actually here is the link to it on Groupon:

http://www.groupon.com/deals/bullfrog-builders

Posted by: Phil at October 30, 2009 2:55 PM in response to THE GROUTMAN

I saw the Bullfrog boys on www.Groupon.com ...I like this idea!

Posted by: Phil at October 30, 2009 2:54 PM in response to THE GROUTMAN

The point of my rebuttle to both 60's and Dave was to let Jasetheace know that yes it is possible to do a bathroom in much less than 2-3 weeks depending on the type of general contractor hired, the size of the bath and the cooperation of the buyer. It seems like 60's and Dave are referring to a timeline based on a handyman or small one/two man show. On the flipside, a large company like Bullfrog would be able to tackle all of the different trades associated with a bath reno, from the initial demo to the removal of all debris at the end. As for a penalty clause, good luck with that!

Posted by: Phil at July 15, 2009 12:06 PM in response to Bathroom renovation

It sounds like Dave and his 60 designer's are stuck in the 60's. How can anyone make a judgement on time without knowing the size and the type of materials you are looking for? A typical 5x7 bath with all the bells and whistles can be done in a week or less provided that the materials are not on back order and you have a large construction outfit doing the work. I used Bullfrog Builders and I always recommend them on this site. WWW.BULLFROGNY.COM, 718-228-0199. Call them and get a free estimate that includes an est. start and finish date as well as accurate pricing.

Posted by: Phil at July 14, 2009 6:35 PM in response to Bathroom renovation

Definitely Bullfrog Builders. They are licensed and insured general contractors specializing in all facets of residential and commercial construction. They did work for both myself and my brother. The quality of work and customer service was exceptional. They can be contacted online at WWW.BULLFROGNY.COM or in the office at 718-228-0199. Mention my name for a discount!

Posted by: Phil at July 2, 2009 2:55 PM in response to Contractor Recommendation?

Call Bullfrog Builders, 718-228-0199 or contact them via the web at WWW.BULLFROGNY.COM. They are General Contractors who can handle any aspect of home renovation/repair/build or hwatever. They did plenty of work for me in the past and I always recommend them because they are licensed and insured, reliable ncontractors with great customer service. They will bdefinitely be inclined to offer a discount if you mention my name as well. Happy Hunting!

Posted by: Phil at July 1, 2009 4:26 PM in response to Contractor Help

I used Bullfrog Builders for my new windows. They are running a special on the insulated thermal glass, custom made windows. Great customer service and very affordable. You can check them out on the web at WWW.BULLFROGNY.COM or reach them by phone at 718-228-0199. Mention my name (Phil). Good luck with everything.

Posted by: Phil at June 30, 2009 5:31 PM in response to Tri-State Window Factory

Going direct to a bank can limit your choice of programs for either FHA or FNMA. Brokers have the ability to shop your around for the best rate and payment. Try the EOHC. WWW.EOHC.US. They have access to alot of great programs.

Posted by: Phil at June 29, 2009 10:21 AM in response to FHA Loan

WWW.BULLFROGNY.COM They are General Contractors with a large electrical dept. Contaqct them and mention my name if you would like another estimate.

Posted by: Phil at June 29, 2009 10:17 AM in response to $14,500 For 3-Family Rewire?

The 3.5% down is correct and if you have that, then contact the EOHC, WWW.EOHC.US . They can broker and FHA purchase for you.

Posted by: Phil at June 29, 2009 10:11 AM in response to F.H.A. Loans Skyrocket in Popularity

I don't know Tom from TNT but Bullfrog Builders did work on my home recently and I highly recommend them for any and all of your General Contracting needs. They can be reached via online...WWWW.BULLFROGNY.COM or in the office at 718-228-0199. Ask for Scott and mention my name (Phil)...they will definitely offer a discount on the work!!!!

Posted by: Phil at June 23, 2009 2:08 PM in response to Contractor/Builder

Bullfrog Builders is a General Contractor specializing in all facets of construction. Give them a ring and they will be glad to help...WWW.BULLFROGNY.COM 718-228-0199.

Posted by: Phil at June 22, 2009 2:50 PM in response to Pro electrician for- major job

I like the duct/chase idea yet it seems you need a professional opinion as the layout for some buildings may not work in that situation. To avoid large patch jobs and an overall "Wild Duct Chase"...contact Bullfrog Builders. WWW.BULLFROGNY.COM. They did work for me and I always recommend them. Great customer service!

Posted by: Phil at June 22, 2009 12:13 PM in response to gut reno a must?

Bullfrog Builders...WWW.BULLFROGNY.COM or 718-228-0199. They are General Contractors with a great reputation. They do it all (including sheet rock)...very affordable!

Posted by: Phil at June 17, 2009 1:55 PM in response to drywall /plaster work

Definitely Bullfrog Builders...they did my basement. WWW.BULLFROGBUILDERS.COM or 718-228-0199.

