NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The accompanying consolidated financial statements include all of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

Preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include the revenue, costs and reserves established under the percentage-of-completion method, allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, valuation of the reporting unit, valuation of acquired intangible assets, impairment of intangible assets and other long-lived assets, share-based compensation, reserves for general liability and workers’ compensation and medical insurance. Management believes the accounting estimates are appropriate and reasonably determined; however, due to the inherent uncertainties in making these estimates, actual amounts could differ from such estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly-liquid investments purchased with original term to maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. We had $55.6 million of cash equivalents as of December 31, 2017 and zero cash equivalents as of December 31, 2016. Substantially all cash is held in banks providing FDIC coverage of $0.25 million per depositor.

Revenue and Cost Recognition

Revenue from the sale and installation of products is recognized when all of the following have occurred: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; (iii) the price is fixed or determinable; and (iv) the ability to collect is reasonably assured. We recognize revenue using either the completed contract method or the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, depending primarily on length of time required to complete the contract. The completed contract method is used for short-term contracts for which financial position and results of operations reported on the completed-contract basis would not vary materially from those resulting from use of the percentage-of-completion method. Revenue from the sale and installation of products is recognized net of adjustments and discounts and, for revenue using the completed contract method of accounting, at the time the installation is complete. When the percentage-of-completion method is used, we estimate the costs to complete individual contracts and record as revenue that portion of the total contract price that is considered complete based on the relationship of costs incurred to date to total anticipated costs (the cost-to-cost approach). The costs of earned revenue include all direct material and labor costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as indirect labor, supplies, tools and repairs. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined.

Accounting Policy for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

We record all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether we have elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. We may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of our risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply or we elect not to apply hedge accounting.

Investment Policy

Marketable securities with original maturities longer than three months but less than one year from the balance sheet date are classified as investments within current assets. These investments consist of highly liquid investment grade instruments primarily including corporate bonds and commercial paper. Investments for which we have the ability and positive intent to hold to maturity are carried at amortized cost. The difference between the acquisition costs and face values of held-to-maturity investments is amortized over the remaining term of the investments and added to or subtracted from the acquisition cost and interest income. As of December 31, 2017, all of our investments were classified as held-to-maturity.

Business Combinations

The purchase price for business combinations is allocated to the estimated fair values of acquired tangible and intangible assets, including goodwill and assumed liabilities, where applicable. Additionally, we recognize customer relationships, trademarks and trade names, backlog and non-competition agreements as identifiable intangible assets. These assets are recorded at fair value as of the transaction date. The fair value of these intangibles is determined primarily using the income approach and using current industry information which involves significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs). These inputs include projected sales, margin and tax rate.

At times, the total purchase price for a business combination could be less than the estimated fair values of acquired tangible and intangible assets. In these cases, we record a gain on bargain purchase within other expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income rather than goodwill in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Accounts Receivable

We account for trade receivables based on amounts billed to customers. Past due receivables are determined based on contractual terms. We do not accrue interest on any of our trade receivables.

Retainage receivables represent the amount retained by our customers to ensure the quality of the installation and is received after satisfactory completion of each installation project. Management regularly reviews aging of retainage receivables and changes in payment trends and records an allowance when collection of amounts due are considered at risk. Amounts retained by project owners under construction contracts and included in accounts receivable were $23.1 million and $10.3 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, all but $0.5 million of retainage receivables, which are recorded in other long-term assets, were estimated to be contractually due within one year.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the failure of customers to make required payments. The allowance is determined by management based on our historical losses, specific customer circumstances and general economic conditions. We analyze aged accounts receivable and generally increase the allowance as receivables age. Management reviews accounts receivable and records an allowance for specific customers based on current circumstances and charges off the receivable against the allowance when all attempts to collect the receivable have failed. This analysis is performed regularly and the allowance is adjusted accordingly. The following table sets forth our allowance for doubtful accounts (in thousands):


Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable
January 1, 2015	$	2,661
Charged to costs and expenses		919
Charged to other accounts (1)		533
Deductions (2)		(1,627	)

December 31, 2015	$	2,486

Charged to costs and expenses		2,928
Charged to other accounts (1)		435
Deductions (2)		(2,452	)

December 31, 2016	$	3,397

Charged to costs and expenses		2,834
Charged to other accounts (1)		699
Deductions (2)		(2,125	)

