Hi. Architect, Interior Designer and Construction manager here...

I have a lot of experience restoring/ renovating townhouses and row houses in NYC. I agree with "daveinbedsty" that the limestone is much more durable than b-stone. You should be alright, unless previous owners painted to cover up some sin of the past. I know some great exterior masonry sub-contractors that can help you if you are looking for recommendations.

Also, if you want Design, Arch or Interiors help I have recently moved my practice to Brooklyn and am actively seeking local projects. Offering very reasonable pricing right now to get my new practice off the ground.

Either way: Good luck with your new home.
Cheers,

Alan Barr
GOWANUS DESIGNinitative

gowanus.design@gmail.com
+1.917.748.0119

Posted by: Gowanus Design Initiative at July 29, 2009 4:36 PM in response to Painted Limestone

Hi.
I am an architect and interior designer with over 15 years experience. I have just recently broken away from long time business partner in Manhattan and relocated my practice to Brooklyn - where I have been a resident for six years. I have significant residential design, project direction and construction management experience.

My rates are extremely competitive and you will get the personal attention of the company founder - me. I made this move to Brooklyn because I wanted to get back to working with my clients instead of just managing people as I was at my last endeavor. I would love to help you with your project. I am confident that I can assist professionally and that the end result will exceed your expectations while meeting your budget.

I have a comprehensive portfolio for review. I hope to hear from you.

Regards,

Alan Barr, founder

GOWANUS DESIGNinitiative

917.749.0119
gowanus.design@gmail.com

Posted by: Gowanus Design Initiative at July 25, 2009 10:43 AM in response to architect recommendations

Hi.
I am an architect and interior designer with over 15 years experience. I have just recently broken away from long time business partner in Manhattan and relocated my practice to Brooklyn - where I have been a resident for six years. I have significant residential design, project direction and construction management experience.

My rates are extremely competitive and you will get the personal attention of the company founder - me. I made this move to Brooklyn because I wanted to get back to working with my clients instead of managing people as I was at my endeavor. I would love to help you with your project. I am confident that I can assist professionally and that the end result will exceed your expectations while meeting your budget.

I have a comprehensive portfolio for review. I hope to hear from you.

Regards,

Alan Barr, founder

GOWANUS DESIGNinitiative

917.749.0119
gowanus.design@gmail.com

Posted by: Gowanus Design Initiative at July 25, 2009 10:42 AM in response to Rookie Renovater Seeks Architect

most E&O insurance policies have a $10k, $15k or $25k deductibles. you can probably negotiate with him to reduce fees or refund some of the money in lieu of pursuing via means of insurance. His policy premium will go way up at renewal (or he will be dropped) and you might be able to use this as leverage for him to settle with you outside of involvement of insurance co.

also, you should have a builders risk policy endorsement, under your homeowners policy for the duration of the project until such time that you get the final C of O... You can speak to your broker about this. If you have the endorsement then you can claim the losses, where they will pay you, and then fight on your behalf. This is called subrogation, its easy for you (the lossee party), but long, timely and costly for all the other parties - but hey inst that why you have insurance?

Designer and Architect here with much experience in E&O issues. If you want any consulting on this matter please do not hesitate to let me know.

Regards,
Alan Barr, founder

GOWANUS DESIGNinitiative

917.749.0119
gowanus.design@gmail.com

Posted by: Gowanus Design Initiative at July 25, 2009 10:39 AM in response to Claims Against an Architect

Hi.
I am an architect and interior designer with over 15 years experience. I have just recently broken away from long time business partner in Manhattan and relocated my practice to Brooklyn - where I have been a resident for six years. I have significant historic preservation, LPC, brownstone/ townhouse renovation, residential design, project direction and construction management experience.

My rates are extremely competitive and you will get the personal attention of the company founder. I made this move to Brooklyn because I wanted to get back to working with my clients instead of managing people as I was at my last company. I would love to help you with your facade restoration project. I am confident that I can the end result will exceed your expectations and meets your budget.

I have a comprehensive portfolio for review. I hope to hear from you.

