falletta on 4th ave. might do it. ask for george.

Posted by: Espresso at May 8, 2009 3:45 PM in response to rec for demo contractor

Broad Channel Builders Corp.
www.broadchannelnyc.com

Also I've worked with
Prospect Builders in queens

Good luck!

Posted by: Espresso at May 8, 2009 3:44 PM in response to Good contractors?

It's almost better to not switch architects. To say it plainly, the first go round the architect filed documents to the city which were code compliant. Code compliance runs the gambit from fire & egress issues, to wall types, to zoning calcs. If you applied for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and sprinkler in one application then the architect is further enmeshed in the overall product. if the architect goes and a new one comes on board, the new one will have to conduct a very comprehensive survey of all existing conditions, re-file the job with the dob. There is a very sticky liability issue here b/c if a new architect hasn't been on-board since the start, how can they vouch for the work that has been done to date, some of which can't be seen unless you do some selective demolition were required. The fee for the new architect wouldn't be much different than what you would have paid if he/she were doing the job from the start + they will probably want to make sure you cover their liability insurance premium for your job. So despite the fact that you might get better service from a new architect, it will cost you $, and time, and I honestly recommend that you don't try to work your way around the $ and time it will cost you, because it will bite you back in the end. I speak from personal experience.

Posted by: Espresso at April 17, 2009 10:18 AM in response to Switching Architects

There's an architecture thread on this site with many a name of architecture firms. Additionally you can visit the American Institute of Architects site, or the Park Slope Parents website for recommendations. My choice:

www.agenciegroup.com

Posted by: Espresso at April 15, 2009 9:25 AM in response to Architect Recommendation

Despite the fact that you're only removing a wall, you'll need a set of drawings that shows plot plan, key plan, zoning district, construction classification, work description. a demolition plan, a proposed plan, a wall type, and a verification that you're not messing with fire egress or other life safety issues...i can't see even a cheapo architect (or engineer since one could do the filing too) charging less than $1500. maybe you should post something on craigslist...or contact expeditors since they may know a cheapo architect...but then you're on the hook for the expeditor fee, at least $1000. plus you need an acp-5 report...@500. don't see you doing the whole filing side of this for less than 3k.

Posted by: Espresso at April 1, 2009 10:10 AM in response to Do I Need an Architect?

There is a list with a bazillion references on the contractor thread here...but I always reccommend Broad Channel Builders. www.broadchannelnyc.com

Posted by: Espresso at March 23, 2009 9:23 AM in response to Good GC Needed

I've heard good things about this guy elsewhere.

Posted by: Espresso at February 20, 2009 11:48 AM in response to Excellent Contractor

www.bfivestudio.com
www.agenciearchitects.com

Posted by: Espresso at February 20, 2009 11:47 AM in response to Looking for an Architect

I've done a number of projects with:
Broad Channel Builders
www.broadchannelnyc.com

speak with Eamon.

Posted by: Espresso at February 20, 2009 11:43 AM in response to Personal contractor suggestions

I own a number of buildings, on which I've done fair amounts of work. I always cringe when I read a posting like this one. No need for a full set of Documents?! You're considering spending at least 300K on the job?! Good luck.

Posted by: Espresso at February 3, 2009 1:10 PM in response to The Need for Construction Plans?

You should check out the architect thread, where there are many recommendations.

I recommend the same group of firms every time.

www.agenciearchitects.com (design-build)
www.bfivestudio.com (high end)
www.broadchannelnyc.com (contractors)

Focus on experience, personality, get references, see built projects...good luck.

Posted by: Espresso at January 22, 2009 11:35 AM in response to Architect Recommendations

Sillman is a big firm...is it a big project?

I've worked with
sarrah khan pe
from agencie architects on 2 projects.
www.agenciearchitects.com

I've worked with
andy renfroe pe at blue sky. don't have info handy.

E.

Posted by: Espresso at January 12, 2009 2:12 PM in response to Structural Engineer Rec Please?

That's pretty rough on the eyes.

Posted by: Espresso at December 31, 2008 10:33 AM in response to What do you think of this concrete floor?

resolution 4 architects

Posted by: Espresso at December 31, 2008 10:10 AM in response to Architect/Expeditor for Modular Build

I like the guy I work with, but he's not going to work on small potatoes...what's your portfolio like, more or less?

Posted by: Espresso at October 10, 2008 10:25 AM in response to rec for an accountant who knows real estate tax well?

yes.

