Forum: April 2005
April 28, 2005
Perfect Renovations
Has anyone here used "Perfect Renovations"? They are a full service general contractor we are considering to do some extensive work on our new bklyn townhouse, but being new to this game, we would love some feed back on them, or any other g.c. that people have used for extensive work....
Thanks so much.
April 26, 2005
Basement Dig
We are searching for a contractor to lower our basement about 4 inches (the footings are 6 inches down) and pour a new concrete floor. Does anybody have someone they'd recommend? If we could find someone reliable/competent we'd consider digging out more and replacing the bearing columns but so far we haven't found anybody we'd trust with that job. Any recommendations would be great. Thanks.
April 22, 2005
Cafe Starving Artiste?
Has the restaurant Cafe Starving Artiste on Nostrand Ave in Bed-Stuy closed?
April 21, 2005
Door/Molding Stripping
Looking for somebody who can strip and refinish my wood doors and moldings. Basically, they were painted several years ago and best I can tell, there is only one layer of paint. I know I've seen some suggestions posted here before, but I can't find them. Any help appreciated.
Thanks.
Concrete and stucco
We are excavating the front yard of our brick brownstone with new concrete steps and paving, and redoing the stucco on the newly exposed basement facade with larger windows. We are looking for a good concrete contractor and a good stucco contractor, ideally the same person. Does anyone have recommendations?
April 19, 2005
In Search of an Architect
My wife and I are in contract to purchase a 3-story brownstone in Bed-Stuy. We are looking for an architect to help turn our rough-draft renovations designs into real plans. Any recommendations?
April 18, 2005
Hardwood Floor Renovation
I'm trying to get some quotes on renovating my hardwood kitchen floors. The kitchen is about 200 sf, and the wood floor has been patched, painted, and a big piece of linoleum was glued on to it many years ago -- it's a bit of a mess right now. I'd like to try and save the original floor, which is really quite lovely underneath all that mess, but I have no idea what kind of money I should expect to pay to restore them ... or how this cost would compare with getting a brand-new wood floor installed.
Can anyone recommend a good floor restorer? Any rough estimates of what this might cost would be greatly appreciated.
Garbage disposal?
Does anyone know if it's legal to have a garbage diposal in your home? I think they were illegal in NYC at one point but I've heard of a loosening of that rule. Is there a City website that addresses this? I looked but didn't find anything.
Odd Job Help
We need help on some odd jobs including help installing an IKEA kitchen and repairing broken tiles. Can anyone recommend someone who takes pride in their work and will do small jobs?
Digging out a cellar
Does anybody have any idea how much it would cost to dig out a cement-floored cellar? The ceilings in the cellar of my house come in at just under 6 feet high, making it difficult for me to stand up without hitting my head. If feasible, I'd like to lower the floor about a foot or so.
Also, any suggestions on people who could do the job well? Thanks.
April 16, 2005
flooring for rental
we have old pine floors that we ended up painting,rather than sanding when we first moved in...Now we are going to be moving out of our rental apartment,just finished renovating the other floors of our house and want to put new floors down in rental,don't want to put down carpet, but noise will be an issue,so any suggestions would be great money is tight and i don't really want to spend $4000. for a brand new hardwood floor with insulation for my rental so,please open to all flooring suggestions....
Bay Ridge home owner...
April 12, 2005
Re-facing cabinets
Has anyone ever gone this route for their kitchen reno? Our cabinets are functional if a little unattractive, and looking for people to weigh-in on pros/cons of re-facing and any recs for companies. I've been thinking of asking Nu-facers in Manhattan for an estimate. thank you
April 11, 2005
Home Depot Expo
Has anyone renovated a kitchen or bath using Home Depot Expo's design and installation services? How was the experience/product? Thank you!
April 9, 2005
Painter Recommendation
Barbara Sandler is a painter (fine arts). Between shows she pays her bills by working for interior decorators who hire her to do faux finishing, graining, and decorative work for their clients. The decorators charge a fortune, but Barbara doesn't (she's good and she's quick -- I've seen her work). So if anyone is looking to hire a decorative painting pro without the decorator markup Barbara's # is: 212-691-2052. She's a real find, honesty. Thanks.
Gail
April 6, 2005
Anyone renovated their cellar ?
Does anyone know where to find out if it is legal to renovate a cellar ? Its a 3-family federal brick building in park slope, and I'd love to duplex the cellar with the first floor. is it legal ? have you done this ? Where did you find out if it is legal ? How long did the permit take ? Can you up load photos here ?
Thanks.
April 4, 2005
Bricks and Stones
Hi. I am looking for bricks and stone for a patio project.
Does anyone know where I can find some?
Repointing
Does anyone know roughly how much it cost to have a four story federal bulding repointed?
April 2, 2005
deck cleaning/sealing
With spring coming up, it looks like time to clean and seal the deck behind the house. Can't decide if I should just rent a powerwasher and do it myself, or if it pays to bring someone in.
Anyone have any recommendations on DIY vs contracting, and if I contract, than who?
Lead Paint
Does anyone have experience eliminating or containing lead paint within a brownstone?
We recently discovered that the levels in our home were too high.
Are there any solutions to resolving the presence of lead without completely stripping all of the moldings and doors?
Thanks.
Staircase renovation
I am about to purchase a brownstone which needs extensive interior staicase repair and renovation. I am looking for contractors that specialize in this work.
April 1, 2005
Backyard fences
Does anyone have any recommendations for a fencing company? They would have to take down the existing one as well, since it is beyond repair.
Landmark Windows app
Can anyone tell me how long it usually takes to get a Certificate of Appropriateness for installing new wood windows in a landmark area? Does that kind of application ever have to go to public hearing or is it pretty standard?
Thanks
Rollerman