current uneven economy is having ripple effects in the roofing industry. Where some projects are growing in popularity, such as data centers, others are weakening due to recession concerns. In fact, &ldquo;In AGC&rsquo;s 2026 outlook, contractors reported noticeably dampened expectations compared with the prior year, driven in part by concern over the broader economy and the possibility of a downturn.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>What this means for contractors:</strong> To navigate this softening confidence, contractors should treat this time as a contract discipline moment. In other words, this is the time to &quot;review price escalation language, clarify tariff and procurement risk, tighten notice and claim procedures, preserve suspension and termination rights, and confirm that payment, delay, and force majeure provisions match present market conditions.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.cotneycl.com/the-cotney-brief-construction-law-simplified-september-2025/"><strong>Read the full brief online.</strong></a></p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Roofing contracts 101</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/roofing-contracts-101</link>
<description>roofing-contracts-101</description>
<pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 15:00:00 PDT</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/04/adams-reese-roofing-contracts-101-canva.png'
            alt='Roofing contracts 101'
            title='Roofing contracts 101'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By Emma Peterson.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Trent Cotney explains the importance of thorough, purposeful and consistent legal documentation.&nbsp;</h2>

<p>When it comes to getting legal advice about the roofing industry, you&rsquo;d be hard-pressed to find a better person to talk to than <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/trent-cotney-rcs-influencer">Trent Cotney</a>. Trent has decades of experience in roofing litigation and arbitration. He is a partner at the <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/adams-and-reese-llp">Adams and Reese</a> law firm as well as general counsel for leading roofing associations like the <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/frsa">Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Association (FRSA)</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>He provided some crucial advice during <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/rlw/the-profit-protection-playbook-for-contractors-5">a Read Listen Watch&reg; episode</a> all about navigating the legal side of roofing, specifically creating contracts that protect your company properly. The throughline of Trent&rsquo;s advice was to be thorough, purposeful and consistent in your documentation. He explained, &ldquo;I review hundreds upon hundreds of roofing contracts a month and one of the biggest mistakes I see is a tendency among contractors, especially in residential, to think less is more like, I don&#39;t want to scare away customers.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>This misconception can often lead to issues down the line when contractors face issues and don&rsquo;t have the appropriate provisions outlined. And it is a misconception, as Trent put it:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote>
<p>From the owner perspective, I&#39;m focused typically on two things, and so is every customer. It&#39;s reputation and price. As a lawyer I look at the terms and conditions, but really that&rsquo;s just because I&rsquo;m a lawyer and even then, when I came to my position at Adams and Reese, they sent me a 100 page employee manual to sign digitally and I just got on my phone and went click, click, click. If I&#39;m doing that and I&#39;m a lawyer, then you know homeowners are doing the same thing.&nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Another issue that Trent sees come up frequently is what he calls &ldquo;Frankenstein contracts.&rdquo; These are contracts that &ldquo;have been plugged together from bits and pieces along the way and often lead to issues like conflicting provisions or missing warnings.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>And these issues aren&rsquo;t limited to conflicts between contractors and clients, they can also crop up between owners and their subs. Trent explained, &ldquo;About 85% of residential contractors use subs and about 50-60% of commercial contractors use subs. And from a contract standpoint, you need to be thorough. I always tell people to make an MSA or a master subcontract agreement. It&#39;s a document that has everything and the kitchen sink in it. You&#39;re throwing everything you can at that so that for each ensuing project you work together on after they sign it once, you can just issue a one-page notice to proceed under that same MSA.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Building that MSA can feel like a lot to put in one contract but, like with your clients, being thorough, purposeful and consistent in that documentation up front is key to legal success. As Trent put it, &ldquo;In roofing and construction, if you show up to the job site and you do a good job and you do it consistently, you&#39;ll be successful. The same is true for managing your legal side. If you make your documents purposefully thorough and are consistent in making sure everyone is signed off, you not only will be controlling your business operationally, but also contractually. And like on the job site, doing that will lead you to success.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/rlw/the-profit-protection-playbook-for-contractors-5"><strong>Want more legal advice from Trent? Listen to the whole RLW!</strong></a></p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Adams &amp; Reese Construction Practice Group welcomes new counsel to its Nashville team</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/adams-reese-construction-practice-group-welcomes-new-counsel-to-its-nashville-team</link>
<description>adams-reese-construction-practice-group-welcomes-new-counsel-to-its-nashville-team</description>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:00:00 PDT</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/04/adams-reese-construction-practice-group-welcomes-new-counsel-to-its-nashville-team-i-made-the-pic.png'
            alt='Adams & Reese - Construction Practice Group Welcomes New Counsel to its Nashville Team I made the pic'
            title='Adams & Reese - Construction Practice Group Welcomes New Counsel to its Nashville Team I made the pic'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><h2>Darrick O&rsquo;Dell brings over two decades of knowledge and experience in construction litigation.</h2>

