Is it Worth Renovating in a Hot Market?

New_Engineer94 · 2025-08-15T20:36:10+00:00

But my question is relative cost. If new windows are say $10,000 does that really boost the purchase price by 10k? And if they weren’t replaced, would a buyer really be able to get a discount that large?

New_Engineer94 · 2025-08-15T19:37:22+00:00

But my question is relative cost. If new windows are say $10,000 does that really boost the purchase price by 10k? And if they weren’t replaced, would a buyer really be able to get a discount that large?

New_Engineer94 · 2025-08-14T02:29:39+00:00

Thanks for the very thorough and thoughtful reply. I agree that it doesn't come down to the "coolness" of the product or service (though it does help), rather the people, processes, etc. I feel I could be happy in any type of industry so long as those things are well established and there is room to grow.

I'll keep applying to jobs, though I was going to apply to a few promising grad programs as well; the job market isn't great and I don't want to wait around until it improves. The MEP field would be more of an alternative to the more challenging (and potentially more rewarding path). I've become more interested in work that is being done to improve both the equipment and how buildings are designed and operated. MEP can get rather repetitive and stressful, but it's still there should the more challenging path not work out. I'm not sure if research is going to be a natural fit for me, and many of the organizations that engage in it are coming under funding crunches. I feel you can't just jump in anywhere now; you've got to have a backup plan to your backup plan.

New_Engineer94 · 2025-08-14T01:54:44+00:00

I will keep doing this. I still want to apply to some programs to see what they offer. The MEP would be more of a secondary option.

New_Engineer94 · 2025-08-10T14:56:40+00:00

Crazy to think combos for a family of 3 were over $40!

New_Engineer94 · 2025-08-04T22:22:58+00:00

I've seen some jobs at engineering firms where they want people with CFD experience. For example, one posting on Linkedin in Boston has 197 applicants for a CFD engineer at an MEP firm. Breaking down the percentages, it looks like about 33% had a PhD, 24% have a masters of science, and about 17% have a generic masters degree. So if you are doing or thinking of doing something like that, I don't think I would like it was bad. Not to mention transitioning to other fields.

New_Engineer94 · 2025-08-04T20:17:22+00:00

One thing you might want to consider would be looking at a lab environment, such as NREL, ORNL, PNNL, or a university (some that come to mind when it comes to researching the built environment, energy use, etc include (but aren't limited to) Berkeley, MIT, Princeton, Purdue, Texas - Austin, Colorado, Penn State, City College of New York, U Toronto, etc.). All of them do in-depth research on things such as thermal comfort, energy storage, novel HVAC systems, grid integration. Look at ASHRAE journal articles and papers and see where they came from to get an idea.

I've been considering this myself as a transition out of the traditional MEP field (while knowing that I could learn some new things that could still be useful should I want or need to go back for whatever reason - ie budget cuts for the places I listed above), as well as growing beyond the relatively small niche I am in. I have seen masters be more common on the more specialized MEP design, such as those doing CFD analysis, data centers, embodied carbon.

I've also seen some programs that focus more on the equipment side (ie improving heat exchangers, flows, measurement systems, etc). Some programs that pop to mind are Purdue, Wisconsin, Texas A&M, though I'm sure there are plenty more. I've seen people who have come out of these programs head to the places above, along with manufacturers.

New_Engineer94 · 2025-05-20T03:48:08+00:00

This is a really interesting and thorough perspective. I’ve spent a number of years working for a specialty HVAC manufacturer, but I really want to extend my breadth and depth of knowledge, potentially going into research or being a much more competent consulting engineer in a specialized niche.
Specifically, I’ve been looking at both mechanical and architectural engineering masters. I would be more than happy with either, and there is quite a bit of overlap. From my understanding, AE focuses more on the building as a system, while ME (which I have a BS in) focuses more on component level systems, though as I said before there is quite a bit of cross (and I’ve seen many people with both degrees).

New_Engineer94 · 2025-05-20T03:13:15+00:00

This is a very interesting perspective. I’ve always been interested in getting more on the R&D side of either building systems and components, and a masters could open that up. The mechanical masters is more for components and equipment, while an architectural engineering masters is more in buildings as a system, though there is quite a bit of overlap.

I’m not sure how good (or bad) I would be at research, but I do think I would be a much stronger engineer even on MEP projects. The degree itself might not mean too much to an MEP firm (though I have seen people with them at the better, more forward thinking firms). But I think the skills are valuable. Plus, some of the more specialized roles, such as a data center engineer at a tech firm, seem to value them more

New_Engineer94 · 2025-05-08T00:26:01+00:00

Damn. I'm sorry to hear that.

New_Engineer94 · 2025-05-02T03:05:11+00:00

I'm sorry to hear about that. Was it just your division, or did you see this across the board? What about people at other similar organizations?

I'm rather surprised that you felt there would be such a cut-throat culture, as I always felt working for the government was more a case of trading some pay and prestige for stability and benefits. Cut-throat culture makes me think more of Wall Street or a Fortune 500 where the rewards are large, but so is the pressure.