Posted by: Phil at June 15, 2009 12:39 PM in response to Basement Contractor

I am continuing to recommend Bullfrog Builders, WWW.BULLFROGBUILDERS.COM for all of your general contracting needs. They worked on my house recently and the quality of their work coupled with their customer service was fantastic!

Posted by: Phil at June 15, 2009 12:25 PM in response to General Contractor

I refinanced recently for the purpose of a cashout for home improvement(roughly 100k)and I dealt with an organization by the name of The Equal Opportunity Home Council ( www.eohc.us). I received a notice in the mail and although I was skeptical to deal with them, it ended being a great financial move. When you have a moment, contact Scott at 718-539-2341. He handled my loan and referred a contractor that gave me a great deal on the work!!! Very satisfied!

Posted by: Phil at June 11, 2009 2:55 PM in response to Good sources for cash-out refi?

Call Bullfrog Builders at 718-228-0199 and mention my name (Phil)...they provide a free consultation for any of your home improvement needs including architect and appraiser references, etc.

WWW.BULLFROGNY.COM

Posted by: Phil at June 4, 2009 2:49 PM in response to How to get floorplanes?

Wow...tough crowd on this one! I have had recent work done by Bullfrog Builders, WWW.BULLFROGNY.COM and I took the liberty of calling them for you...they said $2000 seems ballpark depending on specs. If your interested please call them at 718-228-0199 and mention my name for a discount.

Posted by: Phil at June 3, 2009 4:46 PM in response to Upgrading Electrical Service?

Call Scott at the Equal Opportunity Home Council, WWW.EOHC.US at 718-539-2341. He recently did a refi for me and his appraiser was fantastic. I was charged $550 for the 2 family appraisal. Mention my name (Phil)...he will point you in the right direction.

Posted by: Phil at June 3, 2009 4:29 PM in response to Appraisal of Brownstone

Never heard of them. Try BULLFROG BUILDERS. WWW.BULLFROGNY.COM OR 718-228-0199 They did me right on a recent refi with cashout for H/I. I definitely recommend them.

Posted by: Phil at June 2, 2009 1:09 PM in response to Baker Reconstruction??

I recently refi'd into an FHA loan with a cashout for home improvement and my rate is in the high 4's (amazing). Ifound my broker through the Equal Opportunity Home Council...very helpful organization.

WWW.EOHC.US

Posted by: Phil at May 30, 2009 7:55 PM in response to FHA mortgage

I recently did masonry work with Bullfrog Builders. They are general contractors with specialists in all facets of construction and access to financing as well.

www.bullfrogny.com

Posted by: Phil at May 27, 2009 4:01 PM in response to Retaining Wall Contractor

I reccomend Bullfrog Builders Inc. They did some work for me recently and the results were great!

www.bullfrogny.com or 718-228-0199.

Posted by: Phil at May 27, 2009 2:22 PM in response to HELP! Need contractor refs!

Contact Bullfrog Builders for your basement. I have done work with them recently and recommended them to friends as well. All of us have been more than satisfied.

WWW.BLFRG.COM

Posted by: Phil at May 20, 2009 12:47 PM in response to Fixing up basement

Try Bullfrog Builders, www.blfrg.com .They are General Contractors that recently did work on my home. It was a small job but great customer service!

Posted by: Phil at May 20, 2009 12:18 PM in response to recommendation for small project

Where did you find the expeditor? I had a recent construction project and I used a company called the Equal Opportunity Home Council to expedite the process. They did not charge a fee, they provided reccomendations, etc on the project and it's my understanding that they get paid through the construction companies that are members of their organization...similar to the Better Business Bureau.

Posted by: Phil at May 19, 2009 4:04 PM in response to "Expeditor" = "Pay to Play"?

I met a contractor at a recent networking event that specializes in both construction and finance, Bullfrog Builders. Their website is www.blfrg.com. Seemed to know their stuff...

Posted by: Phil at May 19, 2009 3:29 PM in response to Financing a Shell Renovation

Phil: Is it you or your brother who works for Bullfrog? And the other organization you keep recommending? Good commission on referrals?

Posted by: vinca at June 30, 2009 7:03 PM in response to Tri-State Window Factory

I don't know about Tri-State but the somewhat basic replacement windows I got from Airlite Windows on McDonald Ave. suck. They started sticking within months and they don't seem very air tight.

Fwiw, my Mom got replacement windows from Sears and they looked and worked like brand new right up till the day she moved out some 15 or so years later.

Posted by: pattunia at July 1, 2009 12:15 AM in response to Tri-State Window Factory

If you're looking for windows to help reduce noise, you should look into purchasing aluminum windows with laminated glass. You may not get that glass option if you purchase vinyl windows because vinyl material is weaker than aluminum and laminated glass is heavy, so opening the bottom sash of a double hung window will be an issue and can be dangerous.

