Roofing Contractor Blog

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"When you put the car in the ditch, the first thing you need to do is stop spinning the wheels.”

One of the benefits of my job is the ability to view construction projects in progress throughout the country. During a recent trip to Indianapolis, I took a few minutes to take in Marriott Place, a stunning downtown development slated for completion in February 2011.

Over the last several years, buildings and their key components are being scrutinized in terms of their long-term impact on the environment and their contribution to a sustainable society. Roofing systems, in particular, have received much of the attention.

In a tight economy in which building owners are hoping to stretch every dollar, roof maintenance might be more important than ever.

Several months ago I applied to join the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. As part of the “2009 Mekong Build," the Carters will build homes in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International volunteers and families in five different countries.

Everything that goes right and goes wrong can be traced back to how we do this simple but vital first step with the customer.

The annual Remodeling Show took place in Indianapolis last week. I used the opportunity to poll contractors at the show, who were mostly from the Midwest.

Rod Menzel is the founder and co-owner of GreatWay Roofing Inc. in Moorpark, Calif. After attending the Roofing Contractor Best of Success conference in 2007, he implemented several ideas that revolutionized his business, and he shared his experience with this year’s attendees in a session titled “Rebranding: Expect a Great Experience.”

Around this time in 2008 I was thinking 2009 was going to be a real bust; a rebuilding year at best and a real bear at worst. Well, we saw some of that and for some it was way better and for others it was way tougher. Now, looking ahead at 2010, I have a sense that the overall market is in for a tough winter with hope for real recovery in the construction industry beginning later in the year.

Living on caffeine, nicotine and something else?