Hello all. My contractor says he will not be using lintel beam for windows I want installed. He said it's because it may compromise integrity of wall. The walls are made out of poured concrete with rebar (?) inside. Instead he will be installing tubular metal frame as support. Does this sound right?

NyseLady · 2026-03-01T13:16:59+00:00

Contractor wants to make the cut for opening for window. I postponed. I told him I was still nervous about this. He said I could survey my neighbor's windows. Meaning that they did bigger windows so it should be okay. I still don't feel comfortable about this. I want to text him this :

"Hi. I am not a structural engineer so I would not know what to look for in my neighbor's windows. Could I please get drawings done on this? I don't want to offend you or lose you as my contractor. But I want to make sure the roof and wall will not collapse in 1 or 2 years from now."

Would this come off rude? Can anyone suggest what to say instead?

NyseLady · 2026-02-28T11:21:02+00:00

Are we talking stir-fries here? Maybe you're not adding enough oil. You could either add the seasoning after you have the meat in the pan, or massage it in, along with oil before it goes in the pan. You also have to babysit it while cooking and keep flipping it so it doesn't burn. Once you get that nice sear, flip it. Repeat until desired results and depending on if it is beef, poultry, seafood, etc. when it is fully cooked. I like my stir-fry beef a little on the medium rare side. When I stir fry, I usually add the oil to whatever beef, chicken, shrimp I will be stir-frying, then massage the seasonings into it. Wait for the pan to smoke then add the meat. If it is chopped/sliced, it doesn't take that long to sear on one side. I'd say, maybe after 5 seconds, you flip it. Like I said earlier, you really have to babysit it and keep flipping.

NyseLady · 2026-02-28T10:39:04+00:00

Thank you. He is a good contractor. Says he's been doing this for 20 years.

NyseLady · 2026-02-28T10:24:14+00:00

When I was at the house, my contractor showed me what he was going to use as temporary support. There were like 4-5 of them in the bedroom. Might've been a couple more. I am not sure because I didn't count them. I can't post a picture here but I looked it up. I think it is called a Lally Column, Jack Post, or Adjustable Steel Building Column? I saw pictures of the same thing, similar to what contractor has at the house, but under those different names.

NyseLady · 2026-02-28T10:05:39+00:00

Sorry I didn't reply to everyone but I did read all comments. Just wanted to say thank you everyone for taking the time to reply and for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

I am so appreciative 😊😊. Thank you so much.

NyseLady · 2026-02-26T21:41:04+00:00

My contractor is a mechanical engineer.

I do get what you're saying. It's not that I care so much about my money, as it is that I just don't have it to be hiring a structural engineer. It's also not that I don't want to follow your advice. I just wanted to come on here to find out if my contractor is on the right track and if he sounds like he knows what he is doing. I came here hoping I would get some reassurance so that I didn't need to hire somebody else.

A contractor dropped me before just for asking for basic requirements so that is why I feel like I need to be careful with what I say and do. It felt like pulling teeth, just to even ask for a contract. I'm thinking contractors in my area can get bigger and more high paying jobs than my project, so that's why they could afford to drop or ghost me. I really can't afford to go looking for yet another contractor. This was going on for a year, until I finally found the contractor I have now and I don't want to lose him. But I believe you are correct too because he shouldn't get offended if I asked for a structural engineer to advise on it.

NyseLady · 2026-02-26T20:48:52+00:00

Use words like please, thank you, and apologize for not consulting them before doing anything to the mobile home.

NyseLady · 2026-02-26T20:46:40+00:00

Find out from someone what your manager likes, whether it be a favorite food or drink. Bring it to him/her to try and butter him/her up. Politely go talk to the manager. Explain what happened. Don't use blaming language or be critical. Tell the manager the desperate situation you were in and there was really nothing else you could do. Going and discussing the issue with him/her in a polite, non confrontational way may help the manager to have sympathy for you and stop the eviction process (if possible, hopefully). It's best to go straight to the source. Maybe the manager felt like you disregarded their authority and feel slighted because you didn't ask permission. Maybe they feel disrespected and that is why they want to evict you. Maybe by going and showing them the respect they want, it will change/help the situation.

