By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group. 

Why every roofing contractor needs an operational preparedness plan 

Forty-five years ago, when I entered the roofing industry, running a successful company meant mastering the challenges we could see. We watched the weather forecast as closely as the production schedule. We worried about keeping crews busy, delivering quality work, controlling labor costs and finding enough projects to keep everyone employed. Material prices moved from time to time, but the forces driving those changes were usually much closer to home. 

Today, roofing contractors operate in a completely different world. A drone strike on a refinery halfway around the globe can influence diesel prices. A disruption in international shipping can affect insulation lead times. Political instability on another continent can eventually show up in freight charges, manufacturing schedules and supplier quotes. 

That isn't politics. It's modern business. 

Recent events involving Russia, Ukraine and Iran have again demonstrated how interconnected the global economy has become. Our responsibility as roofing contractors is not to debate foreign policy. It is to understand how events like these can influence the businesses we lead. 

Maybe not tomorrow or next week, but history has shown that global disruptions eventually affect our estimates, purchasing decisions, project schedules and profitability. 

One lesson I have learned over more than four decades is that contractors rarely lose money because of one catastrophic event. Profits more often disappear through small adjustments: fuel rises, freight increases, lead times stretch, suppliers revise pricing, a second delivery becomes necessary or a project starts two weeks late. Individually, each issue may seem manageable. Together, they can quietly erase the margin that looked healthy when the estimate was prepared. 

That is why operational preparedness has become one of the most important responsibilities of today's roofing executives. 

The week that changed the conversation 

Recent headlines centered on military conflict, but another story was unfolding beneath them. Ukraine continued targeting Russian energy infrastructure, including refineries that produce diesel and other petroleum products. Russia then temporarily restricted diesel exports to protect domestic supply. At the same time, tensions involving Iran created additionaluncertainty in global energy markets and major international shipping routes. 

To most people, these developments may seem unrelated to construction. Experienced roofing contractors should pay attention. 

Modern roofing materials do not simply appear at the local distributor. Insulation, membranes, adhesives, fasteners and sheet metal move through a supply chain that involves raw materials, chemical production, refining, transportation, manufacturing, distribution and warehousing. Every step requires energy, transportation and cost. 

When disruption occurs at one point in the chain, pressure rarely stays isolated. Eventually, someone pays more. The question is where that additional cost enters the system. 

This is not about predicting wars or forecasting energy markets. It is about understanding operational risk. Leadership is rarely about perfectly predicting the future. It is about recognizing change early enough to make better decisions than your competitors. 

Why diesel matters more than oil 

One common misconception is that watching crude oil prices tells contractors where construction costs are headed. In reality, diesel often tells a more immediate story. Think of it this way.

Every stage of our industry depends on diesel. It moves raw materials to manufacturers, products across the country and roofing materials to distributors and jobsites. It fuels cranes, forklifts, generators, service trucks, waste haulers and heavy equipment.

Long before a crew begins installing a roof, diesel has influenced many of the costs built into that project.

Even when crude prices remain relatively stable, a loss of refining capacity can tighten diesel supplies. Freight costs rise; manufacturers pay more to move materials; distributors absorb higher transportation expenses; and contractors eventually see increases in delivery, equipment and material costs. 

I have always viewed diesel as the bloodstream of construction. When the continuous movement of materials becomes restricted or more expensive, every part of the system feels the effects. 

Understanding crack spreads without an economics degree 

If you follow energy markets, you may hear analysts discuss crack spreads. The term sounds technical, but the basic idea is straightforward. 

For a simplified illustration, imagine crude input worth $70 produces a basket of refined products worth $135. The difference is a rough proxy for the refinery's gross margin, commonly called a crack spread. It is not the refinery's final profit because it does not include all operating costs, but it shows the relationship between crude input costs and refined product prices. 

Higher crack spreads do not necessarily mean crude oil is scarce. They can mean refined products, particularly diesel, have become more valuable because supply is tight or refining capacity is constrained. 

For roofing contractors, that stress often appears first in diesel markets. Weeks later, it begins to show up in freight invoices, supplier quotes, equipment costs and project budgets. 

Understanding that connection does not make you an economist. It makes you a better business leader. 

Why roofing contractors should care 

Nearly everything we do touches diesel. Suppliers use it to move materials from plants to distribution centers. Distributors use it to replenish inventory and deliver to jobsites. Crane companies, trucking firms, waste haulers and equipment-rental providers depend on diesel-powered equipment. Service fleets burn fuel every day. 

