Tag: <span>Trent Cotney</span>

Tag: Trent Cotney

Cotney Construction Law Supports the Roofing Technology Think Tank Through Donated Services

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The firm provided more than $20,000 in pro bono legal services to support and advance the roofing industry.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry announced that Cotney Construction Law, a leading national law firm for the construction industry, specialty trades, and OSHA defense, donated over $20,000 in pro bono legal services to help launch RT3 in 2017.

“We are truly humbled by the support and commitment of Cotney Construction Law to help establish RT3,” said co-founder Dale Tyler. “Trent Cotney’s support of this industry initiative and our organization demonstrates that both he and his firm are forward-thinking industry leaders that recognize the need for innovative technology solutions in roofing.”

“This donation of services is our investment in the future of the roofing industry,” said Trent Cotney, Principal of Cotney Construction Law. “Without implementing and embracing technology, we aren’t going to retain and attract the talent needed to advance the industry. We were honored to donate our services to help RT3 form and move forward.”

 

About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) strives to find innovative technology solutions to be used within the roofing industry. RT3 provides insights from progressive thought leaders both inside and outside the roofing industry along with practical resources for implementing potential solutions successfully. The organization will encourage and enable contractors to embrace technology as they seek to grow their businesses. With a commitment to disseminate technology advancement information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry. www.rt3thinktank.test.

 

About Cotney Construction Law, LLP

Cotney Construction Law, LLP is a construction law firm that provides national representation for general, roofing, HVAC and specialty contractors.  Experienced in the representation of businesses and professionals in construction disputes and transactions throughout the nation and with a proven track record in the state of Florida, Cotney is a well-known advisor and legal counsel in the construction industry.  The firm’s practice areas include construction law, litigation, arbitration, contract review & drafting, immigration, employment, OSHA defense, licensing defense, bid protests, lien law, bond law and alternative dispute resolution.  The firm has Florida offices in Tampa, Orlando, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Ft. Lauderdale, as well as locations in Nashville, Houston, Grand Rapids, and Mobile, Alabama.  For more information, visit www.cotneycl.com.

Benefits of Digital Documents – Part 2

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On jobsites across this country, construction professionals are drowning in paperwork.

This industry requires a great deal of documentation from contracts to site plans to change orders and for many years, this documentation was put in print. Needless to say, print documentation comes with a myriad of issues. Documentation gets misplaced or is not available when you need it. Also, for many years, construction professionals dealt with the time and money lost by using paper documents.

One best practice that is emerging to alleviate time lost is the use of digital documentation. Digital documentation is allowing teams to collaborate better and is making documents available at any time and in any place.

In the first part of this series, we discussed a number of benefits digital documents are bringing to construction companies. The cost and time savings can’t be ignored. That’s why we have created a second part to discuss additional benefits.

The benefits of digital documentation include:

Preventing lost documents

The construction industry is a fast-moving one. Most contractors have to move frequently from jobsite to office. It’s only natural that items may get lost along the way. When they do, the outcome is costly. Rather than carrying important files everywhere, use the digital documents in the cloud to access your files from any location. Not having to search through paper files for important information can save you a great deal of time.

Continuous updates and collaboration

A document that’s printed out can only be changed if the file is adjusted and the document is printed out again. Digital documents can change as information or data is gathered. It can also be changed by multiple parties. Documents can exist among contractors, subcontractors, and architects to ensure that there’s always a clear picture of what’s happening on a jobsite. It also helps avoid the disputes that require the help of a Lakeland construction lawyer.

It’s good for the environment

It’s important to remember the impact printing has on our environment. Using digital documentation allows your company to consume less paper, toner, and ink, which can also save you money.

This blog first appeared on Cotney Construction Law’s website and can be viewed here.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Benefits of a Digital Document Control System – Part 1

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For an industry that is as physical as the construction industry, there is a ton of paperwork.

Historically, paperwork has been a part of doing business. Whether it’s a contract, design plans, change orders, or bank draws, it’s not official unless it’s in writing. This can create a myriad of issues. Items get lost. It takes a long time to correct documents. Collaboration is cumbersome. To generate the efficiency needed to keep projects moving, new solutions were needed.

Document control systems are not a new concept; however, digitizing documents and the system as a whole is relatively new. Much of the paper world is going digital and paperwork-heavy industries such as construction are being transformed. Contracts, financial documents, daily reports, and a host of other work-related documents are going digital.

If you are still on a paper system, consider the following benefits of going to a digital document control system:

Speed up approval by speeding up access

Digital document control systems allow for collaboration on design documents, project plans, and contracts, among other items. Since the documents can be accessed in real time, discussion and changes can happen at a much faster pace. Also, you are now able to see who accessed documents at any given time, which holds members of a group accountable for any changes. This can come in handy if a dispute arises and you need the help of a construction lawyer.

Reduce storage space

Let’s face it, paperwork takes up a lot of space. As a company grows, this paper has to go somewhere. It’s not uncommon for companies to rent storage facilities to maintain archival paperwork. However, years of information can be housed digitally at a fraction of the cost. All of this information can be accessed using keywords, which makes the search for documents faster as well.

Save money on printing

In tandem with reducing storage space, a digital document control system can save money on printing. Contracts are extensive and require a great deal of printing. Project plans are also long. When you are printing these and other documents over and over, the price begins to add up. Digital documents completely eliminate this cost. Also, it’s easier to employ a system for organizing documents because they exist on cloud or hard drive storage and can be accessed via the device of your choice.

This blog first appeared on Cotney Construction Law’s website and can be viewed here.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

3 Reasons Why Big Data is Important in Construction

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By Trent Cotney, Cotney Construction Law.

The use of big data can enhance a contractor’s ability to successfully run their business.

The construction industry has not been the fastest to integrate new technology into their processes over the years. The use of data is paramount across all industries. However, the construction industry has implemented data for more basic functions than for advancement. While historical data may be used for functions like job costing and budgeting, there are additional uses for data that can enhance decision making and reduce risk.

Big data can help contractors in these areas and many more. It can enhance your ability to successfully run your business.

What is Big Data?

Let’s start with a brief definition of big data. Big data is the large amounts of information that can be gathered from a variety of sources, including sensors, machines, and computers that, when analyzed, can provide details about trends and patterns. Big data can aid decision-making in the following areas:

Construction-area Logistics

Construction sites are fast-moving, complex areas that require a great deal of coordination to prevent delays. The use of sensors on machines, combined with project schedules and traffic data can help construction companies devise a routing system that ensures equipment is always in the proper place when needed. Data from previous projects can also determine the time it takes to get heavy equipment from one location to another. This information can be used to build more efficient project schedules.

Project Budgeting

More accurate project budgets can be created with the use of data from a number of existing sources. Information about the pricing and availability of materials, workers, and equipment can be gathered and used to determine the best uses of available funds. This data can even be compared with project payments to determine the profitability of certain projects.

Tracking Equipment Conditions

Sensors on equipment can give contractors information about the condition of equipment and determine when service is needed. With big data, it can be determined if a new piece of equipment is needed before the old one breaks down.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared on Trent Cotney’s website and can be viewed here.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.