now, when im hiring a contractor, what are the things i have to ask from them?

Posted by: KhuntienNang at July 9, 2008 1:32 PM in response to contractor for kitchen and bathroom (park slope)

- Ask them if they are licensed and insured.
- Ask them how many current jobs they are working on.
- Ask if you could tour one or more of their current jobs.
- Speak with one or more of his current clients (verify it is the actual client by speaking to them onsite)
- Ask to view one of their finished jobs.
- Get 4 references from previous work
- Ask for an "itemized" quote (DO NOT ACCEPT A BALL PARK FIGURE)
- Make sure you sign a contract with ALL deliverables and timeline.
- Figure out whom is paying for materials or other items (such as light fixtures, etc.) If you plan on paying for some of these items have them remove costs accordingly from the estimate or contract.

If you have any further question feel free to call me at 646-207-6940. I also had no one to help when I started. Fortunately I happened upon an honest contractor - same company "Hollander" above is recommending AllRenovation. I highly recommend them.

-Al S.

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 2:22 PM in response to contractor for kitchen and bathroom (park slope)

Ask to see their insurance certificate.

Condos and coops require a million dollar liability policy with an additional 2million aggregate.

If they are licensed it should be with the department of consumer affairs.
The lisence should state Home improvement contractors license

Sales is another story.

Posted by: Ysabelle at July 9, 2008 2:24 PM in response to contractor for kitchen and bathroom (park slope)

Please, please, PLEASE review the archives. All of these, and many related, topics are covered there.

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 2:27 PM in response to contractor for kitchen and bathroom (park slope)

Ysabelle, you are confused. As usual. I didn't say get a ref from the managing agent or the super. Managing agents were arrested in the '80s for this kind of stuff (and you're right, I wouldn't trust either). Not board members. I've never heard of a board member in Brooklyn or Manhattan being arrested for baksheesh.

Boards won't usually 'recommend' a contractor but if asked the right way, i.e., 'are there any contractors you are aware of that have dome similar work in the building' you might get a coupla names. Boards like to feel comfortable with people who are messing with the infrastructure in the building.

Boards could care less about the price of the job, and in fact, usually don't know what it is.

Posted by: denton at July 9, 2008 4:20 PM in response to contractor for kitchen and bathroom (park slope)

Forget AllRenovation. They are all talk and very little action. Guest Hollander is either lucky or has an interest in promoting that firm. Be also warned -- someone else posted here recently and said that the company is charging $300 to give estimates. The practice of a GC charging for an estimate should be a warning signal in and of itself!

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 4:36 PM in response to contractor for kitchen and bathroom (park slope)

To Denton
Baksheesh or mordita.
Board members do not give out private information about other owners personal affairs. If they do, you have an invasion of privacy. In other words the board can't be trusted. Bad news right there.

If you want a referral from an owner, ask directly.

Don't take building employees or their relatives either.

To the OP

Keep your jobs clean and simple.

After all it is your hard earned cash paying for a comfortable place to live.

The contractors one million dollar insurance policy speaks for itself.

So does a license from department of consumer affairs...HIC#
The above info will placate any board.

SO THERE, DENTON

Posted by: Ysabelle at July 9, 2008 4:57 PM in response to contractor for kitchen and bathroom (park slope)

I have worked with All Renovation (after a long vetting process) and believe I made a great choice. Not sure where the negativity is coming from. They are not the cheapest, but you get what you pay for. They are knowledgeable, hardworking and have an eye for quality. And they also communicate well (very important for first timers such as myself). If you need to trust someone to work in your interests, I would pick them (All Renovation), again and again.

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 5:33 PM in response to contractor for kitchen and bathroom (park slope)

Dear Ysabelle,

Please shut up. Thank you very much.

Posted by: guest at July 9, 2008 7:00 PM in response to contractor for kitchen and bathroom (park slope)

I am the person who called All Renovation and was told they charge $300 for a the first two hours for an estimate. Being naive and new at all this I made the appointment for next week. I called other contractors for additional estimates and none of them charge for estimates (Perfect, Transcend and Transition). So on the advice of people here and my friends and family I cancelled the appointment with All Reno and told them specifically it was because they are the only company charging for their estimates. The woman there said "Ok, Thanks, goodbye".

I am looking for a medium to high end renovation, I am a perfectionist and lucky to have as much money it will take to do it. I cancelled All Reno on principle, not because I am too cheap to pay for good quality work.

Posted by: premadas at July 9, 2008 8:10 PM in response to contractor for kitchen and bathroom (park slope)

I did two coop renovations and am also a perfectionist. I have a background in design so pay attention to detail. I can highly recommend the company I worked with. They did beautiful finishes, were excellent at listening and problem-solving, were straightforward, and did everything from the gutted shell to the end. They do NOT charge for estimates and I don't know anyone who does. It's good to have a crew who walk on tiptoes when doing work inside a coop. My contractor was Drew 917-584-7286.

Posted by: guest at July 10, 2008 8:32 AM in response to contractor for kitchen and bathroom (park slope)