Cotney Consulting Group Canada

06/02/2026

Operational Tuesdays – Estimating
Labor is the hardest part of estimating to control—and the easiest to underestimate.
Historical data matters more than optimism.
Optimistic labor assumptions usually show up later as blown budgets.

06/01/2026

🏗️ This Week in Roofing History
📍 United States | 1930s
This piece comes from Mule-Hide, promoting roofing systems not just for protection—but for appearance.
“Your new roof in colors beautiful.”
That was a shift.
By the 1930s:
• Roofing manufacturers were marketing aesthetics, not just durability
• Color became a selling feature, not a byproduct
• Branding and slogans entered roofing vocabulary
• Performance was assumed—differentiation came next
The tagline says it all:
“Not a kick in a million feet.”
It’s confidence.
It’s branding.
And it’s early proof that roofing had moved beyond commodity thinking.
This era marked the beginning of roofing as a visible design choice, not just a functional necessity—especially for residential and light commercial buildings.
Today’s conversations about curb appeal, architectural compatibility, and color palettes trace directly back to moments like this, when manufacturers realized roofs weren’t just built to last—they were built to be seen.
History reminder:
The tools change.
The responsibility doesn’t.

05/31/2026

Estimating isn’t only about numbers.
It’s about understanding risk and knowing which jobs make sense for the company.
Winning work is good—winning the right work is better.

05/30/2026

🧱 Laps & Splices: Where Good Roofs Fail First ⚠️

Most modified bitumen leaks don’t start in the field—they start at the lap. Fishmouths and voids may look minor, but they’re the fastest path to water intrusion.

Here’s the correct field repair sequence:

• Cut the fishmouth or void cleanly with a hook blade so the membrane can lay flat
• Remove dirt and debris and inspect the area for water infiltration
• If moisture is present, open the membrane and replace any wet insulation or damaged deck
• Thoroughly clean and prep the repair area beyond the defect for proper tie-in
• Remove embedded aggregate and smooth the surface as needed
• Prime lightly—enough to support adhesion without saturating the membrane
• Cut a like-material patch at least 8" larger than the defect and round all corners
• Install using hot asphalt (SBS), cold adhesive, or heat welding per manufacturer requirements
• Apply firm, even pressure to fully bond the patch

If the lap isn’t sealed, the system isn’t sealed.

File this one away—small details prevent big leaks.

05/28/2026

The roofing labor shortage isn’t going away—but contractors aren’t powerless.

In this RoofersCoffeeShop article, John Kenney shares practical suggestions for recruiting, developing, and retaining roofing talent in a tight labor market.

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By Cayden Wemple. While this nationwide labor shortage has impacted the roofing industry, additional training and empowering workers can help retention. There’s no doubt that the nationwide labor shortage has been detrimental to the roofing industry, and there are some jarring numbers to back that...

05/28/2026

By Cotney Consulting Group. An extension cord is a simple piece of equipment, but like everything on a roof, it can hurt you if you are careless with it. Every roofing crew uses extension cords for power tools, compressors and generators. But they’re also one of the most overlooked hazards on a .....

05/27/2026

Financial discipline is a critical part of running a successful roofing business.

In Florida Roofing Magazine, Part Two of “Financial Management for Your Roofing Business” looks at how contractors can better manage cash flow, analyze financial performance, and make smarter operational decisions that support long-term growth.

Clear financial insight leads to stronger business outcomes.
https://issuu.com/roofingflorida/docs/frm202211_sfs
📖 Florida Roofing Magazine — November 2022, pg. 34

05/26/2026

Operational Tuesdays – Crew Leadership
Crews perform best when expectations are set before the first tool comes out.
Morning planning matters more than end-of-day corrections.
Reactive leadership costs more time than it saves.
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05/26/2026

🏗️ This Week in Roofing History
📍 York, Pennsylvania | 1930s
This ink blotter advertisement comes from York Asphalt Roofing Co., promoting slag roofs and built-up roofing systems—the backbone of early commercial and industrial roofing.
The message is clear and deliberate.
In this period:
• Built-up roofing was a specialized commercial system
• Material selection was treated as a technical decision
• Crews were described as skilled workmen, not labor
• Roof surveys were offered as a professional service
• Scale mattered—but quality mattered more
“We know how.”
That wasn’t marketing fluff—it was a credential.
The company emphasized discretion in material selection, skilled installation, and performance at scale. Even the offer to survey a roof “with no obligation” reflects an early understanding of inspection-based selling, not pressure tactics.
Slag-surfaced BUR systems demanded experience.
Poor workmanship showed quickly.
Good workmanship lasted decades.
This ad reflects a moment when commercial roofing firmly positioned itself as a professional trade, grounded in skill, inspection, and accountability.
History reminder:
The tools change.
The responsibility doesn’t.

05/20/2026

Disasters don’t wait—and reacting after the fact is costly.

In this RoofersCoffeeShop article, John Kenney explains why roofing contractors need to plan for disruptions before they happen, and how preparation improves response, recovery, and long-term stability.

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RCS Influencer John Kenney says that businesses should always have a plan in place in the off chance they experience a business crisis. Roofing contractors, like any business, may experience a crisis at some point. Various factors, such as a natural disaster, an economic downturn or a pandemic, can....