Forum: Renovation
November 16, 2009
Need help
We're close to buying a brownstone (and have been looking for a LOONG time) - the place we like is 4000 sq ft and needs alot of work - new electricity, plumbing, new kitchen, the floors have to be fixed up. Most of our money will go into the downpayment of the house. Anyone have any idea as to how to estimate the cost of renovation. We've heard from a low of 200K to 800K - we're looking for nice but not spectacular.
November 13, 2009
Bathroom Renovation
Hi, I'm renovating my bathroom in a Clinton HIll coop. It's about 100 square feet--am keeping the tub, but replacing the sink and toilet and tile. Hardware not included, what's a reasonable price? One contractor offered to do it for $8500 (and that was after haggling). Seems like a lot. Is it?
November 12, 2009
Design a Room
We have a room that is a nice 12x16 space with windows and good closet. It was basically used as an unfinished storage room when we moved in.
We'd like to make it into a room that can accommodate a few uses. Baby, office, guest....
So we want to look into hiring a designer to map something out.
Any recommendations? Any idea what this would cost?
Thank you.
November 8, 2009
Design Help for Small Bathroom
I have a small bathroom that I'd like to improve -- like by putting in a new sink, new toilet, and new floor tiles. I'd also like to improve the storage and generally maximize the amount of space in the bathroom. The dimensions are about 10' x 5'
Can anyone recommend a designer-type person who could help me with this?
Thanks.
2 Floor Gut Reno - How Long?
My husband and I are considering purchasing a 4 floor, 4 unit brownstone. We would like to do a gut renovation on the garden and parlor floors to create a duplex for ourselves. We, of course, have never done anything like this before and are now trying to learn as much as we can before moving forward. About how long do you think a renovation like this would take, considering hiring an architect, filing, etc?
November 5, 2009
Housecleaning Cooperative
Apparently Brooklyn is home to a worker-owned house cleaning business called Si Se Puede! (Yes, We Can!), a worker-owned remodeling business called We Can Fix It!, and another worker-owned childcare business called Beyond Care. Anyone ever used any of these?
These kind of structures can be nominal (profit sharing checks of $2 a year) or involve interminable, pointless meetings, but it's gotta be slightly better than minumum wage.
November 4, 2009
DIY Beginner Project?
I'm going to start some DIY projects around and wanted to start easy. What would you recommend as a starter project?
1) install crown moulding
2) replace (but not move) bathroom fixtures (sink, toilet, medicine cabinet)
3) replace flooring (take out carpet, install either wood or cork flooring)
Thanks for any suggestions!!!
November 3, 2009
Rental Renovations
Brownstoners, please help me figure this out! I’m about to have two vacant apartments in the same Center Slope building. I can only renovate one apartment at a time. I’d appreciate your thoughts on which might be more immediately rentable at this time of year, in this market:
1) 1 bedroom, double-parlor apt, 1-1/2 bath, no outdoor space; or
2) 2 bedroom, garden apt, 1 bath, exclusive use of garden.
Both are modestly appointed. Each has washer/dryer and dishwasher.
November 2, 2009
Creative Use of Leftover Floor?
It looks like we're going to have leftover brazilian walnut (ipe) flooring (5/8" thick, prefinished) and besides keeping some on hand for future repairs, would like to try to do something creative with it and thought we might seal the underside and ends and build planter boxes with it to have outside. I see ipe is used outdoors for decks, is this totally a bad idea? I just don't have enough to probably sell or give to anyone, and don't want to throw anything away. Maybe you have other ideas? thanks!