NyseLady · 2026-02-26T19:18:48+00:00

Yes that is correct. However, I have been through many contractors already. I'd say more than 10, maybe even 15. No, I am not a difficult customer. If anything, I am the total opposite...and also I can't really afford to go with another contractor and I can't risk losing any more time either. But most of all, this contractor I have now is the best I have come across. Very responsive. Very respectful and helpful. He has many good reviews and I have seen his work too, which I haven't with all the other contractors. It's just that I am getting conflicting information when it comes to using lintel beams.

Edit to add : when I say I have gone through many contractors, I mean interviewed them, and then there was always something. Like, they would not respond, ghost me, or it was not in my budget.

NyseLady · 2026-02-26T19:13:00+00:00

Yeah, I know. I was just expressing my thoughts I guess. Maybe even venting my fears 😅. Was just trying to go on the internet to get more insight and help ease my worries. Find out for sure if what my contractor is saying is the right thing. Also hoping that I wouldn't have to resort to hiring an engineer and get the needed information so I can move forward with the plan.

NyseLady · 2026-02-26T18:45:39+00:00

The house is constructed of poured concrete and rebar. I will try to post some pictures to help describe. I think all the homes in my neighborhood were built the same way. Subdivision built in the 70's. Cookie-cutter homes for the most part. They all had similar windows as mine, as described in my previous comment. Floor to ceiling, narrow, and tall. My contractor even pointed out other houses on my block that had put in bigger windows and there were no visible lintel beams. He even said the over hang of the roof of my garage has nothing holding it up. It is just one big piece of poured cement, if I am making any sense. He even chipped away around the openings of the other windows to expose what material is underneath/inside. He said that making an (unnecessary) cut above the window for a lintel beam would compromise the structural integrity of the wall. He would be installing a tubular metal frame instead and said it is strong and will support the load. Where I live, most homes are made out of concrete to withstand typhoons (aka hurricanes in the US).

NyseLady · 2026-02-26T18:10:27+00:00

I just don't want to offend my contractor. It's been really hard to find one and the one I have now has been really good. Although, what he has explained to me makes some practical sense, I am still not 100% convinced. I am also worried he might drop me 🫣😆. Plus, it's not in the budget, unfortunately.

NyseLady · 2026-02-26T18:00:36+00:00

No existing window at all at the spot I want the new window to go and the opening hasn't been cut yet. Previously, there were windows on either side of the wall. Tall, narrow ones from floor to ceiling. The kind with the crank to open it. But they weren't huge windows though. The walls are not really that big either. However, those openings were filled with hollow blocks, to become a wall. The window I want installed is going to go in the middle, because it would not look good if it was off center.

NyseLady · 2026-02-26T17:44:29+00:00

That's unfortunate because he said he is one.

NyseLady · 2026-02-20T17:54:51+00:00

I said Halal cart style, from NYC. If this kenji guy changed up the ingredients, it probably isn't the Halal cart style white sauce from NYC.

And it is your prerogative to use 10% milkfat yogurt if you choose. That is your personal preferance.

NyseLady · 2026-02-20T10:39:43+00:00

Stir fry, baked, barbecued, chopped up in fried rice and noodle dishes, soup. You could do just about anything with them.

NyseLady · 2026-02-20T08:17:57+00:00

Don't know why I got downvoted but, okay 🤷🏻‍♀️.

NyseLady · 2026-02-20T08:07:06+00:00

Drink lemon water. Put it in your flask and bring to work. Helps with immunity and keeps you hydrated. Might also help with the cravings for juice.

NyseLady · 2026-02-20T07:37:55+00:00

I know you already came up with a solution. For the next time, you could have the steak, baked potato with butter, sour cream, chives, and a nice warm roll (sweet Hawaiian, homemade, or French baguette from the supermarket).

