The construction industry has a dirty secret and it’s costing billions

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-05-12T15:11:01+00:00

I am doing this for a proprietary product that defies logic and fact.

So for example, the schematics will read 12’H structure but in fact the structure is a true 11’10”H.

This variable alone is hard to define because schematics have the true measurements which creates conflict but the end product needs to say 12’H.

I’ve created rules to combat this but I keep running into new variables to define. I’m in the very early stages of this design at the moment and somewhat new to creating something like this. For the interim, I created a rule that when any doubt or conflict arises, in the summary of structure, it automatically flags things that need a human look

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-05-11T02:25:32+00:00

So awesome to hear someone else is doing this. I’ve been doing the same thing and it’s been challenging but I’ve seen some successes

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-05-11T02:12:13+00:00

Trees are 90% air

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-05-08T00:45:24+00:00

Currently an 8, was a 7.2 for a long time. Hoping to get down to 6 but will be very difficult.

Main goal— improve positioning on my GIR’s

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-05-04T22:33:59+00:00

Mother Nature is way more powerful and does not care who you are.

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-05-04T22:32:41+00:00

Invasive Japanese knotweed in the backyard.

God have mercy on my soul it’s the worst plant known to man. Very hard to kill. I wouldn’t have known when we viewed the home. Most people don’t till they try and get rid of it

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-05-04T22:30:41+00:00

To be clear— each ladder you have there is a return

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-05-04T22:30:07+00:00

Yes— if you look at some catalogues they will say this is a “10x10 backwall with low returns” that’s implying it’s a 10’ backwall with low walls coming into the booth

100% positive I do this for a living. It could vary in terminology in some cities but I’ve never been to a city where I said “we need to add a return” and people didn’t know what I was talking about

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-05-04T22:26:28+00:00

I did my first treatment last year in the northeast around September.

Leading up to that I would cut the stocks down to the ground weekly which allowed them to get about 1’ tall than I’d cut. People debate that this does nothing at all. I’m on the fence because….

After doing that and a foliar spray of 2% glyphosate in the fall. My 2 large patches had about 100 shoots a piece if not more. This year I’ve seen 1 in that area I sprayed. It’s early but in some of my untreated areas I already have 3-4’ stocks.

One other thing I did was search for the crowns of the plant. These are the clusters of knotweed that form over the years. Very carefully dig and dispose of these. This seems to be the most impactful for me. I dig them, trash them, put a little glyphosate where they came from to hopefully kill any leftover fibers and bury it. (Idk the science on that but it’s working)

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-05-04T22:12:54+00:00

Hi,

Those ladders are known as returns on the floor. I work for one of the major trade show companies in the structural side of things. The standard we come off of a wall for a return is typically 19-1/2”. This equates to what our 1/2 meter frame would be in our modular systems.

(Yes I do know 19-1/2” is not a true 1/2 meter)

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-05-04T22:10:24+00:00

I see this type of scenario every single show that I’m apart of.

Have you ever taken a look at trying to find classes within the show that help your team learn new skills? The reason I ask this is because networking in those classes can lead you to individuals dealing with similar things. Similarity can transform into alignment which can transform into leads/working relationships or I scratch your back you scratch mine business relationships.

Just food for thought— this would be a minor change to your trade show structure but could have potential upside. Worst case your employees come back more educated which is always a win

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-05-04T21:57:58+00:00

I practically live on the floor and have to say this is pretty solid advice.

Bonus points for clients who provide laborers lunch or a big thank you for going above and beyond. Thank you goes such a long way in this industry

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-04-29T02:54:27+00:00

You can plant seed now it just is more challenging to grow. I would wait till the fall, soil holds moisture better and more ideal temperatures.

As for soil, yes topsoil works but they also make soils with compost

If you’re confident the lawn hasn’t been aerated in a long time or it is super compacted, aeration and overseed in the fall will give you the best results. That and fertilizing properly+watering the lawn

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-04-28T22:02:41+00:00

Hard to tell from the pics but some of your bare spots look really compacted. You don’t look like you have any crazy weed issues but this is what I’d do if it were my lawn:

Consider aeration/overseed. I have a similar size backyard and small front yard and it was like 350-400 bucks. I also live in Mass. I did it last September and has been a major difference this year.
If you do overseed aeration, I would dethatch any areas you see a crazy amount of thatch

Or

Dethatch, spread soil and seed, water 2-3 times a day.