Regards,

Alan Barr, founder

GOWANUS DESIGNinitiative

917.749.0119
gowanus.design@gmail.com

Posted by: Gowanus Design Initiative at July 25, 2009 10:31 AM in response to Architect Recommendation

Hi.
It all depends on what kind of windows you want, and what kind of mood LPC is in that day your expediter presents. From the sounds of it, you will have an LPC application that can be reviewed at staff level and need not presented to the full board. If you are trying to match historic design, and can prove that (via old tax photos or otherwise) it should be easy to get LPC approval. As for window vendors; there are many to choose from and your design professional should present/ recommend a few for you to choose from, but without knowing the style it is hard to say beforehand!

I am an architect and interior designer with over 15 years experience. I have just recently broken away from long time business partner in Manhattan and relocated my practice to Brooklyn - where I have been a resident for six years. I have significant historic preservation, LPC, residential design, project direction and construction management experience.

I would love to help you with your facade restoration project. I am confident that I can the end result will exceed your expectations and meets your budget.

I have a comprehensive portfolio for review. I hope to hear from you.

Regards,

Alan Barr, founder

GOWANUS DESIGNinitiative

917.749.0119
gowanus.design@gmail.com

Posted by: Gowanus Design Initiative at July 25, 2009 10:24 AM in response to Landmark Specs for Windows

hi,
I am an architect and interior designer with over 15 years experience. I have just recently broken away from long time business partner in Manhattan and relocated my practice to Brooklyn - where I have been a resident for six years. I have significant residential design, project direction and construction management experience.

I would love to help you with your kitchen project I am confident that I can design you a beautiful kitchen that exceeds your expectations and meets your budget.

I have a comprehensive portfolio for review. I hope to hear from you.

Regards,

Alan Barr, founder

GOWANUS DESIGNinitiative

917.749.0119
gowanus.design@gmail.com

Posted by: Gowanus Design Initiative at July 25, 2009 10:14 AM in response to Looking for Kitchen Designer

My specialty is making the most of small kitchens. If interested, please contact me for pictures, as currently they are not on my website. jane@janeinteriorsnyc.com

Posted by: janeinteriorsnyc at July 25, 2009 2:32 PM in response to Looking for Kitchen Designer

you know what they say about being smart, right? the smarter you are the more likely you'll estimate what you don't know but the dumber you are, the smarter you think you are. well, our architect thinks he's a genius. that's why i call him a 10 gallon hat with a 1 oz. brain. i'll take a referral for a mediator ... tx / iddelz

Posted by: iddelz at July 27, 2009 11:07 PM in response to Claims Against an Architect

This is what i do, this is a link to work I have done in the past year. http://s1002.photobucket.com/albums/af146/steven2667/ , I stand behind all of my work, from big jobs to small repairs, just give me a call.

Steven 646-996-9627 or 718-768-6020

Posted by: steven2667 at July 29, 2009 11:27 AM in response to Looking for Kitchen Designer

Alan - Thanks for the advice. I'll keep your firm in mind.

Posted by: brownlime at July 29, 2009 4:59 PM in response to Painted Limestone

Does anyone have any experience with Interior Alterations and/or Historic Windows? I am in the process of contacting some of the window installers recommended by this forum - Air Flo does not like to return phone calls, it seems.

Posted by: kb16mm at July 29, 2009 7:01 PM in response to Landmark Specs for Windows

Dave - who did your facade? Need the paint stripped from mine to reveal limestone.
K

Posted by: HurricaneKate at July 30, 2009 5:12 PM in response to Painted Limestone

If it's a standard AIA contract, you are bound to arbitration and mediation by the State of New York. Of course you can try to sue, but the architect can get an indefinite "stay" to that court case by filing in the arbitration and mediation court. The lawsuit will have to await the pending arbitration, at which point it would be pointless to continue with the suit. No one really wins in arbitration. I would recommend you just be up front with your architect and see if he would split the cost with you. He already acknowledged an overdesign on his part.

However, I don't think your architect necessary something as woefully wrong as you're implying. You want to take up litigation because the guy was overly concerned for your or the public's safety and it cost you more money than it should have? If you are paying him hourly, just tell him to give you the hours he spent on that portion of the project and tell him you're not paying for that.

Posted by: spanishfish at August 13, 2009 8:32 PM in response to Claims Against an Architect