These expenses usually do not arrive as one dramatic increase. They appear as freight adjustments, fuel surcharges, higher delivery charges, increased disposal costs, added mobilization and schedule changes caused by longer lead times. 

Each adjustment may seem manageable. Collectively, they can erase thousands of dollars in profit before substantial completion. 

Successful contractors do not wait until those increases appear on an invoice. They monitor the conditions creating them because protecting profitability begins long before the first bundle of material reaches the jobsite. 

The MDI lesson isn't going away 

For commercial roofing contractors, the discussion of insulation is immediately familiar. Polyisocyanurate insulation has demonstrated how vulnerable a supply chain can become when a critical raw material such as MDI is constrained. 

Contractors have experienced the effects of shortages, allocation programs, longer lead times and rapidly changing prices. The lesson is not simply that MDI became difficult to obtain. It is that chemical production, energy, refining, transportation and distribution are connected. 

Fuel problems do not replace chemical shortages; they amplify them.  

An estimator may use last month's insulation pricing. A project manager may assume normal lead times. A salesperson may promise an installation date based on yesterday's availability. By the time of contract award, the assumptions supporting the job may already have changed. 

Fuel, freight, insulation and material availability cannot be managed as separate issues. Understanding how they interact gives leadership teams time to make better decisions before the market forces them to. 

Understanding the roofing cost cascade 

Cost increases do not begin when a supplier changes a price. The supplier is often one of the last participants affected. The process may begin weeks or months earlier as one disruption creates the next consequence. 

The farther upstream a disruption begins, the more time contractors may have to prepare, provided they are watching the right indicators. This is what I call the Roofing Cost Cascade. 

By the time a supplier announces an increase, the market may have been adjusting for weeks. Prepared contractors stop asking only, “Why did prices go up?” They also ask, “What indicators are telling us prices could change?” 

The goal is not to predict the future. It is to reduce surprises. 

Operational preparedness is a competitive advantage 

Years ago, operational preparedness usually meant planning for hurricanes, severe weather or seasonal workload changes. Today, it means building an organization capable of adapting to disruption regardless of where it begins. 

Preparedness is not predicting the next crisis. It is creating systems that allow your company to respond faster and more intelligently when conditions change. 

Average companies react after suppliers announce a change. Exceptional companies are already discussing possibilities with suppliers before making formal announcements. Average companies scramble to protect margins. Exceptional companies build protection into estimating, procurement and financial planning before the disruption reaches the job. 

Preparedness does not eliminate uncertainty. It creates options, and options are among the greatest competitive advantages a roofing company can possess. 

The five pillars of operational preparedness 

1. Supplier diversification: Strong relationships matter, but no contractor should be overly dependent on one manufacturer, distributor or product line. Know your approved alternatives before you need them. 
2. Financial flexibility: Volatile markets expose weak cash flow quickly. Healthy reserves, disciplined financial controls and available credit give a company time and choices. 
3. Estimating discipline: Every estimate should use verified supplier pricing, realistic freight assumptions, clear quote expiration dates and appropriate escalation language. An estimate is not simply a selling document; it is a risk-management document. 
4. Operational execution: Procurement timing, material sequencing, storage, delivery coordination and communication are not administrative tasks. They are profit-protection activities. 
5. Leadership awareness: Roofing executives do not need to become economists, but they do need to understand fuel, freight, labor, insurance, interest rates, commodities, weather, supplier health and global supply chains. Leadership requires seeing beyond the jobsite. 

Estimating during volatile markets 

This is where profitability is protected or quietly surrendered. Estimating is about more than mathematics; it is about managing uncertainty. 

Every estimate includes assumptions about labor productivity, material pricing, equipment, freight, fuel, waste, travel, storage and delivery timing. The best estimators do more than verify the numbers. They ask whether the assumptions behind those numbers remain valid. 

During volatile markets, quote-validity periods may need to be shorter. Supplier confirmations should become routine. Freight assumptions and insulation pricing should be rechecked before major proposals are submitted. Escalation language should be discussed with customers before award, not after costs have moved. 

Some contractors worry these conversations will make proposals harder to sell. Perhaps they will. But losing a project after explaining the risk honestly is better than winning one that loses money because the risk was ignored. 

Professional communication builds trust. Surprises destroy it. 

Project management during supply volatility 

Once the contract is signed, the risk moves from estimating to operations. Every unnecessary reorder becomes more expensive because the company is not only replacing material; it may also be paying additional freight, equipment time, labor disruption and administrative cost. 