December 31, 2017	$	4,805

(1)	Recovery of receivables previously written off as bad debt and other

(2)	Write-off of uncollectible accounts receivable

Concentration of Credit Risk

Credit risk is our risk of financial loss from the non-performance of a contractual obligation on the part of our counterparty. Such risk arises principally from our receivables from customers and cash and bank balances. Substantially all of our trade accounts receivable are from entities engaged in residential and commercial construction. We perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition. The general credit risk of our counterparties is not considered to be significant. In addition, no individual customer made up more than 3% of accounts receivable or 4% of net revenue for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Inventories

Inventories consist of insulation, garage doors, rain gutters, shower doors, mirrors, closet shelving and other products. We install these products but do not manufacture them. We value inventory at the lower of cost or market with cost determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, all inventory was finished goods. Inventory provisions are recorded to reduce inventory to the lower of cost or market value for obsolete or slow moving inventory based on assumptions about future demand and marketability of products, the impact of new product introductions, inventory levels and turns, product spoilage, and specific identification of items such as product discontinuance, engineering/material changes, or regulatory-related changes.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. We provide for depreciation and amortization of property and equipment using the straight-line method over the expected useful lives of the assets. Expected useful lives of property and equipment vary but generally are the shorter of lease life or five years for vehicles and leasehold improvements, three to five years for furniture, fixtures and equipment and 30 years for buildings.

Major renewals and improvements are capitalized. Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recorded.

Goodwill

Goodwill results from business combinations and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of acquired tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets. Annually, on October 1, or if conditions indicate an earlier review is necessary, we either perform a quantitative test or assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount and if it is necessary to perform the quantitative two-step goodwill impairment test. If we perform the quantitative test, we compare the carrying value of the reporting unit to an estimate of the reporting unit’s fair value to identify potential impairment. The estimate of the reporting unit’s fair value is determined by weighting a discounted cash flow model and a market-related model using current industry information that involve significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs). In determining the estimated future cash flow, we consider and apply certain estimates and judgments, including current and projected future levels of income based on management’s plans, business trends, prospects, market and economic conditions and market-participant considerations. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, a second step is performed to determine the amount of the potential goodwill impairment. If impaired, goodwill is written down to its estimated implied fair value.

Impairment of Other Intangible and Long-Lived Assets

Other intangible assets consist of customer relationships, backlog, non-competition agreements and business trademarks and trade names. Amortization of finite lived intangible assets is recorded to reflect the pattern of economic benefits based on projected revenues over their respective estimated useful lives (customer relationships – eight to 15 years, non-competition agreements – one to five years and business trademarks and trade names – eight to 15 years). We do not have any indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill.

We review long-lived assets and intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use of an asset and its eventual disposition are less than its carrying amount. When impairment is identified, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value. Assets to be disposed of are recorded at the lower of net book value or fair market value less cost to sell at the date management commits to a plan of disposal. There was no impairment loss for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Other Liabilities

Our workers’ compensation insurance program, for a significant portion of our business, is considered a high deductible program whereby we are responsible for the cost of claims under approximately $0.8 million. If we do not pay these claims, our workers’ compensation insurance carriers are required to make these payments to the claimants on our behalf. Effective with the plan year beginning October 1, 2015, our general liability insurance program is considered a high retention program whereby we are responsible for the cost of claims up to approximately $2.0 million, subject to an aggregate cap of $8.0 million. If we do not pay these claims, our general liability insurance carrier is required to make these payments to the claimants on our behalf. Prior to the claim year beginning October 1, 2015, our general liability insurance program has a self-incurred retention (“SIR”) of $0.4 million whereby we continue to be responsible for all claims below the SIR and the insurance company continues to be responsible for all liabilities above the SIR. The liabilities represent our best estimate of our costs, using generally accepted actuarial reserving methods, of the ultimate obligations for reported claims plus those incurred but not reported for all claims incurred through December 31, 2017 and 2016. We establish case reserves for reported claims using case-basis evaluation of the underlying claims data and we update as information becomes known. We regularly monitor the potential for changes in estimates, evaluate our insurance accruals and adjust our recorded provisions.

