Interior “storm windows”


I have a window that is cold and drafty. I cannot afford to replace it now so instead intend to reduce the heat loss by installing an interior “storm window”, by which I mean fitting a sheet of plexiglass, held in place by a frame, inside the window. I have been looking for a supplier of such a thing but can’t find one. This type of “do it yourself storm window” is common in home improvement stores in the UK, where I’m from originally, but does not seem to exist here. I’ve scoured Home Depot and Lowes to no avail. Can anyone recommend anywhere else where I might look?

Categories: Windows
By kk634000 | 02/12/2011 12:25 PM | Comment

Rectifying Inaccurate Appraisal


Can anyone advise me what action I can take to get an inaccurate appraisal of my apartment rectified? I recently decided to refinance my mortgage in the hopes of getting a lower interest rate. The mortgage broker arranged an appraisal which valued my apartment significantly below its true value because the appraiser managed to omit the private garden, central air and second half-bathroom, thereby significantly lowering the appraised value, to the point where the refinance could not go ahead. The broker rebutted the report, but has subsequently dropped me like a hot potato and won’t return my calls so I presume he has given up on arranging my refinance. I would like to challenge the appraiser’s report, more on principle than anything else. It was a shoddy piece of work and the appraiser should be obliged to rectify his errors, IMHO.
I have written to the appraiser directly, but have received no response yet. So, my question is, is there a governing body that oversees/licenses appraisers that I could approach? Surely there are codes of ethics, standards, etc. that apply to appraisers? Any other suggestions for dealing with this gratefully received.

Categories: Appraisals
By kk634000 | 11/14/2010 4:50 AM | Comment

Protecting Tree in Street


To my great delight, the city has planted a new tree in the sidewalk outside my house, presumably in response to a request I posted on their web site last year. The tree looks fantastic but the tree bed (is that what it’s called?) has nothing around it to keep the soil in place, and it is already spilling out onto the sidewalk. I would love to put some plants in the soil and generally keep it looking nice but I don’t think I will succeed unless the soil is surrounded by bricks, cobbles or a little fence to keep everything in place (and to keep dogs out). Does anyone know if the city provides this, or if I should go to Home Depot this weekend and buy something to get the job done?

Categories: Garden
By kk634000 | 05/21/2009 9:44 AM | Comment

Laundry machines


My condo building needs to replace its coin-operated laundry machines (one washer and one dryer). Does anyone have a recommendation for
energy efficient models that they’ve been happy with? Or could someone point me in the direction of a local (to Brooklyn) showroom where I could see a range of models?

Categories: Utilities
By kk634000 | 02/21/2009 1:01 PM | Comment

Interior Storm Windows


I would like to install interior storm windows in my apartment, to reduce heat loss. Does anyone have recommendations for installers in Brooklyn? Or anyone I should avoid? Is it something a “not very skilled but enthusiastic” person could do themselves?

Categories: Windows
By kk634000 | 01/10/2009 6:58 PM | Comment

DOB Permission Needed for Bathroom?


Do I need to get permission from the Department of Buildings before I install a bathroom in the basement of my condo in Queens? I intend to get all the work done fully to code, but want to avoid waiting for the wheels of beauocracy to give me permission to do so. If I don’t get permission, would they ever find out and what would be the consequences?
Thanks.

Categories: Building Code
By kk634000 | 05/02/2008 9:58 PM | Comment

Window Installer/Cat Flap


I am looking for someone to replace one existing window with a smaller, shorter one, and install a cat flap in the area beneath it.
It seems the larger window companies won’t take on such a small job. (I refuse to approach Park Slope Glass and Windows since they did such a terrible job replacing other windows in my apartment.) So could anyone recommend a window installer/handy-person who could do this for me?
Thanks

By kk634000 | 02/16/2008 11:14 AM | Comment