Project managers who look several weeks ahead consistently outperform those focused only on today's activities. Materials should be ordered strategically, deliveries coordinated carefully, storage planned deliberately and communication maintained continuously. 

Companies that excel during uncertain markets are not always working harder. They are operating with greater discipline. 

Leadership during uncertainty 

Contractors do not need another reason to worry. They need information they can act on. 

If owners react emotionally to every headline, they create confusion. If they ignore changing conditions, they risk being caught unprepared. Strong leaders do neither. They stay informed without overreacting, ask better questions and communicate clearly. 

Employees do not expect leaders to predict the future. They expect leaders to prepare for it. 

The new responsibilities of roofing executives 

Twenty-five years ago, many roofing owners focused primarily on local competition, labor, weather and production. Those responsibilities remain, but today's executives also need to be aware of fuel, freight, insurance, interest rates, commodities, material availability, supplier financial health and global events. 

That does not mean contractors must become economists. It means they must become better business leaders who understand both what is happening inside the company and the outside forces that could influence it tomorrow. 

The Monday morning action plan 

If I were meeting with a roofing contractor Monday morning, I would recommend ten immediate actions: 

1. Ask primary suppliers what they are seeing in freight, insulation availability and lead times. 
2. Review outstanding proposals and verify that material pricing remains current. 
3. Reevaluate quote-validity periods on projects not yet awarded. 
4. Review fuel budgets and operating costs for service vehicles and equipment. 
5. Identify backlog projects most vulnerable to material-price changes. 
6. Confirm insulation availability before crews are scheduled. 
7. Discuss procurement risks and delivery schedules with project managers. 
8. Review escalation language and purchasing procedures. 
9. Identify alternative suppliers before they are needed. 
10. Communicate early when market conditions could affect customer pricing or schedules. 

None of these actions require panic. They require preparation. That is the difference between reacting to disruption and managing it. 

Preparing for what comes next 

We cannot control wars, refinery outages, shipping disruptions, diesel markets, chemical shortages or geopolitical uncertainty. We can control how prepared our companies are. 

Operational preparedness is no longer reserved for the nation's largest contractors. It is an essential leadership responsibility for every roofing company that wants to protect margins, serve customers well and remain profitable during uncertain times. 

Every generation of contractors has faced uncertainty. Early in my career, we dealt with recessions, severe weather, labor shortages and the daily challenge of keeping crews productive. More recently, the industry has managed through COVID-19, supply chain disruptions, inflation and a marketplace where events thousands of miles away can influence the estimate sitting on your desk. 

The challenges will continue to change. Leadership will not. 

The companies that consistently succeed will not necessarily be those that predict every disruption. They will be the ones that build organizations capable of adapting to whatever comes next. 

In today's roofing industry, operational preparedness is not simply good management. It has become one of the strongest competitive advantages a roofing company can build. 

Por Emma Peterson, traducido por Alberto Torres. 

Participa para tener la oportunidad de acceder a sesiones educativas de primer nivel, eventos para establecer contactos, almuerzos y una de las exposiciones comerciales más importantes de la industria. 

RoofersCoffeeShop® se ha unido a Western Colloid para enviar a cinco profesionales a la Western Roofing Expo (WRE). Reconocida como uno de los principales eventos regionales de techado e impermeabilización en Estados Unidos, la WRE es una exposición organizada por la Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). El evento se llevará a cabo del 27 al 29 de septiembre en el hotel Paris Las Vegas y contará con educación, oportunidades para establecer contactos y mucho más.

Los cinco (5) afortunados ganadores de nuestro concurso recibirán un paquete con valor de $500.00 para asistir al evento (viaje y hospedaje no incluidos). Este paquete incluye acceso a: 

