Feedback from an engineer changed how I dimension everything

I had a structural engineer tell me my dims were vague because I kept using 'approx' on 20 foot runs. He said either give a plus/minus or just round to the nearest quarter inch. Has anyone else had a contractor or engineer call them out on something that made you rethink your whole approach?

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joel2804mo ago

Laid out a set of plans one time where I put "approx 16 ft" on a wall section and the engineer just stared at me for a solid ten seconds before saying "approx to what, your thumb?" Made me toss out that word completely and just start slapping +/- 1/4 on everything longer than a tape measure. Now I even catch myself putting exact dims on grocery lists for shelf spacing at home. That's the kind of shame that sticks with you through a whole career.

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josephb354mo ago

... wait, you actually put "approx" on a set of plans? With an engineer signing off on it? Man, I've heard guys scribble "eyeball this" on a napkin for a rough framing layout but never on an actual drawing going to be reviewed. That engineer must've been holding back a whole lot more than ten seconds of staring. I bet he went home that night and told his wife about you. "Honey, some contractor tried to give me approximate dimensions for a load bearing wall today." That's a career embarrassment that follows you into your sleep. Props to you for owning it though. Most guys would've blamed the wind.

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