Posted by: Espresso at September 4, 2008 9:32 AM in response to Cost of New Staircase

Honestly I think you should get yourself a good millworker. My favorite guy ever: palo samko. www.palosamko.com

Posted by: Espresso at August 28, 2008 5:35 PM in response to Built-In Design Help

Broad Channel Builders
www.broadchannelnyc.com
212 473-4200/ Eamon

Posted by: Espresso at August 14, 2008 9:35 AM in response to Zych Construction?

As a Brooklynite, I can't help but say Brooklyn is the only way...however, them deals in FiDi + Battery Park are appealing, and hard to ignore from a $ point of view. I also think quality of life could be nice despite its difference with PSlope. With the west side park(don't even know what it's called), access to all things Manhattan, and a bit of the old NY charm at your doorstep, it's hard not to consider FiDi and Battery Park...you can always move to Brooklyn a coupla' years from now.

Posted by: Espresso at August 13, 2008 9:34 AM in response to 2 Bedroom Rental

On top right side of the screen there is a topic scroll down. go to architects and check out the very extensive thread on this subject.

Posted by: Espresso at June 12, 2008 9:50 AM in response to architect recommendation for coop renov

I often recommend these guys, but in your case it may be more fitting:

http://agenciearchitects.com/work/?view=project&project_id=11

Posted by: Espresso at May 29, 2008 9:11 AM in response to Kitchen Solariums

Actually the sidewalk is typically beyond your property line, it belongs to the City, which is why the Scaffold people have to maintain sidewalk permits from the DoB/DoT. Also, the building code specifically requests that sidewalk bridges extend 'x' (?) amount of feet in front of neighboring properties for protection. A friend of mine jokes that all the sidewalk bridges/scaffolding in New York is actually a multi-decade Christo project...

Posted by: Espresso at May 19, 2008 12:51 PM in response to Payment for Scaffold??

I recently had a spectacular experience with Urban Living International: Rachel Sarfati
http://www.urbanliving.net/

Posted by: Espresso at May 9, 2008 1:36 PM in response to need European/English broker

I'm tellin' ya you'd be very pleased with Ram from J&R Landscaping: 718 738 1969

Posted by: Espresso at May 9, 2008 9:04 AM in response to Landscaper Recs

Check out the architect thread on the forum for loads of recommendations. I often mention the same 3....

www.agenciearchitects.com
www.bfivestudio.com
www.dberke.com

~E

Posted by: Espresso at May 9, 2008 9:03 AM in response to seeking architect for bstone reno

Here's a story on the Gowanus on today's Curbed: http://curbed.com/

Posted by: Espresso at April 22, 2008 2:39 PM in response to Carroll Gardens/ Gowanus Area for Living?

Bklyn Fire Alarm Guy: Does your company offer this service?

Posted by: Espresso at April 17, 2008 7:47 AM in response to Speaker/ Strobe (Fire Protection)

The building is 1-C Classification, with C-Mercantile Occupancy. Renovations are interior partitions and minor mechanical. I agree that the architect will handle this issue, however I like to be armed with knowledge..anyone else? Thanks.

Posted by: Espresso at April 16, 2008 7:12 AM in response to Speaker/ Strobe (Fire Protection)

Oops, There I go again trying to make something out of nothing...

Posted by: Espresso at April 9, 2008 8:17 AM in response to Roof Excess

I would sell those rights at the same value per square foot that market rate for the area allows. So if things are hypothetically going for 1000 psf in your area, then sell the buildable sf for the same value to the owner. He/she may negotiate that there's setback requirements etc. and that the actual buildable sf is less than footprint sf of the building...so there's some flex there which makes for good ole' back-n-forth.

Posted by: Espresso at April 8, 2008 11:51 AM in response to Roof Excess

Try calling Ram from J&R Landscaping, he has worked on 2 projects for me and I dig his style and personality: 718 738-1969

Posted by: Espresso at April 8, 2008 6:28 AM in response to Gardener/Landscaper needed in Bed-Stuy

if your stove is within 20' of a window then you don't need a direct vent.

Posted by: Espresso at April 4, 2008 8:35 AM in response to Kitchen Need a Vent?

How does a Stop Work Order violation lead to plans being revoked? Do you mean to say that the work permit was revoked? Plans should still be in good standing if approved by DoB and you should be able to continue work with the Architect of Record. Any new architect that steps in is going to want to refile the whole job with their documents in order to reduce liability exposure..$$..this really means starting from scratch. I'm happy to be corrected if I'm mistaken.