• Sesiones de Western Roofing en español: ¡Este año, el evento contará con cuatro seminarios y dos sesiones de almuerzo y aprendizaje impartidas en español! Los temas van desde cómo contratar al equipo de techado adecuado hasta cómo maximizar las reclamaciones de seguros comerciales. Además, la increíble lista de presentadores incluye a Amparo Sancen de Latinos En Roofing, Monica Vornbrock de The GLO Group e Imelda Perez de CertainTeed. 
• Sesiones educativas: En cuanto a las sesiones educativas en inglés, el evento de este año contará con cuatro bloques diferentes. 
  • El primer bloque (de 8:45 a.m. a 10:00 a.m. el lunes 28 de septiembre de 2026) contará con una variedad de presentadores, incluida Heidi J. Ellsworth de The Coffee Shops™. 
  • Entre los aspectos destacados del segundo bloque (de 10:15 a.m. a 11:30 a.m. el lunes 28 de septiembre de 2026) se encuentran la sesión sobre estimaciones de John Kenney de Cotney Consulting y la clase sobre mitigación de riesgos de Trent Cotney de Adams and Reese. 
  • En el tercer bloque (de 8:45 a.m. a 10:00 a.m. el martes 29 de septiembre de 2026), no querrás perderte la mesa redonda sobre techado del Comité de Jóvenes Profesionales de Roofing de WSRCA, dirigida por Rachel Garcia de Malarkey Roofing Products, así como la charla sobre salud mental de Paul Reed de Roofers in Recovery. 
  • Y en el cuarto bloque (de 10:15 a.m. a 11:30 a.m. el martes 29 de septiembre de 2026), nuestros amigos Mindy Dahlquist (TRA Snow and Sun), Brian Chamberlain (Carlisle Construction Materials) y Tracey Donels (Service First Solutions) presentarán sesiones informativas y dinámicas. 
• Piso de exhibición: Como siempre, el piso de exhibición promete ser una gran oportunidad para conocer las últimas innovaciones y las tecnologías más recientes de la industria, con demostraciones de productos cada hora. Y, como ya es tradición, los profesionales del techado podrán recorrer el piso de exhibición de manera gratuita, lo que lo convierte en una oportunidad inigualable para conectar con otros profesionales de la industria. 
• Almuerzo legislativo: El primero de los dos almuerzos que se llevarán a cabo durante el evento de este año estará a cargo de Craig Brightup de The Brightup Group y Chad Collins de la National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). Durante esta sesión se analizarán cambios y acontecimientos importantes que están ocurriendo en Washington, D.C., y que tienen un impacto en la industria del techado. 
• Almuerzo anual: En cuanto al segundo almuerzo, esta será tu oportunidad de escuchar a la conferencista principal de WRE 2026, Shereen Thor. Shereen es una comediante que se convirtió en coach profesional, y su conferencia será un gran recurso para profesionales y dueños de negocios en cualquier etapa de sus carreras. 

¿Quieres tener la oportunidad de ganar acceso a todo esto e impulsar tu negocio en WRE 2026? ¡Participa en el concurso Spin to Win de RoofersCoffeeShop y Western Colloid! El concurso cerrará el 22 de agosto de 2026 y los ganadores se anunciarán en vivo durante el episodio de Weekly Blend del 24 de agosto de 2026. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Enter for an opportunity to access top-tier educational sessions, networking events, luncheons and an industry-leading trade show floor. 

RoofersCoffeeShop® is partnering with Western Colloid to send five professionals to the 2026 Western Roofing Expo (WRE)! Known as the premier regional roofing and waterproofing event in the United States, WRE is a trade show hosted by the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). The show, which runs September 27-29 at the Paris Las Vegas, features education, networking and more. 

The five (5) lucky winners of our contest will be given an all-inclusive package ($500.00 value, travel and hotel not included) to the show. This package includes access to:  

• Western Roofing en Español sessions: This year’s show will have four seminars and two lunch-and-learn sessions taught in Spanish! Topics range from hiring the right roofing team to maximizing commercial claims. And the incredible speaker list includes Amparo Sancen of Latinos En Roofing, Monica Vornbrock of the GLO Group and Imelda Perez from CertainTeed. 
• Educational sessions: As for the English-language education sessions, this year’s show boasts four different blocks of session.  
  • The first block (8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026) will feature a variety of speakers including The Coffee Shops™’ own Heidi J. Ellsworth!  
  • Some highlights of block two (10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026) include John Kenney of Cotney Consulting’s estimating session and Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese’s risk mitigation class.  
  • In block three (8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026), you’ll want to make sure to catch the WSRCA Young Roofing Professionals Committee’s roofing roundtable, led by Malarkey Roofing Products’ Rachel Garcia as well as Paul Reed of Roofers in Recovery’s mental health talk.  
  • And in block four (10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026), our friends Mindy Dahlquist (TRA Snow and Sun), Brian Chamberlain (Carlisle Construction Materials) and Tracey Donels (Service First Solutions) will all be hosting informative and engaging sessions. 
• Trade show floor: As always, the trade show floor promises to be a great opportunity to see the latest innovations and newest technology in the industry as product demos will be hosted on the hour. And, per tradition, roofers will walk free on the show floor – making it an unmatched opportunity for peer-to-peer networking.  
• Legislative luncheon: The first of the two luncheons that will be held at this year’s show, the legislative luncheon will be hosted by Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group, and Chad Collins, National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). It will dive into key changes and developments happening in Washington, D.C. that relate to roofing. 
• Annual luncheon: As for the second luncheon, this is your opportunity to hear from the WRE 2026 keynote speaker – Shereen Thor. Shereen is a comedian turned coach whose keynote will be a great resource to professionals and business owners in all parts of their careers. 

