dobbs's Profile
- Adam Kahan
- 1999
- 2008
- Brooklyn
- Park Slope
- House
- Male
Author's Posts
July 26, 2008
AK Azad
Has anyone used AK Azad contractor? I am dealing with Moe there. I believe his brother Rafi runs the company. Thinking of having them do my front stoop. Would love some feedback from anyone who has used them. Thanks.
July 5, 2008
Z. Abedin ?
Has anyone had experience with Z. Abedin?
I am having my front stoop rebuilt and am considering him. I was referred to him by someone on Brownstoner (thanks Chris Montgomery from Decatur Street ) but would like a little more input. His English is not that good so it's a little hard to gauge him.
If you've used him, know anyone who has, or any addresses he has worked on - any info greatly appreciated.
Thanks
July 1, 2008
Need front stoop built
I need my front stoop built (rebuilt). I've got a frame house but want to do a brick/limestone or concrete stoop. Does anyone have any recommendations? I've talked to alot of contractors and masons. So far A. Malek was the most thorough and seemingly trustworthy but his price was markedly higher than the rest and the job he wants to do seems to be a little overkill for my house. I've got a list of others I've talked to but would appreciate any insight anyone might be able to give. Thanks.
Need front stoop built
I need my front stoop built (rebuilt). I've got a frame house but want to do a brick/limestone or concrete stoop. Does anyone have any recommendations? I've talked to alot of contractors and masons. So far A. Malek was the most thorough and seemingly trustworthy but his price was markedly higher than the rest and the job he wants to do seems to be a little overkill for my house. I've got a list of others I've talked to but would appreciate any insight anyone might be able to give. Thanks.
Author's Comments
dobbs wrote a review about Diner on August 4, 2008 4:19 PM
Diner is a fantastic restaurant that has stayed fantastic since it first showed up in Williamsburg. Same executive chef as from day 1, I believe. Great staff. Love the food. All dishes are great from the basics (burgers) to more elaborate things (too good and too countless to name).
I hate to add a negative to this lovefest but I do have one criticism - can they please turn down the music!?? I have purposefully not gone there sometimes when I know that I am with someone I really want to talk with, because I know the hipsters like their loud music and that's also what they serve up at Diner. Stop murdering your great food by giving your customers headaches from having to shout across the table.
Wouldn't write if I didn't care + love the restaurant. Bonita, also same owners, on Bedford Ave., is great too.
ok. well i find that incredibly hard to believe - after speaking with them both, seeing the work they have done, and their price points are drastically different (everything about them is from opposite ends of the spectrum.) they would have to be master scammers with the most elaborate scam. and for what? anyway, thanks for passing that along but there is just no way.
Posted by: dobbs at July 7, 2008 10:05 PM in response to Z. Abedin ?
Will check them out. Thanks!
Posted by: dobbs at July 7, 2008 2:03 PM in response to Z. Abedin ?
i totally agree with you. someone may be highly skilled as a mason or contractor and speak poor english. not an issue for me. and as far as the job at hand, he clearly understood what i wanted and i clearly understood what he proposed doing. his only shortcoming is in marketing himself (due to language barrier). and i prefer someone who does great work rather than a great salesman.
if anyone can give me addresses where i can see his work, that would be great. i've seen one (he gave me) but it was too different from what i'm doing so i'm still not completely sold.
Posted by: dobbs at July 7, 2008 10:23 AM in response to Z. Abedin ?
thanks for the input. i totally disagree with the first comment and, yes, as you mention, have seen lots of frame houses with non-wood steps that look great. i've kind of ruled out malek on price but then again haven't decided yet and am still getting quotes. does anyone know Z. Abedin? he was reccomended by someone else on this site. he came and did an estimate. his english isn't the greatest so its hard to gauge him. if anyone has any expereince with him, please let me know. (and/or can give me addresses to look at.)
Posted by: dobbs at July 5, 2008 8:54 PM in response to Need front stoop built
great rant.
as for the initial post re most expensive sales, it would be great to see what the most reasonable sales for 2008 have been.
Posted by: dobbs at July 3, 2008 10:44 AM in response to The Biggest Sales of '08, So Far
OK. I'll try him out. Thanks for the referral.
Posted by: dobbs at July 2, 2008 3:08 PM in response to Need front stoop built
Joanne,
Who did the work for you?
Posted by: dobbs at July 2, 2008 1:26 PM in response to Need front stoop built
Update:
Nick from Transcend called me back to let me know that the price was more like 10k and that it would take 9-10 days. He had initially given me a "ballpark" so maybe he crunched some numbers and came to some realizations (or maybe he's reading this blog). Dunno, but don't want to give anyone a bad rap who doesn't deserve one. Anyway, I haven't used him so can't comment anymore on him.
