Brooklynite's Profile
- anonymous
- 1996
- 2006
- Brooklyn
- Prospect Heights
- House
- writer/lawyer
- Female
Author's Posts
December 13, 2008
A/C contractor warning
Hi,
I just wanted to report to anyone thinking of installing an A/C system in a brownstone to be very careful about who you use to do it. We used Energy Engineering, which also does business as Golden HVAC, and is run by a guy named Joe Golden. He seems like the nicest guy when you first meet him, but turns out to be a complete slime -- adding all sorts of unauthorized charges, dragging a two week project into a 5-month one, not showing up when he says he will, blaming our general contractor for all the problems he created, and installing the system wrong so it broke the first two times we tried to use it. And then when we had a dispute, he's completely incommunicado. Just a warning to everyone out there to stay away from this guy. He'll try to lure you in with a low price, but then says nothing you'd assume is included in that actually is. This was a real nightmare for us -- just a warning.
March 21, 2008
Experience with Spacepak A/C?
Does anyone have experience using a SpacePak mini-duct central a/c system, and can advise re how well they work? What are the downsides? Seems much easier to install than traditional A/C and also less expensive. Am I missing something? Would love to hear from someone who uses this system. Thanks!
March 9, 2008
"Green" kitchen cabinets?
Wondering if anyone has thoughts on whether it's worth paying extra for "green" kitchen cabinets -- i.e., made with sustainable wood and without formaldehyde or toxic glues. I've been told wood and particle-board in most new cabinets are treated with formaldehyde and made with toxic glues that can cause allergic reactions and in higher doses are cancerous. Anyone know if this is a real concern or not something we should worry about?
February 24, 2008
recommend a structural engineer?
We'd like to build a roof deck on top of a brownstone, but I've read that to have it built directly on the roof, without supporting steel beams, we should have a structural engineer check the roof and make sure it can handle the weight. Can anyone recommend a good structural engineer who can do this, and not charge a ridiculous amount of money for it?
Thanks!
February 12, 2008
Advice on buildng roof decks -- to suspend or not to suspend?
We want to build a roof deck on a 4-story brownstone, but don't know if we need to have it placed on steel beams or if we can build directly on the roof. I'm getting contradictory advice form deck builders on this. If we stick to a wood deck covering 20% of the roof, can we do it without the steel and avoid that cost, or is that risking damage to the building? Anyone out there have experience with this and can make a suggestion? And any sense of whether one or the other is more likely to improve the resale value of the building? Thanks!
February 10, 2008
Gutter repair/roofer
Can anyone recommend someone who's really good at gutter and roof repair? We had a handyman who did a hatchet job on our gutter and I desparately need someone honest and qualified to fix it and stop the water leaking down from the roof and into our house! thanks-
February 5, 2008
Contact info for Chris Marcoux?
I've seen Chris Marcoux recommended on this site as a contractor, but I can't find his contact info. Does anyone have it, and would you still recommend him? Thanks.
January 24, 2008
Installing an A/C system in old brownstone
Does anyone out there have recommendations for the best way (or company to use) to install a central A/C system to cool 3 floors of an old brownstone? We'd like to run ducts down through the closets and keep the duct work to a minimum, even if it means not every room gets A/C directly. Can anyone recommend someone who's creative and economical in doing this? And what should we expect to pay for three floors? Would love any suggestions.
Looking for Parlor floor deck ideas
Hi, we want to build a deck off of the parlor floor of our house, and we're trying to figure out if we should do a metal deck across the full width, a wood deck that stops 3 feet from the property line (required by code), or some mix of the two. Does anyone know the pros and cons of a wood v. a metal deck (in terms of cost, maintenance, etc.)? Also, if anyone has pics of their own parlor floor decks they're willing to share, I'd love to see some to get ideas. Thanks!
January 16, 2008
Adding a window in back parlor?
We're thinking of adding a window in the back parlor of a traditional brownstone, between the two tall but narrow windows that are there. (there's a wide wall space in between, and the back of the house gets far less light than the front.) Has anyone done this, and have any suggestions, warnings, or recommendations of someone who'd be good at safely and carefully creating a new window in a brick wall?
Author's Comments
Jerry at Aladdin plumbing is great -- he re-rigged an antique sink for me in a way that took a lot of ingenuity and work, had to make a special piece for it, etc. Aladdin's not cheap, but very reliable and really seem to know what they're doing.
Posted by: Brooklynite at February 12, 2008 12:17 PM in response to plumber
I agree with above post that you should be really really skeptical about what these mold remediation companies tell you - they will try to scare the shit out of you and then rip you off any way they can. I had a nightmare with this a few years ago.
First thing is make sure you find the source of water and fix that first. Otherwise, it will all come back after you spend all the money and you'll have to spend it all over again. A smart contractor or plumber or engineer or even a handyman should be able to figure out where the water is leaking in from. AFTER you've fixed that, get different estimates from different people on what you need to do. You may not need a special mold remediator, just a contractor or handyman to rip out the stuff that's contaminated, or clean and replace it. Good luck!
Posted by: Brooklynite at February 5, 2008 5:21 PM in response to Mold Remediation Services
One more thing: can anyone recommend an honest and reasonably accessible expeditor who could explain to me what I do and don't need to file, and who can maybe do the necessary drawings as well?
Posted by: Brooklynite at January 11, 2008 5:03 PM in response to When do you need a C of O?
Thanks, this all helps, but... here's the catch: we want to put in a kitchen on a floor where there now isn't one. Can we still do that without getting a C of O, so long as we file the plans and apply for the necessary permits?
Posted by: Brooklynite at January 11, 2008 4:59 PM in response to When do you need a C of O?
