Building for the extreme: Hurricanes with Paul Ledet




The Building Code show

Summary: Episode 160:   Today on “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley are chatting with Paul Ledet, owner of CLH Build in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Paul took over the now 40-year-old company from his father and works hard to maintain their exceptional reputation. Replacing their paper processes with Buildertrend has really helped streamline processes during difficult times.   Listen to the full episode to hear more about how to build homes that withstand hurricanes and how project management software helps make it possible.   What are some of the materials you use to mitigate the impacts of hurricanes? “Basically, you think of it as a system from the slab. Most of our slabs are slabs-on-grade, and everything's anchor bolted, but there's continuous either, plywood around the entire perimeter or half inch oriented strand board. It's going to be certain nail patterns, and the criteria is pretty much the same across the board as a nation. But we just have these extra straps that'll help tie in the bottom plate to the top plate, to the rafters and all the way through and through. Down in Grand Aisle, which is on the coast, we use a lot of all threaded rods that go from the slab through the bottom plate, through the top plate and it all connects to the roof system. It's just one continuous founded entity.”   What is one of your favorite Buildertrend features? “We use the selection process. We got that pretty much down pat, especially for these custom jobs. I mean, there's so much that goes into just window selections, and they can get so convoluted just from emails and texts. Having a clear and visible ‘This is approved, this is a purchase order for the approved one.’ Even though we gave you 10 different quotes, the window company knows that this is final. Just not having those kinds of little mistakes, it's nice.”     LINKS AND MORE   Related content: CLH Build needed a way to modernize and revolutionize the client experience. Buildertrend’s Customer Portal was just what they needed. Read their case study to learn more about their success. Register now to join Paul and over 200 other builders at Buildertrend on the Road in Denver, Colorado. Use promo code pod100 for $100 off. Listen to the last episode of “The Building Code” to hear more about what it means to build net-zero homes and how to educate homeowners on the benefits. Subscribe here, and never miss an episode. Got podcast topic suggestions? Reach out to us at podcast@buildertrend.com. The Better Way, a podcast by Buildertrend: Looking to improve how your team plans projects with the top residential construction management platform this year? Pick up Buildertrend project planning pro tips on the newest season of “The Better Way, a podcast by Buildertrend.” Subscribe and stream all five bingeable episodes on your favorite listening app now. Follow us on social: Instagram Facebook Listen to “The Building Code” on YouTube! And be sure to head over to Facebook to join The Building Code Crew fan page for some fun discussions with fellow listeners.