Posted by: dobbs at July 2, 2008 1:25 PM in response to Need front stoop built
I'm sure my building and block are not historic so that's not an issue. None of the contractors I spoke with mentioned anything about permits (I need to ask, thanks for the heads-up). And, as far as contractors I've spoken with:
Buscarello (John) seemed ok, but I wont use him because of the mixed and bad reviews on this site. His price was about 10k for brick w/limestone steps.
A. Malek knew what he was talking about, took a lot of time with me, took me around the neighborhood and showed me other work he had done or was in the midst of doing. He was, so far, hands down the best. Also, the most expensive. His initial price was 22k, I rapidly got him down to 17k but that is still 5k more than anyone else. It seems that he does much bigger brownstone work (again, mine is a small frame house). What he wanted to do was pour concrete for the steps (over concrete block structure), in one piece, and then put on whatever facade I wanted (brick) as opposed to brick with limestone steps which he reasoned would eventually leak over time at the seems where limestone meets brick. I'm tempted to go with him but that price just seems too high.
Brothers was about 12k but I wasn't really convinced as to the way he wanted to do it (metal frame underneath structure). He might have been good but noone else proposed that way, and I'm not familiar with it so I wont go with him.
Nick from Transcend came by but his price was unrealistically low (about 6k) and he said he could do it in a week which seemed off (most said 4 weeks, some 2-3 weeks min.)
Jim Lally of Galway Bay came by last night (thanks for the ref Steve), seemed to know what he's doing, inspired confidence. I've read multiple good things about him online. I'm still waiting on his price, if it is competitive, I'll probably go with him.
I think Progeny was a no-show and Jabus had one guy who could look at it but he was away on a job in CT for a few weeks, so I couldn't get them to my house.
That's it for now...
Posted by: dobbs at July 2, 2008 12:54 PM in response to Need front stoop built
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Dobbs...this is 10:13 again. I saw two of his jobs. One on Grand between Gates and the next block heading toward Fulton. It's like the second or third house from the corner. This was the place I found him and got his number. It was a work in progress (scratch coat when I saw it) so I can actually say I'm impressed with the results. The second was on Lafayette Ave between Grand and St. James. Unfortunately I don't know the exact addresses. Hope this helps.
Posted by: guest at July 7, 2008 1:43 PM in response to Z. Abedin ?
Will check them out. Thanks!
Posted by: dobbs at July 7, 2008 2:03 PM in response to Z. Abedin ?
I was told that Malek and Abedin are the same company, and they approach customers differently (approach, cost, etc) to secure work. This may be complete heresay, but just passing along what I heard.
Posted by: guest at July 7, 2008 5:31 PM in response to Z. Abedin ?
ok. well i find that incredibly hard to believe - after speaking with them both, seeing the work they have done, and their price points are drastically different (everything about them is from opposite ends of the spectrum.) they would have to be master scammers with the most elaborate scam. and for what? anyway, thanks for passing that along but there is just no way.
Posted by: dobbs at July 7, 2008 10:05 PM in response to Z. Abedin ?
same company...makes no sense at all.
Posted by: guest at July 8, 2008 4:00 PM in response to Z. Abedin ?
same company...makes no sense at all. comparable work maybe. same company, not.
Posted by: guest at July 8, 2008 4:00 PM in response to Z. Abedin ?
I got an estimate today from Nick at Transcend Construction. My new home is all brick construction and there are some cracks I thought could just be filled but Nick explained that the cracks form from the metal rusting out between the bricks and windows (and the upper edge of the gargage in our case).
I was very impressed with his knowlegde of masonry and the proper way to do the job, and not just do "patch" work. He said he would make the place look brand new.
I haven't decided on the contractor I am going to use yet but Nick is definately at the top of the list right now. He gave me a rough estimate, which I felt was very reasonable (since he will be doing much interior repair work also) and he is going to email me the formal written estimate with starting and ending dates, and other jobs of his I can go to see.
Posted by: premadas at July 10, 2008 11:25 PM in response to Need front stoop built
cotact mr luis luisenrique0571_62@hotmail.com or call 646296
8466
Posted by: guest at July 15, 2008 8:28 AM in response to Need front stoop built
cotact mr luis luisenrique0571_62@hotmail.com or call 646296
8466
Posted by: guest at July 15, 2008 8:28 AM in response to Need front stoop built
cotact mr luis luisenrique0571_62@hotmail.com or call 646296
8466
Posted by: guest at July 15, 2008 8:28 AM in response to Need front stoop built
I just used Eugene/Gambi Electric (646 305 2441). He was great and half the price of his competitor.
Posted by: dobbs at September 8, 2008 2:48 PM in response to Electrician Desperately needed...HELP!