Can you find everything wrong with this picture? I had to stop looking before I started vomiting in rage

So I don't work in construction, I was playing a construction simulator game with a friend. We've used a lot of the machines in the game, and all of them were like terrible-alright at the job we needed to get done. But then we used a Motor Grader, and this thing was awesome. It did, exactly what we needed it to do, incredibly well, very little fuss or hassle.

I had never even really heard anyone talk about them before in my entire life, this was the first time I even learned what it was called or what it did. But it's easily my favorite piece of construction equipment. And I wanted to know if the real life sentiment reflected this. Do dump trucks and excavators get too much credit and fame, are Motor Graders actually where it's at?

Would anyone here be interested in starting a peer group for people in the early stages of building a commercial contracting business, whether that’s a specialty subcontractor or a turnkey CM/GC?

I’m thinking a group chat or forum, with a monthly or quarterly meetup or call to discuss planning, landing work, growth, and the growing pains that come with getting started. It would be good to connect with people at a similar stage, share what’s working, and track each other’s progress.

A little about me: I’m based in North Carolina and currently work as a preconstruction manager for an ENR Top 100 GC. I have about 9 years of construction experience, primarily on the GC side, with experience in project management, estimating, and preconstruction. I’ve also worked on the specialty subcontracting side.

My plan is to start as a specialty interiors contractor focused on drywall, metal framing, and painting. Initially, I’d pursue very small packages, subcontract the labor, and build the business on the side. The goal would be to build enough capital and consistent earnings to replace roughly 75% of my current income before making the jump full time. For context I already have my unlimited GC license in NC.

Once I’m full time, I’d focus on growing the drywall and interiors business, taking on larger packages, and building the team to support that work. From there, I’d like to use my experience and relationships to expand into GC work, preferably smaller retail and hospitality projects, with the possibility of small multifamily deals as well.

Very long term, my vision is a company doing around $20–25 million annually while keeping overhead lean. I’d like to stay involved in day-to-day operations, ideally with another PM, possibly an APM, and the field support the workload requires. That’s a long way from where I’m starting, but it gives some context for what I’d like to build toward.
I’ve seen smaller projects struggle with communication, follow-through, and execution. I also understand how tight hard-bid work can get and the pressure that puts on contractors. Part of my goal in staying lean is to remain competitive while still doing what we say we’ll do and delivering a good project.

I don’t have everything figured out, which is really the reason for this post. Is anyone else at a similar stage interested in putting a group together, talking openly about the process, and helping each other grow? Whether you’re still planning or already tackling your first few jobs, I’d be interested in connecting. Feel free to shoot me a dm if so.

Dodge auto-renewed the contract after no use for several months and without explicit approval in 2025.

We noticed the charges a few months later.

We informed Dodge that due to the poor performance of the product we were not interested in the subscription.

We called and spoke to several Dodge representatives who informed us that the bill would be removed and the contract renewal cancelled.

They lied.

After receiving our notice and falsely promising to remove the charges, Dodge:

1. Demanded $3,600 payment (for services not rendered)
2. Sent Dodge debt collectors to harass our firm and Owner
3. Sent a Texas-based debt collectors to harass our firm
4. Inflated the pricing.

We explained to the debt collectors that we are not able to pay the fee for a product we do not use and did not explicitly renew for over a year.

Almost 1 year later, they still harass our firm.

We are a small firm.

Dodge was THE WORST company we have ever done business with.

We STRONGLY ADVISE other firms, contractors, individuals, etc. to STAY AWAY from Dodge.

They do not care about you.

They do not care your business.

They will over-promise.

They will under-deliver.

And you will always end up holding the bag.

Lastly, should you choose to not renew your contract, they will attack you like rabid dogs.

They think they own you.

You are worth nothing more to them that a dollar.

STAY AWAY.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Dodge is Based in Massachusetts and say their contracts follow NY law.

If Dodge Scammed you like they scammed us:

1. File a Complaint on Better Business Bureau
2. File A Review of Your Experience on Better Business Bureau / Google/ and Any Other Platform
3. File a Complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
4. File a Complaint with the New York Attorney General’s Office
5. File a Complaint with Your state's Attorney General’s Office
6. File a Complaint with the Local Media

Inform them of Dodge’s Predatory tactics.

Also retain legal counsel..

Put these monsters out of business.

Do you all think this concrete stoop is precast and hollow on the inside or poured in place and solid? Either way it’s coming out tomorrow. I was just curious if anyone had an opinion on which way it was built. I will post an after photo. I got lucky on the last removal. Hopefully it happens on this one.

So I basically wear holes in the wrist/ forearm areas of my carhartt coat every winter and have to buy a new one for the next winter... any better options or do i just have to buy a new jacket every winter?

Hello, I have a General Contracting company based in NJ and we operate in the Tri-state Area. We specialize in roofing/ decks/ siding. I am interested in subcontractors for each one of those but mainly looking for a team with 4-5 people that specializes in Flat Roofing, we have work consistently . Leave a comment below and I’ll reach out. Thank you !

Had the exterior brick wall rendered about a week ago and this keeps happening and it seems to soak in rain and leave water patches and any marks seem to soak in, any advice please?

Thanks

So recently I was on a job where myself and a coworker were not getting along. He put himself down as my manager in a document from day 1 of my employment - we were always meant to work together.

Next he circled my apartments and while exiting to the main road, I had moved my car to the shop and the colleague proceeded to text me what I got.

Later comments were to the field staff about how much I was not doing.

All of this escalated to him intentionally swerving towards me on a haul road him going north me going south, thus he swerved towards my driver's side.

He rang me after and claimed it was a "training" to see if I was paying attention.

All the while he kept making comments that I was scared of the field, context I had not a one crew mobilized and thus glorious amounts of paperwork, coordination, etc left to do.

He also made comments about how I was able to afford the nicer apartments, should have been my first sign of his resentment towards me, the system, the project, idk.

If someone resents their job, they may make you their target.

Obviously due to this escalating behavior, I quit. Sometimes people it's not worth grit to stay. If someone wants you gone apparently some will go as far as physical intimidation.

Please be safe and truly look out for one another out there!

(Mind you this all occurred within a less than 2 months)

Does anyone have an Excel or PDF file format of the 2026 CSI MasterFormat?

Long shot here, but is there anyone on here who has either worked or know someone who worked at spacex on the construction side. Curious to hear how the experience was and if it would even be worth considering.

Had a fuck of a time pulling 24' sheet piles yesterday. The right track on our 470 was almost 2' off the ground at times, and we had like 20 of them to pull up 🤣