Solar Thermal Experiences?


Our building is considering scheduling a site evaluation from a solar thermal contractor. Can anyone who’s installed the panels, or seriously considered it, advise us as to what we might be getting into? How are the panels working for you? Has it really done a lot to reduce your bills? Was the installation very difficult? What difficulties did you run into?

Categories: Heating
By GBanner | 03/16/2011 10:25 AM | Comment

Paying coop yearly r.e. taxes in full


I serve as the treasurer of my co-op. Someone told me recently that by paying our city taxes as a yearly lump sum, we can save some money? Is that true?

Also, I asked our bank if that was the case. They said it was, but that they wouldn’t allow us to pay as a lump sum. Anyone else have this experience?

Categories: Co-Op Related
By GBanner | 02/02/2011 11:41 AM | Comment

Property becomes neighbors’ after 7 years?


Our neighbors have requested permission to build a fence between our property and theirs. Due to existing concrete, the fence would actually be over the property line, on our property. We are considering their request.

One owner in our building has said that by New York law, after 7 years, the small amount of property that is on their side of the fence would legally become theirs. Is that true?

Categories: Building Code
By GBanner | 06/09/2010 5:31 PM | Comment

Mold Testing/Abatement


We just discovered a bit of what looks to be mold in the basement of our building. I’m a bit worried, and was going to have a hygienist come in and take air samples and so on, at a pretty high cost, to determine if it is toxic mold. But our handyman said it’s probably nothing and that he could come in and spray it with a chemical to stop it. Will that suffice? Should we be doing the more extensive testing?

Categories: Environmental
By GBanner | 05/27/2010 9:45 AM | Comment

Co-op Owners w/ Multiple Votes


An investor currently owns one of the units in our 12-unit building, and the board is considering allowing him to place a bid on another one of the units. However, this would give the investor multiple votes. What are some of the hypothetical dangers of allowing that to happen?

Categories: Co-Op Related
By GBanner | 04/21/2010 10:52 AM | Comment

Recommendation for trash covers


Can anyone recommend a good contractor to build nice wooden external bins for our building?

Categories: General Contractors
By GBanner | 02/22/2010 10:42 AM | Comment

Remove Ivy from Wall?


I’ve heard conflicting advice on whether or not it’s wise to remove ivy from a stone wall. One of the brick walls of our building is painted white and has become entirely covered by ivy. (We’ve cut off the roots but it still continues to grow.) Is this bad for the mortar and stone beneath?

Categories: Exterior
By GBanner | 02/22/2010 10:41 AM | Comment

Online File Storage for Co-op


My co-op board decided last night to find a way to store and edit files online so that we don’t have to constantly ask each other documents and end up with different versions of the same one. Can anyone suggest a cheap, effective, and safe method of storing files online that can be viewed by multiple people?

Categories: Co-Op Related
By GBanner | 02/04/2010 2:17 PM | Comment

McCready & Rice?


Has anybody had any experience with McCready and Rice? If so, how was it? Are their rates reasonable?

(I ask because they’re installing an external boiler switch for our boiler room, a job that requires running an electrical conduit through a wall for about a five feet, and charging $600+ for it. Just want to know if we’re being overcharged.)

Categories: General Contractors
By GBanner | 02/04/2010 10:10 AM | Comment

Exterior Switch for Boiler?


A recent inspection of the boiler in our building showed that we needed to have an exterior emergency shut-off switch installed. We’ve never been told before that this was a code requirement. Is this true?

Categories: Heating
By GBanner | 01/28/2010 11:47 AM | Comment