Want a chance to win access to all that and boost your business at WRE 2026? Enter the RoofersCoffeeShop and Western Colloid Spin to Win contest! The contest will close August 22, 2026, and announced live on the August 24, 2026 Weekly Blend episode. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn about all the events, seminars and exhibitors that will be at this year’s Western Roofing Expo. 

Navigating today’s roofing industry can be a bit of a challenge. Whether you’re facing more extreme storms in the field or juggling labor issues and material shortages in the office, it can be hard to stay up to date with the information and tools you need to succeed. Luckily, the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) hosts a two-day event designed to help professionals handle all those issues and more – Western Roofing Expo (WRE).  

This premier regional roofing and waterproofing event boasts a two-day trade show, over two dozen education seminars, multiple engaging luncheons, The Roofing Games™ shingling competition, golf and sporting clays tournaments, a live auction, product demonstrations and more! Keep reading to learn about what to expect from this year’s show, which will be held September 27-29, 2026 at the Paris Las Vegas! 

The core of the show 

The core of the show occurs on Monday (9/28) and Tuesday (9/29) with 30 seminars planned, two luncheons organized and a trade show floor that is free for contractors to attend. 

The seminars at WRE are a great way to upgrade your skills! Experts from across the industry will be teaching about everything from business management to technical developments. And if you’re a part of The Coffee Shops™ family, there will be a lot of familiar faces like Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese, Amparo Sancen from Latinos En Roofing, John Kenney from Cotney Consulting Group and our very own president, Heidi J. Ellsworth!  

As for the luncheons, WSRCA has organized two invaluable luncheons for WRE attendees. The first will be hosted on Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and is presented by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group, and Chad Collins, NRCA, will take this opportunity to talk to attendees about the key developments in Washington D.C. that are impacting the roofing industry.  

The second luncheon will run at the same time (11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) on Tuesday and is sponsored by Malarkey Roofing Products. This luncheon gives attendees an opportunity to hear from the WRE 2026 keynote speaker – Shereen Thor. Shereen is a comedian turned coach who has worked with organizations like Google, Pandora, Slack, Safe Place For Youth and The Social Justice Learning Institute. Her keynote will be a great resource to professionals and business owners in all parts of their careers.  

And last but not least, the trade show floor will be open both Monday and Tuesday. This is a great opportunity to see the latest innovations and newest technology in the industry as product demos will be hosted on the hour. At that same demo stage there will also be the return of the much-anticipated Roofing Games on Tuesday!  

The trade show is a great opportunity to talk to representatives of leading companies around the industry. And the best part? The exhibit floor is FREE for contractors and roofers to attend! We’ll be in booth 12, so make sure to stop by and say hi, and we have countless industry friends who will be around the floor, such as Anchor Products (815), APOC (609), BITEC (151), Brava Roof Tile (840), Carlisle Architectural Metals (509), Drexel Metals (509), Equipter (826), Integrity Insurance & Bonding (360), Lakeside Construction Fasteners (154), New Tech Machinery (356), PABCO Roofing Products (703), Rocket Equipment (638), RoofScope (822), Sentry Building Innovations (150) and VELUX (361). 

Additional events and more 

In addition to the core two days, there are extra events both before (Sunday, 9/27) and after (Wednesday, 9/30). On Sunday, the Davis Memorial Foundation will host two tournaments, one sporting clays tournament and one golf tournament. The proceeds from these events go directly to the Davis Memorial Foundation Scholarship Fund. The scholarships from this fund have helped more than 195 aspiring high school, undergraduate and graduate students pursue their dreams. These events have their own registration and their own fees. 

And on that Wednesday, the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants will host a special education day. This event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will elevate attendees’ expertise in the building enclosure industry. It features two courses, one about the fundamentals of roof assemblies and the other highlighting key updates to international codes. The registration and fees for this education day are separate from general registration. 

Get registered and reserved 

Registration for the 2026 WRE is now open! You can register online, again the show will be held at the Paris in Las Vegas, Nevada from September 27-29, 2026. Being at the Paris, there are many options for hotels nearby. WSRCA has worked specifically with the Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood and Horseshoe Hotel to get discounted room blocks that start as low as $91.  

