I have a great guy - we and a few friends have used him for a bunch of things from painting to hanging ceiling fans to fixing a sink. Call Gus at 646 491 3226. Tell him Jesse from 3rd street referred you. He's a great guy, I've posted about him before here (and I found him on Brownstoner.com)

Posted by: jessenyc at November 2, 2009 11:45 AM in response to Looking for Fix-It Suggestions

Try Gus - we and some friends have used him and he's great. 646 491 3226. Tell him Jesse from 391 referred him.

Posted by: jessenyc at October 20, 2009 9:27 AM in response to Desperately seeking painter

They just came back with $620 each for aluminum (black outside, white inside) or $895 for pine (38 x 77 1/4) - Crystal CTD 2000A for the outside and $540 each for the white vinyl (38 x 76) Alside Sheffield. Seemed in line with what we were expecting.

Posted by: jessenyc at October 16, 2009 4:16 PM in response to Window We Are

Thanks again guys. Yeah, definitely doing the screens and the Argon double-paned. I'm only doing 6 windows so I'd rather pay up a bit to get it done right without going too crazy. Ringo, I'm on 3rd street so landmarked doesn't apply, but WWA does carry landmark-approved.

Posted by: jessenyc at October 16, 2009 10:15 AM in response to Window We Are

Thanks Christopher, that's exactly what I wanted to know (it's also kind of what I figured)! Bruce at WWA recommended wood for the front and vinyl in the rear as well, since it'd be cheaper but still look good. Thanks a bunch, I appreciate the feedback!

Posted by: jessenyc at October 16, 2009 7:25 AM in response to Window We Are

I used Gus, recommended on this board, to repair and repaint my apt. He was great, can't recommend him enough, and was much less than others. Probably worth it to give him a call at 646 491 3226.

Posted by: jessenyc at March 6, 2009 10:54 AM in response to paint stripping

I just used A&A Chimney (718-789-0144) a few weeks ago based off recommendations on Brownstoner. They came on time and swept our chimney which hadn't been cleaned in 4 or 5 years (we just bought the apt) in 30 minutes and left no mess. They charged $125, which seems to be the going rate. Not sure how often you're supposed to clean a chimney, but I'd use them again w/o reservation.

Posted by: jessenyc at February 25, 2009 12:45 PM in response to Chimney sweep rec?

Prints Charming does really nice high-quality work (IMHO). Not cheap, but great quality. 310 4th St btw 5th & 6th ave. (718) 230-8118

Posted by: jessenyc at February 11, 2009 1:11 PM in response to Picture Framing

Thanks! We have a basement so as long as that's a safe storage spot that'd work. Much appreciated.

Posted by: jessenyc at February 6, 2009 4:22 PM in response to Firewood Delivery?

I just used Gus Home Improvement to replaster and paint my apt in the slope. Gus's price was below others and he did a bunch of freebies like hanging two ceiling fans, fix a sink, and install molding around a closet door all at the end of the project after he gave me the price quote for just the plaster / painting. I offered to pay him extra but he refused to take it. He also found me a floor refinisher that did the job for almost 1k lower than other rates (about 2.50 a square foot, including staining). Gus's number is 646 491 3226, and I'll definitely be using him for any future projects.

Posted by: jessenyc at January 9, 2009 12:27 PM in response to Resurfacing walls

Gotcha, yeah it's tough right now on both sides. Our first mortgage broker actually advised me to walk away from the purchase b/c of the difficulty getting a mortgage for a co-op right now (i.e. we'd have the same problem selling as you and our seller had - no one can get a mortgage so we might not be able to sell it if we had to in a few years). Good luck, hopefully things will pick up again soon!

Posted by: jessenyc at January 5, 2009 3:42 PM in response to Mortgages for a co-op apt?

It's a little more complicated than that. I just bought into a 4 unit co-op and had a problem getting a loan. I have great credit and strong income compared to the mortgage amount, but couldn't find a lender willing to lend into a 4 unit deal. I was told if it were 5 units or more, or if was a condo, it wouldn't have been a problem. And this includes Chase, Citi, Wells, Astoria Financial, and National Financial. In the end, Citi was able to help us b/c the seller had a Citi mortgage. Citi was willing to lend on condition that our mortgage was wired directly back to Citibank to pay off the seller's mortgage. It's all about risk exposure to the bank. If you're looking for a mortgage, I highly recommend Euguene Lee at Apple Mortgage - 917 796-1160).

Posted by: jessenyc at January 5, 2009 3:12 PM in response to Mortgages for a co-op apt?