<p><a href="https://www.adamsandreese.com" target="_blank">Adams &amp; Reese</a> announces the addition of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.adamsandreese.com/people/darrick-odell?hsLang=en" rel=""><strong>Darrick O&rsquo;Dell</strong></a>&nbsp;as counsel in the firm&rsquo;s Construction Practice Group in Nashville.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With more than two decades of trial and courtroom experience, O&rsquo;Dell has built a reputation for combining deep industry knowledge with strategic, business-minded guidance that drives practical results. His practice focuses on construction litigation, large-loss property damage claims, insurance coverage disputes and general liability defense. Clients turn to O&rsquo;Dell for his extensive experience and wide-ranging perspective, which allows him to anticipate risk, manage exposure and provide efficient client-focused representation.</p>

<p>&ldquo;At Adams &amp; Reese, we hire top-level talent whose skills and knowledge strengthen our ability to deliver outstanding results for the diverse range of clients and companies we represent,&rdquo; said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.adamsandreese.com/people/guilford-thornton?hsLang=en" rel=""><strong>Gif Thornton</strong></a>, managing partner at Adams &amp; Reese. &quot;Darrick&rsquo;s seasoned experience in construction law and in high-stakes litigation makes him a tremendous asset to our Construction Practice Group. We are pleased to welcome him to the team, where he will provide trusted legal guidance to our clients in Nashville, across Tennessee and beyond.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prior to joining Adams &amp; Reese, O&#39;Dell served as primary counsel on numerous multi-million-dollar cases, representing insurance carriers, self-insured businesses and contractors in high-exposure litigation matters in both jury trials and binding arbitrations. His comprehensive construction law experience spans complex defect claims, large-loss property damage, coverage analysis and contractor liability. O&rsquo;Dell also served as outside general counsel for a national roofing and remodeling contractor, overseeing contract negotiation and drafting, employment compliance and litigation management across multiple jurisdictions nationwide.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Among his notable career achievements, O&#39;Dell obtained the dismissal of a two-million-dollar lawsuit against a general contractor through summary judgment by invoking the workers&#39; compensation exclusive remedy defense. He also secured complete defense judgments in two consecutive jury trials, occurring within two weeks of each other, regarding a products liability case and a commercial vehicle collision matter. Additionally, he obtained the dismissal of a five-million-dollar defamation case and, in doing so, secured a significant judgment for attorney fees under the Tennessee Public Participation Act.</p>

<p>&quot;Adams &amp; Reese shares my commitment to delivering both practical and strategic counsel to clients, and I am truly excited to join this great Nashville team,&quot; said Darrick O&#39;Dell. &quot;The firm&#39;s depth of resources and collaborative culture will allow me to continue providing the hands-on, client-focused representation that has been the hallmark of my practice.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>O&#39;Dell has lived in Nashville since 1993 and is a member of the Nashville Bar Association, the Tennessee Bar Association and the DRI Association of Lawyers Defending Businesses. He received his J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and earned his B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He is admitted to practice in the Tennessee State Courts and before the United States District Courts throughout Tennessee.</p>