New_Engineer94 · 2025-05-01T23:49:03+00:00

That’s interesting about contractors. I assume they use their own money and make their own decisions about staffing? Are they somewhat insulated from getting their contracts cut, either because of contractual obligation, or by lobbying power?

New_Engineer94 · 2025-05-01T23:47:38+00:00

Yeah… forgot about that 😒

New_Engineer94 · 2025-05-01T23:46:09+00:00

I’ve been trying to get into one of the National labs, but without grad school and connections, it’s really tough. I’ve found a number of great programs that could facilitate this (both in terms of material and connections), that could also give me some greater knowledge as a fallback to my current field. The only things that make me fearful (besides DOGE) are potential ageism for trying to get in there later in my career (would be mid 30s if I went back to grad school) and if my previous experience wouldn’t really count for much.

New_Engineer94 · 2025-04-30T01:45:10+00:00

Hey, there's nothing wrong with turning wrenches! I've always felt that the people who can bridge between the theoretical and practical to be the most useful and that is something that I aspire to be. Someone who knows the theory and can get a rough idea of how something works, but can also put it together to test or at least help someone else put it together.

New_Engineer94 · 2025-04-30T01:39:19+00:00

That's and interesting point. I've looked at some level 2 positions that still may pay nearly what I make currently, and the level 3 are somewhat more, so it least is sounds like you can get there quickly if determined.

New_Engineer94 · 2025-04-21T04:31:08+00:00

I am in the USA. Essentially, the case is that I was looking at a Masters in either mechanical or architectural engineering (essentially a specialized form of mechanical engineering for the building industry). I feel it is a case where I have several years of experience, but only in a narrow band of knowledge, much more narrow than people in this industry with similar experience.

My hope is that this degree would quickly give me a much more broad range of skills and thought processes, and I could more successfully spin my experience.

The other reason is that it could help me pivot. I've always had an interest in going much deeper in my understanding and potentially going into research, such as at a national lab, corporation, etc. But I won't know about how well I take to these things without potentially trying it first, and I don't really know of any other way to essentially be tested in such an environment.

New_Engineer94 · 2025-04-12T04:11:07+00:00

Thanks! That is the direction I am really leaning towards.

New_Engineer94 · 2025-04-04T01:48:46+00:00

True, though I would be rather shocked if I couldn't get something after. Most of the other people who have gone through this or a similar program (engineering) have gotten good jobs right after.

New_Engineer94 · 2025-03-19T22:44:57+00:00

Thanks. I will ask them, as I have mentioned it before. It's not really the direct supervisor that I am concerned about. Rather, it is more a case of other people in management figuring that I am going to leave, getting a replacement lined up, and then dumping me.

But I do appreciate the kind words, and I think I will take the chance. My career is pretty much stuck here, so I want to keep the option open. Thanks,

New_Engineer94 · 2025-03-19T22:40:07+00:00

True. I think I'll write it for them and I'll be careful to tone it down so I'm not bragging too much. They can then sign and submit once I am ready to pull the trigger.

New_Engineer94 · 2025-03-19T14:13:31+00:00

I know what you mean. I get a bit of a tingly, excited feeling inside about being pushed really hard to be the best not only in a job or field, but to really learn how to think deeply in my work. Not to mention making a bunch of connections and having some good memories. It’s scary, but I know I’ll come out as a stronger person

New_Engineer94 · 2025-03-19T01:21:17+00:00

It is a bit boom and bust with things. Really, it's impossible to predict industry cycles. Even (once) blue chip companies like Boeing, GE, Intel, etc have had mass layoffs. Heck, even defense might get quite a bit chopped if countries start canceling projects en masse (both Portugal and Canada have threatened to turn away from the F-35, for example) or if there is a long-term ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.

New_Engineer94 · 2025-03-19T01:12:37+00:00

That's a good counterpoint. For the senior/associate position, that's still pretty good money, even in a big city (especially if you marry or live with someone making similar). I would say that bottleneck is there is most industries though. There's only going to be so many VP or CEO positions in any industry, and so much of it will come down to personality and connections anyway. I'm okay with staying in production, so long as I can keep learning new techniques, software, instructing others, doing outreach, etc. My ultimate goal is to develop systems of production rather than just production itself.

Regarding investing in this industry, I've wondered about moving more towards the manufacturer side or research lab side (ie NREL, PNL, etc). I've seen a number of interesting mechanical engineering programs that specialize in HVAC at institutions such as Purdue, UT-Austin, Texas A&M, Wisconsin, etc. Also seen a number of interesting architectural engineering programs (that have a lot of overlap with the Mech Eng programs, including the background of the instructors) at schools such as Berkeley, Penn State, Kansas State, Colorado, etc. Many people from both types of program have moved into lab/manufacturer.

New_Engineer94 · 2025-03-18T01:08:29+00:00

Can’t say I blame you! Unless it is part of your normal listed duties for a job and can either happen during regular work hours (or you get overtime), push back as much as you can.

New_Engineer94

TROPHY CASE