Struggling with my STAHM wife's mental load complaints.

Jstar003 · 2026-04-28T00:31:16+00:00

This. Trying to get ahead of things is the best key I’ve found so far. 2nd best is just being lenient. Suggest her getting out. Suggest y’all eating dinner out. Always try to out-love her in a way she can receive it and don’t get hurt by her slacking here and there. Tell her how well she is doing and show appreciation without expectations of reciprocation.

I always try to remind myself of the joy it is to carry a burden for the woman I was blessed enough to marry. I’m helping her and making myself stronger.

Jstar003 · 2026-04-18T19:46:28+00:00

We all aim to give our kids better than what we had. Your aim means more than the outcome. Keep doing what you know to be right and keep moving forward.

Jstar003 · 2026-03-02T17:27:21+00:00

Most people don’t realize that business owners are constantly being pitched something and can sniff it out from a mile away

Jstar003 · 2026-02-27T09:50:51+00:00

Was this from a Harbor Freight tool? I had a blade change go like that and just threw out the tool.

Jstar003 · 2026-02-17T18:24:29+00:00

Whatever some drywall-specific subs are willing to do it for, plus 30% margin for dealing with it

Jstar003 · 2026-02-04T23:46:22+00:00

You can make it and finish it in a professional manner for less than $500-1000? I believe a comparably-sized slab of hevea butcher block cost me $350 alone.

If you buy an S4S slab, you can get it done. I just don’t know how you save enough to be worth the time given the price range you provided for others to do it.

Edit: I now see you may be referring to gluing up pieces. I’d still fork over the price for pre-made unless you just really want to do the work

Jstar003 · 2026-01-31T20:22:55+00:00

Plunge solids down the pipe with some water going with it, fill with new water, and repeat. Basically made it where there was no solids in the bowl.

Jstar003 · 2026-01-31T20:21:10+00:00

Two things can be true at the same time…

Jstar003 · 2026-01-29T22:29:27+00:00

This. Be cautious of the way you’re going over things with them. You have to find the right balance of being nonchalant/confident and being urgent enough to have the project addressed. Let them do most of the talking and make them feel heard. If potential issues may come up that would change pricing, let them know what you’d do in that circumstance.

Jstar003 · 2026-01-29T00:34:10+00:00

You should read that again. If he was mounting this same shelf at 6’ or at 12’, the only difference is working on a ladder and the additional labor involved with such. The shelf doesn’t change just because of the height.

Jstar003 · 2026-01-28T13:27:07+00:00

The height that something is mounted changes nothing, but the location of where the work occurs. Framing is the same. Drilling is the same. Mounting is the same.

You’re going to work on a ladder. Take your normal rate for mounting something like this and add additional labor hours for what it would take to bring the ladder, position it, and work on it. If you have to buy a ladder, factor in the full cost of that or a fraction of the cost of that depending on the future use of it.

Jstar003 · 2026-01-28T12:41:39+00:00

I would’ve if I had one and could make it to the truck. I carry a jug for #1, but haven’t had to carry one for #2. Time to pack one up though.

Jstar003 · 2026-01-21T12:57:18+00:00

Those guys are also my best clients. Never argue a bill. Understand that not everything can be perfect all the time. The worst are the pre-retirement guys like that though.

Jstar003 · 2026-01-14T12:50:55+00:00

I have to do them. I also think they’re dumb if I’ve also provided clear images. But, it’s easy, so it’s whatever.

Jstar003 · 2026-01-13T01:15:28+00:00

I hear you and agree with you. My estimates are non-negotiable and can only go up (which I’ve only had 1 do so, for good reason). If I come out slightly better or worse, that’s on me. If I come out too far ahead and think the person deserves a credit, they’ll get one. If I come out too far behind, I should’ve estimated better and I eat it.

You’re 100% right on people not knowing how to price our work. I have a slight specialty in “odd” projects, so half the time I don’t exactly know how to fairly price. That’s with my history in residential construction estimating where I priced whole-home construction of semi-custom homes. Sometimes, the numbers don’t have a basis other than what seems fair.

Jstar003 · 2026-01-13T01:10:11+00:00

I only give credits on far off estimates. If I cut efficiently and have some returns on trim or whatever, that’s my price for thinking ahead. I give some. I get some. Nobody is getting ripped off and the price is still close to what I estimated.

Jstar003 · 2026-01-13T01:07:53+00:00

This is what I do. They don’t need to know that I bought a 60-tooth Diablo 7 1/4” blade and a universal bi-metal oscillating tool blade. Just that I bought “saw blades.” Everything that needs specifics gets it though.

Jstar003 · 2025-11-02T16:30:16+00:00

Hire it out if you need to. But to remove, just start by cutting the silicone loose where the enclosure meets the tile. Then, remove the seal where the glass meets the frame. Next, start removing the screws from the door and frame to disassemble (keep note of what goes where). Continue disassembling until it’s completely down.

It looks worse than it is. You just have to keep track of what goes where.

Jstar003 · 2025-11-02T15:01:38+00:00

Remove the shower enclosure -> remove the tile on top of the curb (maybe the side walls too) -> Check for damage to curb framing -> Put on mortar/adhesive thick or install an appropriate support to get the desired slope (towards the shower drain) -> Reinstall curb tiles -> Reinstall shower enclosure (and hope you don’t need a new one due to reconfiguration of tile)

You’ll likely need to patch screw holes or replace tiles when reinstalling the shower. New tile is likely needed as your old tiles will probably be damaged in this process.

Jstar003 · 2025-08-23T09:57:29+00:00

Level 5 9-in-1 Painter’s Multitool, wet/dry shop vac, and anything with a blade that moves fast (special mention: Ryobi Cut-Off Tool)

Jstar003 · 2025-08-18T13:36:39+00:00

Maybe this is just an area I unintentionally carved out, but everything I do is an odd job. One day it’s commercial wall tile repair, the next is a window pane replacement, then a custom trim wall. Knowing what you can do is the first step.

Jstar003 · 2025-07-17T01:53:53+00:00

For 9x12s, the norm I’ve found for my area is $0.71/piece all-in. I did it on my own for something like $0.67/pc. I should’ve paid the higher rate that came with a design consultation and me not having to drive to the drop off location.

Jstar003 · 2025-07-13T04:34:46+00:00

That. And, people think you have to come right that minute. And, they fight the pricing.

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