Jane's Profile
Author's Posts
March 14, 2008
Counter Fabrication
I am considering having High Quality Marble on 19th st in Brooklyn fabricate a granite kitchen counter and marble bath vanity. One friend said there work was unsatisfactory-but they came highly recommended by the stoneyard and another supplier. Anyone out there with good or bad experience wtih their work?
March 1, 2008
Audio/Visual/Home Theater Installer Recommendation
We are doing a gut renovation and would like to use the opportunity to install an integrated stereo/TV system, including putting the wiring in the walls, ceiling speakers, and linking components, in several parts of the house. Does anyone have a recommendation for a reputable outfit that does these types of installations? Not looking to go too high-end, just decent, basic stuff that will be unobtrusive. Thanks.
Is Ambient Heat Sufficient for a Bathroom?
We are doing a gut renovation of a brownstone and in the course of moving things around we've removed a steam riser that previously ran through our bathroom. We're trying to determine whether the ambient heat from the house will be sufficient to keep the bathroom from being chlly. It's an interior bathroom with no window and the house is usually pretty warm. We are installing Sun Touch electric radiant heat in the floor. Looking for input regarding whether an additional ceiling heating unit or electric towel warmer (doubling as a heaing element) would be advisable to supplement ambient heat?
January 14, 2008
Steam Shower Vapor Barrier
We are installing a steam shower in our gut renovation of a 3 story brownstone. Wondering if anyone has experience with the Mr. Steam or Steamist units and the various vapor barrier installation options. Steamist recommends just 3 or 4ml plastic sheeting behind the cement board. Others recommend a kerdi vapor barrier on top of the cement board with tile on top of that. Would using marble or porcelain eliminate the need for the kerdi vapor barrier? Any thoughts are appreciated.
November 2, 2007
Garbage Disposal
I'm considering installing a batch garbage disposal. I've heard arguments for and against regarding the environmental impact of food waste going into the sewer. Anyone informed on this issue?
October 22, 2007
Tankless Hot Water Heater
Where does one get a good price for a tankless water heater-Bosch, Paloma, Rinnai, Takagi? We have the plumbers and others to install, file, etc.
October 9, 2007
Window Replacement
We're thinking of using Original Windows from Flushing to replace 12 windows in our brownstone with Marvin replacements. Would appreciate any feedback on their service.
September 14, 2007
Window Installer
We are having 16 Pella or Marvin replacement windows installed. We've talked to Park Slope Glass and Window, Bay Ridge Windows,Windows we Are. Any feedback on these installers would be appreciated.
September 6, 2007
Windows-New Construction vs. Replacement
Our contractor has advised us that replacement windows installed by most of the Window companies will not be securely attached to the building and therefore will most likely move and not work properly. He thinks that buying Marvins for replacement is foolhardy-like taking expensive cloth to a cheap tailor. He recommends going with a lower line of windows for replacement and a higher line for new construction. I would appreciate any thoughts on this.
August 28, 2007
DOB Permits and the MTA
The DOB is requiring us to get approval from the MTA for our renovation-duplexing a 9th st 3 family brownstone. We live on 9th st between 7th and 8th Ave on Park Slope-around the corner from the 7th ave. subway stop. We are not digging out the basement-just moving the basement stair to a new location. We know folks on the same block who, just last year dug out and were not asked for this clearance. Has anyone had experience with this? Is our expediter dropping the ball on this? They require 10 copies of the drawings to be submitted with all kinds of details. Seems like it will take forever and lots of unnecessary expense to get through the MTA. Anyone have this experience?
Author's Comments
Oops-forgot that we are moving today and won't have cable service until Tuesday. Call my cell at 516-510-7645. We may be reusing some of the wider floorboards of one floor but all the narrow pine boards on the 1st floor will be removed.
Posted by: Jane at August 25, 2007 9:50 AM in response to pine flooring needed
Thank you all for your responses. I now feel more confident going with replacement windows-Pella or Marvins.
Posted by: Jane at September 7, 2007 11:39 AM in response to Windows-New Construction vs. Replacement
We are currently converting a 3 family to a 2family. The DOB expediting fees run about $5000. The internal stairwell-going up to 2nd floor and down to basement (steel with wood treads) will be about $20,000. We are doing a gut reno adding 2 baths, AC, windows, roof, floors, etc. Most of the contracting bids were close to $125,000 per floor.
Posted by: Jane at September 25, 2007 10:36 AM in response to Converting from 3 family to 2 family
We are using Premier Storage on 3rd Avenue and Carrol. 855-2100 It is clean, feels safe and secure and the owner is very polite. The movers he recommended were excellent-more cautious with my furniture than I am. The price really depends on the size of your space. A 10 x 15 is $310 per month. Maybe a few dollars more than other places but it is convenient for us.
Posted by: Jane at October 22, 2007 10:27 AM in response to short term storage for furniture
I agree with Mrs. Limestone. Just a few other thoughts.
We are currently in the middle of a gut renovation of a 3 family brownstone. We contracted with our architect for construction administration services for the duration of the project. The architect visits a minimum of once a week and frequently has the structural engineer visit too as we are in that phase. The contractor and architect speak several times per week if not per day. We were advised to always include the architect on every e-mail and review every discussion we have had with the contractor.