I highly recommend a guy named Gus that I found through this site. I actually joined Brownstoner just to make this recommendation. He and his team fixed the plaster, painted, hung ceiling fans, and did some other touch up work to our 2 bedroom brownstone apt these past two weeks. He also brought in his friend to refinish our hardwood floors at $2.55 a square foot (including staining), over $1.00 cheaper than anyone else I found. He's a great all-around handyman too and did a bunch of free stuff for us as well. Highly recommended - a great guy!

UPDATE: I forgot to include Gus's phone number. It's 646 491-3226.

Posted by: jessenyc at January 5, 2009 10:31 AM in response to PAINTER NEEDED

I highly recommend a guy named Gus that I found through this site. I actually joined Brownstoner just to make this recommendation. He and his team fixed the plaster, painted, hung ceiling fans, and did some other touch up work to our 2 bedroom brownstone apt these past two weeks. He also brought in his friend to refinish our hardwood floors at $2.55 a square foot (including staining), over $1.00 cheaper than anyone else I found. He's a great all-around handyman too and did a bunch of free stuff for us as well. Highly recommended - a great guy!

Posted by: jessenyc at January 5, 2009 10:29 AM in response to PAINTER NEEDED

I second Joe Salem. He has done three mantles and our entire banister. He is nice and honest:
www.woodzoneinc.com

Posted by: PHfamily at March 6, 2009 3:18 PM in response to paint stripping

If you don't mind doing it yourself, and want to avoid chemicals and dust associated with paint removal, I highly recommend the Silent Paint Remover. it's a tool that uses infrared heat and honestly, it removes 120 plus years' layers of thick paint in one pass. There's nothing more satisfying than revealing the wood beneath the paint, and the Silent Paint Remover is worth the money.

Posted by: honeycut at March 6, 2009 5:34 PM in response to paint stripping

about the infrared paint removal tool:

I heard horror stories about removing paint with heat gun. It is possible to create embers inside of the wood and if not noticed, the embers can start fire in few hours. Does the infrared tool creates the same risks? I also heard about the ultrasound tool.

Posted by: bobjohn at March 6, 2009 5:42 PM in response to paint stripping

I bought a Silent Paint Remover, used it for a couple of days... and then hired Joe Salem.
I third Joe Salem.

Posted by: cobblehillcat at March 6, 2009 6:54 PM in response to paint stripping

Hi guys, i need some pocket doors stripped as well. Any ballpark of what this joe salem would charge?

Posted by: pickles at March 7, 2009 11:07 AM in response to paint stripping

I fourth Joe Salem! Can't give you a ballpark on pocket doors as he only stripped and stained window and door casings for me which had already been partially stripped by someone else. All I can tell you on pricing is that Joe was not the cheapest -- that's the guy I ended up firing. And, he most certainly was not the most expensive --that's the person I thought to be delusional with his quote. Joe came in at the middle, supplied all the materials, and did a great job.

Posted by: Brooklynista at March 8, 2009 12:17 PM in response to paint stripping

I'm a kitchen and bath designer, in Brooklyn I recommend
Dean of East End Woodstrippers
lots of Brooklyn experience:
718 783-4112

please tell him Clare from 121 referred you
http://www.refinishny.com/

Doors will cost about $150-250 each, depending on how large, how much detail, etc

Posted by: one2one at March 9, 2009 5:06 PM in response to paint stripping

Best price on framing in the city is way up on the Upper East Side

1405 2nd av

They do all the framing for this art gallery, so they have UNMATCHABLE economies of scale.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/for/1147761715.html

I've used them for years! They've always been on craigslist!

Posted by: thinkyouspeak at April 30, 2009 2:41 PM in response to Picture Framing

were the wood windows landmark approved? I need to get about 30 as well for our building

Posted by: Ringo at October 16, 2009 8:49 AM in response to Window We Are

Ringo,
WWA can do landmark windows. I'm not on a landmarked block so I didn't concern myself with the minutia of landmark approval. They are wood, but not on a weighted chain system. They look original but I don't know how crazy Landmarks would get if they weren't on the weight/chain (and I know you can get new weight/chain windows if you want).

Call WWA and talk to them about Landmarks, I know they do them and they were very familiar with them (the installers even asked me why I went with wood on a non-landmarked block - I like the look)

Jesse,
Go with the LowE Argon and get the screens for the wood windows. The front windows look great, but a bit naked without the screens (and if I remember the screens are like $55 a piece give or take - not a lot in the grander context of 31 windows)

Posted by: christopher at October 16, 2009 9:03 AM in response to Window We Are