Law and Mortar Episode 110

Law and Mortar – Episode 110

In Episode 110 of Law and Mortar, Trent Cotney and John Kenney take a hard look at the current state of the construction and roofing markets.

Contractors across the country are still busy—but as John explains, busy doesn’t always mean healthy. Over the last six months, warning signs have begun to appear in the form of declining margins, delayed project decisions, and increased cost pressures.

In this episode, Trent and John discuss:

• Why contractors must evaluate profitability, financiability, and executability before taking on work
 • Market uncertainty caused by tariffs, immigration issues, and geopolitical pressures
 • Rising fuel, freight, and material costs affecting contractor margins
 • Survival strategies during a softening market
 • The importance of disciplined estimating, labor planning, and job costing
 • Why accounts receivable management and lien rights matter more than ever

They also discuss how contractors can use AI to identify collection trends—while still maintaining hands-on oversight for overdue accounts.

This episode is a practical conversation about protecting margins, maintaining discipline, and navigating uncertain market conditions.