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November 30, 2006
Stoop repair/restoration suggestions needed
Brownstoners, this is my dilemma: As you can see from the pics, my stoop is on the way to being repaired. However, I was thinking perhaps the flat wall on one side of the inner stoop and the outside wall (where the mailbox is) would look better "roughened" like the stone on the rest of the facade, and as it was originally. They can do it with concrete (create imitation limestone to match the other stone). This will cost more $, and don't know if it is even necessary. Would love any feedback. (yes, i probably should have negotiated beforehand, but we discovered the whole wall had to be rebuilt, and their was little original material to work with, which I hadn't expected). Thank you!
http://homepage.mac.com/catherineerin/PhotoAlbum3.html
Comments
I think my answer would depend on how much it will cost to have it roughened up. Its very obviously different from the other side of the stoop but not something I would personally spend a fortune on to correct.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 30, 2006 9:39 AM
Necessary? I guess not, but if it were my house I'd feel bad every time I looked at theugly plain wall--cheaper to have it done right now then to have it re-done later.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at November 30, 2006 9:40 AM
ok...thanks for your input.. my husband who usually has a pretty good eye said he though the flat, less heavy wall looked better, but i thought given the entire context it looked out of place. It's about $2000 to roughen the flat areas. They did a few "imitation" stones to fill in the front wall, and they looked fairly good...i just hope that the stones they create look good enough as is quite a large area to cover. I guess this is just the risks you have to take when you can't afford 15k to redo a stoop...
Posted by: Anonymous at November 30, 2006 9:55 AM
"done right" what does that mean -anon 9:39. if it is between leaving smooth or roughing up - leave it smooth - even if they rough it up - it will still not blend/match/or even come close to looking like the original - don't waste extra money - it's unfornate that the detail has been lost but don't add to the loss - I side with your husband and leave it smooth
Posted by: will at November 30, 2006 10:14 AM
(original poster) Will, you may have a good point. Our plan eventually is to try and get some funds from the landmark commission to do the facade (or a low interest loan) and include the work of matching the flat walls then. (Most well-known contractors are asking around 40 k) With more resources and contractors whose skill level is such that they might have a better chance of pulling it off..thanks again.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 30, 2006 10:21 AM
If you're anticipating a more complete restoration in the future, that changes things IMO. You might as well save the $2,000.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at November 30, 2006 12:01 PM
Thanks for your input Bob.
Posted by: Anonymous at November 30, 2006 12:53 PM
Do you mind shareing your contractor? I have a limestone stoop that needs patching and obviously want to get a few estimates.
Thanks.....
Posted by: Anonymous at November 30, 2006 6:17 PM
Sure. His name is Kamal. His phone number is 917-531-3440. He's done a lot of work around, so you can go see other examples. He is very reasonable I think. If you want additional info pls email me at catherine.gattoverde@gmail.com
Posted by: Anonymous at December 1, 2006 8:04 AM
I've used Kamal before and I don't like the quality of his work. After a year the cement work he did started falling apart. I had to eventually call Donald Morgan to redo the job. Donald Morgan's number is 646-797-1053. Here are some examples of his work: http://renovatingonthecheap.blogspot.com/search/label/Front%20Porch
Posted by: Mr. Renovation at December 1, 2006 12:52 PM
"You house is nice! I like!" ..as Borat would say.
The smaller (unroughened) wall DOES seem to stick-out due to its plain-ness compared to the facade & the opposite rough wall.
Even a very slight roughening on it done correctly with a similarly-colored cement would improve it nicely. I myself can never tell the difference between cement and limestone, specially when the cement is intentionally made to resemble it.
Posted by: desk sgt at December 1, 2006 9:16 PM
How much a job like that will cost?
Posted by: Anonymous at December 4, 2006 8:32 PM
What did they use to rebuild the sidewalls since you don't have enough material to restore them?
Brick,block or just cement over.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 6, 2006 9:16 PM
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