The assumptions underlying the ultimate costs of existing claim losses are subject to a high degree of unpredictability, which can affect the liability recorded for such claims. For example, variability in inflation rates of health care costs inherent in workers’ compensation claims can affect the ultimate costs. Similarly, changes in legal trends and interpretations, as well as a change in the nature and method of how claims are settled, can affect ultimate costs. Our estimates of liabilities incurred do not anticipate significant changes in historical trends for these variables and any changes could have a considerable effect on future claim costs and currently recorded liabilities.

We carry insurance for a number of risks, including, but not limited to, workers’ compensation, general liability, vehicle liability, property and our obligation for employee-related health care benefits. Liabilities relating to claims associated with these risks are estimated by considering historical claims experience, including frequency, severity, demographic factors and other actuarial assumptions. In estimating our liability for such claims, we periodically analyze our historical trends, including loss development, and apply appropriate loss development factors to the incurred costs associated with the claims with the assistance of external actuarial consultants. While we do not expect the amounts ultimately paid to differ significantly from our estimates, our reserves and corresponding expenses could be affected if future claim experience differs significantly from historical trends and actuarial assumptions.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are generally expensed as incurred. Advertising expense was approximately $3.2 million, $3.0 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and is included in selling expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs and debt issuance costs combined, totaling $6.8 million and $1.7 million, net of accumulated amortization as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, are amortized over the term of the related debt on a straight-line basis which approximates the effective interest method. The deferred financing costs are included in other non-current assets while the debt issuance costs are included in long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The related amortization expense of these costs combined was $1.1 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million and is included in interest expense, net on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In addition, we expensed loan costs of approximately $1.0 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, associated with our Credit and Security Agreement because they did not meet the requirements for capitalization. For the year ended December 31, 2017, we wrote off $2.1 million in loan costs as a result of refinancing our credit facilities. We did not write off any loan costs during the year ended December 31, 2016. For additional information, see Note 6, Long-Term Debt.

Share-Based Compensation

Our share-based compensation program is designed to attract and retain employees while also aligning employees’ interests with the interests of our stockholders. Restricted stock awards are periodically granted to certain employees, officers and non-employee members of our board of directors under the stockholder-approved 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

Equity-based awards: Certain of our stock awards are deemed to be equity-based with a service condition and do not contain a market or performance condition with the exception of performance-based awards granted to certain officers and performance-based restricted stock units. Fair value of the non-performance-based awards to employees and officers is measured at the grant date and amortized to expense over the vesting period of the awards using the straight-line attribution method for all service-based awards with a graded vesting feature. This fair value is reduced by assumed forfeitures and adjusted for actual forfeitures until vesting. We also issue performance stock-based awards to certain officers under our 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The performance-based compensation expense is recorded over the requisite service period using the graded-vesting method for the entire award. Performance-based stock awards are accounted for at fair value at date of grant. We also periodically grant restricted stock units to certain employees under the stockholder-approved 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan. These units convert to shares upon meeting time- and performance-based requirements.

Liability-based awards: Certain of our stock awards represent a predominately-fixed monetary amount that is to be settled with a variable number of shares. These awards contain both time and performance requirements, and are deemed to be liability-based, which requires that we re-measureto reflect their fair value at the end of each reporting period. The change in fair value each reporting period is recorded as compensation cost, with a corresponding increase or decrease in our share-based liability, either immediately or over the remaining service period depending on the vested status of the award.

Compensation expense for both equity and liability-based restricted stock units is recorded based on an assessment each reporting period of the probability that certain performance goals will be met during the contingent vesting period. If performance goals are not probable to occur, no compensation expense will be recognized. If performance goals that were previously deemed probable are not or are not expected to be met, the previously recognized compensation cost related to such performance goals will be reversed. Employees and officers are subject to tax at the vesting date based on the market price of the shares on that date, or on the grant date if an election is made.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, the amount of taxes currently payable or refundable are accrued and deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences of temporary differences that currently exist between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of our assets and liabilities.

Valuation allowances are established against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that the realization of those deferred tax assets will not occur. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, the ability to produce future taxable income, prudent and feasible tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. In projecting future taxable income, we factor in historical results and changes in accounting policies and incorporate assumptions, including the amount of future federal and state pretax operating income, the reversal of temporary differences and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates we use to manage the underlying businesses.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates in effect in the years when those temporary differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred taxes from a change in tax rate is recognized through operations in the period that includes the enactment date of the change. Changes in tax laws and rates could also affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) that was enacted on December 22, 2017 reduces the US federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. The Company recognized a $3.8 million tax benefit as a result of revaluing the ending net deferred tax liabilities from 35% to the newly enacted U.S. corporate income tax rate of 21%. See Note 12, Income Taxes, for additional information.

A tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits. Income tax positions must meet a more likely than not recognition threshold to be recognized.

We recognize tax liabilities for uncertain tax positions and adjust these liabilities when our judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information not previously available. Liabilities related to uncertain tax positions are recorded in other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from the current estimate of the tax liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense and the effective tax rate in the period in which the new information becomes available. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized within income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Accrued interest and penalties are recognized in other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best assessment of estimated future taxes to be paid. We are subject to income taxes in the United States, which includes numerous state and local jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining the income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities and the reserve for unrecognized tax benefits.

Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 approximate their fair value due to the short-term maturities of these financial instruments. The carrying amounts of our long-term debt, including the term loan, delayed draw term loan and revolving line of credit under the current and previous credit agreements approximate their fair values as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 due to the variable rate nature of the agreements. The carrying amount of the obligations associated with our capital leases and vehicle and equipment notes approximate fair value as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 because we have incurred the obligations within recent fiscal years when the interest rate markets have been low and stable despite the changes in the interest rate environment in 2017. Refinancing these obligations at current market rates would result in similar balances. All debt classifications represent Level 2 fair value measurements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

We have not recently adopted any new accounting pronouncements that have had a material impact on our financial statements. We continuously review the Federal Accounting Standards Board’s issued Accounting Standards Updates to ensure we have adopted all current accounting pronouncements, and include any such standard adoptions that are deemed to have a material impact on our financial statements herein.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” ASU 2014-09 and related subsequently issued amendments set forth a new revenue recognition model that requires identifying the contract(s) with a customer, identifying the performance obligations in the contract, determining the transaction price, allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations and recognizing the revenue upon satisfaction of performance obligations. In July 2015, the FASB voted to defer the application of the provisions of this standard for public companies until annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those reporting periods. We commenced our evaluation of the impact of ASC 606 in late 2016, by evaluating its impact on selected contracts. Based on our initial review of those select contracts, we developed a project plan to evaluate numerous contracts across our business and assess the internal control structure in order to adopt ASC 606 on January 1, 2018. We have periodically briefed our Audit Committee on our progress made towards adoption. As of December 31, 2017, we have completed our assessment on the applicability of the standard on accounting for contracts with customers. The standard will result in a change to the timing of revenue recognition for certain of our contracts that, under ASC 605, we currently recognize revenue on a performance obligation level as each obligation is completed whereas, under ASC 606, we will recognize revenue associated with these contracts over time as service is performed and the transfer of control occurs based on a percentage-of-completion method using input methods as a measure of progress. We do not expect the impact on our revenue recognition to be material for our contracts that are currently recognized under the existing percentage of completion method of accounting, due to the inherent similarities of the over time methodology of revenue recognition to percentage-of-completion. We adopted the new standard on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective approach, and as such will recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings on January 1, 2018. The estimated adjustment to our opening retained earnings on January 1, 2018, as a result of implementation of this ASU, is estimated to be approximately $3.0 million.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” This update amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. ASU 2016-02requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. For public business entities, this update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted as of the standard’s issuance date. We have not completed our assessment, but we expect the adoption of this standard will have a significant impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Information about our undiscounted future lease payments and the timing of those payments is in Note 14, Commitments and Contingencies, in our Form 10-K. We will adopt this standard effective January 1, 2019.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. In addition, these amendments require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets, including trade accounts receivable, held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. For public business entities, this update is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are evaluating whether this ASU will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows: Clarification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (Topic 230).” This ASU addresses the diversity in practice related to the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows by adding or clarifying guidance on eight specific cash flow issues. We have determined that this update addresses one issue that specifically impacts us, which is the classification of contingent consideration payments made after a business combination. We adopted the new provision on January 1, 2018 and as such will classify contingent consideration payments in excess of the recorded contingent liability not made soon after the acquisition date as operating activities on the cash flow statement. Cash payments made soon after the acquisition date will be classified as investing activities.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.” This ASU better aligns a company’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships and makes certain improvements to simplify the application of hedge accounting guidance. For public business entities, this update is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are evaluating whether this ASU will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.