Great Contractor Recommendation

Check for gaps (leaks) like the door like previous poster stated. Here are two other possibilities;

The space behind the mailboxes. It could be that the mailboxes are cut into the hallway wall and are carrying noise right up the the inner (your wall), which then transmits it to your apt.
You would insulate inside the wall behind and around the mailboxes with rock wool and add sheetrock (thicken) the wall behind them (on your side). Possibly have them mounted out a few inches farther into the lobby to accommodate this.

Another possible problem area: sound traveling along the floor under a wall that is not properly attached or sealed to the floor.
The airborne (not actually transmitted through the flooring materials) sound of hard shoes on tile being loud in your apt would point towards this. Have someone tap two hard objects together near, but not on, the lobby floor while you listen.
Sealing the gap under the wall plates (the horizontal wall frame piece at the bottom) and where your sheetrock meets the wall behind your baseboards might help this. Do this with acoustic caulk, or any caulk that will stay flexible.

Besides gaps and leaks the wall may be too light.
Putting rock wool insulation in the walls and adding another layer of sheetrock in the wall on your side will help. The green glue mentioned above would be sandwiched between the two layers of sheet rock that comprise your inner wall.
Pay attention to sealing the edges of the wall is you do this.

There are building codes for sound transmission and walls ability to stop it between public ares and residences. It kinda sounds like your wall doesn't meet them, or there is a problem like the two metioned above.

if you have the the stomach for it and you really want to nerd out on this subject visit the forums on recording.org, see the 'studio construction' forum. way too much good info on sound isolation there.

Posted by: WTBrooklyn at July 26, 2009 9:14 PM in response to Sound Permeating Walls

4 years ago I went to an open house held by Awaye. I arrived right as it was starting on a Sunday morning (no small feat for me).

The agent's assistant opened the door and was noticeably uncomfortable... kept glancing at the bathroom.
Moments later the Awaye agent came bursting out of the bathroom rubbing her nose and acting WAAAYYYY too excited for the time of day... if you know what I mean.
She then strangely made a proclamation/affirmation right into my face; "I'm going to sell this house today!!!", began to talk my head off, finally becoming aggressive and dejected when I told her it wasn't the house for me.

I remember thinking to myself "I should start an online list of Real Estate Agents who are freaks, this lady is first"

-R

Posted by: WTBrooklyn at July 18, 2009 3:39 AM in response to Awaye Realty Caught Lifting Listing from Owner

" I still don't understand why the double parking on alt-side of the street days is permitted/accepted. It's dangerous and illegal. Move your car the night before/morning of like everyone else."
Posted by: new2hood at June 3, 2009 11:37 AM"

b/c there is not enough space in the city to move 50% of the cars (from all the neighborhoods that have street cleaning on a particular day) somewhere else.

Posted by: WTBrooklyn at June 3, 2009 12:13 PM in response to Berkeley Bump Bungle?

the metal may make noise if it has nothing under it. metal roofs on houses are less likely to make noise because they have insulation,drywall etc under them.
think of a drum... if you stuff something under the drum head it muffles the sound. hollow things things resonate more, making louder sounds when something strikes them.

Posted by: WTBrooklyn at June 2, 2009 9:24 PM in response to metal roof for shed

btw... Alex's email is: smilinghouse@gmail.com
-R

Posted by: WTBrooklyn at April 15, 2009 7:52 PM in response to Great Contractor Recommendation

Second the home inspector. They see this stuff everyday and will know what's happening. I can't remember the ones I used right now... they were good... I try to come back here if I remember. Search the forum.

Posted by: WTBrooklyn at March 29, 2009 12:09 AM in response to engineer needed for advice

Looks uninviting to me... OCD world.

Posted by: WTBrooklyn at March 29, 2009 12:06 AM in response to how do you like this house

Have you dimensions?

Posted by: WTBrooklyn at March 29, 2009 12:03 AM in response to NEW combo washer/dryer for sale

In light of all the other posts I just read about these guys this one smells funny...

Posted by: WTBrooklyn at March 29, 2009 12:02 AM in response to a huge thank you

Alex Ribeiro, Smiling House.
work 718-376-4045
mobile 917-731-4045

Posted by: WTBrooklyn at March 28, 2009 11:52 PM in response to Good GC Needed

I guess brownstoner doesn't forward emails to user names...? I'll check back here if anyone wants to contact me.

Posted by: WTBrooklyn at March 28, 2009 11:21 PM in response to Great Contractor Recommendation

Yeah, there are a lot of varying posts about them it seems. They asked me to share my experience online if I could (not many of there customers do apparently, they give in handwritten comment cards), so here goes: One of outlets in my house wasn't working and I called Christopher John Electrical to come look at it and give me an estimate. The technicians were on time (meaning within the two hour window they gave me) and gave me an eyebrow raising estimate. Due to the fact that they were recommended to me by my hairstylist, I decided I would just suck it up and pay it. They were so fast, I took off work but I probably didn't have to, I was able to just relax for most of the day! I expected to have to deal with a loud bumbling plumber type who would probably ruin my floor and walls. I was pleasantly surprised. They made sure to take care of my rug and the walls surrounding the area. I would say they didn't explain the work well enough, but I could also say I steered clear of asking! I would definately use them again. Also, the tech was hilarious.

Posted by: JenniThomas at November 12, 2009 2:19 PM in response to a huge thank you

Yeah, there are a lot of varying posts about them it seems. They asked me to share my experience online if I could (not many of there customers do apparently, they give in handwritten comment cards), so here goes: One of outlets in my house wasn't working and I called Christopher John Electrical to come look at it and give me an estimate. The technicians were on time (meaning within the two hour window they gave me) and gave me an eyebrow raising estimate. Due to the fact that they were recommended to me by my hairstylist, I decided I would just suck it up and pay it. They were so fast, I took off work but I probably didn't have to, I was able to just relax for most of the day! I expected to have to deal with a loud bumbling plumber type who would probably ruin my floor and walls. I was pleasantly surprised. They made sure to take care of my rug and the walls surrounding the area. I would say they didn't explain the work well enough, but I could also say I steered clear of asking! I would definately use them again. Also, the tech was hilarious.

Posted by: JenniThomas at November 12, 2009 2:20 PM in response to a huge thank you