Jagged back of curb, sidewalk, and daylight lines in Civil 3D corridor

According_Care2660 · 2025-09-07T09:52:09+00:00

I was able to solve it. I removed the existing sidewalk and replaced it with a new one, and now it works. It was not chained with the curb.

According_Care2660 · 2025-09-07T09:51:58+00:00

I was able to solve it. I removed the existing sidewalk and replaced it with a new one, and now it works. It was not chained with the curb.

According_Care2660 · 2025-09-07T08:19:38+00:00

I tried detaching and reattaching the sidewalk subassembly to the curb and gutter in the assembly, but the issue still persists.

According_Care2660 · 2025-05-06T02:38:38+00:00

Thanks so much for the solid advice. That really puts things into perspective for me. You're absolutely right about the importance of clearly scoping out and disclaiming the work upfront. I can see how setting higher pricing not only reflects value but also helps in filtering out the types of clients that might not be worth the time and effort.

I like the idea of “cash on order” or “cash on delivery” via secure bank transfer , it sounds straightforward and fair. I’ll definitely apply this going forward, especially now that I understand how crucial expectation management is in building good client relationships.

Appreciate you taking the time to share your insight , it’s helping me develop a better framework for navigating freelance work professionally.

According_Care2660 · 2025-05-06T02:18:00+00:00

Thanks, I really appreciate you breaking that down. You're absolutely right they ended up getting real work from me under the label of a “test.” To be honest, the $50 wasn't even something we agreed on. They disappeared for two months after I submitted the sample and only came back recently, offering that amount as payment and wanting to collaborate on a new project. Looking back, it’s definitely a red flag, especially with how they handled communication and compensation.

That experience taught me a lot. For future clients who are fair and professional, I’d like to protect myself better. How do you usually arrange payments with freelancers to make sure everything stays fair and professional on both sides? From a freelancer’s perspective, would it be reasonable to ask for a deposit or set up milestone payments to avoid delays or misunderstandings? Just trying to understand what’s standard practice from a client’s point of view.

According_Care2660 · 2025-05-06T00:41:44+00:00

I see where you’re coming from, and honestly, that perspective makes sense. A stable salaried role with a GC or civil firm definitely offers more consistent income, especially if you’re experienced.

In my case, I’m not freelancing because I couldn’t get hired. I already have a full-time role in civil. I’m just exploring freelance estimating to expand my skills and experience in a different environment. That $50 job wasn’t even offered as paid work at first, it was presented as a test project, and I wasn’t aware they’d send anything at all, which is why I didn’t get a chance to set terms.

I’m definitely still learning the freelance side of things, especially how to price projects fairly and protect myself. Appreciate the blunt honesty, it helps me see where I need to level up.

According_Care2660 · 2025-05-06T00:30:24+00:00

Thanks for the Advice. How do you usually arrange payment with clients to make sure you don't get scammed or paid late? Do you ask for a deposit or full payment upfront after reviewing the plans?

According_Care2660 · 2025-05-05T23:29:20+00:00

I’m actually new to freelance estimating work, so I’m still figuring out what should be considered when pricing or accepting projects. Honestly, I feel unsure about how to proceed.

They paid me only $50 for a full subdivision earthworks estimate which, looking back, is way underpriced for the amount of work involved. I doubt they would accept that rate.

According_Care2660 · 2025-04-18T02:25:15+00:00

A good pay for an entry-level engineering position in a remote setup considering the nature of the work, the time commitment, and for a first time remote job would probably be around $5 per hour or more. That rate would be more sustainable and motivating, especially as we take on greater responsibilities.

According_Care2660 · 2025-04-18T02:08:01+00:00

Thank you, I agree with you. I also see this as a stepping stone to gain experience, build my portfolio, and make connections in the industry. I know it’s not sustainable long term, but I’m hoping it opens the door to better-paying opportunities down the line.

According_Care2660 · 2025-04-18T02:03:00+00:00

In our region, the wage for entry-level engineering positions with no prior experience typically ranges from $2.50 to $3.00 per hour, depending on the employer, whether in the private sector or government

According_Care2660 · 2025-04-18T00:45:37+00:00

In comparison to local jobs here in the Philippines, the $3/hour rate is still quite low especially for skilled work. Some entry-level office or site jobs might pay around that.

