The U.S. Supreme Court's recent 6-3 ruling on July 26 overturned the 1984 Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council decision, significantly limiting federal agencies' ability to interpret laws and rules. This change will impact various sectors, including environmental regulations, health care costs, and OSHA's enforcement of safety standards. In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, Legal Insights expert Trent Cotney discusses the ruling's implications for the construction industry and advises contractors to review vendor agreements to comply with upcoming amendments to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

In this special episode of If Walls Could Talk, Walls & Ceilings Associate Editor Michael Levitt speaks with Lisa Banks of Cincinnati Interiors. The company is on the cover of W&C’s August issue and has been working with ceilings and acoustics for over 30 years.

In this episode of "If Walls Could Talk," John Wyatt interviews Mike Griffin, national sales director at Demand Products and board member of the Texas Lathing & Plastering Contractors Association, about the success of the association’s 72nd Annual Convention & Trade Show in Galveston. Griffin highlights the event’s well-attended educational seminars, trade show, and networking opportunities, emphasizing the importance of keeping members informed on current codes, market trends, and installation techniques for EIFS, stucco, and adhered veneer systems. Additionally, Griffin discusses the challenges in securing general liability insurance for plaster and EIFS, noting the decreasing number of companies offering coverage and the rising costs.

In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, John Wyatt interviews Bruce Honore III, project manager for Precision Development, a specialty subcontractor featured in W&C’s July 2024 issue. Precision Development, founded in 1989, focuses on semi-custom and custom residential markets, offering a one-stop-shop for all masonry needs including new construction, remodels, and repair work. Honore III highlights the company's expertise in moisture management and innovative techniques like the Plain Drain rainscreen and a new patent-pending ventilated stucco system.

In this special episode of “If Walls Could Talk,” Jill Bloom interviews Trent Cotney about the recent developments regarding non-compete agreements. The FTC's new rule banning most non-compete agreements, part of the 2021 Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, faces legal challenges, including a temporary injunction from a Texas district court. Cotney discusses the potential impacts on employers and alternative methods to prevent unfair competition, emphasizing the importance of keeping employees satisfied to retain quality talent.

The Association for Financial Professionals' annual survey highlights a significant rise in payment fraud, with 80 percent of businesses falling victim in 2023, particularly through checks and ACH credits. In an interview with W&C Group Publisher Jill Bloom, Thea Dudley discusses these findings and offers roofing contractors practical advice on enhancing their financial security, including cyber security training and using payment portals. Despite the alarming statistics, there is hope, as 41 percent of fraud victims managed to recover most of their lost funds.

In this episode of If Walls Could Talk, Walls & Ceilings Editor John Wyatt interviews Tom Harris of Tom Harris PUR Consulting about the significance of retrofit roofing in resilient construction. Harris highlights that while repairing and upgrading commercial roofs is beneficial for addressing local issues like leaks, there is a greater opportunity to consider energy conservation and environmental impact. He emphasizes the need for roofing contractors to be knowledgeable about the energy savings and CO₂ reduction from added insulation.