b'Inside OIRCAAfter COVID-19 By Don Marks, Executive Director, OIRCAIthat, elsewhere in this issue of ORN, our President has written about howProject delays may also put pressure on the relationship between the roofing contrac-know COVID-19 has been impacting the construction industry, particularly in the roofingtor and their client. While COVID-19 may be over when the job recommences, the sector. I have read a draft of his message, so I dont plan to go where he has, other thanbuilding owner and their representatives must fully understand that a backlog exists be-to state that I dont know where we will be with the virus when you read this column.cause of the virus and the delay is beyond the roofing contractors control. Hopefully we will be making positive progress toward its conclusion. Price increases, as mentioned, are yet another reality that can be expected when the The impact that the end of this crisis will have on the roofing industry does concernindustry resumes roofing work. Contractors may have explicit contract provisions in me, though. Many businesses and corporations will be struggling after the pandemicplace to address these circumstances. Owners and general contractors should plan for ceases and I am guessing that capital expenditures, such as roofing, will be put on thethis inevitability. back burner as company executives focus on the nuts and bolts of their enterprises.Force majeure (act of god) clauses in contracts citing COVID-19 or pandemics may I know that many of our members are concerned about the cancellation of their exist- become commonplace in the months ahead. A typical force majeure clause provides that ing contracts, as well as the potential shortage of new projects being tendered. Of course,in the event of a hurricane, earthquake, war, strike or other occurrence beyond the con-the opposite is a distinct possibility; clients may be anxious to move forward with theirtrol of the contractor, that performance will be excused, the project will be terminated or roofing projects in an attempt to play catch up.If the latter is the case, the shortened roofing system will put undue pressure on ourthere could be some other form of compensation available for the contractor. Be certain members to complete new and existing contracts. The shortage of skilled roofing workersthat all parties will be scrutinizing construction-related clauses as we emerge from the combined with potential bad weather may make it impossible to finish roofing projectscrisis. Roofing contractors should be looking for force majeure clauses and others that before the winter sets in. Product availability and delays in delivery may also be an issuemay allow them to recover additional costs.as manufacturers and distributors scramble to ramp up their operations following COV- When some form of normality returns to the construction and roofing industries, ID-19-related plant and warehouse shutdowns. Product substitutions may be proposedthere will be challenges to facechallenges that may be extreme and reflect a feast-or-to address availability, but an increase in price may be inevitable. famine reality.ORN THE ONLY SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL ICI ROOFING CONTRACTORS IN ONTARIO ONTARIO ROOFING NEWSISSUE 1 202027'