He is there daily and currently has a crew of about 5 or 6 guys who may all be there at the same time or it may just be 3 guys. We are living on the same block so my daily presence and oversight are unavoidable. He may call us about unanticipated structural problems revealed in the demo, deliveries that I arranged that are getting mixed up, I welcome any of his calls because it is all in the interest of completing the project quickly.
Posted by: Jane at October 26, 2007 11:28 AM in response to Renovation Nightmares
You could definitely create a nice rental for under $6,000 if you already have good cabinetry and a nice floor. If you are doing the painting your major costs are basically the appliances and hook up. A short run (under 6 feet) of granite countertop appeals to renters and can be inexpensive at one of the 3rd ave stone shops. We just installed very attractive Ikea kitchen cabinets for under $2500.00
Posted by: Jane at January 14, 2008 1:56 PM in response to How much to install a rental kitchen?
We had three windows and are currently widening the center window so that french sliding doors can go between the side windows. A structural engineer and architect were involved(for other reasons too) but it doesn't seem to be too complicated. At this point there is a big opening where the window and brick have been removed. Beware of what they might find that can lead to other work-rotting wood, etc. Definitely not a handyman job.
Posted by: Jane at January 17, 2008 11:43 AM in response to Adding a window in back parlor?
I once repaired a veneer table by buying a roll of mahogany veneer at Dykes, staining it a matching color and glueing it to the table. It wasn't easy but it worked quite well
Posted by: Jane at February 8, 2008 11:30 AM in response to Newel post veneer
Maged Iskander from Stuctural Concept Engineeing worked with us on our brownstone reno. New joists, lolly's, etc. Nice guy-the architect and contractor both worked well with him. 845-369-9311
Posted by: Jane at February 12, 2008 10:42 AM in response to Engineer
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
If you know where the TV, amp, etc. will be and where you want the speakers it boggles my mind that you need a consultant to define the route of the wiring and cabling.
Posted by: johnife at May 19, 2008 1:14 PM in response to A/V Recommendation?
I'm in a similar situation. Can anyone who has installed an interior stairway give a cost estimate? Thanks.
Posted by: laurie at May 19, 2008 2:50 PM in response to 3-family - how to use as 2-family?
Glad you said that, 12:54. How hard is it to plug in some cables? Some have more money than sense.
Posted by: guest at May 19, 2008 3:24 PM in response to A/V Recommendation?
Agree with johnife.
If you know where you want to position each piece of equipment (look at home theater websites like sound and vision magazine, and avsforums.com) all you really need are the wires run for speaker wire, electric (say you mount a TV on the wall), and all the connections between the TV and the boxes (cable, DVD, receiver), etc. Map it out clearly.
If your mounting a tv to the wall, be sure to reinforce the wall if it is just plain sheetrock.
Also, you can use the above references to help you find good equipment, or just go to a specialty store (high end) or big box retailer (BB, CC, PcRichards) and test them yourself.
Most electricians and general contractorss can run the wiring through the walls (if your walls are open now, even better).
Or, you can spend an arm and a leg.
Posted by: guest at May 19, 2008 3:27 PM in response to A/V Recommendation?
People always think everything costs too much except of course the work they do, which doesn't cost enough.
Posted by: guest at May 19, 2008 6:16 PM in response to A/V Recommendation?
6:16,
On most posts concerning the costs of home improvements done by others than the owner I would tend to agree, but in this case I think the responses are questioning the need for engaging an A/V consultant at all, not whether the fee is too high. Note that it's the architect who recommended getting a consultant; it wasn't the OP's idea. Probably the architect has some buddy to whom he wants to direct some work.
Posted by: johnife at May 19, 2008 7:04 PM in response to A/V Recommendation?
I'm not in NYC so I may not be able to comment on cost. But we recently converted a three family brownstone to a two family in Newark, NJ. We completely gutted the entire house, re configured each floor and installed a spiral staircase to connect floor 1 and 2. It worked out very well and looks great too. It's a lot of work but we have the use of the backyard. We hired an Architect who had done this type of stuff in NYC. Email me if you would like to see some pics. lauraz92@yahoo.com
Posted by: guest at May 19, 2008 11:46 PM in response to 3-family - how to use as 2-family?
Our stair installation was itemized for $19,000 as part of a gut reno of 2 floors. It included two cuts-first floor to basement and second floor. Several new lolly support columns were required. The basement stair is wood, the first to second floor stair is metal with wood treads. Since it was part of a gut reno I'm sure costs for demo were not included in this. Just a ballpark figure.
Posted by: Jane at May 20, 2008 10:16 AM in response to 3-family - how to use as 2-family?
more importantly, technology in the wireless area is changing so quickly that you may not need all that wiring in three years. we had our house wired for ethernet cables which are now totally useless.
Posted by: Cobblekrill at May 20, 2008 1:37 PM in response to A/V Recommendation?
Thanks for the estimate and the detail on the lolly columns. It gives me a good place to start in deciding whether it will be worth it.
Posted by: laurie at May 20, 2008 1:51 PM in response to 3-family - how to use as 2-family?
We are beginning a gut reno in about a week. Will be taking up the old pine floors. Write us at cimpatrick@aol if you would like to discuss further.
Posted by: Jane at August 25, 2007 8:43 AM in response to pine flooring needed