#construction methods and techniques

[rockyy133]

The Secrets Behind the Most Advanced Construction Technology

In this video, we will show you the world of advanced construction technology and the groundbreaking innovations The Secrets Behind the Most Advanced Construction Technology that are shaping the future of the industry. In this captivating journey, we dive into cutting-edge technologies and techniques revolutionizing the way we build and construct.

[monicascot]

The Secrets Behind the Most Advanced Construction Technology

In this video, we will show you the world of advanced construction technology and the groundbreaking innovations that are shaping the future of the industry. In this captivating journey, we dive into cutting-edge technologies and techniques revolutionizing the way we build and construct.

[smartratework]

pvc electric red and blue wire #smartratework#tumblr

[himblebo]

And now I’m re attaching all of the original snaps because 2/3 of what I thought was a fit issue making the entire closure pucker on the actress was actually just the snaps being horridly misaligned

[adikkachannels]

Bamboo & Straw: Sustainable Materials for Livestock Sheds in Vedic Farming

👉 Quick Visual Scene: Concrete vs Bamboo Sheds Imagine standing on a farm at sunrise.To your left, a large, grey concrete shed looms—its hard edges casting long, cold shadows. Inside, cattle shuffle nervously on the cold, damp floor. The walls trap heat during the day and release biting cold at night, stressing the animals. A faint smell of mildew mixes with the sharp scent of chemicals from the…

[asestimationsconsultants]

Key Cost Factors in Industrial Estimating Service

An Industrial Estimating Service plays a critical role in budgeting and financial planning for large-scale industrial projects. From raw material procurement to labor costs and risk contingencies, various factors contribute to the overall cost estimation. Understanding these key cost factors helps businesses create more accurate budgets, minimize financial risks, and ensure project feasibility.

1. Material Costs

Materials make up a significant portion of industrial project expenses. The cost of raw materials such as steel, concrete, glass, piping, and specialized equipment fluctuates due to factors like supply chain disruptions, inflation, and demand trends. An industrial estimating service evaluates:

Current Market Prices – Keeping track of price variations to ensure accurate budgeting.

Bulk Purchasing Discounts – Identifying cost-saving opportunities through bulk orders.

Alternative Material Options – Recommending cost-effective alternatives without compromising quality.

2. Labor Costs

The workforce required for industrial projects varies based on project complexity and duration. Labor costs include:

Hourly Wages and Salaries – Skilled labor, project managers, and specialized workers contribute to overall costs.

Overtime and Shift Work – If a project requires 24/7 operation or overtime work, costs increase significantly.

Union Regulations – In some regions, labor unions set minimum wages and benefits that must be factored into estimates.

3. Equipment and Machinery Costs

Industrial projects require heavy machinery, such as cranes, excavators, and conveyor systems. Cost factors include:

Equipment Purchase vs. Rental – Estimators determine whether it’s more cost-effective to buy or lease machinery.

Maintenance and Repairs – Regular maintenance costs must be considered to avoid unexpected breakdowns.

Fuel and Energy Consumption – Industrial machinery often requires high energy input, increasing operational costs.

4. Site Preparation and Land Development

The condition of the construction site influences the overall project cost. Some common cost factors in site preparation include:

Excavation and Land Clearing – Removing existing structures, debris, or vegetation to prepare the site.

Soil Testing and Foundation Work – Ensuring the ground is stable and suitable for construction.

Drainage and Environmental Compliance – Meeting environmental regulations and setting up proper drainage systems.

5. Permit and Regulatory Costs

Industrial projects must comply with various government regulations, permits, and safety standards. These costs include:

Building Permits – Fees for obtaining construction approvals from local authorities.

Environmental Compliance – Costs for assessments related to pollution control, waste management, and sustainability.

Safety and Occupational Health – Ensuring compliance with worker safety regulations and hazard control measures.

6. Project Management and Administrative Costs

A well-managed industrial project requires experienced project managers, engineers, and administrative staff. These costs include:

Project Coordination – Salaries of engineers, supervisors, and management personnel.

Legal and Accounting Services – Expenses for handling contracts, financial planning, and audits.

Software and Technology – Investing in project management and estimating software for accurate budgeting.

7. Contingency and Risk Management

Unforeseen expenses can disrupt industrial projects, so a contingency budget is essential. Cost estimators include:

Risk Allowance – A percentage of the total budget allocated for unexpected changes.

