Dogs can easily damage a wood floor. Be careful. I don't allow dogs.

Posted by: troll at June 20, 2009 5:39 PM

Ha Ha - you guys are wound up to tight.

We own a dog - top floor of a brownstone, no one in the building has a single complaint. Our floors are wooden - and look perfect.

You guys are loosers, no wonder people bitch about landlords with people like you around - i've got an idea for you...dont rent out your apartments if you are worried about 'wear and tear'.

Posted by: deanc at June 22, 2009 1:52 AM in response to Tenants Want a Dog

i love my electrolux dishwasher.

i thought the 'blue light' to tell you the cycle had ended was a dumb idea..... until i heard (or rather didn't hear) how quiet it actually is.

highly reccomended.

Posted by: deanc at February 5, 2009 1:11 PM in response to LG Dishwashers

I'd reccomend purchasing from pc richards as well.

we recently purchased 4 items from top of the range electrolux

unfortunately we didn't measure the size of the apartment door.....the fridge wouldn't fit.

PC Richards were great, 5-10 minute phone call with the salesman had the fridge back on the truck and a smaller model fridage delivered less than 24 hours later.

no additional charge for second delivery etc just the price difference between two models.

I'll be buying my appliances from them again in the future.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at February 5, 2009 1:07 PM in response to Best place to appliance browse?

In australia i had an under bench miele washer and seperate dryer.

worked great for the 5 years i owned it before we sold the apartment.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at January 25, 2009 2:55 PM in response to small washer and dryer

? maybe i dont get it, why not just call a stone company - probably a 5 minute job but worth getting the right tools for the job.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at January 25, 2009 2:53 PM in response to Drilling Stone Countertop

Just installed a monster peninsula in our new kitchen (promise a more detailed post here on brownstoner in a few weeks).

It's 8 feet x 5 feet and is in a whiteish marble with grey veining and looks absolutely sensational.

None of the artifical materials come even close to this.

It was called giorgia grey or something like that from SMC Stone in Brooklyn.

Am happy about certain aspects and unhappy about certain aspects, as discussed will post a longer overview in a few weeks, my point is this, go for wht you love as the artificials will always be a compromise.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at January 2, 2009 10:07 AM in response to Marble Counter Top - Practical?

lol I only just bought the first two 8 weeks ago (haven't even finished construction yet or moved in yet), just wondering if this is even possible in order to plan for the next few years OR should we be planning on selling out and moving into a different location.

Also to clarify it's not a rooftop hatch, it's a set of stairs that just lead to the roof, it's a joke to wonder where people are supposed to go to from there the building next door is at least 10ft higher with no real way to get there).

If someone is prepared to send me a quote for 1 hours work and provide a guarenteed definative answer about what is and isn't possible then please get in contact to discuss.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 17, 2008 2:31 PM in response to no fire escape, no sprinklers-- is this legal?

I currently own the top 2 apartments of a 4 story brownstone with 8 apartments in total
(eg 4 floors 2 apartments per floor).

We joined these two apartments on the top floor into a single apartment.

There is an exit to the rooftop that is accessed from the stairwell.

The question i have is this;

If I buy the two apartments on the third floor as well (eg. I would then own all 4 apartments on the top 2 floors) and there are now only 4 apartments on the bottom 2 floors can we close off the fire exit to the roof?

eg if there is a brownstone with an owners duplex on the top two floors and 4 apartments on the bottom two floors what are the fire exit requirements?

Is there anyone who can interpret this code in my situation?
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/bldgs_code/bc27s6.pdf

As per vincas statement once you have more than two apartments you need to have 2 fire exits.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 17, 2008 11:06 AM in response to no fire escape, no sprinklers-- is this legal?

I think mattyeasts pricing is about right as well, maybe a couple of hundred over in some areas but basically about right.

Most bathrooms are about the same size, so plus or minus 20-30% square feet doesn't really change raw material cost differences.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 16, 2008 10:46 PM in response to Recommendations for a small bathroom reno?

bike lane doesn't exist this week.

this photos is taken in henry st brooklyn heights, basically workers have been digging up the road this past week (I think it's con-ed)

thats why the moving car taking the photo is travelling in the normally parked cars lane.

