Excellent Contractor

I used J Thomas Construction for my gut renovation and couldn't be happier. They were incredible - fast, fair and very professional. Give JT Stewart a call at (917) 699-3810. His office is in Williamsburg. He'll give you an estimate - great guy.

Posted by: VF at April 17, 2009 9:11 AM in response to Renovation cost

Tips are always appreciated. It's also nice to keep bathroom access and supplies (tp and soap) for the crew. I've had pizza delivered to the job site (my gut renovation)as a small way to say thanks periodically during the job. Food and toilet paper go a long way on a construction site.

Posted by: VF at April 14, 2009 9:57 AM in response to Tipping Contractors/Workers?

Hi PZ,

Good! JT's a great guy. Best of luck with project!

Posted by: VF at April 9, 2009 3:50 PM in response to Contractor recommendation

Don't do it unless you have a lawyer in the family and a ton of time and money to burn...

Posted by: VF at April 9, 2009 3:37 PM in response to Buying a Rent-Stabilized Bldg

Hi Paizhester,

I just had a gut renovation to my Brooklyn apartment this past summer. My contractor was J Thomas Construction. They were amazing - fast, honest and very reliable. The owner is the nicest guy. His name is JT Stewart (917) 699-3810. Anyway, give him a call.

Posted by: VF at April 9, 2009 2:58 PM in response to Contractor recommendation

Definitely get them to bolt a stop to avoid it getting ripped off again.

Posted by: VF at March 27, 2009 10:13 AM in response to Iron Gate for Brownstone

I had the exact same issue. My contractor was J Thomas Construction. Call JT Stewart @ (917)699-3810. He's a great guy and will talk to you about what you need and give an estimate. Good luck!

Posted by: VF at March 27, 2009 10:11 AM in response to Raising the ceiling in a brownst

Hi Misty B,

I just had a gut renovation last year and I used J Thomas Construction. They are based out of Williamsburg. I had THE BEST experience with them - honest, fast, fair, etc...

Call JT Stewart (the owner) at (917)699-3810. He is incredibly nice and an honest guy.

Good luck with your renovation!

Posted by: VF at March 23, 2009 10:38 AM in response to Good GC Needed

Yes, get exclusive rights in writing from your landlord. They will do it. They don't want the garden trashed again.

Posted by: VF at March 19, 2009 11:40 AM in response to Garden Party?

Hello,

I just used J Thomas Construction as my contractor. They are based in Williamsburg. Their work was fast, efficient and fair. I HIGHLY recommend them. My entire gut renovation was successful due to these guys.

The owner is JT Stewart and his cell phone is (917) 699-3810. Check out their work on their site at www.jthomasnyc.com.

Anyway, give him a call and talk about your project.

Posted by: VF at March 19, 2009 10:18 AM in response to General Contractor Recommends

Oops! I meant hello danielvettori!

Posted by: VF at March 18, 2009 11:45 AM in response to Help me to find a proficient con

Hi Brybrybry,

Just read your post and although have not heard of the contractor you are going to use, but wanted to mention that I just renovated my one bedroom apartment and used J Thomas Construction. They are based in Brooklyn and I can't say enough great things about them. They were honest, fast, reliable and gave the best customer service along the way.

The owner is JT Stewart (917) 699 - 3810. Browse their site too www.jthomasnyc.com to get an idea of the quality. I highly recommend these guys.

Posted by: VF at March 18, 2009 11:34 AM in response to Apt Reno: Rafiq, R.K. Constr.

Hi A/C,

I just renovated my one bedroom apartment and used J Thomas Construction. They are based in Brooklyn and I can't say enough great things about them. They were honest, fast, reliable and gave the best customer service along the way.

The owner is JT Stewart (917) 699 - 3810. Browse their site too www.jthomasnyc.com to get an idea of the quality. I highly recommend these guys.

Posted by: VF at March 18, 2009 11:26 AM in response to Help me to find a proficient con

Totally normal. Boards meet monthly most of the time. Check in with the building management or whomever you spoke with and touch base.

Posted by: VF at March 12, 2009 1:44 PM in response to New to the Area

I have worked with J Thomas Construction based in Brooklyn. My experience with them was nothing less than amazing - efficient, reliable, dedicated and the best customer service I've received. The owner is JT Stewart and the website is www.jthomasnyc.com. The portfolio section speaks for itself...Give them a call.

Best of luck with your remodel!

Posted by: VF at March 12, 2009 12:39 PM in response to Looking for GC to do a walk-thru

I have worked with J Thomas Construction based in Brooklyn. My experience with them was nothing less than amazing - efficient, reliable, dedicated and the best customer service I've received. The owner is JT Stewart (917) 699-3810 and the website is www.jthomasnyc.com. The portfolio section speaks for itself...Give them a call.

Best of luck with your remodel!

Posted by: VF at March 12, 2009 12:25 PM in response to looking for contractor-recommend

I have worked with J Thomas Construction based in Brooklyn. My experience with them was nothing less than amazing - efficient, reliable, dedicated and the best customer service I've received. The owner is JT Stewart (917) 699-3810 and the website is www.jthomasnyc.com. The portfolio section speaks for itself...Give them a call.

Best of luck with your remodel!

Posted by: VF at March 12, 2009 12:25 PM in response to looking for contractor-recommend

I have worked with J Thomas Construction based in Brooklyn. My experience with them was nothing less than amazing - efficient, reliable, dedicated and the best customer service I've received. The owner is JT Stewart and the website is www.jthomasnyc.com. The portfolio section speaks for itself...Give them a call.