Market Fluctuations – Protection against sudden price increases in materials or labor.

Delays and Penalties – Financial preparation for project delays and potential contractual penalties.

8. Logistics and Transportation

Transporting materials, machinery, and labor to the project site contributes to overall costs. Estimators analyze:

Freight and Shipping Fees – Costs of importing or transporting heavy materials.

Storage and Warehousing – Expenses related to storing materials before use.

On-Site Transportation – Fuel and maintenance costs for vehicles used within the project site.

Conclusion

A reliable Industrial Estimating Service considers all these key cost factors to develop a precise project budget. By evaluating materials, labor, equipment, permits, and unforeseen risks, industrial estimators help companies optimize spending and avoid financial setbacks. With technological advancements improving cost estimation accuracy, businesses can achieve better financial control and efficiency in industrial projects.

[wachinyeya]

When Stockholm’s Traffic Office conducted a general assessment of street traffic in the Swedish capital in 2001, it came to the shocking conclusion that two-thirds of all trees in the city center were dead or dying.

City authorities agreed that an urgent response was needed to nurse these leafy urban ecosystem pillars back to health.

Enter Björn Embrén, Stockholm’s first “tree officer.”

Under his leadership, various technologies and materials were tested in an attempt to create a more suitable living space for trees in the urban environment.

“I knew that they could grow if the circumstances were right,” says Embrén, a former professional gardener.

“It’s like putting a plastic bag over your head and tightening it over your neck,” says Embrén. “That’s what happened to the trees in Stockholm. They were dying.”

Eventually, inspired by railroad embankments — which require only a small amount of organic matter for healthy trees to grow — Embrén concocted what was to become known as the “Stockholm tree pit” model.

By 2002, Embrén had drawn up designs. And by 2003, they were already building.

The design involves digging a pit and constructing a frame underground around the tree’s roots, and then filling said pit with a mixture of soil and stone, sometimes including biochar, to both aerate and fertilize the soil. These permeable layers are very strong and physically adaptable but also allow stormwater to flow in, meaning the trees are provided with sufficient air and water naturally. They also allow rainwater to be soaked up — a necessity amid more extreme weather brought on by climate change.

“We found that the more breathable the materials we used, the happier the trees were,” adds Embrén.

Proponents say the method has a number of benefits, including the fact that pits can be installed around existing trees, they can bear the weight of heavy-vehicle traffic, they require little topsoil — a resource that is becoming scarce — and they need less watering than traditionally-planted trees.

This approach, which allows tree roots to thrive beneath hard surfacing, ergo allowing healthy trees to grow within the modern built environment, is particularly relevant as cities attempt to re-green and reforest in the face of climate change.

According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, urban forests can help “future-proof” cities, which are responsible for about 75 percent of global CO2 emissions. Sustainable urban forestry, it says, can bring multiple benefits, such as lowering temperatures, improving public health, creating habitats for biodiversity, sequestering carbon, generating green jobs, and mitigating risks of floods and landslides.

“It’s more important now than ever before,” says Ryan Klein, an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Horticulture at the University of Florida. “We have these massive populations in urban areas. And we’re seeing more extreme weather like hurricanes, wildfires and prolonged droughts. Trees can help to offset some of these negative effects.”

However, amid the rush to rapidly reforest cities, experts like Klein warn that due to ineffective methods and techniques being used, it’s common to see urban trees in poor health, and trees planted in cities often have very high mortality rates.

“We have the understanding of how to grow healthier, more sustainable and resilient forests,” says Klein. “The research backs it. Unfortunately, we don’t always invest the time, money or internal know-how on implementing this.”

A review of 16 scientific studies on urban tree mortality, published in 2019, found that in the first five years after planting, 6.6 to 7 percent of trees died annually.

“Urban soils are not very tree-friendly currently,” says Rik De Vreese, leader of the Urban Forestry Team at the European Forestry Institute. “It’s quite a serious threat.”

When trees aren’t properly anchored, De Vreese adds, it can also lead to other issues, such as trunks falling over and causing damage or roots warping sidewalks.

However, the Stockholm Tree Pit method — and the way that it’s been implemented in Sweden — is helping urban forests genuinely take root.

One of the first locations where Embrén introduced a tree pit was Erik Dahlbergsallén street in Stockholm, not far from the popular Swedish Museum of Natural History.