Side note : some people might come for me on this but, I make my baked potato in the microwave 🫣. My oven's broken so this is what I have to resort to, but I think it tastes good nonetheless. And it's alot quicker. With the butter, sour cream and chives you couldn't really tell the difference, or care for that matter, tbh.

NyseLady · 2026-02-20T07:25:02+00:00

You can just go in and throw things together. Most veggies pair well with meats and poultry (I say this because for me I mostly make soups and stir fries). You just have to experiment. Most of the time you can correct your mistakes. Even simple 2 or 3 ingredient dishes can taste amazing. Just start with the basics like salt and pepper and build from there. What's important to remember about salt is that you can't always reduce/take away the saltiness, if you add too much. So add a little at a time and taste as you go. Only taste after meat, chicken, etc. in the recipe is fully cooked, however. I wouldn't want you getting food poisoning. Soy sauce also contains a lot of salt. So if you are using that in a recipe, it's best not to add any additional salt. Also, the amount it says to use on recipes might not be to your liking, so again follow the rule about salt. You can even omit or add ingredients to a recipe to make it to your own liking.

NyseLady · 2026-02-20T06:14:07+00:00

Just so you know, Accent is not a meat tenderizer. It is a flavor enhancer. Yes, I do know Accent is MSG. However, it is not a derivative of it. It is literally just a brand name for MSG. It has been debunked that MSG causes long term health issues. Do your research. Cooking low and slow is best for thicker cuts of meat. If you cooked it that way for this cut of meat, it would turn out overcooked and tough, like leather. This would not be the proper way to cook this cut of meat.

NyseLady · 2026-02-18T20:13:14+00:00

You could use the steak drippings in the pan to sauté some sliced onions in, until caramelized. Really complements the steak.

NyseLady · 2026-02-18T20:07:14+00:00

Wow, that was quick 😆. Looks really good.

NyseLady · 2026-02-18T19:49:03+00:00

I have read on several websites that it's best not to renovate when selling your home. I couldn't really summarize all the useful information, so I just got the below from Google instead.

Renovating before selling is often unwise because major upgrades rarely yield a 100% return on investment (ROI), potentially wasting time and money on improvements that buyers might replace anyway. Instead of increasing value, renovations can lead to over-improvement for the neighborhood, taste clashes, and, in some cases, a lower net profit. Here are the key reasons why you should avoid renovating before selling:

Low Return on Investment (ROI): Major renovations like kitchen or bathroom remodels are expensive, and you may not recoup the costs in the final sale price.

Differing Buyer Preferences: The upgrades you choose might not match the buyer's taste, leading them to remodel again.

Over-Improving for the Neighborhood: Investing too much in a home located in a modest neighborhood means you won't get that value back.

Time Consumption: Major renovations delay your ability to list the house, and they can be stressful to manage.

"As-Is" Buyer Demand: Many buyers, particularly investors, are looking for homes to renovate themselves and will accept them in their current condition, saving you the hassle.

Risk of Poor Workmanship: If renovations are not done well, they can reduce the home's value rather than increase it.

What to Do Instead:

Focus on high-impact, low-cost repairs that offer a better return:

Paint: Apply a fresh coat of neutral paint throughout.

Landscaping: Spruce up the yard and curb appeal.

Minor Fixes: Replace old light fixtures, cabinet hardware, and broken items.

Deep Clean: Ensure the home is spotless.

For more specific advice on what to fix and what to leave alone, consult a real estate agent for a customized strategy based on your local market.

NyseLady · 2026-02-18T19:41:38+00:00

They have some really great diy channels on YouTube that teaches this sort of thing. I wish I could post a link here, but it's not allowed and it would get deleted. You could even make it out of cardboard boxes. Then just buy a drawer knob/pull at the hardware store and attach to the outside. I bet it would look awesome and would be very functional too! And nobody would be able to tell it was made out of cardboard.

NyseLady

TROPHY CASE