Not sure if you can make the registration fee work in your budget? RoofersCoffeeShop® is partnering with Western Colloid to send five professionals to the show for free! By entering our contest, you get the chance to win an all-inclusive pass to the show, which gives you access to the trade show, annual luncheon, en Español content, educational sessions and the legislative luncheon.  

Learn more about the 2026 WRE show!

By John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group.

Tips for staying alert in building maintenance.

There’s a unique mindset that comes with building maintenance work. Unlike construction crews who move from project to project, maintenance technicians return to the same properties day after day. They know the buildings, understand the systems and learn the expected routine. But that familiarity can also create one of the most dangerous conditions on any jobsite: complacency.

Maintenance work rarely looks dramatic from the outside. It might be replacing ceiling tiles, fixing a door hinge, servicing HVAC units, changing lighting, repairing leaks or adjusting equipment. But behind those tasks are real hazards — electrical exposure, fall risks, confined spaces, awkward lifting, sharp edges, wet floors, chemical interactions and mechanical components that don’t forgive mistakes. When a task feels “simple,” that’s precisely when people let their guard down. 

The danger of the “same old” mindset

In maintenance, it’s easy to assume nothing will go wrong because nothing went wrong last time. A technician may climb the same ladder, open the same access panel or service the same pump they’ve handled a hundred times before. That familiarity becomes muscle memory, and muscle memory can quietly override safety steps. 

We’ve all seen it — a worker skipping lockout/tagout. They believe the equipment is “off,” performing a quick fix on a ladder that should have been moved, or using makeshift tools because the right one is in the truck. These shortcuts don’t come from recklessness. They come from routine. And routine doesn’t protect anyone when conditions shift unexpectedly. 

Understanding the real risks of maintenance work 

Every building has its own hidden dangers. Whether it’s commercial, residential or industrial, maintenance teams encounter a wide variety of hazards: 

• Electrical panels, lighting circuits and machinery resets 
• Slippery floors or wet areas near plumbing repairs 
• Dust, mold or debris in ceiling spaces or mechanical rooms 
• Ladders and elevated access points 
• Confined or poorly ventilated spaces 
• Heavy lifting during equipment replacements 

These risks don’t disappear because the technician knows the space. If anything, familiarity can mask just how unpredictable building environments can be, especially when interacting systems overlap. 

Slow down to speed up

Maintenance workers often feel pressure to move quickly — especially when tenants, customers or workers are waiting on a repair. But rushing is a leading cause of accidents. 

The safest technicians share a common habit: they take a moment before each task to evaluate the environment. They look for wet floors, live circuits, unstable surfaces, missing guards or environmental changes since their last visit. They check that tools and PPE match the task. That 30-second pause is often the difference between a routine fix and an incident report. 

Re-emphasize the basics repeatedly 

Because maintenance tasks vary so widely, the basics matter more than anything: 

• Always test before you touch — especially with electrical systems 
• Never assume equipment is de-energized 
• Use ladders correctly and never “make do” with unsafe positioning 
• Wear PPE even when the job feels minor 
• Communicate about hazards, especially in occupied buildings 
• Maintain clear walkways and work zones 

These practices are simple, but they’re often skipped when tasks feel too routine. Reinforcement from supervisors and leads ensures that consistency doesn’t slip. 

Document, communicate and train 

Maintenance departments thrive when they operate with the same discipline as a construction site. That means: 

• Clear service logs 
• Defined SOPs 
• Documented hazards 
• Toolbox talks tailored to recent issues 
• Routine safety refreshers 

Technicians should know which tasks require additional personnel, when to escalate hazards and when to stop work entirely. A culture that values communication prevents minor problems from becoming emergencies. 

Familiar doesn’t equal safe 

Building maintenance teams are the unseen backbone of many facilities. They keep operations running, solve problems before anyone notices and protect the lifespan of every central system. But their work is only safe when they treat every task — even the smallest — with the respect it deserves. 

Routine tasks still carry real risks. And when maintenance workers stay alert, follow their process and recognize how easily familiarity can become complacency, they protect not just themselves but everyone who relies on the building. 

The next time you walk into a mechanical room, climb a ladder or open a familiar access panel, take a moment to reset. Treat the task as if it’s the first time — that mindset is what keeps maintenance professionals safe day after day. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how Cotney Consulting Group’s training elevates individuals, businesses and the industry as a whole.  

