Moving Kitchen and Permits


Exactly what kind of permits need to be filed to move a kitchen? We would like to renovate and move the kitchen from the back of the house to the middle. I am considering working with a friend that is an architect but does not have a license. I’m assuming that most expediters have someone to submit plans like this, any ideas of cost involved? Could the proper permits be filed by an electrician and plumber? Thank you so much for your help.

Categories: Permits
By Stuart | 04/22/2011 11:45 AM | Comment

Recs of Handyman/Plumber


We’re considering installing a washer and dryer in our basement. Totally new to this and really looking forward to some answers from those who know better than us.

1. Who do we call? Plumber for the water pipes? Electrician for the wires? Whom should we call re the dryer vent? Is there one company than can do all 3? How much should this cost?

2. The apartment on the 1st floor already has a dryer vent that goes into the basement and then outside, so I’m thinking we can just join in. Are there any rules regarding 2 dryers venting into one pipe going outside?

Thanks!

Categories: Appliances
By Stuart | 12/29/2009 6:25 PM | Comment

Help w/ Wooden Wall Finish


One wall in my apartment will have a lot of holes in the drywall once the built-in shelves are removed. I want to cover the wall with treated wooden planks to look like the picture above. How would I go about doing this? Should I use wide flooring planks or will any ole planks from Lowes (stained & treated) work? Should I rent a nail gun and just nail them to the wall? Am I crazy to attempt this DYI? Any suggestions or hints welcome. Thanks!

Categories: Carpentry
By Stuart | 12/29/2009 5:56 PM | Comment

Shellac on Brick Walls?


We want to finish the exposed brick walls and columns in our basement so that it is a cleaner and less dusty place. The brick was painted white a long time ago and there is dust that now accumulates at the bottom of each wall. Also, once in a while, a brick is totally exposed in places where it looks like the facing of the brick is completely gone (the brick is really crumbly and the dust is red there). We have had our handyman look at it and his suggestion was to scrub the brick down and then shellac it. That is what he did in our upstairs and it looks great. However, I’m concerned that the environment in our basement might be different. It’s not that damp or humid, BUT for some reason the old paint did not stay on the walls. Any suggestions? Has anyone had bad/good experiences with “shellacking’ brick walls? Can the brick breathe through it?

By Stuart | 11/23/2009 3:38 PM | Comment