Posted by: deanc at December 16, 2008 8:37 AM in response to Monday Links

put a sock over it.....!!

Lol how about you stop being cheap and fix it. rent stabilised or not people shouldn't have to put a sock over it.

Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 14, 2008 11:16 PM in response to Hissing valve

Gosha, any chance you can remember the name?

and to answer TownouseLady....yep my thoughts exactly their screwup, their problem, lets just say we are having a disagreement over what certain terms in the contract mean.

Overall reasonably happy but there are a few outstanding issues.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 13, 2008 9:03 PM in response to custom sheet metal exhaust required

MasterP, I have a steam valve in my apartment.

i'm on the top floor and furthest from the boiler so I assumed thats why it was located there.

mine doesn't make a loud hiss but just slight, but because it's right next to m lunge where i watch tv....loud enough.

are they meant to make no noise at all?

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 9, 2008 11:12 PM in response to Hissing valve

nope they carried it up the stairs - front windows are too small.

lol 4 stories will require a permit, road blockage, serious boom reach etc etc.

Not something i'm going to get away with for a case of beer :)

The only quote I got so far is $1850.....means we are going to find an alternative solution to our problem unless this was a highball price and it's a drastically lower problem.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 9, 2008 11:09 PM in response to hoist/crane hire?

Classic Tile just replied to my email - in stock $1.50 a piece.

will be grabbing a good book and catching the subway out on thursday to pick some up.

Thanks for the tip.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 8, 2008 7:07 PM in response to black border tile

yeh I'm near 'the tall apartment building one' on Henry.

haven't researched how much it is yet, but yes twice when i've parked in their wih out people seemed crazy full.

just wndering what people are doing about this.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 8, 2008 3:47 PM in response to parking in brooklyn heights

apparently it's something called a mudcap (i guess bullnose is solid and mudcap has space at the back).

thanks John at Canco's for that info.

Unfortuantely...they dont stock mudcaps...... next?

Posted by: deanc at December 8, 2008 3:42 PM in response to black border tile

just didn't want to waste anyone's time if it was some outrageous job eg. the whole building had to be setup for just our apartment to convert to gas.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 8, 2008 3:35 PM in response to Retro-fitting for Gas Fireplace

Aparently i live in bakery according to our C of O.

it's just not that big a deal.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 8, 2008 11:41 AM in response to How do I determine if my apartment is a legal residence?

i wish !!!!

I purchased a top floor brownstone apartment with metal casements.

they are single pain and are leaking cold air like you wouldn't believe.

I tried to get 2 quotes with the view to replacing them but once i purchased the tax photos (eg the 1930's nyc gov record photos) turns out they are not original - original photos are timber sash double hung windows.

Basically most people in our building have shown reluctance to change these out (not just costs but visual asthetics).

Would be interested in hearing if anyone knows if you can 'retrofit' double glazing into single pain casements.

At the very least once our renovations are finished and all the paint etc is stripped off I'm going to get quotes from glaziers to come break out all the glass and retrofit thicker panes of glass with higher R ratings.

I cant believe in these days of greening etc that single panes are even legal.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 8, 2008 11:18 AM in response to Replacing landmark windows

would also like to hear from someone that has had their chimney lined.

we just purchased on the 4th floor of a brownstone and have two similar non working fireplaces.

Would like to convert to gas but I dont understand how chimneys 'work', eg do we have to line all the other firplaces in the building (three lower floors) at the same time.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 8, 2008 10:12 AM in response to Retro-fitting for Gas Fireplace

DONT GET IKEA KITCHEN!!!!!

I'll post a bigger piece about my experiences in a few weeks and maybe this was just me because i was getting a large kitchen with large hallway cupboards (12 cupboards in the hallway alone (almost like a wall of cupboards), but my experience with IKEA is DONT DO IT.