Best of luck with your remodel!

Posted by: VF at March 12, 2009 12:19 PM in response to Personal contractor suggestions

Paizhester,
Try Heights Construction. Their work is superlative, and I think their prices are very reasonable for the quality. They have work you can see in Windsor Terrace. From the point of view of both a client and a design professional, they get my top recommendation. Abdul Feda :646 235-2767

Posted by: chmod at April 9, 2009 3:34 PM in response to Contractor recommendation

Hi PZ,

Good! JT's a great guy. Best of luck with project!

Posted by: VF at April 9, 2009 3:50 PM in response to Contractor recommendation

bkhabitant,

Since many rent regulated tenants pay rents that are below what it costs to properly operate and maintain a apartments buildings, I'd say those rent regulated tenants are squatters.

Landlords like me are supporting these freeloaders. These people are squatting on my property, protected by arcane laws meant to help widows during WWII.

From my experience owning and managing rental properties in NYC for over a decade, I'd estimate at minimum 25% of regulated tenants in Manhattan and Brooklyn have other homes and keep their rent regulated apartments as second homes or illegally sublet them for a profit. It's almost impossible for a landlord to evict a regulated tenant for non-primary residence since all he or she has to do is continue to receive mail and voting registration at said address.

The current rent laws drastically reduce supply of rental housing in NYC by allowing cheaters to game the system while everyone else has to pay sky high rents. There are no rules to keeping a regulated apartment in NYC. The $175k/yr law only applies to apartments that rent for OVER $2000/mo while most rent stabilized apartments are below $1000/mo.

According to NY law, a billionaire could have rent regulated apartment as long as his registered rent is LESS than $2000/mo. Talk about absurd.

Posted by: IronBalls at April 9, 2009 9:43 PM in response to Buying a Rent-Stabilized Bldg

In my last post, I meant there are no "low income requirements" to qualify for rent regulated housing, so all arguments that the laws are necessary to help low income folks stay in NYC are bogus.

The politicians will never add a low income requirement since so many beneficiaries of rent regulated housing are wealthy and those individuals vote en masse.

Posted by: IronBalls at April 9, 2009 11:01 PM in response to Buying a Rent-Stabilized Bldg

One contractor we hired (and never again), I was convinced he was ripping off his Latino workers, he treated them like crap, so I gave all the guys some $ "for lunch" a couple of times to keep them a little more motivated, since they obviously hated el jefe as much as we did.

The other thing I do is insist anybody who works here gives their guys proper eye protection for power-tool use (polycarbonate with side pieces) and masks--not just disposable ones but real particle filter masks or even respirators if they're going to be near bird droppings, lead, asbestos, etc. (we've got it all). Boss and sometimes workers may think this is a pain in the ass, but workers are often surprisingly grateful that anybody gives a sh*t. Not losing an eye and not getting a lung disease is even better than a tip.

Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at April 14, 2009 12:07 PM in response to Tipping Contractors/Workers?

Nothing is expected except to be paid when the job is done.

It's definitely greatly appreciated when you order pizza and soda once in a while. I'm telling you from experience. Definitely buy lunch and drinks a couple of times and offer coffee once in a while.

Never offer beer. You don't want them drinking on the job no matter what the amount. Power tools and alcohol don't mix.

Posted by: GabeS at April 14, 2009 1:39 PM in response to Tipping Contractors/Workers?

The numbers being thrown around here are all in the right ballpark. The price goes up the more you try to preserve existing detail, and goes down a bit if you gut (makes doing the mechanicals much easier). Pietro's price sounds closer to a gut job. Our job came in toward the high end of Denton's range and it was a very involved and problematic whole house job, including exterior (frame) walls, central a/c and a rebuilt one-story extension, but two kitchens and only one story of new floor. Contractor underbid, however, and couldn't quite finish (got to about 97%). Hope that helps.

Posted by: slopefarm at April 17, 2009 9:27 AM in response to Renovation cost

Hi,

If you're looking for someone to do painting and plastering, I have over 20 years experience in the field. I’ve worked with homeowners, architects, and contractors on a wide variety of projects including townhouses, lofts, apartments, restaurants, retail stores, and galleries. I’m extremely detail-oriented and thoroughly reliable. Also, a couple of people have written about my work in Brownstoner forum. See "painters" monthly archive on 4/13/08 "Great Painter!!" and 2/3/07 "Painter to recommend".

Please feel free to send me an e-mail and I'll give you references with contact information.

Best,

Gordon
917-576-6747
gvoisey@nyc.rr.com

Posted by: gordonvoisey at April 17, 2009 9:40 AM in response to Renovation cost

Call these two contractors, excellent excellent work, great prices, personal integrity
(and please don't call them unless the same can be said about you) Good luck with your renovation:

Richard barrow
RJB renovations
mobile (917) 804-1886
email raizank@aol.com

and
Segundo Tenesaca
Darine General Design
mobile 1 (347) 742-4841
email segundot@darinegc.com

Posted by: 121studio at April 17, 2009 11:47 AM in response to Renovation cost

highly recommended:
Segundo Tenesaca
Darine General Design
mobile 1 (347) 742-4841
email segundot@darinegc.com

Posted by: 121studio at April 17, 2009 12:47 PM in response to Contractor recommendation