The Building Code

As builders close out a frenzied construction year, we’re highlighting Buildertrend patterns from the past year and how construction software factored into 2021 home building. On this episode of “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley examine the data trends from a historic construction year with Buildertrend data analyst Kayla Schmitt.  Kayla also offers insight into a service Buildertrend is testi...

  Solid financials keep builders in fighting shape to handle the day-to-day and big picture challenges thrown at the construction industry. In this episode of “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley pick up financial pro-tips from Carla Merrill, a consultant who helps builders integrate their financials with software like Buildertrend and CoConstruct. Carla offers practical advice for builders looki...

Higher turnover. An aging workforce. Surging demand. Construction businesses face a trio of challenges stressing their workloads and their workers. So how are construction owners attracting and keeping their best talent? In today’s episode of “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley discuss how builders can empower their workforces with Benji Carlson of Breakthrough Academy . The Canada-based constru...

Advances in technology, foresight in construction, and Americans’ growing desire to age in place have expanded the installation of home elevators and stairlifts in the U.S. And Arrow Lift , with its 13 locations nationwide, has been a leader in this accessibility transformation. On today’s episode of “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley learn all about home accessibility from Pete Newstrom, Arrow...

Chris Ledet Homes has thrived in southeast Louisiana despite the ups and downs of the building economy and routine setbacks from hurricanes. A secret to their longevity? Customer service that connects with the homeowner and extends well behind move-in. On today’s episode of “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley talk to owner Paul Ledet about what it takes to create customer relationships that with...

Slammed by surging demand, pool builders and other outdoor contractors head into an off-season as busy as ever. So how should they seize that downtime to set up their 2022 season for success? Today on “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley uncover how outdoor contractors can optimize their marketing and sales processes in the off-season with Corey Halstead, co-owner of Halstead Media . Corey helps...

How can general contractors and their subs streamline back-and-forth communication and share ever-changing schedule and vital project details easily? Today on “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley learned how construction software like Buildertrend has helped general contractors better collaborate with their subcontractors from a Minnesota builder who’s worked in both roles. Jesse Kath, founder of...

Today on “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley discuss how builders can remain competitive in a turbulent construction environment with Russ Stephens, cofounder of the Association of Professional Builders. The Australia-based organization helps construction company leaders maximize their profitability through training and consulting to ultimately make the home-building process a world-class experi...

Today on “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley explore Buildertrend’s exciting, new partnership with The Home Depot that will simplify product and expense management for builders. Frank Blake, The Home Depot’s general manager for outside sales, joins the podcast to highlight the exciting aspects of integrating Buildertrend with Pro Xtra, the leading home improvement retailer’s loyalty program for...

On this episode of “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley are chatting with Catie Brown, a user researcher on the Data and Research team here at Buildertrend. Catie is an expert in collecting and analyzing customer feedback to determine areas of strength and where we can get better. Tune in to the full episode to learn more about why we call ourselves a user-centric company and why we collect custo...

Today on “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley are learning all about what it takes to create homes that can withstand the extreme impacts of earthquakes in New Zealand. They’re joined by Bill Gray, expert builder at LMC Building and Construction, to hear about his personal experiences as well as the strict standards for building in a known earthquake zone. Tune in to the full episode to hear Bill...

On this episode of “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley are chatting with returning guest, Marge Haley, a development coordinator here at Buildertrend. Marge is an expert on the inner workings and processes that make up our construction project management software.   Listen to the full episode to hear Marge’s insights about setting your team up for success with the Buildertrend onboarding process...

Today on “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley are joined by Ryan Lipcheck, vice president of sales at CBUSA, to talk about group purchasing and why it’s becoming more of a necessity with the growing material costs and shortages of the post COVID-19 environment. Check out the full episode to hear Ryan’s view on the best ways to run purchasing departments and the outlook for construction pros who a...

