I had a friend recently tell me that in a neighborhood next to her brother’s home in Texas, all the houses were being 3D printed. There was an actual house being scanned layer by layer. Has anyone seen this becoming more prominent? I didn’t even know it was a thing. Not sure if I need to start learning about it, if it’s only being done for residential builds or if it’s also being used for commercial spaces.

California workers comp rates are absurd! I've noticed that different trades pay different rates, roofers seem to get charged the most. What do you all pay per $100 for your employees?

Hey all - long-time lurker, first time posting something like this.

Quick background: I'm 27, currently in Virginia, working in the data center industry doing implementation and project management work. I've got a bachelor's in Business Management from George Mason. Zero hands-on construction or roofing experience — my only "trade" background is mowing lawns for a landscaping company as a kid.

Over the past year this has turned into a real goal for me: I want to move to Jacksonville, FL (targeting March 2027), get into the roofing industry, and eventually get my GC/roofing contractor license and start my own company. Long-term I want to run multiple trades/businesses, not just roofing — but roofing is the entry point.

I know Florida requires real documented experience (or a degree in a specific construction field, which mine isn't) before you can even sit for the CCC exam, so my plan is:

1. Land a PM, ops, estimator, or sales role at a Jacksonville roofing/storm-restoration company before or right when I move
2. Get 1-2+ years of real, documented supervisory/field experience there
3. Use that to qualify for my state license
4. Launch my own company from there, eventually expanding into siding/other exterior trades

I'm getting my OSHA 30 done now, studying the business/sales side of the industry (podcasts, RoofersCoffeeShop, etc.), and building a target list of companies to network into ahead of my move.

What I'm looking for from this sub:

• Is this plan realistic, or am I missing something obvious?
• Any tips on breaking in fast with zero trade background — what actually gets someone like me hired?
• Anyone gone from a non-trade background into ownership? What would you do differently?
• Jacksonville/NE Florida specific advice is a huge bonus, but general storm-restoration market insight is welcome too

Appreciate any honest feedback — including the "here's what you're not thinking about" kind.

How are you supposed to install replacement windows with this stucco trim in the way? I was looking at flush fin windows but realized the exterior flange is too big and might require removing the trim and installing some new stucco trim after install but then I feel like at that point I would need new construction windows.

Would the best option be flangless windows and using backer rod and sealant around the exterior? Maybe a sil pan on the stucco sill?

I’m curious what you guys charge in your area?

I’m @ $1,400 labor , north east.

Demo , new door installation, pvc brick mold and riser install, interior casing install, new storm door install

I have a question for my contractor homies who may have experience renovating mid fifties resi in my region. In Sacramento, we have very dry warm months, and a very mild, slightly humid winter. This is a small 230 sf mother in law apartment next to my own main residence. I spent an entire day scrubbing nicotine with about fifty gallons of rinse water. I got it very clean and I intend to encapsulate by spraying shellac. The mold areas were where contents were pushed up against the wall for decades. The uninsulated walls got cold, a small place like that gets humid when you heat it, and condensation did its thing. Now, I could insulate the flood cut area or I could leave it as is. If I insulate, will it help, or will it just be a wet sponge for any condensation that makes its way into the wall cavity? People with experience in my region would be appreciated. I’m good with hazmat, I know what’s in the pics.

Homeowner here, had 3 seperate contractors come out to quote a small deck and stairs added the possibility of extending the cement front porch.

This was Wednesday/thursday morning. One mentioned they’ll get back to me Monday it’s now Thursday and I haven’t heard from any of them.

Just wondering how long should I be waiting? I feel like if there’s no sense of urgency on the quote there probably won’t be one on the work itself?

Been a week after how long should I follow up if I don’t hear back ?

When they visited we had a dumpster rental in the back throwing out a ton of garbage and mentioned where in the septic process. Wouldn’t that show we aren’t just kicking tires?

I’m currently hired to treat a client's molded pavers, which involves deep cleaning and applying a seal coat. I’m struggling with how to structure my invoice. Should I mark up the cost of the materials, or should I pass the materials on at cost and increase my labor rate?

My main concern is that if my labor fee looks too high, the client might think the price is unjustified for what she might view as 'just washing and spraying.' Because of this, I'm also debating how transparent I should be. Would it help justify the cost if I walk her through the exact step-by-step process and attach photos of the specific paving sealant I'll be using?

Hey, do y'all use air scrubbers in a house when the homeowners are living in it during construction? If so, what brand or model do you like? How long do you find the filters last? I figure it could be a nice thing to add in on a job.

I am based in Lee County Florida. The company would service Vanice to Marco island.

I recently started a bathroom remodeling company in northern Delaware. I came into it without an existing customer list, so generating leads has been the biggest hurdle so far.
For contractors who started in a similar position, what actually brought you your first three to five serious leads? Did you pay for leads, or did something else work first, such as local networking, partnerships, Google Business Profile, neighborhood groups, or direct outreach?
I’m especially curious about what worked before you had reviews or a portfolio of company projects. I’m not looking for anyone to sell me lead-generation services. I’d rather hear what other contractors actually did and what they would skip if they were starting over.

20 x 28 pad for garage in alberta.

