10 Headlines That Captivated Contractors in 2016

Crime captured contractors’ attention in 2016 with many of the most viewed articles centering on OSHA-related violations and other malfeasance. But contractors also showed keen interest in market trends and an incoming president.

Here’s a look at the 10 most viewed articles from the ReplacementContractor.com site in 2016:

1. Roofer Sentenced in Fatal Accident. A roofer was sentenced to nearly a year in prison after a worker fell to his death. The roofer asked workers to tell OSHA inspectors they had safety harnesses but the deceased was not wearing his. Employees went along, but later changed their minds and alerted authorities. The roofer apologized to the deceased’s family.
2. Drugs Found in Shipment of Roofing Shingles. In El Paso, Texas, U.S. Customers and Border Protection K9 officers discovered in two pallets of shingles 288 bundles that had been hollowed out to make room for packets of pot. Agents valued the drugs at $763,200. No arrests were made.
3. Company Cited in Roofer’s Death. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed fines of $77,000 against a roofing employer, alleging the company did not provide the deceased with the training he needed to work at those heights. The deceased was apparently standing outside a warning line on the roof when he fell. OSHA said the employer should have done a better job of making sure he observed the line.
4. Six Killer Apps for Contractors. You’ve heard the expression, “There’s an app for that.” But you may not be aware that when it when it comes to some of the most difficult aspects of contracting — time tracking, presentations and estimating — there’s an app for that, too. Here’s a look at some of the apps top contractors are using and why they recommend them.
5. Roofing Company Execs Indicted. Two executives were accused of labor trafficking, conspiring to harbor aliens for commercial advantage or private financial gain, and transporting, harboring and encouraging aliens not lawfully in the country to stay. The accused allegedly used mainly workers who are in the country illegally on commercial and residential roofing jobs in the Kansas City area. Roofing crew leaders were paid in cash and threatened with dismissal if they didn’t pay kickbacks to company owners. The owners also threatened to notify immigration officials if employees didn’t pay kickbacks, missed deadlines or worked for someone else.
6. OSHA Updates Fall Protection and Walking-Working Surface Standards. The final rule was designed to increase consistency between general industry and construction standards and to update requirements to reflect advancement in technology. The rule also adds training and inspection requirements.Significant changes are included for fall protection systems, including eliminating the mandate for guardrails as a primary fall protection method. More options are now classified as accepted fall protection and employers will be able to use “non-conventional” fall protection when a situation calls for it, such as working on low-slope roofs.
7. These 3 Skills Yield the Highest Customer Satisfaction. Contractors, what skills lead to the highest customer satisfaction over a range of replacement jobs? If you’re like many contractors you’d probably answer, quality of work, expertise and team knowledge. You might even think the customer feeling like they got a good deal is of high importance to their contentment. But while those aspects are all essential parts of a job well done, these three key skills most affect customer satisfaction.
8. 7 Ways a Trump Presidency Could Impact Contractors. What will a Donald J. Trump presidency mean for the contracting market? Like a Rorschach test, it seems the answer depends on your perspective. Experts say the uncertainty about a Trump presidency is also due to the lack of details the candidate provided during the campaign. As a result, while elections typically end a period of uncertainty, this one seems only to have heightened it.
9. What’s in Store for the Window’s Replacement Market? If you’re wondering about the state of the window replacement market — and the challenges it faces — ask Steven Kamody, the newly minted president of Window World. With more than 200 locations nationwide, Window World is reportedly the nation’s largest replacement window and exterior remodeling company. Kamody, who was promoted from vice president of sales, is also the former national sales manager with Paragon Door Designs and regional vice president of American WeatherSeal.
10. Exterior Projects Provide High Return When You Remodel. Curb appeal is a key part of the real estate market. The 2016 Cost vs. Value Report underscores this importance, as four of the top five returns on investment are for projects relating to a home’s exterior. Realtors across the country agree that curb appeal—those exterior features that can be seen from the street, plus the property’s landscaping—is the siren call that can lure potential buyers into investigating a home further.