There, according to research by the municipality, the circumference of a selection of those planted trees increased from 30 to 35 centimeters to 70 to 83 centimeters between 2004 and 2013, even surpassing that of trees without the tree pits that have been there for more than 80 years. The latest figures from 2024 saw them reach between 100 and 136 centimeters.

“It’s easy to see how effective the pits have been,” says Embrén.

The municipality estimates that 2.3 million liters of rainwater are managed by the trees per year, and consequently, 4,600 square meters of roofs and sidewalks have been disconnected from the sewage system, reducing the burden on water treatment services.

This technique has proven so successful that it has become the standard for all other development projects in the public spaces of Stockholm. Embrén says he has been directly involved in constructing more than 3,000 tree pits, and while he has since retired, there are now three “tree officers” who have taken on the expanding role. 

Britt-Marie Alvem, one of the current tree officers, estimates that the city now builds between 500 and 1,000 tree pits a year.

These days, the tree pits are also in almost every Swedish city — with a few variations.

“Some have copied and changed a little bit, like adding pumice to the stone mix,” says Embrén.

Stockholm’s tree pits are now spreading across Europe, too. In Budapest, Hungary’s capital, the tree pits can be found all over Bartók Béla Boulevard and Arany János Street. Embrén says the Spanish city of Madrid has implemented the method using local materials. And it’s become increasingly popular in the U.K.

Ben Rose, the principal arboricultural consultant at U.K. tree service Bosky Trees and the founder of Stockholm Tree Pits, a U.K.-based company that produces the equipment required to make tree pits, says that he has planted about 500 trees using the Stockholm model in the U.K. since he began in 2019, mostly as part of small-scale pilot projects.

“The approach is very suitable for use in urban situations, particularly in car parks, in plazas, and beside walkways or cycle paths,” says Rose.

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Yet there are some drawbacks to the system. Installation costs can be high, the pits can require a large amount of space to install, and it is impossible to reuse existing soil. In addition, for now there is a relative dearth of professionals who know how to construct tree pits.

“Our main concern is the price,” says De Vreese, whose team is currently studying the importance of “structural soils” like those deployed by the tree pits. “Excavating the soil surrounding the tree and refilling it is no small job.”

And while Professor Klein praises the Stockholm Tree Pit’s use of structural soil and how effective it’s proven to be, he notes that the long-term success of urban forestry also relies on other factors such as the supply of high quality nursery stock and proactive tree management such as routine pruning by municipalities.

“If we don’t have these we are setting ourselves up for failure,” he says. “Some cities do the bare minimum. In the U.S.A., it’s the wild west. But others, like Stockholm, are proactive, and they have public officials seriously behind it. That’s what we need.”

By: Peter Yeung, March 4, 2025

[orcatnip]

I remember seeing (or maybe I dreamed it) a fic of a continuation of the voices' story after the [leave the cabin] ending.

each voice settles into their own corner of the construct (if they had an okay relationship with their route's princess), then building a nest. I like to imagine Paranoid is constantly racked with nightmares, and since Hunted's nest is the coziest and best-built, he'd always choose to spend the night with him.

i tried the same method Black Tabby does... making a traditional sketch then painting it digitally. its the same technique @/itsonlypolite uses. pretty sweet...

(i can't find the exact post, but itsonlypolite described duplicating the sketch layer, with the one on top being set as multiply. it works fabulously!)

[ltwilliammowett]

‘Legging’ was a method of moving a boat through a canal tunnel, especially in the early days of canal construction when tunnels were often built without a towpath. Such a path would have required a much larger tunnel cross-section and thus increased construction costs.

Before the introduction of motorised boats, ‘legging’ was one of the few ways to manoeuvre a boat through a tunnel. This technique involved the boatmen lying on their backs and pushing against the tunnel walls with their legs to push the boat forwards.

[fairyminnie444]

Inertia Method: How to Fix Your New Identity in the Subconscious ︵‿୨♱୧‿︵

In the context of the Law of Assumption, inertia means that the state you’re in tends to continue until you consciously change it.

Your current state—how you see yourself, what you believe to be true about your life—has been constructed through unconscious repetition and acceptance. If you don’t actively change your identity, your reality will continue to reflect what’s already ingrained in you.

Example of Inertia in Practice

𖤝 If you’ve always seen yourself as someone who struggles to make money, that identity continues automatically, effortlessly, because it’s already ingrained.

