New federal tariffs — including a 50% tariff on select Canadian construction materials — are driving pricing uncertainty across steel, aluminum, copper, cement, paint, plywood, and fiber cable. Contractors may face shorter quote periods, surcharges, and shifting supplier pricing. This issue also covers a key case where a contractor lost a multimillion‑dollar claim due to late notice, introduces a Daily Report Presumption clause to strengthen documentation, and explains how growing community opposition is becoming a major construction risk affecting permits, schedules, and utility commitments.

➡️ Read the Full Cotney Brief Issue 16 (Members Only)