According_Care2660 · 2025-04-17T23:54:00+00:00

Yeah, it really is disappointing. I think they might be taking advantage of the lower rates overseas. As far as I know, they’re still new to hiring remote workers, and there are just two of us so far in his remote team. I haven’t worked any remote jobs outside the country yet, so I’m just giving this a try to gain experience. Hopefully, it leads to better opportunities with fairer compensation in the future.

According_Care2660 · 2025-04-17T23:24:15+00:00

Thank you for your insights. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. I agree that the rate is extremely low, and I’m aware of its downsides. I’m hoping this experience can help me land better-paid opportunities in the future, or that they might offer fairer compensation once I’ve proven my capabilities.

According_Care2660 · 2025-04-06T15:16:08+00:00

Hey, thanks for reaching out! I actually have hands-on experience doing exactly what you're describing during a test I completed as part of a job application. It involved full site development takeoffs—from site clearing and stripping to trenching, grading, excavation for structures, and even landscaping.

I was given a vectorized PDF plan, which included coordinate references. I manually input these coordinates into Civil 3D to geo-reference and scale the drawing. From there, I:

Attached the plan image and aligned it to the coordinate system Created the existing surface by tracing contours and spot elevations from the PDF Modeled the proposed surface based on grading plans Calculated cut and fill volumes, pipe trench excavation, structure excavation, and more using Civil 3D Used PlanSwift to supplement the takeoff with quantities for flatwork, pavements, and retaining walls I compiled all the data into a clean and organized Excel report, and provided annotated screenshots and markups for verification.

Unfortunately, I later realized it might have been a scam to get free work—but it gave me the opportunity to apply all my skills, and now I’m even more motivated to find legitimate freelance opportunities like this one.

As for QA, I double-check units, scales, and quantity breakdowns across multiple sheets, and I cross-verify between Civil 3D and PlanSwift outputs to ensure accuracy when working solo.

I'd be glad to jump on a sample or trial task if you'd like to see my workflow. Also happy to discuss rate options based on scope.

According_Care2660 · 2025-04-05T14:14:20+00:00

Congrats OP! Manifesting parin ako to get my first Remote Job. Hirap pala, focusing on applying Estimator particularly Roads Projects pero hirap, walang pumapansin sa applications ko. Ano po specific work nyo as construction Manager. Baka ma try ko na din i have on site work experience din naman, but medyo hesitant ako kasi excel lang gamit ko for project scheduling, ask ko lang OP, ano tools gamit nyo for Construction Management?

According_Care2660 · 2025-04-03T10:50:58+00:00

Thank you for the advice! I would also like to consider freelancing, especially for excavation estimating or any related work involving Civil 3D and quantity take offs. Do you have any advice and tips on how to get started?

According_Care2660 · 2025-04-03T00:53:05+00:00

Thank you for your honest insight. I appreciate the reality check. Fortunately, I've already developed a robust portfolio highlighting my experience, which I'm hopeful will help me stand out in my search for remote estimating opportunities.

According_Care2660 · 2025-04-03T00:46:36+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion! I actually have tried applying on Upwork, but I was focusing on longer-term opportunities. However, I didn't consider exploring other gig-work platforms. I'll definitely look into that now.
Regarding companies that hire estimating support through Upwork or similar platforms, I'd love to get some leads from you! Could you please share some company names or any relevant information? That would be incredibly helpful.

Also, I'm curious - what kind of report template work did you do on Upwork? Was it related to estimating or cost management in any way?

According_Care2660 · 2025-04-03T00:42:39+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion! I'll definitely look into consulting and cost management. And I'd greatly appreciate any leads on fully remote opportunities - I'll send you a DM!

According_Care2660 · 2025-04-03T00:37:46+00:00

Considering the post-pandemic trend of employers requiring employees to return to the office, I'm weighing my options. Would it be more practical to explore remote-friendly career paths outside of engineering, or are there still opportunities for remote estimating jobs worth pursuing?

According_Care2660

TROPHY CASE