On this episode of “The Building Code,” Jason Cerone of Chicago Lumber Company in Omaha, Neb. Is joining Zach and Charley to discuss our most recent data report. In the report, dive deep into why material supplies are low, prices are high, and how it’s all affecting builders. Check out the full episode to hear Jason’s perspective on the lasting effects COVID-19 is having on supply chains, lumber p...

Today on “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley are getting the inside scoop on accessory dwelling units from Whitney Hill, co-founder and head of business operations and development at Snap ADU Design Build in San Diego.   Tune in to the full episode to hear Whitney’s insight on the growing popularity of ADUs and why upping your game with Buildertrend’s Pro features can help secure business succes...

On today’s episode of “The Building Code,” Bob Deeks, owner and president of RDC Fine Homes in Whistler, British Columbia, is joining Zach and Charley to dive into the topic of building net zero homes. Net zero or carbon neutrality is the process of completely canceling out the amount of greenhouse gases produced by human activity. Listen to the full episode to hear Bob talk about building net zer...

On this episode of the “The Building Code,” interim hosts Zach Wojtowicz and Charley Burtwistle are joined by Chris Krebs, owner of NOVUS Building Services . NOVUS is a fabrication and installation company serving areas from Massachusetts all the way down to the beaches of Southern Florida. Listen to the full episode to hear how Chris plans to continue NOVUS' growth and how implementing tech will...

Today on the final episode of “The Building Code” Takeover series, guest host Dan Houghton, co-founder and CEO of Buildertrend, is back to talk about the topic of company mission with Bill Smithers of CBUSA. Listen to the full episode to hear about what goes into building a company mission and how it works with defined values to drive a company forward.

On today’s episode of “The Building Code,” guest hosts Dan Houghton, co-founder and CEO of Buildertrend and Frank Blake of The Home Depot will be chatting about leadership. Tune in to the full episode to hear about how their experiences have helped their leadership skills evolve and what challenges they’ve had to overcome.

On this episode of “The Building Code,” guest hosts Brandon Patterson of the Iowa Skilled Trades , and Joe Christensen of Cardinal Crest Homes will be discussing the very important topic of talent. Tips for hiring, what to look for and how to hold onto good people. Tune in to the full episode to hear about their experience with hiring in the construction industry and what they’ve learned about hir...

Today on “The Building Code,” guest hosts Matt Risinger of Risinger Build and Brad Leavitt of A Finer Touch Construction are talking about “mistakes” and how to avoid them. They’re telling personal stories and sharing great insights on how to make the best decisions for your construction company. Listen to the full episode to hear about how they’ve overcome challenges and what they’ve learned over...

On today’s episode of “The Building Code,” guest hosts Nick Schiffer of NS Builders and Melissa Hryszko of Veranda Estate Homes are diving into the very popular topic of social media. Both Nick and Melissa have seen great success with using social media to promote their businesses, which has contributed to their accomplishments in the construction industry. Listen to the full episode to get insigh...

On the last episode of our COVID-19 series for “The Building Code,” Paul is chatting with returning guest Darren Brown of Decking Sydney in New South Wales, Australia, about his experience with managing his business amid the pandemic. Listen to the full episode to hear more about the status of the construction industry in Australia and how they’re hoping to stay busy in 2021.

Today on “The Building Code,” the sixth episode in our COVID-19 series, Paul is joined by Blaise McDonald of MAC Renovations in Victoria, British Colombia, to talk about his experience with managing his renovation business amid the pandemic in Canada. Listen to the full episode to hear more about how the pandemic has affected the construction business in Canada and how they’ve handled the unknowns...

On this episode, the fifth episode of “The Building Code” COVID-19 series, Paul is chatting with Brett Lott of Brett Lott Homes in Kennewick, Wash., and Dave Leff of Leff Construction in Sebastopol, Calif., to talk about their experience with managing their businesses amid the pandemic in the West region of the United States. Listen to the full episode to hear more about what they’ve learned and h...