Basically the money you save you will spend in time and energy getting missing parts, damaged in delivery parts, arguing with the Traemand people (thats the installation company they have) about what is and isn't included in their installation quote etc.

Like i said keep an eye out for my post in a few weeks after we move in but I wished we looked elsewhere for a custom cabinet that all i had to do was sign a check.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 5, 2008 1:14 PM in response to need recommendation on inexpensive kitchen cabinets and counter please

Gone,

cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 4, 2008 11:40 PM in response to free flooring

yeh I'm also interested how there are going to be no closing costs.....

I signed up with citi bank at 6.25% about 6 months ago so 5..375 is a great deal.

Would also be interested in your brokers email address :)

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 1, 2008 10:20 PM in response to Drop in interest rates--should I refi?

snapshot of the cocktail party here on my blog
http://deancollinsblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/what-property-recession.html

Doesn't show anything and snapped it with my camera phone in passing as was surprised how many people were in there.

Will be interested in seeing how many sell.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at December 1, 2008 9:40 PM in response to Update on 20 Henry

lol tell me about it.

i live on the 4th floor of a brownstone in henry st which we just purchased.

was hoping to replace the 'poorly insulated' metal casement windows.

had 2 vendors come to inspect with the view to getting quotes.

basically both asked me to get the 'historic tax photos', which i did and paid for but neither got back to me with quotes or prices once we found out it would involve changing the windows from metal casement to timber vertical sash windows.

i cant believe in this day of 'green' living that having poorly insulated single pain windows is even legal let alone all the impediments involved in replacing them.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at November 30, 2008 2:15 PM in response to does anybody know where to find good but cheap windows?

btw i noticed a ute zipcar drive past me on Henry and Clark st the other day.

not sure if it's available locally but good to know they have them now rather than hiring a full size truck when we need to move stuff.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at November 30, 2008 2:03 PM in response to Car Sharing in NYC

btw nice colour wall paint - what colour is it?

Posted by: deanc at November 30, 2008 1:47 PM in response to how to sublet 5 bedroom brownstone

I ended up ordering them from TechnologyLK

http://www.technologylk.com/product/1802/CRL-9-Square-Style-Window-Casement-Operator/6596/5259LHAL/CRL-9-Left-Hand-Aluminum-Square-Style-Casement-Window-Operator.html

as they had the biggest range of matching window lock handles.

http://www.technologylk.com/product/1846/CRL-Universal-Casement-Window-Locking-Handles/6758/H3541/CRL-Left-Hand-Aluminum-Casement-Window-Lock-2-3-8-Screw-Holes.html

Just would have preferred something more 'authentic' looking.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at November 30, 2008 1:45 PM in response to casement window winders

yep my thoughts exactly. i never get this usa obsession with summer rentals (or is it a NY thing only?).

in australia if we go away for 2 months we just leave it empty or let a friend crash there to water the plants etc.

cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at November 30, 2008 1:38 PM in response to how to sublet 5 bedroom brownstone

can anyone comment about pricing of video intercoms?

also i'm assuming you cant run a video intercom system on 8/12 wire correct and to retrofit an exiting intercome involves runing a new cable from ground floor to top floor.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at November 25, 2008 9:31 AM in response to Home Security and Intercom System

I'm also curious about this.

we live on the top floor of a 4 storey brownstone and have 2 fireplaces that need lining.

we have run the gas feeding lines during our current renovation in anticipation of doing the work in the next year but want to know whats involved and can we proceed as a 'single floor' rather than having to get everyone in the entire building to agree to rip and replace all 8 fireplaces.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at November 25, 2008 9:10 AM in response to Wood burning fireplace conversion

anyone have any thoughts on the long term running costs of split airconditioners versus central air with ducts?

or can you reccomend a good site to read up on the subject.

btw those hidden units from fujitsu look ok as long as you have a spot you can conceal them in (eg drop roof in the room next door etc.

cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at September 21, 2008 11:23 PM in response to No More Window Air Conditioners

Yep I agree with you ....for what you are actually getting these are all priced too high.