You also indicated that you're interested in energy efficient windows. Your best bet is to purchase vinyl windows with argon gas and low efficient glass. The best part about that is that they qualify for the home improvement tax rebate.

I hope this helps. In case you're wondering how I know a lot about windows, my family owns a window manufacturing business in Brooklyn. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us:

All United Window
Phone: 718.624.0490
Email: info@allunitedwindow.com

Posted by: cooperbrooklyn at July 1, 2009 1:02 AM in response to Tri-State Window Factory

First of all, do NOT call anyone who suggests that you call contractor X or Y on this thread. Since you did not ask for that advice, my guess would be that anyone who responds with contractor recommendations is just someone looking for work for themselves. Sorry, but that is just not a recommendation you should seriously consider!

Instead, I strongly agree with the more objective, basic advice given by CGfan, Arkady and Vinca which is sincerely responsive to the questions you posted. In our case, we ended up finding our GC by going through this forum's archives and searching for GC recommendations. The firm we eventually selected came recommended by a former frequent poster here who we did not know personally but whose knowledge of, and love for, old houses was consistently evident in her posts. After the first phone call with the recommended contractor, we felt an immediate connection. However, it was proof of license and insurance, extremely detailed conversations with his references -- including actual site visits to some of his completed projects -- that really helped sealed the deal for us. And, of course, we negotiated a very detailed contract which included project completion time frames and workmanship warranties.

In most cases, the bigger the project the more motivated a GC will be to bid both honestly and competitively on your project (as well as to to throw in small side jobs during the course of the reno that were not formally contracted). OTOH, you may not want to give a total stranger with whom you've had no prior experience the whole kahuna. Frankly, a lot of this contractor hiring business is about knowing how to be a smart, conscientious, organized and intuitive sleuth. At the same time, some of the best choices in general contractor selections seem, primarily, to be a matter of having good luck.

So good luck!

Posted by: Brooklynista at July 1, 2009 8:13 PM in response to Contractor Help

i am a contractor myself, and i highly recommend asking your friends and neighbors for a recommendation... contractors that are good in one area may not be so good in another...definitely do not go for the low bid, because that is probably too good to be true...

Posted by: eman1234 at July 1, 2009 8:43 PM in response to Contractor Help

American Jewel, based in Lodi NJ, makes very nice moderately priced replacement windows. (americanjewel.com) We purchased a triple double hung window a few years from them for the front of the house.

A single double hung window by American Jewel runs around $250. We just finished installing Andersen Woodright replacement windows for the rest of the house. They are more expensive, but they are really nice windows. We have a significant reduction in noise with the new windows. Contractors usually charge about $150 per single double hung window in labor charges. We did the work ourselves, but you may be better off picking out the windows that you want and hire a contractor to do the measuring and installing.

Posted by: Bklyn born at July 1, 2009 9:11 PM in response to Tri-State Window Factory

Hi, I've been taking on a lot of small projects. Given the recession, no job is too small. For larger projects I work with Above or Environmental Design - both have done very high end work in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Last year I represented a business and sourced about 50 contractors around the U.S. for work in airports. I never had a bad experience with one of them. There are basic tell tale signs that let me know I've found the right people. I have also represented the government, sourcing contractors for projects on a college campus. By law they had to take the lowest bid, and it always got them into trouble. On the contractor end I have worked with some of the most prestigious builders and clients in the world. Clear communication is the foundation of a good contracting experience. It is a rare contractor who can offer that.

Posted by: masterbuilder at July 3, 2009 9:32 AM in response to Contractor Help

cris,

there are many diffrences when it comes to conventional financing or fha financing it all depends on the entire picture of your deal, and needs.

feel free to contact.

benjamin.levin@wellsfargo.com

we are lending money .

Posted by: Blev9701 at July 7, 2009 11:33 PM in response to FHA Loan

I recommend Froggie Contractors. They can do it all in ONE DAY. They're from the fifties, that;s why they can do it.

Seriously, you could make sure you have a toilet at least for much of the time. Shower is tougher. What do you think all these new hotels are for?

Posted by: denton at July 14, 2009 6:43 PM in response to Bathroom renovation

Phil,

I noted the typical duration for this work. Is it possible to do it in 2 weeks? Of course. But it's atypical given the number of trades involved.

Do you think your esteemed Bullfrog Builders would be willing to sign a penalty clause in the contract indicating that no matter what happens, the job will be completed to the client's satisfaction in exactly 2 weeks, including punchlist...and if not, the owner gets credited, say, $1,000 for each day exceeding that 2 weeks?

Posted by: 60designers at July 14, 2009 6:57 PM in response to Bathroom renovation