Donate your Reno “Salvageables”


I am donating a cast iron tub and radiators to Build It Green, a non-profit architectural salvage in Astoria, Queens. They will come to pick it up as soon as they have enough other donations in the area (I’m in Carroll Gardens) for a truck load.

So, if you’re renovating and have materials that you are going to get rid of, but that might be useful to someone else,instead of paying to have it removed, consider donating it to Built It Green. See their site for what they accept: http://www.bignyc.org/donationlist
and for an easy to use donation form: http://www.bignyc.org/node/add/donationform
–They even offer free demo for kitchens.

Categories: Architectural Salvage
By ehin3 | 08/03/2009 4:51 PM | Comment

What to do: Active Complaint DOB


I was under the impression that work being done on one floor of my 3-family home did not require permits: refinishing floors, removal of linoleum tile from wood floor (we just assumed it was asbestos and had it abated by certified company as well as independent air quality company–one or both of whom filed with appropriate agency), repairing plaster walls and ceilings, installing insulation and sound board on some ceilings, replacing plumbing fixtures, changing one non-load bearing partition wall (stealing space from a very large bathroom to create a closet for a bed room), and replacing/adding a few electrical fixtures and outlets.

From researching here and trying to follow the DOB code downloaded from their site, I am now not so sure.

The problem: the plumber who was planning to file the plumbing portion of the work discovered that there is an open complaint filed last week on the DOB site.

My question is: what can I do to minimize any problems this will inevitably cause?

The contractor and I decided to stop work until we can figure out what to do, but,in addition to believing that the work being done didn’t require permits, we are on a very tight schedule trying to get the work complete as I am currently 38 weeks pregnant.

While I realize that I may have been mistaken in my understanding of DOB filing requirements, what I am looking for now is advice on how to deal with this as quickly as possible so that work can get back on track and completed ASAP.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Categories: DOB
By ehin3 | 06/29/2009 11:20 AM | Comment

Super Dustless Floor Refinishers


I recently had my wide plank pine and a small amount of parquet sanded and refinished by Scott Krute & Sons. 718-447-6949

They have a dustless system and used a water-based finish. Prices were comparable to non-dustless guys.

He and his crew were very professional, hard-working,good-natured, and did truly excellent work. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Categories: Floors
By ehin3 | 06/28/2009 9:03 PM | Comment

Salvage Yard in Queens near LGA?


Anybody know the name of the salvage place near the highway on the way to Laguardia Airport if coming from Upper Manhattan? A friend was describing its location to me and thought it might be a good source for finding a restored clawfoot tub at a reasonable price.

Categories: Architectural Salvage
By ehin3 | 06/23/2009 9:22 PM | Comment