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« Basement blues part 2 Need front stoop built »
July 1, 2008
Need front stoop built
I need my front stoop built (rebuilt). I've got a frame house but want to do a brick/limestone or concrete stoop. Does anyone have any recommendations? I've talked to alot of contractors and masons. So far A. Malek was the most thorough and seemingly trustworthy but his price was markedly higher than the rest and the job he wants to do seems to be a little overkill for my house. I've got a list of others I've talked to but would appreciate any insight anyone might be able to give. Thanks.
Comments
Jim Lally of Galway Bay built my new front stoop as well as that of three other neighbors. You can see the work here:
http://images.magpie.com/house/photos/index2006_large.jpg
Posted by: Steve at July 1, 2008 5:42 PM
You did not mention whether your home is located in one of Brooklyn's designated historic districts. If that is the case, the rebuild you are describing would not be legal, unless the historic construction of the stoop was brick/limestone/concrete. The contractors you spoke to should have mentioned that (if, in fact, your home is in a landmarked district). Replacing, recreating or removing any stoop, fence, or handrail (i.e., something other than an "ordinary repair") very clearly falls in the category of types of work that require a permit from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. For more information, see the following:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/pubs/workguide.pdf
http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/faqs/faq_permit.shtml
http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/faqs/faqs.shtml
http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/html/maps/maps_bklyn.shtml
Posted by: guest at July 1, 2008 8:32 PM
I'm also looking to have front stoop built where one does not exist. Currently, the entrance to my two family is on the first floor and is shared with my tenant. I would like to have a stoop built for a private entrance to my home on the parlor floor. Questions: (1) Any recommendations for a contractor?; (2) Approximate price? (3) Permit required?
Posted by: guest at July 2, 2008 10:57 AM
I'm sure my building and block are not historic so that's not an issue. None of the contractors I spoke with mentioned anything about permits (I need to ask, thanks for the heads-up). And, as far as contractors I've spoken with:
Buscarello (John) seemed ok, but I wont use him because of the mixed and bad reviews on this site. His price was about 10k for brick w/limestone steps.
A. Malek knew what he was talking about, took a lot of time with me, took me around the neighborhood and showed me other work he had done or was in the midst of doing. He was, so far, hands down the best. Also, the most expensive. His initial price was 22k, I rapidly got him down to 17k but that is still 5k more than anyone else. It seems that he does much bigger brownstone work (again, mine is a small frame house). What he wanted to do was pour concrete for the steps (over concrete block structure), in one piece, and then put on whatever facade I wanted (brick) as opposed to brick with limestone steps which he reasoned would eventually leak over time at the seems where limestone meets brick. I'm tempted to go with him but that price just seems too high.
Brothers was about 12k but I wasn't really convinced as to the way he wanted to do it (metal frame underneath structure). He might have been good but noone else proposed that way, and I'm not familiar with it so I wont go with him.
Nick from Transcend came by but his price was unrealistically low (about 6k) and he said he could do it in a week which seemed off (most said 4 weeks, some 2-3 weeks min.)
Jim Lally of Galway Bay came by last night (thanks for the ref Steve), seemed to know what he's doing, inspired confidence. I've read multiple good things about him online. I'm still waiting on his price, if it is competitive, I'll probably go with him.
I think Progeny was a no-show and Jabus had one guy who could look at it but he was away on a job in CT for a few weeks, so I couldn't get them to my house.
That's it for now...
Posted by: dobbs at July 2, 2008 12:54 PM
I had 9 steps and 2 landings on my home replaced earlier this year and the cost was 8k. The work took just over a week and I was happy with the results. I didn't do anything fancy, just brick and stone, so the prices your getting seem high to me.
Joanne
Posted by: guest at July 2, 2008 1:19 PM
Update:
Nick from Transcend called me back to let me know that the price was more like 10k and that it would take 9-10 days. He had initially given me a "ballpark" so maybe he crunched some numbers and came to some realizations (or maybe he's reading this blog). Dunno, but don't want to give anyone a bad rap who doesn't deserve one. Anyway, I haven't used him so can't comment anymore on him.
Posted by: dobbs at July 2, 2008 1:25 PM
Joanne,
Who did the work for you?
Posted by: dobbs at July 2, 2008 1:26 PM
If questions about Landmarks permits, call their Public Information Officer: 212-669-7817. Landmarks Preservation Commission is both the bane and blessing of repairs in our neighborhoods, and the number of residents who knowingly evade necessary permits is sky-high. Your costs and timeframe obviously will be different than others since you are constructing from scratch. Our just completed stoop rebuild was done by Jose @ KSJ Mega Construction Corp., Elmhurst, Queens. 718-507-0981. Three days total for demolition to rebuild, with another three days for curing. Beautiful job. 100% Portland Cement underlay, with MIMIC color-matched mortar on top (both of which avoided by most stoop contractors due to expense). Previous rebuild by one of the companies you mentioned.
Posted by: guest at July 2, 2008 1:59 PM
Definitely contact Z.Abedin. They did great at my friend's home and i plan to use them to re-face my facade and steps. Great job, very competent, reasonable price. Tell him Chris Montgomery from Decatur Street referred you. You can reach Z.Abedin at 917-903-0196
Posted by: guest at July 2, 2008 2:51 PM
OK. I'll try him out. Thanks for the referral.
Posted by: dobbs at July 2, 2008 3:08 PM
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