𖤝 If you consciously shift into the identity of someone who’s a millionaire and maintain that assumption, your new reality will take hold and maintain itself in the same way the old one did.

The key is to saturate your mind with the new identity until it becomes your new inertia. At that point, you don’t have to “try” anymore—reality will just naturally respond to your new state.

𓉸ྀི THE METHOD 𓉸ྀི

To saturate your mind and make your new identity become your natural inertia, you need to have ready answers for when doubts arise. The goal is that, instead of fighting against 3D, you condition your mind to only accept your new reality as an absolute fact. Here are some techniques you can apply in your daily life to stay grounded:

1. Corrected Self-Talk (Absolute Control of the Narrative) ༯

When a doubt or negative thought arises, you immediately correct it without hesitation. Don’t argue, don’t rationalize—replace it on the spot.

❌ Doubt: “What if this is all a delusion?”

✅ Response: “Nothing is more real than my certainty. 3D is just adjusting.”

❌ Doubt: “But what if it doesn’t happen?”

✅ Response: “It already happened. I only see what I already know to be mine.”

✘ This is automatic. There can be no room for questioning. ✘

2. “Closed Loop” Technique (There Is No Other Option) ༯

You act as if the other possibility doesn’t even exist. Your mind only has one story to repeat.

🥀 Example: If doubt arises, you respond internally:

𖤝 “I am (insert your desire here). That’s a fact.”

𖤝 “It’s always been this way. How could it be different?”

𖤝 “What I am, 3D reflects. I know who I am.”

✘ You create a mental loop where only this truth exists. ✘

3. Calculated Reaction to 3D (Total Control of Emotions) ༯

If something in 3D tries to challenge your assumption, you don’t react negatively. You treat anything as something irrelevant and temporary.

📌 Example: If your sp still doesn’t text you or acted like you want, instead of doubting, you think:

🖤 “Obviously it’s already worked. It doesn’t mean anything.”

🖤 “My success is already real. Time is irrelevant.”

🖤 “I’m on top. The rest is just adjustment.”

✘ The key is to treat anything that isn’t your assumption as insignificant and transitory. ✘

4. Saturation Through Repetition (Relentless Affirmations) ༯

You constantly reaffirm, as if you’re reminding yourself of something that’s always been true. This isn’t to manifest, it’s to reinforce your identity.

ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🦇་༘࿐ Examples of short, powerful affirmations:

𖤝 “I’m a millionaire and always have been.”

𖤝 “My beauty is surreal and everyone notices it.”

𖤝 “My life has always been perfect.”

𖤝 “I am desired, idolized, and untouchable.”

✘ Use this as a mental pattern throughout the day. ✘

5. “Mandela Effect” Technique (Erase Old Reality) ༯

If your mind tries to remind you of the past or a “problem,” you change the memory right away.

📌 Example: If you remember a difficult time in the past, you immediately correct yourself:

🖤 “It never happened like this. It was always easy.”

🖤 “I’ve always been a millionaire.”

🖤 “I am my SP’s absolute priority, I always have been.”

✘ You literally rewrite your story in your mind until it becomes automatic. ✘

6. Congruent Behavior (Act As If It’s Already True) ༯

You act and make decisions like the version of yourself that already has it all. This sends a clear signal to your mind that there is no other option.

🥀 If you’re already a millionaire: You don’t feel anxious about money. You just know you have it.

🥀 You already have your SP. You don't care if he/she is in thinking of you or not. You know they are.

🥀 If your life is perfect: You don't act like someone who's still trying.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘ Bottom line ⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

✔ Always immediately correct any thoughts outside of the new identity.

✔ Never react negatively to 3D.

✔ Keep mentally repeating your assumption all day long.

✔ Erase any old memories or beliefs that don’t serve you.

✔ Act as if it is already real—because it is.

The more you practice this, the faster 3D bends to reflect your new inertia.

[monicascot]

The Secrets Behind the Most Advanced Construction Technology

In this video, we will show you the world of advanced construction technology and the groundbreaking innovations that are shaping the future of the industry. In this captivating journey, we dive into cutting-edge technologies and techniques revolutionizing the way we build and construct.

[dandelionsresilience]

Good News - July 15-21

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735! (Or check out my new(ly repurposed) Patreon!)

