Sayid – facade work? (anyone use him)


Anyone use Sayid General Construction to do facade work? He was recommended to us to redo brownstone facade/stoop.

Categories: Facade
By realestate | 05/06/2011 5:51 PM | Comment

Sprinklers for Addition?


We want to add a set back 4th floor addition on top of an existing 3-story house (not landmarked) as we gut reno it. It’s a 2-family, and we’re keeping it that way, so basement level is slightly below grade (that’s where rental would go). We recently learned of new code that requires you put in a sprinkler system throughout house when you add addition, but it seems sometimes you can get out of it. I know this has been discussed a bit before, but it’s confusing since I know of houses with additions finished as recently as last 1-2 years where this requirement was no imposed. Any tips on how to get a waiver? It’s a deal-breaker for us! And if you do get a spinkler system does that mean you’re dealing with lots of headaches (ugly aesthetics, potential leaks, etc.). Would love advice since we have to decide on whether to go for addition or not – thanks!

Categories: Building Code
By realestate | 04/29/2011 11:50 AM | Comment

Brownstone Facade Word Before or After Rest of Renovation?


We are about to embark on a gut reno of a 3-story brownstone. The facade/stoop are in bad shape and we’re wondering if we need to wait til end of reno to redo facace/stoop? We’d prefer to get it done early (while awaiting permits for rest of reno and then have reno team protect the stoop) but is it better to wait til the very end and if so, what are pros and cons of doing facade & stoop at beginning vs. end? We also need to put in new windows and wonder if that affects redoing facade (openings will remain the same). Thanks!

Categories: Facade
By realestate | 04/28/2011 3:12 PM | Comment

Myrta Echevarria GC?


Anyone work with Myrta Echevarria as a GC? Would like to hear any feedback, positive or otherwise. Also, would anyone be willing to give me a way to contact them to discuss more. I did see last summer one person recommended her and another said to stay away, and I’d love to find out more! TIA

Categories: General Contractors
By realestate | 02/07/2011 12:05 AM | Comment

American Contracting/Jimmy Wessels


Hi,
Has anyone worked with American Contracting/Jimmy Wessels as a contractor?
We are considering hiring them so would love any info on past experiences with them!

Categories: Renovation
By realestate | 02/05/2011 9:21 AM | Comment

Insurance during renovation?


We are purchasing a house to renovate and need to show hazard insurance in order to close on the house. The house is liveable but practically in estate condition so we are doing a new gut reno. My insurance is asking whether it will be vacant and if repairs are cosmetic and I’m nervous about explaining the renovation. What do people do in this situation?

Categories: Insurance
By realestate | 01/31/2011 2:20 PM | Comment

Mortgage rates – where are they going short-term (within next month)?


We have to lock our rate on a 30yr fixed (under 500K for 2 fam, NOT jumbo) and wonder if the financial whiz’es out there have advice on the short-term outlook. I know this is asking for crystal ball but aren’t there rational aids to predicting?? Today they seem to be hitting almost 5% and I wonder if they’ll just go higher or tick down a bit…

Categories: Mortgage
By realestate | 01/20/2011 3:47 PM | Comment

Brick vs. Brownstone Upkeep Costs?


Which kind of facade is more expensive and challenging to maintain – brownstone or brick? I have a sense of the brownstone repointing process which seems quite pricey, but I don’t know about brick facade maintenance. Can anyone share their knowledge please?

Categories: Facade
By realestate | 07/12/2010 9:45 AM | Comment

Zoning Research for Commercial Property Next to Residential?


How can we find out the zoning issues for a commercial property – specifically, how much they could build on top of existing commercial one-story structure? This commercial property is right next to a residential property we are considering, so question is: could the commercial property one day build a huge structure next to the house?

Categories: Zoning
By realestate | 05/24/2010 1:46 PM | Comment

Creating Closets When None Exist


We are looking at a place that we really like, but it has almost NO closets. How easy it is to build them out? How expensive? Can anyone recommend a good person do this this or is it an architect? We don’t want to be stuck with wardrobes/freestanding Ikea type units for the rest of our lives (plus we have kids).

Categories: Storage
By realestate | 04/28/2010 9:13 AM | Comment