Having a properly trained team is one of the biggest factors in not only promoting individual growth but also long-term business success. But, in the busy world of roofing, it can be hard to find time for training. To solve this problem, John Kenney and the team at Cotney Consulting Group have developed online training courses that help train everyone from estimators to project managers and superintendents. To learn more about this, Megan Ellsworth sat down with John for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

John started by sharing some philosophy behind Cotney’s training courses: 

Most field leaders are promoted because they're great roofers. You do your job very well and you go into the next position. What we realized is that when they make that jump, they don’t always get the training they need to succeed. So, our programs were built to help bridge that gap...The goal is to give these leaders confidence and structure so they're not reacting all day and they're actually managing proactively.  

By switching to proactive management strategies, not only will the individuals getting trained find more success in their new position, the entire business and roofing industry will benefit as well. John explained, “From an individual standpoint, training and certifications create pride, credibility and a clear growth path; all of which are important for retaining good people. That retention helps businesses and having those skilled and credible folks in in the roofing world standardizes the industry.” 

And you don’t have to take John’s word alone for the benefits of Cotney’s proactive management training. Contractors and professionals who have taken the courses find that their communication improves greatly, and they finally understand why things went wrong on past jobs and how to prevent problems from continuing.  

Interested in signing up for training? Visit www.shopcotneycg.com to see available course! Want to hear more from John? Listen to the whole Roofing Road Trip podcast!

By Emma Peterson. 

Whether you’re new to the industry or a veteran, Cotney Consulting Group has online training that can help you grow.  

In the roofing industry, training is the key to sustainable growth, both for individual careers and for businesses on the whole. But finding time to fit that training into a busy schedule can be difficult. Luckily, Cotney Consulting Group, a leading roofing business consulting firm, has developed training courses that can be taken at your own pace from your own office. 

These online training courses are a great opportunity for roofers to improve their skills and increase their profitability. As John Kenney, CEO of Cotney puts it, “Cotney Consulting Group helps roofing contractors find success by focusing on the operational review of their companies combined with industry-specific online and in-person training resources...Each client’s journey is different, but the destination is always the same: successful transformation [that increases] revenues and profitability.” 

Cotney has trainings for every role in your business, from your estimator to your foreman, marketing specialist and service team. Here are a few of their offerings:  

• Roofing Estimator Advanced Training: Designed for those who want to refresh or improve upon existing estimating skills, this specialized course will take anyone’s roofing estimation acumen to the next level.  
• Director of Estimating Training: This one-on-one training opportunity is perfect for individuals who want to develop both their career and their business. 
• Roofing Project Manager Training: Dynamic and self-paced, this course takes participants through the essentials of managing roofing construction projects, both from organizational and strategic perspectives. More than an educational experience, this training course is a game changer for those looking to climb the roofing managerial career ladder. 
• Roofing Superintendent Training: This course equips attendees with the skills needed to run efficient jobsites. Covering topics like construction contract basics, project organization, subcontractor collaboration, claims management, quality control and effective communication, this is a must-attend session for those looking to rise to the position of roofing superintendent. 

All of these trainings from Cotney are based on real-world learning, as John explained:  

We did not learn business consulting from a book but with real-world experience. CCG brings 45+ years of experience running eight-figure, multi-million-dollar roofing companies. This positions us ahead of other business consultants solving the problems roofing contractors face daily. 

Get started with Cotney Consulting Group's online training today!

By Emma Peterson. 

APOC’s latest study quantifies the performance and profitability of roof restoration projects.  

In May of 2026, APOC, a leading liquid-applied roof restoration manufacturer and a member of ICP Building Solutions Group, released a new benchmark study all about the performance and profitability of roof restoration projects. The study compared restoration practices to traditional reroofing methods and showcased a shift that many contractors have experienced colloquially – that in an increasingly constrained labor and cost environment, restoration can be a powerful and profitable path forward.  

How the study was conducted 

This study is a part of APOC’s broader commitment to “innovation, education and industry leadership, equipping professionals with the tools, training and insights needed to maximize performance in the field.” In the study, APOC compared key performance indicators of 118 commercial roofing projects, noting which ones used restoration methods versus which went the traditional reroofing route. These indicators include profitability, labor efficiency, timeline and margin strength.  

The study was developed in partnership with Cotney Consulting Group, a roofing-specific consulting firm led by roofing leader John Kenney. John shared his thoughts about the importance of this survey, adding, “I’ve been in this industry for over 40 years, and most of that time it’s been widely accepted that restoration is the more profitable path when the roof supports it. But widely accepted and proven are two different things. This study closes that gap. Finish faster, run a smaller crew, keep more margin. That’s not theory anymore; now we can show you the numbers.” 

