Noisy business


A business opened across the street from me. They move a large speaker in front of the store and blast loud music that goes straight into my apartment. I asked them twice nicely to turn it down and they said they would. But they didn’t.

Is there anything I can do about this? Any advice is appreciated.

Categories: Etiquette
By TJR | 05/30/2009 4:08 PM | Comment

Are cherry doors a good investme


I’m replacing all the doors in my coop. I’m not painting the new doors. I’m staining them a “mocha” color.

If I buy cherry wood doors, the cost is $5,141 as opposed to Hemlock, which is $1,978. I actually like the look of the Hemlock wood more than Cherry.

If I get the Cherry, do you think I would get a return on this investment when I sell the apartment in 5 to 10 years?

How important is the quality of wood?

Thanks!

Categories: Doors
By TJR | 02/09/2009 4:46 PM | Comment

Joint compound or plaster of paris?


A former owner had wallpapered the ceiling of my bathroom. I’ve scraped it off but in places, the plaster has come off all the way down to the cement.

To patch it, should I use joint compound or plaster of paris?

Thanks so much for your help.

Categories: Restoration
By TJR | 10/01/2008 4:13 PM | Comment

Bathroom ceiling plastering question


The ceiling in my bathroom was wallpapered and I have been scraping it off. I have found there to be 2 layers of material on the ceiling under the wallpaper. One is a solid, smooth brown layer. Under that looks like a very thin tissue paper and then the plaster. At places, the brown layer practically falls off, in others it takes off deep pieces of plaster if I try to remove it.

I plan to tile the part of the ceiling over the tub and skim coat the rest of the ceiling.

My question is, should I attempt to remove the brown layer? Also, how long in my bathroom can the ceiling remain exposed all the way down to the plaster?

Thanks for your help,

TJ

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By TJR | 09/21/2008 10:31 AM | Comment

Is it possible to renovate a 6 by 8 bathroom for $12,000?


Someone from New York Kitchen & Bathroom (NYKB) just told me that I will be “miserable” and “Good Luck!” when I told him my budget was $12,000 for a small bathroom reno. Is this budget so low it warrants being treated like such a worthless pauper by these companies?

What I need to have done is:

1. Redo the ceiling and install overhead lighting
2. Replace iron tub
3. Replace tile on walls and floor
4. Install new vanity
5. Install 3 feet of cabinetry
6. Install a new radiator cover

I’ve already called a few contractors I have found here on this forum. But so far, no one has called me back. Can you give me some good opinions on whether I will be able to do this within a budget? Also, can you give me some more recommendations for contractors?

Categories: Kitchen & Bath
By TJR | 09/15/2008 6:48 PM | Comment