Roofing contractors will continue adopting new technology, particularly for customer service, and many are optimistic about future business, according to industry executives. However, "the material shortage issue has overtaken (the pandemic)" as the most pressing concern, says Tom Shanahan, vice president of enterprise risk management and executive education at the National Roofing Contractors Association.
The construction industry is rebounding from the worst days of the pandemic, and adjustments have been made, such as more remote work, Massaro President Steven Massaro says. In an interview, Massaro discusses other aspects of the pandemic's effect on the industry, including how on-site work has changed.
Construction is moving beyond building information modeling to add technology in other areas designed to be user-friendly. Kyle Backer explores examples, including lidar scanning for precise measurements, 360-degree cameras, and virtual and augmented reality.
The Surfside, Fla., condominium partial collapse justifies a renewed look at how materials are tested, especially as low-carbon and climate-resistant materials come to market, says Frances Yang, a sustainability expert at Arup. What's needed is "more data and transparency about the origin, the provenance of the materials and what potentially could be present so the proper kinds of tests could be run," Yang says.
The River St. Joe brewery in Michigan is based in a modified prefabricated barn with a sloping roof that overhangs an exterior patio. The roof's underlying structure is exposed and has an upside-down canoe hanging from it.
Florida-based roofing contractor Advanced Roofing and its sister company, Advanced Green Technologies, teamed up to put a roof and 2,974 solar panels on the new headquarters of Costex Tractor Parts. The roof system and the solar panel system are both intended to last 30 years.
EBSCO Information Services has awarded grants totaling $200,000 to the Hazel Park District Library in Michigan, the Medford Public Library in Massachusetts and two other entities to pay for the installation of rooftop solar panels. The Hazel Park library received $75,000 and expects to save over 80% on its monthly electricity costs.
Contractors can't afford to find out that their financial losses aren't covered by insurance, so it's important that they properly vet potential insurance partners and ensure they have relevant experience in the construction industry, Colin McPoyle writes. Avoid being too conservative when estimating potential losses and work with your broker to find opportunities to transfer risk when appropriate, McPoyle advises.
Reflecting on the importance of a good benefits package in attracting talented employees, Erica Gaynor outlines certain key considerations. Be sure to communicate about the benefits you are already providing, and benchmark your benefits against those of your competitors.
Low closing costs and interest rates make Small Business Administration 504 loans a good way to finance real estate or equipment without denting cash flow, community banker Steffen Stowell writes. Here's a list of qualifications for 504 loans, such as an average net income less than $5 million, as well as temporary fee waivers and payment relief.
This award was created to nationally recognize a roofing contractor that has contributed to the advancement of the roofing industry through technical innovation. Nominations are due July 31.
