Crown Molding for Tin Ceiling?


Trying to find crown molding in tin to match an existing tin ceiling. Any recommendations about where to look?

Categories: Restoration
By agamama | 01/18/2011 3:45 PM | Comment

expediter vs eng vs architect


we’re planning on doing some permitted exterior work (adding windows, putting in insulation, residing the house). none of this is high concept design or rocket science.

do we need an architect or should we just hire an engineer? i’ve also heard that some expeditors can either do drawings or else subcontract to architects/engineers (who i imagine are cheaper?) what’s the best way to proceed (i.e., cheapest but still structurally sound)?

thanks

Categories: Structural
By agamama | 02/24/2010 6:45 PM | Comment

Inspections of Permitted Work


We’re planning on doing some extensive exterior work on our house (putting in additional windows, residing, insultating). We bought the house with at least one code violation (shower in cellar), but I’m assuming there are other ones we’re not even aware of.

How vulnerable are we to being fined on interior violations during the exterior work (or at it’s completion)? In other words, do inspectors do a thorough evaluation of the whole house or do they stick to the area that the permit was for?

Categories: DOB
By agamama | 02/17/2010 11:45 AM | Comment

Cellar Conversion


We recently bought a legal two family house with a finished basement. The previous owner had been living on the bottom two floors (with kitchen in the basement) and renting out the top floor. The basement has it’s own entrance, but is legally a “cellar” – over 50% below ground at the fron the of the house/sidewalk. However the back of the house is 100% above ground with a door out to the yard (since we’re built on a hill). Can we convert the cellar into a legally rentable unit by digging out the front of the house and creating a well there? I see other houses where this has been done but I’m not sure if these are legal rentals or not. Any knowledge would be much appreciated.

Categories: Building Code
By agamama | 02/04/2010 12:37 AM | Comment