Reassemble Marble Mantle in pieces


Have a beautiful marble mantle that was saved from a Manhattan brownstone that was under a gut reno. Unfortunately it was removed in pieces. Any suggestions on who can re-assemble it and install? I have a photo of what it looked like originally assembled.

Categories: Architectural Salvage
By | 04/28/2006 3:52 PM | Comment

What price CG brownstone in good condition


yeah i know, flame for not being specific, but here is the thumbnail description:

union st around smith st, 4 floors, two rentals over owners duplex.

No work needed except cosmetic in one rental. Not wide at 17 foot by 40 foot on 100 foot lot, with top quality basement (dug out and proofed and sump pumped). Good garden and extras, celings not oppressive in garden level. Big windows lots of light good layout.

About 3000 sq feet.

Is 600/per sqft (almost $2m) common in carroll gardens, or is this spring madness and/or the last gasp of the bubble before rates hit 7% and freak everyone out?

Categories: Real Estate
By | 04/28/2006 2:56 PM | Comment

Condop Nightmare


Our coop in Park Slope is above a commercial space (a Realtor, big surprise) so we are in a “Cond-Op” situation. The owner of the commercial space is, in technical terms, a complete a-hole. He hasn’t paid his piddling maintenance regularly in years, and when I approach him about it, he says “You need to do this and that for me” before he
will pay. The coop got lawyers involved once already and put a lien on him for back maintenance of 6K, which he finally paid. With the legal fees however, it was basically a wash. Now we’re in the same
situation with him in arrears, and us not knowing what to do. We still have the lien in place, but it doesn’t seem to impact him at all.

Are you aware of any resources or muscle we could use to get him to pay up?

Thanks,

PS. Half kidding about the muscle

Categories: Lawyers
By | 04/28/2006 10:47 AM | Comment

5 Tips for hiring a tile contractor


We’ve had so many problems with our bathroom tile that something positive has to come out of it, so here are some tips to help you all can avoid the same problems. Keep in mind that this info applies to tile for a tub/shower surround. A place less subject to moisture won’t need as much water-proofing, obviously.

Before hiring a contractor to do your tub/shower tile, ask him/her the following:

1) What does s/he recommend for the wall? Concrete backerboard (CBU) (most pros say Wonderboard is better than Hardiboard) is strongly preferable to greenboard, which is essentially drywall.

2) Does s/he typically use some kind of waterproof membrane/vapor barrier, either under or on top of the backerboard? If not, find a new contractor.

3) What does s/he use to bridge the gaps between boards (and there should be small gaps)? Be suspicious if s/he says anything other than thinset mortar and CBU or fiberglass tape. A few pros use mastic because it’s easier (stickier) for hanging tile but it’s also less waterproof than thinset. That said, there may be certain high-end brands — or particular applications — where mastic is useful.

(more…)

Categories: Tile
By | 04/28/2006 10:40 AM | Comment

mortgage rates on 3 families


Are there special conditions on obtaining mortgages on COO 3 family homes, even if it will be used as a 1 family, and is it normal to charge higher rates on that sort of mortgage? Is anyone aware of lenders who are flexible on that and willing to treat the mortage the same as for a 1-2 family? Are there strategies to get around the COO issue (other than not borrowing)?

Categories: Mortgage
By | 04/28/2006 10:02 AM | Comment

Type of trade?


I am interested in having a spigot installed in my Brooklyn backyard. What type of trade handles this type of work? Does it have to be a plumber or can a regular handyman take it on? Thanks

By | 04/28/2006 9:55 AM | Comment

Anonymous Postings


I was wondering how people on this site handle recommendations made by anonymous posters…I’m not sure if there’s any other system possible, but it seems to undermine a recommendation. Of course you need to do your own vetting/interviewing, but I think half of a recommendation is being able to tell the service person you’re calling who recommended you. And the obvious concern is that service people are “recommending” themselves. Any advice? Thank you!

Categories: General Contractors
By | 04/27/2006 6:17 PM | Comment

stripping exterior door frame


My 1910 row still has the original wood frame around the outside of the door, but the detailing is mostly obscured by layer upon layer of cracked, horrible-looking paint. I chipped some of the paint away, and the wood is in very bad condition. Can anyone recommend a good, reasonably priced person to strip and sand around the door–and access accurately whether it is even worth trying to restore??

By | 04/27/2006 3:49 PM | Comment

Ceiling Murals


My townhouse in Park Slope has painted murals on the parlor and dining room ceilings. I am in the process of having them restored, and now that they are clean, it is clear that they are extremely well done. I am interested in finding out who might have been the original artist, but am not sure how to find out this information, or if it’s even possible. The house was built around 1900. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Categories: History
By | 04/27/2006 2:31 PM | Comment

Ave Home Gas Prices


What do you spend a month on natural gas bills to heat your home & hot water. I use natural gas for a hot water radiator system and for hot water – seems like I’m running about $2,200 a month during the winter, which seems like its almost double what prior owner paid last year. Thanks.

Categories: Heating
By | 04/27/2006 2:18 PM | Comment