Forum: Construction
November 5, 2009
Contractors & Chauvinism
Chauvinism is bad for business.
The second largest group to purchase homes, after married couples,are single women. On my block alone at least a third of the homeowners are single women. BTW this is the group that by and large started CHNA which spearheaded the Landmarking of Crown Heights North...yes the core group (the Board) was mainly women.
While it may seem archaic to post on gender inequality the fact remains that in spite of our buying power many contractors/building supply vendors make inappropriate remarks and behave in offensive ways that frankly will continue to loose them business, at least mine.
Todays's event prompted this post.
During a transaction at the electrical supply store on Rogers and Licoln Place in response to my question on price, the proprietor made a comment about women ,trying to be jokey I guess.
THen his assistant said: "Want me to beat her?"and chuckled.
I could hardly believe it.
"Excuse me...what did you say?"
"oh...maybe I should get my whip...ha ha"
"THis is not amusing...joking about violence against women is not funny....it's offensive and you are out of line"
He got very tense, stopped laughing and the owner stepped in and apologized, then the staff member who said it apologized ...
In the past weeks while this current renovation has been underway some of the comments made by folks interviewed:
"Don't need to worry your pretty little head about that" (not hired)
"You look so delicate"(not hired)
"Oh you seem like you have a brain and know what your are talking about" (lol NOT HIRED this guy had the thickest Bensonhurst accent imaginable)
"linda...sweetheart"(not hired)
One friend shared that a contractor actually made a physical pass at her while she interviewed him for roof replacement...this woman owns a couple of apartment BUILDINGS plus her own brownstone...she was mortified and he was not hired.
This is not everyone but the lack of awareness is common enough amongst contractors'& vendors' and prompted this post.
October 27, 2009
Creating a Second Bathroom?
The great majority of brownstone listings that I'm finding in Park Slope (especially the rail-road type of apartments available in 6 or 8 unit brownstones that have 2 identical L/R units per floor) have only 1 bathroom, even the ones that are rather big and can accommodate 3 bedrooms. So I guess it may be rather difficult (or impossible) to create a second bathroom or half-bath, unless you own a duplex unit and you can put it directly below an existing bath. Is that so? What about buying a 1st Floor unit, with a non-occupied basement underneath, so that you have easy access to the pipes and you're not bothering/endangering anybody with the construction. Would that make it possible? Is there any specific type of brownstone/townhouse that would make it less difficult? How much would it cost, ballpark? Thanks a lot.
October 26, 2009
Glass Insulators
could someone refer me to a place where they would be able to cut holes through the tops of these glass insulators?
October 22, 2009
Cost for Adding Extension?
We're considering adding an extension to the garden level of our townhouse. The building is 18 x 36 while the lot 18 x 100. The addition would be 18 x 24. What is the range we should expect to pay?
Thank you.
October 21, 2009
Need Advice with Nayci Const
We have started project with Nayci Contracting recently and now I'm concern with his job, I've seen some of his job, they looked ok. After reading all those comments againts him. He is promissing me a lot but I kind dont trust this guy. He has ask money up front before each job starts and I had to pay him. I need advise what should I be aware of with this Nayci Contracting. My mistake was I should've make research before hiring this guy.
Please advise
October 20, 2009
Confirming New Building Rumors
I was speaking to some neighbors who insist they have been hearing the new project at 574 Fourth Avenue, featured several times on Brownstoner per link below, is actaully slated to become housing for recovering drug addicts with a drug clinic on the first floor.
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2009/07/development_wat_457.php
It seems like a ridiculous rumor given the community board and others would likely make news of this, but I was wondering if there is any public records or sources that could be used to confirm on deny the rumors?
Thanks!
October 18, 2009
Maximizing Square Footage
Inquiring minds want to know..
-What constraints exist in lowering the foundation floor (unsure if it could even be called a "basement" since egress seems to exist at street level)?
- I am tasked with a foreclosure project and I'm hypothesizing converting a 3 story brownstone in Clinton Hill on Grand between Gates and Putnam into a 4 unit utilizing the street-level space; space I presume is currently part of the 1st floor (parlor?) layout.
- Does this seem do-able?
- Does any one know if any of these type of structures have been converted into 4+ residences? I suspect slicing an existing floor-thru into two studios isn't out of the question.
-Other concerns I should have? Thanks.
October 16, 2009
To Build, or Not
i'm looking for space for a studio, i'm a painter, and living space. i want to buy and am starting to consider building from the ground up. has anyone done this, in brooklyn? i'm thinking of a pretty stripped down, industrial space. Any advice on the pros or cons of building is appreciated. Also can anyone recommend a builder for such a project who they've had good experience with? thanks.
Nayci the Terrible Contractor
Beware of Nayci Contracting Associates, LLC.
Ayhan and Matt Nayci are a bunch of Money sucking theives and can be very intimidating. I have made a terrible mistake by hiring them as contractors. They have not paid any of their sub-contractors for jobs performed. In the meantime, Ayhan is still paying off plantiffs from prior law suits. Please check the BBB of NY on their horrible history. In the meantime,a recent client was willing to surrendor a $ 40K loss just to rid of himself of these two idiots and hired a new contractor.