Posted by: deanc at September 10, 2008 1:36 PM in response to Medicine Cabinet

lol $6500 for 640sq ft....is that bargain basement?

As someone who has run a business before the labor charges on running this at 84 hours per week is nothing.

Bump each of the two staff an extra $10 an hour and at $1600-$2000 per week more in labor you cover that in profit of just one extra sale per week.

....may just be me but I think thats a good ROI.

Posted by: deanc at September 2, 2008 10:38 AM in response to Lumber Liquidators

lumber liquidators

- there is a showroom around 17th I think (just above union square), and of course one across the road from Lowes brooklyn - (there's also a smaller non chain floor guy near lowes that has a good range of bamboo as well).

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at August 27, 2008 11:26 PM in response to Bamboo floors

yes taking plenty of photos but will put together more details in a post once there is something substantial to post.

I'm just surprised how much crap is in these walls.

thanks for the identification about the barbbell.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at August 27, 2008 4:43 PM in response to What the heck is this?

lol weighs as well as ways :( duh

Posted by: deanc at August 27, 2008 2:23 PM in response to What the heck is this?

no way is it a dumbbell - it ways less than an apple/can of coke etc

I originally thought it might be some kind of antique rattle when I first found it but what kind of masochist would give their kid something hard and wood to bang themselves on the head.

Cheers,
Dean

btw. BlackieJones....how come?

Posted by: deanc at August 27, 2008 2:23 PM in response to What the heck is this?

if you put a full size stove on the curb will the city come and pick it up?

I've got two to get rid of but they are ancient - i assumed they would have to go out with all the other demolition refuse?

tia,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at August 27, 2008 2:16 PM in response to Free gas range

yes.

Posted by: deanc at August 27, 2008 11:58 AM in response to range Hood?

Hi Sunny,

good to know they still exist. we had banks pull all kinds of crazy stunts to say no.

Chase said they wouldn't provide us a mortgage when they realised we owned 25% of the apartments in the building eg. we were buying 2 of the 8 apartments in the building.

They said their limit was under 10% but when we pointed out that with only 8 units everyone owned at least 12.5% ..... they kind of went away quietly never to be heard of again.

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at August 26, 2008 12:06 AM in response to Stated Income Mortgage

The one thing I've noticed is that these sprinlers only seem to cover the stairwell - is that correct? or does this only apply to older (possibly pre-code change) homes? as one of the newer apartments I looked at had internal pop-down sprinklers as well.

How much of a 3 family and above needs to be covered?

Also does anyone know the regs with regards to multiple exits in a building?

Because we are on the top floor I'd like to buy the common stairway leading to the rooftop for a rooftop deck but I've been told by the broker that it cant be done because the building needed to keep two fire exits - the only way I could do it was by purchasing a 'external fire escape' for the whole building.

Does this sound correct?

It's a 4 floor building with 7 apartments, 2 on each of the 3 lower floors and 1 apartment on the top floor which already owns the roof rights.

tia,
Dean
(p.s. sorry to hijack your thread)

Posted by: deanc at August 26, 2008 12:02 AM in response to residential sprinklers

>Back in my CP/M days I user a word processor called >WordStar. It had a companion spelling checker called >SpellStar, which had a "Maintenence Menu

Well the software spellchecker wasn't around when they were coding the program so how were they supposed to know :)

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at August 25, 2008 11:54 PM in response to Ending with Ignurance

I'd be very surprised if you can get a stated income mortgage through Apple Mortgage.

My wife has just taken out a mortgage through them with Citi.

I've refrained from posting my negative comments about them so far because at the end of the day we did get it.....

But seriously what was promised and what was delivered were two very very different things.

Apart from shopping us around I fail to understand exactly what Apple did on our behalf apart for their $26.850 commision except lose documentation and just generally cause us issues.

I'm sure I'll blog about it sooner rather than later but lets just say the USA has a lot to learn about "frictionless transactions".

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at August 25, 2008 11:48 PM in response to Stated Income Mortgage

Someone at A&K Tiles needs to be shot for signing off on that website.....