It looks like he's licensed as an engineer rather than an architect. Several people have suggested we use an engineer to do drawings that are primarily for purposes of filing the renovation with the city, since we don't need any major architectural design.
Has anyone else out there used an engineer instead of an architect for this purpose? Does it make a difference? Are engineers' drawings usually sufficient to guide the contractor?
Posted by: Brooklynite at January 2, 2008 10:10 PM in response to Has anyone used Anthony Somefun as an architect?
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Depends on your scope of work. What kind of work are you doing and what kind of engineer is he? I really don't know why someone would tell you to use an engineer instead of an architect. That's like someone telling you to use a dentist for your vasectomy. They're both "doctors", right? Use an architect.
Posted by: guest at January 6, 2008 8:26 AM in response to Has anyone used Anthony Somefun as an architect?
One more thing: can anyone recommend an honest and reasonably accessible expeditor who could explain to me what I do and don't need to file, and who can maybe do the necessary drawings as well?
Posted by: Brooklynite at January 11, 2008 5:03 PM in response to When do you need a C of O?
Hi Brooklynite, I used Chris Henry for an alt 1 (duplexed garden to basement), ARA job (new boiler), and to change our C of O (to include a parking spot.) Very reliable and responsive - chris@greenlightexpediting.com.
Posted by: stuntmanmike at January 13, 2008 10:56 PM in response to When do you need a C of O?
Thanks for the responses. My ex is also telling me not to call a mold remediator for all the reasons stated here but I am really concerned and want to handle this efficiently and properly to safeguard the property and health of myself and my tenants.
Brooklynite, Thank you so much for responding. The water problem has been resolved. Can I ask how you handled your problem and who you used to remove the contaminated areas?
I am really stressing about this because I also have tenants in the house although no one is living in the basement which is the only area affected.
Posted by: guest at February 5, 2008 5:53 PM in response to Mold Remediation Services
Denton, Thanks. My ex is giving me the same advice but I'm really concerned. The base kitchen cabinets and some of the sheetrock affected have already been removed but more sheetrock and the laminate flooring also need to be removed.
I do not live in the house right now but was planning on moving back before I became aware of the mold. Obviously, moving back has been put on hold.
Have you dealt with this problem in your own house?
Thanks again.
Posted by: guest at February 5, 2008 6:19 PM in response to Mold Remediation Services
I've dealt with the problem in a large coop apt building. Where are you? If you're in brownstone brooklyn I could take a quick look. denton at speakeasy.net
Posted by: denton at February 5, 2008 6:51 PM in response to Mold Remediation Services
Thanks Denton. Unfortunately, the house is located in Glendale, Queens but thank you for the offer to look.
Posted by: guest at February 5, 2008 6:56 PM in response to Mold Remediation Services
Thanks to everyone who answered my post. Sometimes I tend to be stubborn and disbelieving which happened when I first read Denton's and Brooklynite's responses. I was in a total panic because of all the horror stories I've read about mold and how dangerous it is. Since reading your responses, I continued to do due diligence and contacted an environmental attorney, an environmental specialist and several licensed contractors who also told me I should not contact a mold remediation company because they will likely use scare tactics and overcharge me for the same work a contractor is capable of doing.
I realize that each situation is different but the mold problem I have was from past flooding. There is no longer any water infiltration, the basement is very dry and the mold has been contained to the lower portions of sheetrock and flooring and is not continuing to spread although the areas affected do need to be removed. I was also told by both the environmental attorney and specialist that under these circumstances I do not have to worry about cross contamination which was a great concern of mine.
I'm posting this in the hope that it might help others who need a little extra reassurance as I did. Speaking to a specialist and an attorney just confirmed and backed up that you guys were giving me great advice. It's not that I did not believe you, it's just that I needed a little more reassurance before making an important and costly decision.
This message board has been such a great source of information and support. Thanks again for the great advice.
Posted by: guest at February 6, 2008 6:13 PM in response to Mold Remediation Services
TO THOSE WITH QUESTIONS ON MOLD REMOVAL:
Some, as shown in these posts, will say it's no big deal. I am a 41 year old tough man, and based on my past experiences, I would say get the mold remediation people to look at it as well as other contractors. What can it hurt for them to check it out and give you a price? Contrary to everyone's pereption, I don't think they are all out to take advantage of someone.
In 2000 I moved my young family into a rental house after selling our house. We planned to start building a new house in the spring (about 6 months away). Not long after moving in, I began to experience strange symptoms. Within 2-3 months, I was totally disabled (like advanced Multiple Sclerosis). Nobody could figure out what was wrong with me until I went to the Mayo Clinic. Turns out, the house had caught on fire a few years before we moved in. Repairs were made without regard for the potential mold problem caused by the water fire dept. soaked the house with trying to put out the fire. We moved out of the home, and I instantly began to feel better. It has been 7 years now, and I still have lingering effects from the damage done.
So, if you are planning on renting to anyone, it is your duty and obligation to take any/all measures you can to make sure the mold is gone. I could have sued the pants off the owner of the home I was renting for negligence, but I'm just not that type of person. They said they didn't know there was a problem until I informed them. In your case, you are aware of the problem. Youcan pay now or pay later. I can tell by your earlier posts that you knew it could potentially be a big problem. I expect your own health problems are of concern to you. You were o the right path, don't let people who are ignorant of the potential dangers of mold sway your decision to do everything in your power to get rid of the mold, and then have it tested to make sure it's gone. Don't try to get by cheap.
Others are depending on you to make the right decision.
Posted by: guest at February 10, 2008 11:06 PM in response to Mold Remediation Services
Homey--you can email me at brooklynite67@yahoo.com or just post details here.
Posted by: Brooklynite at December 22, 2008 8:12 PM in response to A/C contractor warning