Posted by: Espresso at March 24, 2008 9:51 AM in response to Architect needed

go the dob website. go to zoning. find where you are. go to zoning resolution text. find your zoning category. determine far from chart. multiply far by the square footage of your built property..you may have this info on your mortgage survey. THEN, make sure you don't exceed height requirements. a lot of different things come into play here, narrow street? air rights belong to someone else? close to a corner? property on 2 different zoning districts? zoning consultation @$1K. if you think you can build, hire an architect. he/she will coordinate with the structural engineer, and any other consultants you may need. budget $250 psf for it, and then expect it to be higher. many architects shown on the architect thread of this site.

Posted by: Espresso at March 17, 2008 5:17 PM in response to Architect for adding a floor?

www.agenciearchitects.com
bfivestudio.com
dberke.com

Good Luck!

Posted by: Espresso at February 21, 2008 4:14 PM in response to Recs for Gut Reno (Design/Build or Architect)

This is a good price.

Posted by: Espresso at February 8, 2008 9:58 AM in response to Gorilla Estimate for Alarm System

www.agenciearchitects.com

www.bfivestudio.com

Posted by: Espresso at February 4, 2008 5:41 PM in response to Architect Recommendation

ALR Asbesos & Lead Removal Corp: 718 359-6000

Posted by: Espresso at January 21, 2008 6:22 PM in response to asbestos removal

Sometimes I think we spend too much time worrying about the building department. I doubt very much that your un-filed improvement of your space will cause the entire building to be issued a violation..very unlikely. I say go for it.

Posted by: Espresso at January 12, 2008 12:55 PM in response to Renovations and FAR

East End Wood Strippers. Good job, a little disorganized, but got it done.

Posted by: Espresso at January 8, 2008 4:15 PM in response to wood restoration

I have to say that I absolutely detest ADT's sales personnel. They are absolute swine scum. Unfortunately, however, after exploring the alternatives I found I didn't have much of a choice...and as it turns out, their service has been ok.

Posted by: Espresso at January 8, 2008 4:14 PM in response to Alarm Company

The boiler room has to be in a 2hr fire rated wall, whether that is built out of block or out of gyp. is not an issue per-se.

Posted by: Espresso at December 28, 2007 11:17 AM in response to Boiler Room Question

Check out architecture thread..lots of suggestions there.

Posted by: Espresso at December 24, 2007 9:40 AM in response to Recommendation for an architect

You should check out the architect thread on this forum, there are lots of suggestions there. My personal favorites:

B5 Studio: www.bfivestudio.com
Agencie Architects: www.agenciearchitects.com

Good luck.

Posted by: Espresso at December 16, 2007 8:53 AM in response to Want to build a story addition

I have installed 2 ofuro tubs on the top floor of a brownstoner and a rowhouse respectively. It is indeed a lot of weight, and we handled it different in both cases. A: we used tripple laminated structural C-joists spanning the entire width of the brownstone, pocketed about 4" into the masonry bearing walls, on a steel Angle that worked as a ledger. We placed c-joist headers perpendicular to the joists and created a box onto which the tub could sit. A: We used W sections to span the width of the rowhouse. The W sections were again pocketed into the bearing walls. We place W-section as headers perp. to the joists and again boxed out an area for the tub. cast a lightweight concrete pad with re-bar in 2 directions and put the pad on the W-section box. We set the tub town and then roofed into it, and installed copper flasshing and counter flashing around it. Both tubs have been in over a year and we have had no problems. You should consult a structural engineer to get some details. Good luck.

Posted by: Espresso at December 14, 2007 10:46 AM in response to Second Floor Ofuro?

Michael DeLuna AIA, as easily obtained via any internet search engine: 212 807-9500,

Posted by: Espresso at December 11, 2007 9:47 AM in response to Expediter who draws/ Architect who expedites

Michael DeLuna AIA

Posted by: Espresso at December 10, 2007 4:48 PM in response to Expediter who draws/ Architect who expedites

it's an international style standard--a Ruble a dozen.

Posted by: Espresso at December 6, 2007 7:52 AM in response to I know what The Absolute on Myrtle reminds me of..

I'm gonna have to second 1:51 on that one.

Posted by: Espresso at November 13, 2007 2:21 PM in response to Architect Needed

Depends on time. You should be able to have a conversation on the phone or in person with someone. However it seems that more than 30min to 1hr of someone's time is understandably going to result in a consultation fee. If you really want legitimate info that is not just a sales pitch, why not fork over a couple bills to get it from a qualified practitioner?

Posted by: Espresso at November 10, 2007 12:27 PM in response to Do architects offer free consult?

So the common sense thing is to persuade the board to get a licensed, insured contractor to put up the wall. In a day. The probability of DOB finding out is infinitesimal.

