Walls & Ceilings 'If Walls Could Talk'

In an exciting conversation with Walls & Ceilings’ Group Publisher Jill Bloom, Legal Insights Expert Trent Cotney breaks down the recent surge in I-9 audits targeting roofing contractors and shares essential guidance for reducing risk.

Walls & Ceilings is proud to announced that Western Partitions Inc. has been named its "2025 Contractor of the Year." From their roots in Wilsonville, Ore., to an expansive footprint across 11 offices nationwide, WPI continues to set the benchmark for excellence, resilience, and leadership in the wall and ceiling industry.

In this “Dear Anna” episode, Art Unlimited CEO Anna Anderson explores how contractors should approach using video in their marketing and advertising strategies to give them the edge against their competition.

Contractors should prioritize carefully evaluating software agreements, preparing for the operational and emotional impacts of business acquisitions, and strengthening fundamentals like cash flow and accounts receivable to navigate a shifting market. Trent Cotney emphasizes that proactive planning, realistic expectations, and strategic decision-making are essential for long-term stability and succ...

This episode of If Walls Could Talk features W&C Editor John Wyatt and Tom Harris of Tom Harris PUR Consulting as they demystify one of the most misunderstood aspects of insulation—air barriers—and explain their role in energy efficiency and building performance. They break down how air barriers are tested, how spray foam products qualify, and why proper verification and HVAC coordination are...

When hurricane-force winds devastated Jamaica, Strategic Response Partners founder Steve Slepcevic launched “Operation One Roof, One Love,” coordinating emergency aid, restoring communications, and leading efforts to repair roofs for hospitals, homes, and first responders. Partnering with groups like Samaritan’s Purse and World Central Kitchen, he’s now calling on contractors and donors worldwide...

Walls & Ceilings’ 2025 showcase celebrates EIFS and stucco specialists nationwide who exemplify excellence in craftsmanship, innovation, and reliability. Compiled through insights from industry professionals and advisors, the feature highlights firms that continue to elevate exterior plastering standards and inspire the trade’s future growth. Read the full list now!

Contractors and business owners already dealing with increased immigration enforcement and its impact on the roofing workforce may have more policies to navigate. A recent shake-up at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) ordered by the White House could mean even stronger enforcement in some areas. “Internally, I don’t think they’re happy with some of the (deportation) numbers that have a...

The Home Depot’s acquisition of GMS, discussed by SRS CEO Dan Tinker and GMS CEO JT Turner, highlights a customer-first integration focused on growth, innovation, and expanded opportunities for contractors and employees.

With the price of everything rising, it’s more important than ever for contractors to gain new customers. But winning them over should be more than simply locking in a new project. Art Unlimited CEO Anna Anderson explains how roofing contractors can apply strategies to their marketing based on the book “Never Lose a Customer Again.”

W&C Editor John Wyatt speaks with Tom Harris of Tom Harris PUR Consulting to demystify one of the most misunderstood aspects of insulation—vapor barriers. Harris explains the crucial difference between air and vapor barriers, the science of moisture movement, and the importance of proper vapor control by climate zone, offering builders and homeowners practical insights on preventing condensati...

Thea Dudley, CEO of Pocket Protectors, and Ryan Ayers, CEO and co-founder of Suppli, join RC to discuss the latest changes to credit card interchange fees. The association fees for Visa business-to-business transactions just went up and there’s speculation that others will, too. That could impact roofing contractors and others that rely on credit card payments to keep companies moving.

Policymakers and the courts have disagreed for years on the fairness and enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s use of the multi-employer doctrine when it comes to safety violations found on a jobsite. Now, advocates for the construction and roofing trades are pushing for a series of statutory reforms that allow prime contractors on a site to help subcontractors with sa...

Diane Earll, now President of USG’s Ceilings Business, has spent 30 years rising through 13 roles across the company, driving innovations like lightweight USG Sheetrock Brand Gypsum Panels and centralized customer service. She credits USG’s culture of opportunity, training, and community commitment—paired with a focus on technology and innovation—for keeping the company and its partners resilient...

It’s been a relatively slow storm season along the coasts in terms of hurricanes and named storms, but that may be about to change. Meteorologists are tracking two developing storms at the same time in the same area of the Atlantic Ocean, just off the Bahamas. The unique circumstance could bring about some severe weather and damage that will put contractors in demand. To get a closer look with som...

The latest If Walls Could Talk podcast spotlights METALCON’s partnership with the Military Warriors Support Foundation to launch the Eagles Landing Veteran Retreat, a healing space for combat-wounded veterans and Gold Star families.

Continuous insulation is the easiest way to improve the performance of any home that will last the lifetime of the home. Learn why it make such an improvement to interior comfort, how easy it is to install, and its other impacts. SPONSORED BY ATLAS

Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney recently has received a lot of calls regarding workmanship warranties and manufactured material warranties from the field. He joined If Walls Could Talk to break down some of the key features roofing contractors need to have in their contractors when it comes to workmanship and material warranties. He also explained that working with manufacturers and distributor...

Federal regulators are urging contractors to adopt proactive self-auditing practices, with experts like Trent Cotney recommending independent audits to strengthen safety, labor compliance, and inclusion policies while minimizing exposure to penalties. He also highlighted broader industry challenges, including labor shortages tied to immigration enforcement and rising costs from tariffs, urging con...

W&C contributor Thea Dudley—aka “The Credit Overlord”—previews her upcoming METALCON workshop, emphasizing the critical role of back-office systems, especially credit and collections—in helping contractors protect their cash flow and avoid costly business failures.

Credit card surcharges are becoming more common as processing fees rise, but Thea Dudley stresses they must be implemented legally, transparently, and with advance notice to customers. She advises contractors to phase in changes carefully, avoid surprises at payment, and follow merchant service rules to maintain trust.

Construction attorney Trent Cotney outlines key tax benefits and workforce development provisions in a new federal bill, along with recent OSHA enforcement changes that offer significant relief and opportunities for contractors.

In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, Walls & Ceilings Editor John Wyatt speaks with Tom Harris about ratio monitoring in spray foam insulation and how it's reshaping quality control in the industry. While this technology offers real-time verification and reporting of chemical ratios, it complements but doesn’t replace the need for skilled, attentive installation.

Industry leaders Jill Bloom, Anna Anderson, and Josey Parks explore how AI is rapidly transforming the construction and roofing industries, from automating customer interactions to streamlining operations and sales. They emphasize that contractors who adopt AI tools now—like chatbots, CRMs, and lead-matching platforms—will gain a major competitive edge over those relying on outdated systems.

AI-generated summaries of search results are here to stay, making marketing your roofing company a challenge. Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited, is here to provide the latest updates and information on successfully navigating digital marketing on search engines.