Handyman to Install Gas Range


I need a recommendation for a good handyman for the first of probably many small jobs around our house: installing a gas range. The range and gas line are in place, I just need someone to check the fittings and actually hook it up. Thanks.

Categories: Handyman
By corolla | 08/16/2009 3:07 PM | Comment

Man with a van?


We need to move a 200+ lb stove from one part of Brooklyn to another. Does anyone know of a reputable small mover that could help with this?

Categories: Movers
By corolla | 06/02/2009 7:18 AM | Comment

Restoration vs. Renovation?


We’ve finished renovating our rental units, but still have barely touched our own apartment and I was hoping for some advice. We have an 1899 brownstone that is approximately half and half with original details in fair-to-bad condition (beamed ceilings, mouldings and chair rails, doors), as well as later, ugly renovations (doors, formica, bad tiling, etc). The common areas are actually in pretty good condition and we’re going to keep all the woodwork in place, repainted.

The original apartment moulding is in such poor condition that I am tempted to just do a simple, clean renovation with modern millwork. However it seems sinful to pull out this old wood, as dinged up as it is. Is it significantly more valuable to have all original, stripped, patched woodwork in place, or does it make more sense to go for a clean renovation?

It’s sort of a philosophical question that I’m sure some of you have dealt with. Any advice?

Categories: Restoration
By corolla | 01/22/2009 1:03 PM | Comment

Rats


I’ve just noticed rats coming into our backyard through our fence. There is no food or garbage in our yard. Our neighbors aren’t dirty either, but their garden is more overgrown.

Does anyone have experience with the beginnings of a rat problem, and solutions? I’m all for getting an exterminator, but if they’re coming in from neighboring properties, how good is an exterminator going to be?

Categories: Exterminator
By corolla | 09/23/2008 9:01 AM | Comment

Questions on electric baseboard heating


It’s hard to talk about heating when it’s so warm outside. but we’re investigating installing electric baseboard heating in both units of our Brooklyn townhouse for two reasons: 1) To give the tenants control over their own heat, 2) to save money on the heating bills.

I read that natural gas is likely to be at least 25% higher next season, and our heating bill is out of control. We’re also looking into a solar electricity solution for the house, this year or next.

Would anyone be willing to share any positive or negative experiences with this sort of heating set-up? The tenants’ unit has uneven heat in the winter and the house thermostat needs to be set to 72 degrees to get every nook and cranny up to 68 deg in the daytime. Meanwhile, we boil downstairs.

Categories: Heating
By corolla | 07/14/2008 11:47 AM | Comment

Antique Clawfoot Bathtub w/o Overflow


I have a beautiful antique tub in the upstairs rental unit in my 108 year old brownstone. However the tub has no proper drain on its overflow. There is simply a metal plate with a small (approx 1/4″) hole a few inches below the original faucet. Thus when the tub is filled unattended, water streams out onto the floor. During renovation a reputable plumber pointed it out to me and said there was nothing he could do, as the back of the tub is neither straight nor in great condition.

My tenants recently filled the tub up when I was out, and didn’t drain it as soon as they noticed the leak. A large amount of water soaked our bathroom and then drained into the basement.

Two questions: 1) is this really how the overflow was designed to work? I’ve asked some people who say it is how antique tubs did it. 2) What can I do to help ensure the tenants are more careful? I sincerely believe they didn’t understand what was happening, since a modern tub has a regular overflow.

Perhaps antique tubs aren’t appropriate for rentals.

Categories: Plumbing
By corolla | 12/06/2007 10:12 AM | Comment

Month to Month Lease?


Hi. I’m a new landlord letting an apartment out in our building for the first time. I have tenants that I am comfortable with, they have passed their background/credit checks, and are willing to take a month to month lease. What is the process to offer them month to month tenancy? Is there no lease at all? Should I just take their first month’s rent and security and hand them the keys?

Categories: Landlord
By corolla | 11/27/2007 12:14 PM | Comment