1. Thai tiger numbers swell as prey populations stabilize in western forests

“The tiger population density in a series of protected areas in western Thailand has more than doubled over the past two decades, according to new survey data. […] The most recent year of surveys, which concluded in November 2023, photographed 94 individual tigers, up from 75 individuals in the previous year, and from fewer than 40 in 2007. […] A total of 291 individual tigers older than 1 year were recorded, as well as 67 cubs younger than 1 year.”

2. Work starts to rewild former cattle farm

“Ecologists have started work to turn a former livestock farm into a nature reserve [… which] will become a "mosaic of habitats" for insects, birds and mammals. [… R]ewilding farmland could benefit food security locally by encouraging pollinators, improving soil health and soaking up flood water. [… “N]ature restoration doesn't preclude food production. We want to address [food security] by using nature-based solutions."”

3. Harnessing ‘invisible forests in plain view’ to reforest the world

“[… T]he degraded land contained numerous such stumps with intact root systems capable of regenerating themselves, plus millions of tree seeds hidden in the soil, which farmers could simply encourage to grow and reforest the landscape[….] Today, the technique of letting trees resprout and protecting their growth from livestock and wildlife [… has] massive potential to help tackle biodiversity loss and food insecurity through resilient agroforestry systems. [… The UN’s] reported solution includes investing in land restoration, “nature-positive” food production, and rewilding, which could return between $7 and $30 for every dollar spent.”

4. California bars school districts from outing LGBTQ+ kids to their parents

“Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the SAFETY Act today – a bill that prohibits the forced outing of transgender and gay students, making California the first state to explicitly prohibit school districts from doing so. […] Matt Adams, a head of department at a West London state school, told PinkNews at the time: “Teachers and schools do not have all the information about every child’s home environment and instead of supporting a pupil to be themselves in school, we could be putting them at risk of harm.””

5. 85% of new electricity built in 2023 came from renewables

“Electricity supplied by renewables, like hydropower, solar, and wind, has increased gradually over the past few decades — but rapidly in recent years. [… C]lean energy now makes up around 43 percent of global electricity capacity. In terms of generation — the actual power produced by energy sources — renewables were responsible for 30 percent of electricity production last year. […] Along with the rise of renewable sources has come a slowdown in construction of non-renewable power plants as well as a move to decommission more fossil fuel facilities.”

6. Deadly cobra bites to "drastically reduce" as scientists discover new antivenom

“After successful human trials, the snake venom antidote could be rolled out relatively quickly to become a "cheap, safe and effective drug for treating cobra bites" and saving lives around the globe, say scientists. Scientists have found that a commonly used blood thinner known as heparin can be repurposed as an inexpensive antidote for cobra venom. […] Using CRISPR gene-editing technology […] they successfully repurposed heparin, proving that the common blood thinner can stop the necrosis caused by cobra bites.”

7. FruitFlow: a new citizen science initiative unlocks orchard secrets

“"FruitWatch" has significantly refined phenological models by integrating extensive citizen-sourced data, which spans a wider geographical area than traditional methods. These enhanced models offer growers precise, location-specific predictions, essential for optimizing agricultural planning and interventions. […] By improving the accuracy of phenological models, farmers can better align their operations with natural biological cycles, enhancing both yield and quality.”

8. July 4th Means Freedom for Humpback Whale Near Valdez, Alaska

“The NOAA Fisheries Alaska Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline received numerous reports late afternoon on July 3. A young humpback whale was entangled in the middle of the Port of Valdez[….] “The success of this mission was due to the support of the community, as they were the foundation of the effort,” said Moran. [… Members of the community] were able to fill the critical role of acting as first responders to a marine mammal emergency. “Calling in these reports is extremely valuable as it allows us to respond when safe and appropriate, and also helps us gain information on various threats affecting the animals,” said Lyman.”

9. Elephants Receive First of Its Kind Vaccine

“Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus is the leading cause of death for Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) born in facilities in North America and also causes calf deaths in the wild in Asia. A 40-year-old female received the new mRNA vaccine, which is expected to help the animal boost immunity[….]”

10. Conservation partners and Indigenous communities working together to restore forests in Guatemala

“The K’iche have successfully managed their natural resources for centuries using their traditional governing body and ancestral knowledge. As a result, Totonicapán is home to Guatemala’s largest remaining stand of conifer forest. […] EcoLogic has spearheaded a large-scale forest restoration project at Totonicapán, where 13 greenhouses now hold about 16,000 plants apiece, including native cypresses, pines, firs, and alders. […] The process begins each November when community members gather seeds. These seeds then go into planters that include upcycled coconut fibers and mycorrhizal fungi, which help kickstart fertilization. When the plantings reach about 12 inches, they’re ready for distribution.”