Key findings  

The numbers show that restoration delivered average gross margins around 43% (outperforming many reroofs which have typical margins between 30%–60%), required up to 85% less labor intensity than tear offs and could be completed with crews 1/3 smaller than reroof crews. These are just three examples of the study’s findings, which all support the idea that restoration “minimizes operational disruption for building owners, reduces project risk and supports scalability across a wide range of commercial roof sizes.” 

As Johnny Walker, a national technical manager at APOC, explained:  

At a time when contractors are under pressure to do more with less, this research provides clear, quantifiable evidence that restoration is not just a viable alternative, but it’s often the smarter business decision. At APOC, we’ve always believed in the power of restoration, when viable. Now we can show contractors exactly why it makes sense to their bottom line. 

Access the full restoration index report for free!

The board supports the RT3 mission and leads the organization in its efforts to educate and advance technology in the roofing industry. 

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, announced Brad Strawbridge, founder & CEO of Capital City Roofing and co-founder and CEO of BuilderLync as its newest board member.

“The roofing industry is at a technology inflection point, and most contractors are still watching from the sideline. RT3 is the room where that gets changed,” said Strawbridge. “As a new board member, I am excited to help shape the next three years of contractor technology, not just sit in on the conversations about it.

Karen Edwards, RT3 executive director, commented, “Brad is bringing his passion for technology and love of the industry to the organization. We are excited to have him be part of our leadership team.”

Other board members continuing their service include:

• Wendy Marvin, Matrix Roofing & Home Solutions, president
• John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group, treasurer
• Jon Gardner, Owens Corning, board member
• Rich Carroll, Carroll Consulting Group, board member
• Jeremy Dickmann, Apollo Primm Commercial Roofing, board member 

RT3 also extends its gratitude to Thomas Basch, Infinity Home Services, for his commitment to the organization during his term on the board.

Follow RT3 on social media for continuing updates and listen to the RT3 podcast on your favorite listening platform.

About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) strives to find innovative technology solutions to be used within the roofing industry. RT3 provides insights from progressive thought leaders both inside and outside the roofing industry along with practical resources for implementing potential solutions successfully. The organization will encourage and enable contractors to embrace technology as they seek to grow their businesses. With a commitment to disseminate technology advancement information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry. Learn more at www.rt3thinktank.com.

By Emma Peterson.  

A conversation with John Kenney on preparing for the integration of robotics and automation. 

In a new Read Listen Watch® (RLW), Karen Edwards sat down with John Kenney to talk about robotics and automation in the roofing industry. John is the CEO of Cotney Consulting Group and no stranger to these types of foundational industry shifts, having been in the roofing world for over 45 years as a contractor prior to taking on his current role as a consultant.  

The first thing he emphasized about automation in roofing is that we are not going to be taken over by robots. He shared, “A lot of times when we get into these topics, people start thinking about robots taking over, or some other futuristic science fiction scenario, and that's really not where we're going.” 

So, what are we using robotics for? Many leading manufacturers, such as Hyundai Motor Group and Boston Dynamics, are investing in robotics and automation as long-term, scalable investments. John explained what is motivating these companies to take this step, saying, “We're getting to the point where major manufacturers are trying to solve issues like labor shortages, safety exposures and productivity pressures and the answer they are coming to is robotics.”  

These issues might sound very familiar to roofers, as they are the same issues that our industry has been facing for the last few decades. John shared some thoughts about this crossover of issues:  

Big factories are the proving grounds; they're a controlled environment which gives robotic companies a place to improve reliability, safety, movement, decision making and human interaction. So, the future I see is the further maturing of these systems and then the introduction of them into labor-intensive and high-risk industries with similar issues – like roofing...That doesn't mean that robots suddenly are going to show up replacing crews next year. But it does mean our industry is now officially on the radar, and it's time to start taking robotics and automation seriously.  

What can you do to prepare for the introduction of robotics? John recommends reviewing the core operations and procedures your business is built on. He explained, “You have to ask yourself whether your operations are ready for automation if it becomes practical. Because technologies don't fix chaos, they actually expose it. And that's a big thing people are starting to find out with things like AI...So as I always say, before you worry about things like robots, make sure your own workflows are functioning consistently from estimating all the way up to production.” 

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording to learn more about robotics and the roofing industry.