flyingfish's Profile
Author's Posts
May 16, 2008
Who to hire for Concrete grading?
We had our mud hut removed from our Bed-Stuy brownstone, and nw need to do some back-filling on the piece of ground that was under the mud hut.
Meanwhile, our basement is getting water as a result of the recent rains. WHo can I get to put some concrete in that can be both an attractive patio as well as graded away from the building so we don't get water into the basement?
April 9, 2008
Need forced air heating ducts cleaned
I have forced air heat (in Bed-Stuy), and some of the ducts seem to be blowing a little weakly.
I was referred to a company called Envirospect who will use huge fancy vacuums to clean them all - and want about $1000.00 to do so.
Is this a decent price? It seems high.
I'm just wondering who else is out there who does this, and does it well, perhaps for not so much $$$.
Thanks!
April 7, 2008
Gardener/Landscaper needed in Bed-Stuy
We are looking for someone to help us design and supervise implementing the design of our garden in Stuyvesant Hts. Not big budget!
However, some pavers/bluestone, and horticultural help needed. We recently had a mudroom addition removed, so some cement work/brick work / pavers is needed to provide the proper drainage and grading away from the foundation where the old mudroom used to be.
Any and all suggestions of good people to work with requested, please!
Many thanks.
April 2, 2008
Forced Air Heat diagnosis / tuneup / repair?
We have a new tenant, and they are complaining that their apartment is cold (top floor). We have forced air heating, and our two floors are toasty. It's true that their apartment is definitely not as warm as ours.
Can anyone recommend an outfit that can come and look to see if the ducts are blocked. need cleaning, or any other adjustments that might be in order?
We live in Bed-Stuy.
Thanks!
January 5, 2008
Architect MIA for TR1 final signoff
We have a job that's finished, and all that's left to be done is for the architect who filed the permits for us to do the TR1 filing for self-cert. The architect is hard to get in touch with, and seems to not want to get involved. According to NYC Dept. of Buildings, it's MUCH easier if the original filing architect finishes this off, rather than having to hire a new one to finish his work. Any advice as to how to get this done, or what it would cost to have a new architect come in to finish this off for us?
Many thanks!
December 7, 2007
Anyone used Debra Salomon?
I'm needing some design advice for my brownstone. Has anyone here done work with Debra Salomon/408 Design?
November 26, 2007
Missing Post about wall ladder?
Two days ago, I started a thread entitled "Where to buy 9' fixed ladder to roof?" - The post got a few responses, and then seems to have been deleted, along with the thread. before I start a new thread, Mr. Brownstoner - can you republish the thread? Or tell me why/how it got deleted? Thanks!
November 23, 2007
How to close / protect outside spigot for winter?
In the summer we had a faucet installed in the back yard, running from the basement. The plumber put two shutoff faucets on the line - one in the basement and one outside where the hose attaches. At the time, he told me to make sure to turn off the faucet in the basement when the weather got cold, so that the pipes wouldn't freeze and burst.
I did that today, and am just wondering whether I should leave the outdoor faucet closed or open?
(I opened it after doing the basement shutoff, so as to allow the water left in the pipe to run out.)
Thanks!
Tenant never opened account with Con Ed
We have a two family, and currently have a tenant who signed a lease with us about 7 months ago. We've noticed that they've never signed up with Con Ed for electrical service. We have separate meters, and our previous tenant got regular bills from Con Ed. This tenant is regularly late with the rent, recently had their gas service shut off by Keyspan for non-payment, etc. I'm wondering if we have any liability in terms of their electrical use (somehow Con Ed is supplying them with electricity, even though they never signed up for an account.)
Would it be wrong to contact Con Ed? Advice, please, thanks!
October 28, 2007
Ceiling Medallions?
I want to get a ceiling medallion for my living room, and then install a chandelier. At present there is a horrifying 70's Las Vegas-style light fixture. I've seen some nice ceiling medallions online - both those made of plaster, as well as some made of other materials (man-made?)
A few questions: Am I better off with the plaster vs. the man-made?
Who would be the person to install a medallion? Contractor? Plaster specialist? Painter ? (I'm having the ceiling painted and skim coated - is this a job the painter could do?)
Any reommendations for a good person for this job?
What would be a fair price for installation of a 28" diameter medallion?
I've seen instructions online for installing medallinos, and they have instructions for permanent installaion, as well as removable in the future installation.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Author's Comments
No doubt - still? Would love some feedback, please. Thanks.
Posted by: flyingfish at November 23, 2007 2:04 PM in response to Tenant never opened account with Con Ed
Architectural Sculpture has moved to Bed-Stuy. They're on Atlantic Acenue now, near Utica.
Posted by: flyingfish at November 25, 2007 10:14 AM in response to Faking it, limestone style
The iron place on Madison St. in Bed-Stuy quoted me $200 to make this ladder -not so cheap.
I'd be interested to hear how much 3:41's person charged.
Posted by: flyingfish at November 25, 2007 10:20 AM in response to Where to buy 9' fixed ladder to roof?
www.ironworkny.com
1-877-935-3371
1-718-443-2676
764 Madison St.
Posted by: flyingfish at November 25, 2007 3:35 PM in response to Where to buy 9' fixed ladder to roof?
www.brownstoneauthority.com
Brownstone Authority - facade/exterior work
Juan Mos
917-554-6428
718 972 2836
Posted by: flyingfish at November 27, 2007 1:18 PM in response to Brownstoner Authority #
Re: Putnamdenizen 9:41 AM:Windowshield=Weathershield, I believe.
Curious how much the Marvins from Dykes cost, as well as the Weathershields, if you don't mind posting.
Thanks.
Posted by: flyingfish at November 27, 2007 1:22 PM in response to Brownstone Window Replacement: A 3-part question
Giovanna,
Do you have the name of the metal shop on 9th and 3rd Ave., by any chance?
Posted by: flyingfish at November 27, 2007 2:36 PM in response to Missing Post about wall ladder?
OP here. Thank you rasmalai and guest(s) for your input.
I don't think we were the cheap nasty owners from hell, although the architect might not think of us as friends - we had a low-ish budget, and the architect worked with us on it, with several revisions of drawings etc.
The original architect did a wonderful job on the design - we love the way the renovation worked out - it's just that the architect is very slow to return phone calls - if they ever get returned at all. We were paying this person by the hour, and always paid out bills on time - many thousands of dollars worth. At the moment, there are no outstanding invoices, and we are happy to pay the architect to come and do this last sign-off - we just want the architect to reply to our many calls, and to show up - so we can all move on!
Posted by: flyingfish at January 6, 2008 11:58 AM in response to Architect MIA for TR1 final signoff
Thanks , but the mud hut was falling apart and not worth saving. So - anyone have any idea who to call for this?
WOuld a landscaping outfit do the work?
Buscarello Concrete? I'd like not to break the bank, and still have it both work to keep the water sloped away from the building and look nice as well. How much do you experts think this might run?
Thanks!
Posted by: flyingfish at May 16, 2008 8:59 PM in response to Who to hire for Concrete grading?
Thanks for the replies.
I went on the NYC Civil Court website, and they say that the maximum amount is $5000 - so I'm not sure about the $25K maximum menioned above - ccan anyone clarify?
Also - I'm still looking for a lawyer referral - can someone help?
I think I want to send a scary letter first. ANd - if the amount is around $7500 - should I take hime to small claims for the $5K (assuming that's the ceiling), or sue him for the higher amount in another court?
Thanks!
Posted by: flyingfish at September 27, 2007 4:16 PM in response to Need lawyer to go after Nightmare Contractor