July 8-14 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[artifacts-and-arthropods]

Four-Cornered Hats from Peru and Bolivia, c.600-800 CE: these colorful, finely-woven hats are at least 1,200 years old, and they were crafted from camelid fur

Above: four-cornered hats made by the Wari Empire of Peru (top) and the Tiwanaku culture of Bolivia (bottom) during the 7th-9th centuries CE

Often referred to as "four-cornered hats," caps of this style were widely produced by the ancient Wari and Tiwanaku cultures, located in what is now Peru, Bolivia, and Chile.

According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art:

Finely woven, brightly colored hats, customarily featuring a square crown, four sides, and four pointed tips, are most frequently associated with two ancient cultures of the Andes: the Wari and the Tiwanaku. The Wari Empire dominated the south-central highlands and the west coastal regions of what is now Peru from 500–1000 A.D. The Tiwanaku occupied the altiplano (high plain) directly south of Wari-populated areas around the same time, including territory now part of the modern country of Bolivia.

Above: pair of four-cornered hats made by the Wari people of Peru, c.600-900 CE

Both cultures used the hair of local camelids (i.e. llamas, alpacas, or vicuñas) to produce their hats. The hair was harvested, crafted into yarn, and treated with colorful dyes, and the finished yarn was then woven and/or knotted into caps and other textiles. Four-cornered hats from both cultures were often decorated with similar stylistic elements, including geometric patterns (particularly diamonds, crosses, and stepped triangles) and depictions of zoomorphic figures such as birds, lizards, and llamas with wings.

Above: four-cornered hats made by the Tiwanaku people of Bolivia, c.600-900 CE

The two cultures used different techniques to construct/assemble their hats, however:

Although they shared certain technological traditions, such as complex tapestry weaving and knotting techniques, the Wari and the Tiwanaku utilized significantly different construction methods to create four-cornered hats. Wari artists typically fashioned the top and corner peaks as separate parts and later assembled them together. Tiwanaku artists generally knotted from the top down, starting with the top and four peaks, to create a single piece.

Above: a four-cornered hat from Bolivia or Peru, made by either the Tiwanaku or Wari culture, c.500-900 CE

There is evidence to suggest that four-cornered hats were often worn as part of daily life, as this publication explains:

Many have indelible marks of hard usage: wear along the edges and folds, a crusting of hair oil on the inside, remnants of broken chin ties, and ancient mends.

Above: a pair of hats made by the Wari culture of Peru, c.600-800 CE

Above: more hats from the Wari culture of Peru, c.700-900 CE, with colorful tassels decorating the four peaks of each cap

The oldest known/surviving examples of the Andean four-cornered hat date back to nearly 1,700 years ago. They began to appear along the northern coast of Chile at some point during the 4th century CE; these early hats had an elongated design with four short peaks, and they are typically associated with the Tiwanaku culture.

Above: this early example of a four-cornered hat was created by the Tiwanaku culture between 300-700 CE

Why indigenous artifacts should be returned to indigenous cultures.

Sources & More Info:

Metropolitan Museum of Art: Four-Cornered Hats 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12

Museum Publication: Andean Four-Cornered Hats (PDF available here)

Emory University: Four-Cornered Pile Hat

Metropolitan Museum of Art: Andean Textiles

[asestimationsconsultants]

Cost Estimating Service vs. Cost Control | Key Differences Explained

Cost estimating and cost control are two essential concepts in project management, both aimed at ensuring a project stays within its budget. However, while they share a common goal of managing project finances, they are distinct processes with different objectives and techniques. Understanding the key differences between cost estimating and cost control is crucial for project managers, as each process contributes uniquely to a project’s financial success. In this article, we will explore the differences between cost estimating services and cost control, their roles in project management, and how they work together to ensure a project’s financial health.

What is Cost Estimating?

Cost estimating is the process of predicting the financial resources required to complete a project. This process involves calculating the cost of materials, labor, equipment, and other necessary resources based on the project’s scope and requirements. A cost estimating service is typically engaged during the initial stages of a project to provide a detailed budget estimate that guides the entire project’s financial planning.

