Flashings are the most common source of roof problems. Leaks often occur at these areas due to improper termination design, improper workmanship or use of inappropriate materials. Oftentimes flashing design is omitted from project specifications and it falls upon the roofing contractor to provide guidance in these locations.
My good friend, Tom, caught me by surprise the other day. My pastor needed some help with the storm-damaged roof on his home and I was on the phone with Tom discussing how he might help out. He said something to the effect of, “You still writing the ‘good news’ editorial in the roofing magazine?” I bit my tongue, and instead of responding with, “Yeah, why the hell are you not reading it every month?” I asked what he meant with the “good news” comment.
Amazing, isn’t it, that 41 years after being honorably discharged from the service, this veteran can still recite his military serial number instantly. I’m pretty sure I could still field strip an M-14 rifle as well. (OK, I might poke myself in the eye trying to present arms, but close order drill was never my favorite thing.) The U.S. military has its wacky ways, but I have to admit military training sure does lock in the lessons intended.
Metal roofs are now common sights on schools, shopping plazas, churches and municipal buildings. The aesthetic value of metal roof systems is making them more appealing to the architectural community.
When you are struggling to sell your higher end products, introduce less expensive options. You will be surprised to discover that your clients still purchase the more expensive goods. The response results from a psychological phenomenon called the Law of Contrast. When two options are presented side-by-side, the law of contrast reveals that people will choose the preferred option even at a higher price.
Things are tight and still getting tighter. How much can we cut our already lean bids and still get the job? If we eventually win the bid, can our crew feasibly get it done given the M-L-E (material, labor, equipment) ratio so common these days? If we unfortunately forgot something critical in the estimate, is there enough “fat” somewhere to balance the loss or will the profit column have to take the hit? What if four “weather days” in September turn unexpectedly into 14 come October?
Since 2007 when the nation’s economy began sliding into recession, warning signs started pointing to the kind of thing that happens when unemployment begins to rise. Notably, there has been an increase in “shrinkage” - everything from break-ins to white-collar theft.
As new construction starts plummet, many builders have begun shifting their business from new construction to remodeling. It’s easy to assume many won’t understand remodeling. But make no mistake that some will not be worse, but actually will be better business operations than their more experienced remodeling competitors.
About a decade ago I attended a seminar by businessman and author Jack Stack that remains vivid in memory as filled with uncommon common sense. Stack is known as the father of “Open-Book Management,” a methodology centered around sharing financial and decision-making duties among all employees.
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