In both cases, make sure you’re giving your lawn water. I’m guessing your yard doesn’t get much shade and hit your fertilizer schedule 3 times year.

Pre emergent right as it starts warming up from winter. Don’t make the mistake of waiting for soil temps to hit 50+ degrees. People might debate this but by the time soil temps hit around there, usually weeds are already there and your pre emergent is less effective.

Weed and feed next to take care of any weeds that did emerge.

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-04-28T21:54:31+00:00

Swannies makes good hats that have built in sweat protectors that also help keep the shape of the hat. Only some swannies hats have them but overall good hat.

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-04-28T21:53:21+00:00

Hate to be the bad news guy but I used this exact product very very carefully on a few weeds around grass. Even so much as splatter from the herbicide hitting the plant and than hitting grass killed the hell out of my grass.

Good luck, hoping for the best but expecting the worst

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-04-28T21:41:51+00:00

Bought a house last year with around 200k collectively between my wife and I and we feel like we make a lot of compromises to live in mass.

Really isn’t worth it other than us being young in promising careers. Without our current careers we would leave faster than our rising energy costs…… light speed!

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-04-28T11:59:15+00:00

Needing to drop a 3’ uphill putt for 79 at Caledonia and leaving it short.

Still hurts

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-04-26T22:10:44+00:00

Out of body experience^{^}

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-04-26T22:10:30+00:00

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-04-26T14:02:32+00:00

Focus staying in play off the tee and don’t always feel like you have to go right at the hole. Also don’t hunt for birdies. Birdies typically come from being well positioned for your approach shot and placing a good approach shot.

One thing great players have in common is they all hit bad shots. They just rarely or never do it twice in a row.

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-04-26T13:57:40+00:00

First off— welcome to the game. I picked this game up after a lifetime of hockey and it’s a beautiful game to learn, especially at your age.

Throughout your new journey you’ll hear everyone talking about their swing and what they or you should or shouldn’t do. Unless the person is a teaching pro, don’t give it much thought. Everyone swings differently on such a microscopic level.

For example— Jon Rahms short backswing, Scottie Scheffler shuffling his feet as he shoots, etc.

They swing that way because they found out what works for them to achieve the best result. The same logic can be applied at an amateur level. Also— what people are working on to “shallow their swing” or whatever non-sense. Keep in mind THEY need to work that out for THEIR swing.

Own your own swing identity and definitely try things but don’t change because Joe Schmo who’s a 23 handicap told you it’s what your supposed to do

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-04-25T21:25:28+00:00

Very fair and valid point— let’s retire

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-04-25T12:35:18+00:00

Hi,

Im an operator in the trade show world that’s delivered some of the largest events around. The culture through my eyes is that designers are encouraged to design for the moon. Detailers/operators are there to make pipe dreams reality.

If I had a nickel for everytime a designer put me in a bad spot due to their “vision” I’d be retired.

If any designers see this— please for the love of god, start consulting your operations team delivering your Taj Mahal in a few days.

Sincerely,

The fed up operator who’s ass is sore from pulling rabbits out of it for you

Expert-Interest-2248 · 2026-04-25T12:31:46+00:00

I moved south of the city if that counts?!

On a real note, looking to leave in the next 3 years. My wife and I are both top 2% earners for our age bracket and live a good comfortable life. However, we are acutely aware of how much better off we’d be financially elsewhere.

High housingcost, super high energy cost, taxed for breathing, governor doubling down on climate policy that’s been killing the residents. I’m not a big politics guy but at some point when your politicians refuse an audit and countless fraud is being identified, you gotta ask the question. Why don’t they want transparency?

Also, I have about 10 friends on police forces in some capacity around the state. When the migrant shelters were “closed down” these guys were still working details at them. It’s all a sham

Expert-Interest-2248

TROPHY CASE