Cost estimating involves analyzing a variety of factors to provide an accurate prediction of how much the project will cost. These factors can include historical data from similar projects, current market rates for materials and labor, and the complexity of the project. The goal of cost estimating is to produce a reliable estimate that reflects the true cost of completing the project from start to finish.

Cost estimating services often use specialized software, data analytics, and expert knowledge to produce accurate estimates. The result is a comprehensive cost breakdown that serves as a financial blueprint for the project. This estimate helps businesses determine the feasibility of the project, secure funding, and set expectations for both clients and stakeholders.

What is Cost Control?

Cost control, on the other hand, is the process of managing and monitoring project costs throughout its lifecycle. While cost estimating provides a forecast of the costs, cost control ensures that the actual costs do not exceed the estimate. Cost control involves tracking project expenses, comparing them to the initial budget, and making adjustments as needed to keep the project within its financial parameters.

Cost control is a continuous process that occurs throughout the project’s execution. It involves monitoring costs on a regular basis, identifying any discrepancies between the actual expenses and the estimated costs, and taking corrective actions if necessary. This can include finding ways to reduce costs, reallocating resources, or negotiating with suppliers to get better rates. The aim of cost control is to prevent cost overruns and ensure that the project is completed within the allocated budget.

One key aspect of cost control is the use of performance measurement tools, such as earned value management (EVM), to track project progress and costs. These tools help project managers assess whether the project is on track in terms of both time and budget. If the project is at risk of going over budget, cost control measures can be implemented to mitigate the situation and bring costs back in line with the original estimate.

Key Differences Between Cost Estimating and Cost Control

While both cost estimating and cost control are integral to managing project finances, they differ significantly in their objectives, timing, and methods.

Objective: The primary goal of cost estimating is to predict the costs of a project and provide an accurate budget. Cost estimating focuses on determining how much the project will cost, based on available data, market conditions, and project scope. In contrast, cost control focuses on ensuring that the project stays within the approved budget by monitoring actual expenses and making adjustments as needed.

Timing: Cost estimating occurs during the planning phase of a project, before the project begins. This is when the cost estimate is developed, and it serves as the foundation for the project’s financial planning. Cost control, on the other hand, takes place throughout the project’s execution phase. It begins once the project starts and continues until the project is completed, ensuring that expenses remain within the approved budget.

Methods and Techniques: Cost estimating relies on a variety of techniques to predict costs, including historical data analysis, expert judgment, and industry standards. Cost estimating services may use specialized software to calculate and present detailed estimates that account for materials, labor, and other costs. The process also involves risk analysis to identify potential cost fluctuations and uncertainties that may affect the budget.

Cost control, on the other hand, involves actively tracking and monitoring costs during the project. Techniques used in cost control include regular cost reporting, variance analysis, and performance measurement tools. Cost control professionals use these techniques to identify cost discrepancies and address issues before they lead to significant budget overruns.

Role in Project Management: Cost estimating is crucial for the initial planning and budgeting of a project. Without an accurate estimate, it’s difficult to determine if a project is financially viable, secure funding, or establish realistic expectations for clients and stakeholders. Cost control is essential for ensuring that the project stays within its financial parameters once it’s underway. It helps ensure that resources are used efficiently and that any issues that arise can be addressed promptly to prevent costly delays.

How Cost Estimating and Cost Control Work Together

Although cost estimating and cost control are distinct processes, they are interconnected and work together to ensure that a project is completed on time and within budget. Cost estimating provides the foundation for cost control. The initial estimate serves as the baseline for tracking and controlling costs during the project. By comparing actual costs to the estimate, project managers can identify areas where adjustments are needed and make data-driven decisions to keep the project on track.

For example, if cost control reveals that a particular aspect of the project is exceeding its budget, the project manager can revisit the original cost estimate to determine if the estimate was accurate or if unforeseen factors have contributed to the overrun. This feedback loop allows for continuous improvement in both cost estimation and cost control processes, helping ensure that future projects are even more accurate and well-managed.

Conclusion

Cost estimating and cost control are two essential components of effective project management. While cost estimating focuses on predicting the costs of a project, cost control ensures that the project stays within the budget. These two processes, although distinct, work hand in hand to manage a project’s financial resources. By understanding the differences and how they complement each other, businesses can better plan, execute, and control projects, ultimately leading to greater financial success and project completion within budget.

