Forum: General Contractors
November 20, 2009
Department of Consumer Affairs
Anyone file a complaint against a contractor with the department of Consumer affairs and go through the hearing process? Anyone know what to expect? have any tips? Greatly appreciated. Thanks.
November 18, 2009
GC needed for bathroom project
Being OK at "handyman stuff," I went to regrout part of the tub this past weekend (after a on/off again leak) and found a bag of snakes. Rotten patch job (by the Mrs and I earlier in the year, wunderboard gone awry) rotten wire mesh, wet beam (notched by a past plummer years ago we guess), BX too close to the water lines...and of course the retiling.
Photo attached.
May be a bit more than we can chew (depending on what is found), or want to.
Any recommendations on a general contractor for a smallish-medium job? We may have other worked covered while we have someone on hand (cut off valves, replace work sink fixtures, bathroom fan, etc.), but need someone with more "house knowledge" than the Mrs. and I care to guess/do, unless we have to.
So, plumbing, tiling, drywalling (from the leak) and possible some electrical.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated... and did I mention we have an open shower wall? Thus time is of the essence.
November 2, 2009
Looking for Fix-It Suggestions
I live in Brooklyn Heights and am looking for a reliable fix-it guy. We're not looking for major work, just help with little things throughout the apartment. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Highly Recommended Contractor
First, I'd note that my husband and I have been frequent visitors to the Brownstoner site, in particular this forum. Our many thanks for the many valuable insights and recommendations we've found here.
To begin to return the favor for everything this site has given us, I’m writing this post based on an extraordinarily positive recent renovation experience. We recently finished the first stage of moderately extensive renovations on our first home, in Bay Ridge, including full gut/reno of the kitchen and parts of the basement. We nervously interviewed several contractors and decided on Phil Spina, of Phil Spina Contracting Inc, because he was licensed, highly knowledgeable, quality-conscious, cost-competitive, and recommended. He seemed to be a genuine, decent and honest person. Phil was all of these things and more -- the end product and quality of work was more than we ever imagined at such an affordable price. He was always reliable, on time and on budget. Phil brought great ideas to the table but always kept our interests and budget in the forefront. Phil does most of the work with his team, but he has many local connections – plumbers, electricians, etc. – who we also gladly employed. Without a doubt, we will work with Phil and his associates for all of our remaining renovation work. We have highly recommended Phil Spina Contracting to family and friends. If you have any questions about our experience or about his work, please email me at erinembry@hotmail.com.
October 12, 2009
Condo Reno, Contractor Recs?
Just purchased a condo and I'm looking for recommendations for a general contractor.
I plan on stripping and skim coating the walls, installing in wall wiring, redoing the kitchen and bathroom as well.
Is it recommended to get a separate contractor for the bathroom or should I let the GC handle it?
Does the GC handle obtaining the necessary permits as well?
October 10, 2009
Vin Roy Baronette
I've seen recommendations here for him and also for a local realtor who has several properties in the Slope. He did some brick work repair and was to return to do a much bigger stone repair . He's now MIA and over the past week has not returned 7 calls and 2 txts on 646-554-4513. Anyone know anything?
October 7, 2009
Contractor recommendation
Reposting - the photo in the earlier post was not posted by me...
Sputnik13 posted here about him a couple of weeks ago, and I second his recommendation. We just finished a series of jobs with Beer and owe him a recommendations here.(This is where we found him) We had started several projects and needed help getting them finished. His price was fair and he was always on-time. We ended up hiring him for projects beyond our initial list. We are especially happy about him fixing the radiator knocks our building has had for years, and also how quickly he could update a rental apartment for us.
Ask for Beer, his number is 646-358-6118.
September 24, 2009
Contractor Deposit-Too early?
I am on the verge of signing a contract for a basic basement renovation, nothing custom, just walls, floor, ceilings, pipes, electrical. It will be $55,000. The GC has asked for 10,000 on contract signing, even though he may not get started till December. He claims he needs deposits for the electrician and plumber. He has since lowered it to 8,000. I think it's waaaaaayyyy to early to give any kind of substantial deposit now, and still think the the size of the reduced deposit is still too much(15%). Remember, there is no custom work being done that requires a materials deposit. What's reasonable that I should counteroffer and the maximum I should agree to?
Thanks.
September 23, 2009
General Contractor
I currently have a 203k repair loan. I have a family member thats not Licensed doing the work. I'm in need of a General Contractor who is Licensed to sign off on the job. I know there is a fee associated with this. The problem I'm having all the GC's that was referred to me they have credit issues and the bank denies them.
I would like to thank everyone in advance who may know of a GC who will do such transaction.
September 22, 2009
(Minor) Renovation Suggestions?
Hi - we're going to have crown molding installed, the walls repainted and the floors refinished in an apartment we're moving into soon. It was recommended that we use one contractor to do all the work at once. We want to get some quotes and wondered if anyone had suggestions of people to use?
We'd really appreciate any help/suggestions/thoughts...
Thanks!