Am I the only one who noticed it?
http://www.aktilestudio.com/contact.html

Cheers,
Dean

Posted by: deanc at August 22, 2008 3:27 PM in response to Tile shops in Brooklyn

ignore that comment - did search and have found 3 places to check out..... any advice on tile installation for glass tiles particularly?

Posted by: deanc at August 22, 2008 3:16 PM in response to Tile Outlet reccomendations for backsplash?

I also found a "Dr S. M. Giddings" bottle from 1854 - that I'm trying to track down a price on.....

fortunately I found a forum where questions like that can be asked...no idea where to ask about soap.

Posted by: deanc at August 21, 2008 9:21 PM in response to Soap from 1806?

oh ok so you are thinking it's not a sprinkler system connection?

there are no plans at all for our brownstone and no one has a clue what is or isn't behind the walls - very frustrating.

I have this 4 inch 'air' duct running through my other closet and no one knows what it is connecting to either.

Aren't these kinds of things supposed to be kept as records on the co-op management board?

Dean

Posted by: deanc at August 21, 2008 7:44 AM in response to Fire Sprinklers?

Fridge has been picked up.

Posted by: deanc at August 20, 2008 7:45 PM in response to Free Fridge....with a twist

OP, nailing shut the roof hatch is a 311 violation.

Posted by: mopar at December 17, 2008 5:44 PM in response to no fire escape, no sprinklers-- is this legal?

A two family house is now called a building? Geese what real estate agents won't do to try to promote a home sale. The fire department has no problem reaching your second floor in case of a fire. Please make sure you have a good smoke detector in your apartment. Don't worry the United Nations building does not have fire sprinklers iether.

Posted by: hannible at December 17, 2008 10:27 PM in response to no fire escape, no sprinklers-- is this legal?

Bosch - 100%

Posted by: arch_tect at January 27, 2009 12:40 PM in response to small washer and dryer

EBA on Nostrand Avenue.

Strangely, I posted this twice yesterday, but it never showed up.

Posted by: Bob Marvin at February 5, 2009 1:55 PM in response to Best place to appliance browse?

We have a Bosch dishwasher that came with the house when we bought it. Its real quiet and has always worked great. We have just moved our kitchen up to the parlor floor as part of a gut renovation (new Miele) and no longer need the Bosch. Its one of their basic models, white w/ss inside I'm thinking SHU43xx. If you'd like to look at it let me know and I won't bother to post it to craigslist yet. I'm just looking for any reasonable offer. It can't be more than 4 or 5 years old. We have the paperwork from the previous owner so I'll look at it when I get home.

Posted by: HDL at February 5, 2009 3:04 PM in response to LG Dishwashers

I like PC Richards in downtown Brooklyn. Had a really good experience buying a really expensive washer/dryer there.

Posted by: Heather at February 5, 2009 3:35 PM in response to Best place to appliance browse?

P.C. Richards/Atlantic Ave. was fine for me. Nice sales people, helpful.

Posted by: meerkatz at February 5, 2009 7:33 PM in response to Best place to appliance browse?

I second the recommendation to buy appliances at J&R in Park Slope.

I bought a washer, dryer, over-range microwave, and A/C from them last summer and the customer service and prices were great. They even came to my apartment for free and took measurements to make sure the appliances would fit perfectly, and they did. Their installation is reasonable too and well done.

Posted by: shuneke at February 6, 2009 1:19 PM in response to Best place to appliance browse?

Depends on the units manufacturer. Is it a multi family?
There should be an amplifier in the basement if you get the model# I can steer you from there.

Posted by: BobbyAlarms at February 9, 2009 9:59 PM in response to metal entry intercom cover

I'm doing some research about going geothermal. The reason I'm told that it's not so prevalent in Brooklyn is because you need a decent sized cleared lot in order to bring in the equipment needed to drill a well -for which you need a DOB permit, which they won't give you if your lot is too small.

Posted by: justme123 at February 27, 2009 11:35 AM in response to Geothermal heating/cooling