More on Canadian Tariffs and Ken Kelly’s Return to Roofing

By Trent Cotney, Attorney at Law, Art Aisner, Editor-in-Chief

The tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Canada last month – and the proposed Canadian pushback -- sparked concern across multiple industries.

RC Legal Insights Expert Trent Cotney, partner with Adams & Reese, recently weighed in on the impact of proposed tariffs on Canadian imports that are already affecting construction material pricing. Although negotiations may still be underway, and the tariffs may not take effect as proposed, Cotney still urged roofing contractors to review their contracts and estimating practices.

Roofing Contractor presents The Best of Success Podcast Show

Lessons Learned in Private Equity Sale

Tariffs between the U.S. and Canada are creating potential pricing challenges for roofing contractors, particularly for materials, equipment and tools. Roofing Contractor Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney recommends reviewing contracts and adding price-escalation and material-substitution clauses to help manage unexpected costs and availability issues.

He recommends a straightforward review of every contract, and every new contract should include price escalation clauses that address sudden increases in material costs for the future.

“It’s not every single category of construction materials that come from Canada,” Cotney said. “But, still, it impacts everything – from those materials to the potential equipment and tools, and that’s something that could ultimately impact pricing on projects.”

They should also have material substitution provisions that provide flexibility if certain products become prohibitively expensive or unavailable.

Cotney also addressed other recent headlines grabbing the roofing industry, like Ken Kelly’s return to the industry. The former RC Residential Roofing Contractor of the Year recently bought his business back from private equity ownership after it shut down unexpectedly after more than 50 years.

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Trent Cotney is a Partner with Adams & Reese and a Florida Bar Board Certified Construction Lawyer, licensed to practice in multiple states across the U.S. and in Canada. With nearly 25 years of experience, Trent has dedicated his career to serving the construction and roofing industries. He is a zealous advocate for the international commercial roofing sector and serves as general counsel for over 10 prominent trade associations and organizations, including the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), National Slate Association, Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), and Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). Trent’s commitment to the industry extends beyond legal counsel; he is an active participant in education, advocacy, and innovation, working tirelessly to address the challenges contractors face and advance the industry as a whole. Known for his deep understanding of construction law and unwavering dedication, Trent Cotney remains a trusted advisor and leader in the roofing community.

Art Aisner is Editor-in-Chief of Roofing Contractor and Roofing Supply Pro. He spent the bulk of his career as a multi-media journalist for newspapers and television stations before joining the RC team in 2015. He is the driving force behind the publication’s content development, editorial strategy and other initiatives that serve growing audiences in the roofing space.