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Very…Slow…Contractors
We desperately need advice and recommendation regarding some very slow contractors that our building’s sponsor hired. In a nut shell, we live in a condo in a gut renovated brownstone (read new construction) with serious flaws. The sponsor has agreed to remedy the defects, and has hired a general contractor to do the job. So far, so good. One major issue requiring repair is a massive leak that comes from a green house atrium structure on the top floor of the building. When it rains, it literally pours buckets inside of our apartment. The leaks have been confined to one room, but all the sheetrock and insulation have been stripped in that room, and the water is collecting in a tarp the funnels into a bucket. So, one bedroom out of our two bedrooms is completely uninhabitable. (We have two kids.) Long story short, this has been going on since December, and the contractors still don’t even have a bid together. They claim to be unable to find a sufficiently qualified waterproofer to tackle the issue. Each week, some new emergency comes up and the contractors do now show up. Because we do not pay them, they don’t seem feel accountable to us. We’re nervous about insisting that the sponsor fire them, because it has already taken up so much time, and we fear an even greater delay.
Apologies for the long winded explanation. I think the advice is going to be to find new contractors.
Can anyone recommend a contractor skilled in this area? We have been informed that the entire greenhouse needs to be replaced. Specs have been prepared by an architect.
Many thanks.
03/10/2010 10:39 AM
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Is This Venting Code?
Hi all,
We have an ongoing saga with our condo’s developer to get a final C of O. We live in a brownstone that has been converted into four units. Among the various issues, the plans call for the external venting of the kitchen range and the electric dryers, but this was not done. We’ve been informed that we can’t get a final C of O until the venting is completed, and that the plans cannot be changed because the venting is required by code. (We are fairly certain that there is no code requirement for the venting of the electric dryer, but we’d like to get them vented if possible since the lint and humidity is a nuisance.)
Is it code to vent the kitchen ranges and electric dryers horizontally in each unit to the back? I realize it may not be as efficient as venting to the roof, but venting vertically is almost impossible since it will involve cutting and ducting through four apartments…
If it is code, are there any requirements, like distance from the window? (The ducts will only be conducting kitchen air from the range and humid air from the washer dryer…)
Many thanks in advance –
11/13/2009 10:47 AM
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Kitchen Cabs repainting?
Hi,
We purchased a new condo a year ago, and although we’re happy with most items, the kitchen cabinets don’t fit with the rest of our home.
We’re thinking about painting the espresso-stained cherry cabinets to an off-white color, but are nervous because 1) the kitchen is the center of our home; and 2) if it looks bad, we’ll most likely end up spending $$$ to replace the cabinets.
Can anyone recommend a contractor skilled in this area – preferably someone with an artistic bent? I’ve searched the archives but have not found anyone suitable.
Many thanks in advance.
11/04/2009 4:28 PM
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Capezzano Construction?
Does anyone have any review (positive / negative / indifferent) of Capezzano Construction (located on Avenue Y)? I would be very grateful for any feedback at all.
Many thanks.
09/14/2009 5:06 PM
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Outdoor Trash Storage
I’ve seen some attractive outdoor trash storage “sheds” to conceal garbage cans installed in the front areas of brownstones. Where can we purchase one? Are they all custom-made? Thank you!
06/18/2009 2:55 PM
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Pulling building’s plan from DOB
Hello,
I’ve received wonderful advice in the past from this forum.
I would like to pull my building’s plans from the DOB, but I’m uncertain which DOB office to go to. Our building is in Cobble Hill. Building was gut renovated in 2005-2008 by a developer, and we need to get plans to an engineer to resolve some outstanding problems. (And I can’t afford to hire an expediter, as others have suggested.)
Any tips? Many thanks in advance.
04/02/2009 11:03 AM
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Architect / Engineer Report
Can anyone recommend an architect or engineer to do a careful and thorough inspection of our condo building (a renovated brownstone) and draft a report on non-compliance with offering plan, code violations, and faulty construction? The report may be used in litigation, so we’re looking for someone very professional. Thank you very much…
03/12/2009 9:01 PM
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Recommendations for a attorney specializing in real estate litigation
Hi,
Any recommendations for a lawyer specializing in litigation by condo associations against the Sponsor for breach of contract and/or fraud? We’re a tiny building (2 families), so we’re hoping to find someone aggressive but with reasonable rates.
11/17/2008 2:13 PM
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Do I need a DOB permit for this?
Do we need to apply for a permit in order to apply stucco to the side of a brownstone building? The contractor we hired says it will take approximate four days. The job involves scaffolding. (None of the work will face the street – the wall faces the interior yard.) I tried to look it up on the DOB website but it wasn’t clear to me. Thanks very much in advance.
10/31/2008 3:14 PM
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Developer Refusing to Complete Condo
We purchased a condo in a renovated brownstone recently. When we purchased the unit, contractors were working around the clock, and we were assured, and contractually promised, that the punch list items and the exterior of the building would be completed. Now, the developer seems to have completely run out of funds. The contractors have told us that they cannot continue to work because the developer has stopped paying them. A significant amount of work remains to be done, but no work has happened in weeks. Before we hire a lawyer, I wanted to ask if anyone has experience dealing with this type of situation. The developer still retains an unsold unit in the building, as well as other buildings and stores in the area.
09/03/2008 9:49 AM
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artistgarden
May 21, 2012 | 02:16 PM