<p><strong>About Adams &amp; Reese LLP</strong></p>

<p>Adams &amp; Reese LLP is a multidisciplinary law firm with a legacy of providing comprehensive legal services to clients across a wide range of industries. With nearly 350 attorneys and government relations advisors strategically located in 20 major cities throughout the southern and western United States, the firm serves multinational corporations, regional businesses,&nbsp;governmental entities,&nbsp;institutions and individuals in matters spanning more than 50 practice areas including corporate transactions, financial services, litigation, government relations and regulatory compliance, construction, aviation, energy, liquor and hospitality, real estate and intellectual property, among other practice areas. Founded in 1951, Adams &amp; Reese has expanded its capabilities to meet the demands of an evolving and increasingly complex legal landscape, advising clients through challenging markets, economic cycles and landmark cases. The firm&rsquo;s attorneys and government relations advisors have built a strong reputation for delivering innovative, results-driven legal counsel that is tailored to serve each client&rsquo;s objectives and needs. For more information or to see a list of services, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.adamsandreese.com" target="_blank" title="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.adamsandreese.com&amp;c=E,1,kxS11qJ36feY1Fbnn9gTSSYjZqXbGBw7QD6EOU8T1ZyTpEvrzrQ1GukTMsmokuPhIAphKLpR6_GjXaCu-jg3WnilDEoIBr0X_0dWMFV8q09fDYUeadv-U8X9uw,,&amp;typo=1">www.adamsandreese.com</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Protect your bottom line before chasing the top line</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/protect-your-bottom-line-before-chasing-the-top-line</link>
<description>protect-your-bottom-line-before-chasing-the-top-line</description>
<pubDate>Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:00:00 PDT</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/04/adams-and-reese-protect-your-bottom-line-before-chasing-the-top-line.png'
            alt='Protect your bottom line before chasing the top line'
            title='Protect your bottom line before chasing the top line'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By Emma Peterson.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Trent Cotney explains how strong legal foundations support roofing business growth and profitability.&nbsp;</h2>

<p><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/rlw/the-profit-protection-playbook-for-contractors-5">In a recent Read Listen Watch&reg; episode</a>, Megan Ellsworth hosted <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/trent-cotney-rcs-influencer">Trent Cotney</a> of <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/adams-and-reese-llp">Adams and Reese</a> for a conversation about how roofing companies should view the legal side of running a business as more than an overhead, but as a driver of profitability.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>When most roofers think about profitability, they think about sales. Trent explained, &ldquo;Everybody loves sales. Sales are fun. But too often roofers get singularly focused on those top line numbers. And if you want to grow, go from one million to five million, from five million to 10 million, you need to think more than the top line numbers. You need to think about the bottom line, the net profit of your company.&rdquo; And protecting that net profit is where proper legal structures and management become crucial.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Things like paying legal fees over disputes or OSHA fines add up and can quickly harm the bottom line of your company even if your top line, your sales, stay on track. In this way, maintaining the legal side of your business becomes far more than risk mitigation, it becomes proactive protection for your business&rsquo; success. So, where do you start when it comes to building a legal system that keeps your business&rsquo; bottom line safe so that you can improve the top line and make the net profit you want?&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Start with your documents. Trent elaborated:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote>
<p>A lot of contractors tell me that they don&rsquo;t know where to start, they don&rsquo;t know what they&rsquo;re missing. And that&rsquo;s natural. I always tell them to start off with reviewing their core documents. Imagine it as a triangle. At the top you have your customer contracts, subcontractor agreements, 1099 salesperson agreements, all those types of things. And then the next part is your safety documents, so manuals and toolbox talks. And last but not least is your employee set up. Think HR, employee manual, etc.&nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>

<p>By looking at these core documents and structures, you can make sure that you have a strong foundation of legal clarity and coverage that you can build upon as your company grows. As Trent put it, &ldquo;You need to have that framework in place to be successful, avoid needing to hire lawyers or pay fines and give yourself the space to focus on sales and the other fun things that people like.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/rlw/the-profit-protection-playbook-for-contractors-5"><strong>Listen to the whole RLW to learn more about building a legal framework that helps your roofing company grow!</strong></a></p>]]></content:encoded>
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