[bluebellbluish]

So I've been on Rednote/xiaohongshu a lot lately, watching the knitting videos. There is a type of sweater construction going on that I have never seen before — I've seen patterns that will do something similar by working the front and back flat, seaming together at the top of the shoulders, and then working in the round. The method I've been seeing on xiaohongshu starts at the collar and involves casting on shoulder stitches, working the back panel, then picking up stitches along the top of the shoulder and working forward, picking up stitches along the collar as you go. Then you pick up stitches along the side of the shoulder where the armhole seam would be, work the shoulder sleeve cap, then join in the round. It involves DPNs and a lot of picking up stitches and Japanese short rows and is so fiddly, but it looks beautiful if it's done right.

Of course I don't read Mandarin, and I couldn't find any patterns (I found some people's notes on their method, but the notations were so different and had no written instructions). So in order to try this myself I had to do a lot of reverse-engineering based on photos and videos of people doing various parts of their sweaters. It took a while, and my notes (and the math involved) are lengthy, but I actually have most of a sweater constructed at this point???

The trouble is this is the first time I've ever done Japanese short rows, the first time I've done a flat shoulder, and the first time I've done the type of invisible increase that's worked to shape the underarms .... sooooo ... it's pretty rough. I think I'll need to knit this several more times to really get the techniques down, and I made a lot of mistakes along the way, but it's a learning experience and I think the next time will be a lot cleaner.

And next time I won't try to do a helical stripe pattern for the first time either, because I royally messed that up too 😂 holy tension issues batman

The front:

That gross tension stripe where I was over-tightening my stitches during the helical row transitions ... 😭 hoping it smoothes out when I block it, because looking at it sets me teeth on edge lol The inceases at the underarm are also more visible because of the stripe pattern, and also because I'm pretty sure I messed those up too (I think I was knitting through the back loop or through the front loop when I wasn't supposed to be for some of the increases, so I've made a note to revisit that technique and rewrite my notes on it next time).

But!! It looks like a sweater! xD And it has the inset sleeve look I was looking for, despite having been done mostly in the round with just M1L/M1R increases. I'm pretty pleased with that :D

The top of the sweater (featuring my hideous Japanese short rows lol)

Also, my issues with helical stripes aside, the wrong side is SO SATISFYING:

I'm going to keep trucking on this sweater, but I'm also really eager to try again and fix all the mistakes I made this go-around. I think I've got the math worked out to the degree that I think I could make this at pretty much any gauge for any size I wanted to make, which means I could maybe make a spreadsheet to calculate things for me once I iron out the kinks and use this as my go-to blank sweater template for whatever designs I might want to put on it. :D

[handweavers]

"The relationship of textiles to writing is especially significant, not only for the cuneiform-like qualities of many patterns (preserved in a Hungarian term irásos, meaning 'written'), but also for the parallels between ink on papyrus and pigment on bark cloth. There is, in fact, little difference between the two. Such connections are implied in many textile terms. For example, the Indian full-colour painted and printed 'kalamkari' are so named from the Persian for pen, kalam; the wax for Indonesian batiks is delivered by a copper-bowled tulis, also meaning pen. The European term for hand-colouring of details on cloth is 'pencilling'. The Islamic term tiraz, originally denoting embroideries, came to encompass all textiles within this culture that carried inscriptions. And the patterns woven into the silks of Madagascar are acknowledged as a language: the Malagasy vocabulary for writing and preparing the loom are synonymous, while the finest stripes are zanatsoratra, literally children of the writing, or vowels. The study of textiles is, in fact, a branch of palaeography, in which deciphering and dating reveals the stories encapsulated in cloth 'handwriting'. 

With or without inscriptions, textiles convey all kinds of 'texts': allegiances are expressed, promises are made (as in today's bank notes, whose value is purely conceptual), memories are preserved, new ideas are proposed. Records were kept in quipu (khipu) a method of knotting string used by the Incas and other ancient Andean cultures to keep accounts and communicate information, the oldest of which is some 4,600 years old. Many anthropological and ethnographical studies of textiles aim at teaching us how to read these cloth languages anew. The 'plot' is provided by the socially meaningful elements; the 'syntax' is the construction, often only revealed by the application of archaeological and conservation analyses. Equally, the most creative textiles of today exploit a vocabulary of fibres, dyes and techniques. Textiles can be prose or poetry, instructive or the most demanding of texts. The ways in which they are used - and reused - add more layers of meaning, all significant indicators of sensitivities that can be traced back to the Stone Age."

— Mary Schoeser, World Textiles