Newsletter:  June 2005 a "The custom home market represents 25-30% of our work" – Jim Kempers, LeDuc & Dexter Residential Manager "We were able to complete the work in three days" – Jeff Shank, LeDuc & Dexter Commercial Foreman, referring to a four day schedule to complete an under slab plumbing job "I feel I can offer the PHCC of California some of my experience on other boards and committees including the North Coast Builders Exchange Board of Directors, which I've been involved with for nine years" – Tom LeDuc, PHCC of California Board Member

The Custom Home Market

Residential

Custom home built by Willowglen Homes (click image to enlarge)

The custom home market is a big part of LeDuc & Dexter's residential department's work. "The custom home market represents 25-30% of our work," says Jim Kempers, Residential Department Manager for LeDuc & Dexter, "Our custom builder list has become quite extensive over the years. I would believe that we work for approximately 35-50 custom builders at any given time."

White under mount kitchen sinks with brushed nickel pull out faucets. (click image to enlarge)

With the residential construction market still moving forward to meet the demand for housing there has been an increase for custom homes also, "There's been an increase in the number of custom homes and the size of the homes," says Jim Kempers, "The complexity of the custom home's systems has also increased. It helps that we offer a design/build package for plumbing, radiant, fire sprinklers, and HVAC for both wet and dry applications. It gives the builder one company to answer and solve all mechanical questions and problems."

Many custom home projects take over a year to complete and depending on complexity and plan charges it can take longer, but that is the nature of the custom home, which is often referred to a "dream home" with all the amenities that the owner wants. The plumbing fixtures are an important feature for any custom homeowner and LeDuc & Dexter provides service and guidance in that area. "We set up appointments for the them to come to our office and choose from a vast amount of manufacturer and supplier catalogs," says Jim Kempers.

Kohler Pro-Flex 72"x42" white tub is a popular size and can fit two people. (click image to enlarge)

LeDuc & Dexter has installed over 300 of these master bathroom shower systems. (click image to enlarge)

The plumbing manufacturers have kept up with the demand for upscale products for upscale customers in the North Bay. The tiled master shower pictured here is an example, "This has become a favorite system for master showers," says Jim Kempers, "It includes a thermostatic mixer valve, water volume controls, a standard shower head, a hand held shower and two body sprays. LeDuc & Dexter has installed over 300 of this style system in various custom homes and tract homes." If the custom home market continues to grow, as it has been, LeDuc & Dexter's residential department will be installing many more.

Wine Country Quiet Zone

Commercial

LeDuc & Dexter's commercial crew work to meet deadline on under slab plumbing project at the Harvest Inn in St. Helena. (click image to enlarge)

When the tranquility of the Wine Country is challenged, steps must be taken to preserve the ambience that has made the area one of the most desirable tourist destinations in the country, not to mention wine aficionados who would rather listen to the ping of champagne glasses than carpenter's hammers banging in the background. A perfect case in point is the Harvest Inn in St. Helena, which is undergoing an expansion of their facilities.

LeDuc & Dexter crew hustles to finish job in three days. (click image to enlarge)

The Harvest Inn is adding 14 guest rooms and a community room for conferences and meetings. The construction area is adjacent to the existing 54-room inn in an area that was formerly used for parking. Andrews & Thornley, Inc. is the general contractor and construction has begun with site preparation and foundation work. The work crews are not allowed to start construction until 8:30 a.m. so as to not disturb the guests at the inn.

After the foundations are poured construction will stop during the tourist season. Construction will resume in September. Because of the late spring rains this year construction schedules have been backed up and are now going full tilt with the dry and warm weather, LeDuc & Dexter's commercial department is no exception.

LeDuc & Dexter Foreman Jeff Shank has the expertise and leadership to get the best out of everyone on his crew including himself. (click image to enlarge)

Foreman Jeff Shank clamping wastewater pipe. (click image to enlarge)

At the Harvest Inn, LeDuc & Dexter foreman Jeff Shank had a schedule to complete the under slab plumbing in four days for two buildings in the expansion project. "We were able to complete the work in three days," says Shank, "We did most of it with a four-man crew and then we added two more plumbers, who were wrapping up at the Culinary dormitory, on the last day."

With the weather signaling the start of "construction season" LeDuc & Dexter's manpower will be a key factor in their performance on accelerated construction schedules and on the bigger projects they work on with companies like Andrews & Thornley.

Tom LeDuc Elected to PHCC of California Board of Directors

The Industry

Tom LeDuc, President and CEO of LeDuc & Dexter, Inc., was recently elected to the 2005-2006 PHCC of California Board of Directors. LeDuc, who is a two-time North Coast Builders Exchange President, is one of five directors along with four officers that comprise the board. The PHCC of California had previously named Tom LeDuc contractor of the year in 2004. LeDuc, who is also on the Board of Directors of PHCC of the Redwood Empire and a member of their Training Committee, sees the value of being involved on a local level as well as the state level. "It's important for me to know what's going on locally when I meet with PHCC of California and vice versa. If I can bring information to the PHCC of the Redwood Empire from the state level it can only help us be more effective."

Tom LeDuc, President & CEO of LeDuc & Dexter is now a member of the Board of Directors of the PHCC of California.

LeDuc is also the new Chairman of the Education and Training Committee for the PHCC of California. Educational programs for the plumbing industry have been a focus for LeDuc throughout his career and he now is involved at the local, state and national level of the PHCC.  LeDuc is a member of the Plumbing Apprentice Curriculum Committee of the PHCC National Association and a member of the Training Committee for the PHCC of the Redwood Empire. "I feel I can offer the PHCC of California some of my experience on other boards and committees including the North Coast Builders Exchange Board of Directors, which I've been involved with for nine years," says LeDuc, "my tenure of that board ends this month so I'll be able to focus more on PHCC now." The PHCC National Association will hold a meeting of the plumbing Apprentice Curriculum Committee on June 5th and 6th, and PHCC of California will host an Education Summit meeting October 21st .  LeDuc will attend both meetings and he is looking forward to it, "I have a lot of educational experiences to share and I'm sure I'll be learning a lot also."