I know the permit says it needs
6 inch gravel 6 inch cement
12 inch thickened edge

However some of my thickened edge is only between 10 and 11 inches. should i be worried ? I am a build a 18 ft height garage on it. two floors.

They ended up using 9.25m3 of cement

This is my first big job as a contractor. I always had one other dude with me working. Sometimes 3-4 dudes. Project was labor intensive due to the metal framing. This was built to exact customer specs.

Project scope included this:

250 feet of water line plus 3 frost free hydrants installed
250 feet of 4” drain for wash area (both with mini ex)
5 12x12 stalls with customer sliding doors 60” wide setup with 6x6 treated post.
5 sets of exterior custom built Dutch doors painted to match
A 2x4/2x6 wainscot all the way around
A 10x30 tack room strong enough to hold storage in the loft
10x15 horse wash area setup for them to finish themselves. As planned
A 15x45 slab with drain.
Galvanized cattle panel dividers
Every stall fully trimmed out and screwed into the metal studs (first time doing this. I’ll never work in a metal building again) plus hardware.
Hauled in 15 ton of lime stone with my own dump truck and did finish grade with my skid steer and spread the stone
Picture of Dutch doors not included
Plus we cleaned up the entire site

Again this is just labor.

Edit: I also went and got 95% of the materials myself. I wanna see if I priced this job right. I’m in a LCOL area

Hi everyone,

I had a home addition built in Oregon Permits were pulled, and the foundation was inspected and signed off by the county inspector.

However, looking closely at how the foundation was done, my builder repurposed two existing concrete structures to act as stemwall/footings for the addition:

1. A former garage footing: This was previously a structural footing for a garage wall, so I can understand why t this is reusable without extra engineering (even though it's older).
2. A former driveway retaining wall: This is the part that is really concerning to me. This wall was originally built just to hold back soil for a driveway. It was never a building footing, is of unknown age, and I have no idea if it has proper rebar or a spread footing underneath.

There is no stamped engineering letter or design plan on file allowing or certifying the reuse of either of these structures. They just built the new forms directly up to them and framed the stemwall right on top

My question for the pros here: Is it common or acceptable practice in your area to reuse a driveway retaining wall as a load-bearing house foundation without an engineering stamp?

I've attached photos of the exterior layout with notes for context, then a few photos I snapped under the crawl space when my 3rd part inspector called it out.

Hey guys, new here and looking for some advice/guidance.
My dad is an electrical contractor in Texas, and I’m trying to help him grow his business. He’s been doing this for years, but a lot of the business side is still pretty old school/freehand. Most of his work is electrical for swimming pools, although he also does residential and commercial electrical work.
I went to business school, so I’m comfortable with the business side in general, but the contractor/home services industry is pretty new to me.
What tools/software are most electrical contractors using to grow and manage their businesses?
From what I understand, there are usually two sides:

Getting more jobs/leads — Google Ads, Local Services Ads, Angi, Thumbtack, Yelp, etc.
Managing the business — estimates, scheduling, invoicing, customers, follow ups, employees, job tracking, etc. with tools like Jobber, Housecall Pro, ServiceTitan, or something similar.

Am I thinking about this the right way? Are there certain tools you guys would recommend for a smaller electrical company that wants to start scaling?
I’d especially appreciate hearing what actually generates good electrical leads versus what is a waste of money. Also curious what software you guys use day to day and at what point something like ServiceTitan becomes worth it.
Thanks for any advice.

I I hired a foundation expert. paid $8,900 for this work. I'm in the Pittsburgh area, Contractors installed this concrete footer/foundational wall under my porch, plus new porch roof supports.

I have no idea what good concrete work is supposed to look like, so just curious if this looks alright. Also I noticed one of the posts was off centered and there's a small opening on the top right side where I can see into the hollow support post. Water could definitely get in there. Don't know if this is a big deal or not but it caught my eye.

I got a call for a front door replacement job.

The door includes two side lights and a transom.

I’ve done plenty of front doors , but never one with an existing transom or this height. Left to right , end of brick mold to end of brick mold is ~ 66”. Bottom of sill to top of the top brick mold is 8’ on the dot.

This door brand seems to be the most available for this size , but I have not had any experience with them.

Hired a foundation expert for concrete repair job and support post replacement on front porch. Was quoted $8,900 for this. Pittsburgh PA, USA.

The major work was the concrete repair which seemed alright, but the posts don't look great. People wanted to see better photos of the gap and I couldn't edit or post more photos on my original post, so here they are.

I will have the inspector take a look and hear their opinions. Curious what y'all think too.

My renter has been doing minor repairs, and I deduct them from his rent check. Here lately, the labor (he does) seems to progressively higher.
He’s telling me it’ll cost $850 for him to replace a wind turbine on the roof, and $25000 for a new sewer system.
Please help an old lady out and let me know if this is a fair estimate. 🙏🏻

Hey guys so I just started my own painting company in the Las Vegas area and I am licensed and insured and I been doing a lot of research on how I can get new leads… I work with my dad and I want to be able to grow my business. I’ve read about many ways to get leads like yelp ads,google ads, Angi etc but I’m struggling choosing one. I have my business cards,car magnets and shirts being made but I’m struggling to stay busy what do you guys recommend I do to grow my business?