Forum: Configuration
October 20, 2009
Re-Arranging Baseboard Heating
Hi... can anyone recommend a plumber to help me with re-arranging or changing the size/layout of one of my baseboard radiators? I just need it to be shortened by about 3 feet.
Anyone have an idea of how much something like this might cost...?
thanks
August 27, 2009
Ideas for closing off an alcove
my son is sleeping in an alcove - part of the master bedroom. I believe it used to the dressing room for the master bedroom.
The room itself is about 10 feet by 7feet and the opening is about 100 inches high and 90 inches wide.
The landlord told us that they don't want us to put any hardware into the frame or the floor.
We got quotes from some temporary wall places but I dont know if the landlord will go along with that... They are quoting about $1000 for two years and then about $150 a year after that.
Does anyone have any other ideas on how to section off the space so that it's still accessible but hopefully blocks sound?
Thanks
August 18, 2009
Converting B'stone Into Condo
My family owns a 5 family brownstone in Bed Stuy. We would like to convert it into condos. Does anyone have any advice on how we should get started? What pitfalls should look out for in terms of taxes and conversion fees?
August 4, 2009
Adding a New Floor?
Adding a new floor to a brick house (20 X40)? Here’s the deal: we bought a 3-unit, 3-floor brick house and are wondering if it would be (financially) wise to add up a new floor for extra income ( we would rent 2 units instead of 1) and have the upper duplex for ourselves. Each rental goes for $1300 on the market (in East Williamsburg). One contractor I’ve contacted told me it would cost me around 150K to add the floor (which mean I would have to make a loan for it...). Is the estimate realistic? Would it add significant value to my house? Am I ready to deal with DOB hassle? Does it really worth it?On the other hand I like the idea of a new customized floorplan for our 3 bedrooms- maybe a shower?- and a nice glass/ slate external structure (in my dreams) added to a rather boring looking house…
Thank you for helping me getting through this dilemma! Elido
May 13, 2009
Kitchen vs. First Floor Bath
Our brownstone currently has a full bath on the parlor floor, right off the small kitchen. We would like to use this bathroom space to expand the kitchen but are concerned about losing the first floor bathroom. What do you think--is a first floor bathroom/powder room necessary, or should we go for the larger kitchen? Thanks!
April 19, 2009
4 Family to 2 Family Hallway
Hello All- I want to convert my 4 family building to a 2 family building. 3 units on the 2nd and 3rd floors will be combined to form one apartment, and the parlor and garden floors will constitute another unit. Is it legal to use the shared stairway to access the different rooms of the upper level apartment? The parlor/garden apartment has access via the garden level exterior entrance and on the parlor floor via the shared stairway/hallway foyer.
April 11, 2009
Converting Brownstone to Co-op
Hi --
My husband and I are considering purchasing a 5-story house together with another couple. We'd divide the house into an apartment for each couple plus a rental. We're having a hard time finding information about converting the house into condos or a co-op. Has anyone done this before, or can anyone recommend a good source of information on this? Our main question is how much work has to be done to the house in order to make this legal, and is it the same for condo or co-op?
Many thanks for any advice.
March 26, 2009
Raising the ceiling in a brownst
How can I assess the possibility of raising the roof in a brownstone I am considering buying without actually breaking through current structure? Can anyone recommend a good person to give me a consultation on that sort of thing?
March 20, 2009
Cellar access
In our 25' rowhouse, our tenant's garden rental will have a bathroom that opens onto the hallway. Does anyone have suggestions for landlords' (us) access to the cellar from the upper triplex without inconvience to the tenants? Thanks.
January 18, 2009
Heat lost on toilet window shaft
My toilet window opened into the 3x4' shaft, which has skylight and vents on the roof. The window is not closed and I suspect there is a lot of heat should leave house though toilet/window/shaft/vent. It look like one big chimney. Am I correct? what is the general consensus about such derelict constructions? Should I replace window with a toilet fan?
Actually shaft made out of drywall and has all the plambing and wires go though it. There are a lot of holes in the walls of the shaft. So I suspect there is a lot of heat lost though the warn air escaping. Should I rebuild walls? Or maybe I can knock down the walls, extent bathrooms and equip them with modern fans?
what do you think.
PS on the other side the exposed pipes in the shaft sounds like a big advantage when I will need to work on plumbing and I can though as many BX cables as I want though it as well.