Glass Block Supplier?


anyone know of a local supplier of glass block? Looking for smaller sizes, like this one which is 4.5 x 4.5. dont want standard 8×8. thanks.

Categories: Masonry
By cottontop | 10/11/2010 5:01 PM | Comment

Cellar Access Steps & Hatch


I would like to enlarge the “coal chute” at the front of my house to be steps accessing the cellar with a hatch.

Can anyone who has done this offer any advice? Know the cost? Recommend a contractor?

Thanks in advance.

Categories: Construction
By cottontop | 11/11/2009 7:12 PM | Comment

reclaimed brick source


I’m having my stoop reclad in brick. I’d like for the brick to either be reclaimed old brick, or new brick that looks like old brick.

Anybody know of a source?

(lots, not a few)

Thanks!

Categories: Architectural Salvage
By cottontop | 08/27/2009 3:57 PM | Comment

pine wide plank subfloor needed


I’ve been ripping up decades of linoleum to expose the subfloor in our south slope wood frame. Now I need a few pieces of pine wide-plank flooring (9.5″ wide) to patch some janky areas. Any body know where to get it?

Categories: Floors
By cottontop | 05/04/2009 1:52 PM | Comment

Mason for minor repair?


Hi. My wife and I recently bought a south-slope 2-family frame. The brick stoop has developed a number of loose and cracked bricks due to freeze/thaw cycles. Anybody know a mason they’d recommend for a minor repair? Needs to happen fast, don’t want the tenant to get hurt…

By cottontop | 02/09/2009 8:45 AM | Comment

bought a house with 10% down


for better or for worse, my wife and I just closed on a house yesterday, in the middle of this mess. I’ve been reading so much about how hard it is to get a loan, and that banks aren’t lending, that I thought I’d share our experience to encourage any of you who might be considering taking the plunge.

My wife and I have moderate incomes, with credit in the mid-high 700′s. No debt. We were able to close with 10% down, no points, at 6.5% interest rate.

We bought a 2-family in south slope (15th street between 4th and 5th) for less than $800. It’s a bit of a fixer but totally livable. Having the income from the rental unit is key. We hope to remodel and add onto the house eventually.

SO MANY PEOPLE swore to us that 10% down was IMPOSSIBLE, that I thought I’d pass on the contact info for our mortgage broker: Nicole Crete-McCarthy at Trachtman & Bach. 646-228-7820. I have no idea how she did it but she did.

Anyway, best of luck to all of you. Who knows if we’re doing the right thing, but at least we’re doing something, ya know?

Categories: Brokers
By cottontop | 11/14/2008 9:41 PM | Comment