But then, common sense is a quality little to be found nowadays.

Posted by: cmu at April 1, 2009 8:35 PM in response to Do I Need an Architect?

Wow. Tough crowd here. I'm an architect. You do have some options. One would be to find out what is shown on the plans that are on file at the DOB. If the previous owner who took down the wall did so illegally, the plans would still show the wall. This may get you somewhere but I still kind of doubt it. It may at least get you around filing plans and needing an architect. Maybe a contractor could pull a permit based on the plans already on file. Or just have a contractor do it. As said above, the DOB will (most likely) never find out. The second option, and what I would recommend is put up a "temporary" wall. Get creative with how it attaches to the wall and the floor. Have a carpenter make some double-sided casework. Call it a piece of furniture, whatever. The idea is have something made off-site, maybe in a few pieces, and all you need to do is have it brought in. Like a couch. But wall shaped. Call it a shoji screen.

Posted by: wilso26941 at April 1, 2009 10:40 PM in response to Do I Need an Architect?

you legally must file an application to do the work dividing the room. thats all the board is worried about. if you have wall shown on approved plans, you will have no problem getting it approved but you are still required to get a permit to do the work and pay the city its fees. the funny thing is if the inspector gave you a violation for taking the wall down illegally, his remedy would be to return the premises to its legal condition OR legalize the one large room . that means they would tell you to put the wall back up. still you need to put it back up as it was approved. whether its '1hour rated' or not needs to be signed for (responsibility) by an architect in the building departments eyes.
other than that...
its only the board you need to please. you would never get in trouble with the building dept once the work was completed.

if you can't get it done for less than 1k, call me.

(or if you need to see if the plans show the wall)

Posted by: dexpediter at April 4, 2009 11:22 AM in response to Do I Need an Architect?

Jerry McCallion, loads of experience. 828-456-1918

Posted by: Springs at April 15, 2009 3:02 PM in response to Architect Recommendation

Lang Architecture
www.drewlang.com
212-233-9187

Posted by: myrnett at April 16, 2009 3:27 PM in response to Architect Recommendation

As a designer and renovator of residential interiors, I hire the architect. I think I give better service to my clients this way. They have legal job, and are assured by a professional that the design is sound, yet their is no misunderstanding between designer and contractor. I am on the job site everyday. Jobs like yours may not get many visits from an architect.

Posted by: Green Mt at April 16, 2009 8:42 PM in response to Architect Recommendation

an excellent architect i used for my apartment in the city is kimberly peck- you can see here work at www.kimberlypeck.com. 917 449 7557.
i know she has done some brownstone renovations on the upperwestside that were very nice.

Posted by: pk822 at April 16, 2009 9:27 PM in response to Architect Recommendation

Please, please (please!) don't even consider trying to do this on your own. Do it right from the start, it will save you endless headaches, fines and stop-work orders down the line. You need to assemble a qualified team, starting with either a kitchen and bath designer or an architect who will refer and oversee the contractor. Hire a licensed GC, have professional plans drawn, file with the proper agencies. This will be a 3-4 month project with major systems and construction being done, the amount of things that can go wrong by trying to wing it can and does fill many, many books. You don't have to hire me, but for your own protection, and good basic info about the construction process, what it costs, how long it takes, etc, please see:

http://121studio.com/default.asp?navID=7

Posted by: 121studio at April 17, 2009 12:41 PM in response to Architect Recommendation

switching architects doesn't necessarily mean that DOB is going to review the job again.

It will, however, mean that the new architect will have to catch up to the work (and may require you to pay extra for the first architect to certify certain inspections).

the fire safety and egress inspections probably aren't so big of a deal (1 family has little in the way of fire protection requirements that wouldn't be ostensible from a visual inspection...ie no firestopping and new fire rated walls on the interior required)....

Are your walls closed up? If so, do you have pictures of the roughing?

If you used a standard contract you are also required to pay the old architect for all work performed to date.

Best of luck!

Posted by: young archi at April 17, 2009 3:18 PM in response to Switching Architects

i'm sorry, i just realized that you said the first architect SELF CERTIFIED....

thats likely going to be a complication ($$) for the superseding architect since its a C/O jobs (a lot of architects are far more cautious in self certifying C/O jobs than say, interior buildouts):

does DOB require automatic review of self certified jobs that are superseded? I don't think so, but I'm not 100% sure because we've never superseded a SELF CERTIFIED job:

ts fairly easy to find out: Just call and ask: (718) 579-6920

that # is for Brooklyn DOB...

Posted by: young archi at April 17, 2009 3:23 PM in response to Switching Architects