4:44 - Thanks, that is much better than what I've been seeing so far.

Posted by: kedalb at April 29, 2008 5:22 PM in response to Non-ugly ductless air conditioning units

After reading this post I called Beer and had him over to check out my brownstone. Seems like a great guy - still waiting for his quote.

Posted by: kedalb at April 30, 2008 12:57 PM in response to CO-OP Reno

Total guess - but perhaps the drop ceiling contains the plumbing for the bathroom. If the extension is built directly on a concrete slab, running pipes through the ceiling would make sense. The pipe that you see coming out is probably the plumbing vent.

Posted by: kedalb at May 28, 2008 9:50 AM in response to Small Bathroom Repair Estimate & Recommendations

zillow.com will give you trends that may or may not bear any semblance of reality. PropertyShark.com is a better bet.

Posted by: kedalb at May 28, 2008 12:09 PM in response to sales trends by neighborhood

The only reason I prefer having others logged in is that it makes conversations in comment threads easier to follow. With long (30+) comment threads, its difficult to keep track of who said what at 11:42 and why 9:38 has an issue with 6:45. Especially when 6:45 may or may not have been the poster behind the comment at 7:13!

But in reality, it isn't a situation that I lose sleep over. I'd much prefer it if you fixed up the problem with repeat posting of comments. If you need a hand with your technology, let me know. I can help with that sort of stuff.

However, if you need help with custom newell post design, get in touch with 8:13, I hear he/she is a master.

Posted by: kedalb at May 30, 2008 10:30 AM in response to Taking the Pulse on Anonymous Commenting

ahh.. so that's why he's not at my house every day. he told me he was completely free to work on my project. I guess he is working on your project too.

Posted by: kedalb at June 11, 2008 3:51 PM in response to Contractor Recommendation

I've been working with Fred from Rumba Air. He's a great guy with an excellent crew. They haven't finished yet, so my enthusiasm may be misdirected. But I have a good feeling about this guy. The prep work has been immaculate, they are on time every day, and are very clean.

Posted by: kedalb at June 11, 2008 3:57 PM in response to Fujistu vs. LG mini split systems

Well - he is a really nice guy but I'm not too happy with some of the finishing from his workers. I have told them and him about it and they say they will fix it, but it is yet to be seen. For example, I have not seen the painter ever use painter's tape, and as a consequence the lines aren't as crisp as they should be. Our agreement was to skim coat where needed, and Beer assured me that he would see and fix many more defects than I would notice. But I keep on going back and finding places where they missed. I'm not terribly anal, so I don't think I'm being too nit picky. They say they will go back and fix them - but again, yet to be seen. When I spoke with him earlier today he said "Oh, you know how it is - it is hard to find good workers", which I thought was interesting given that his wife was doing a fair whack of the painting.

They have just finished roughing our bathroom (which needs to be re-done in places as the pipe outlets for our dual sinks aren't anywhere close to symmetrical) and I am concerned about the quality of the finished job.

It was a little amusing watching them try and install my shower. A week before it was delivered, I gave them a long installation document from the manufacturer, complete with detailed measurements and drawings. I read it. I understood it. But when I saw them installing it, the shower was upside down. I had to spend quite some time explaining what the diagrams meant. I found this a little odd as I know nothing about plumbing, yet I understood what to do.

Now that I'm reading my previous paragraphs the experience sounds much more negative than how I feel. But I think its worthwhile pointing out a few of my niggling issues in light of the fact that all the reviews I read and heard about him were 100% glowing.

Posted by: kedalb at June 11, 2008 6:55 PM in response to Contractor Recommendation

I feel pretty bad now. Beer got wind of my post, and while I don't think he has read it, someone told him about it. I didn't mean for it to be a bad review, rather, I just wanted to shed some light on the micro-management issues as tactfully put by guest 11:11.

I had a long chat with him last night and we have settled on a system whereby I will mark all areas where I see the need for improvement and we can then track these issues as they are resolved.

When the job is complete I will try to present a more balanced post that benefits from me knowing the end result rather than what I am seeing at this interim stage.

Posted by: kedalb at June 13, 2008 10:45 AM in response to Contractor Recommendation

Yes - but he usually does the tiling on most of his jobs, but is concerned that with expensive tiles his work may not be perfect. Given that he usually does the tiling, he doesn't know many tilers.

Posted by: kedalb at July 10, 2008 2:13 PM in response to Tiler Recommendation?

lymandval: can you share who your HVAC contractor was?

"got an estimate for approx 15K for 6 LG indoor units 3 outdoor condenser units. full job including electric, plumbing and all equipement. have received much higher estimates and also been given the run around by others"

Posted by: guest at June 11, 2008 4:02 PM in response to Fujistu vs. LG mini split systems

Hahaha!! Well, he's over at my place every other day or so. Maybe he doesn't need too much more work right now. Are you happy with him so far?

Posted by: Sputnik13 at June 11, 2008 4:03 PM in response to Contractor Recommendation

Well - he is a really nice guy but I'm not too happy with some of the finishing from his workers. I have told them and him about it and they say they will fix it, but it is yet to be seen. For example, I have not seen the painter ever use painter's tape, and as a consequence the lines aren't as crisp as they should be. Our agreement was to skim coat where needed, and Beer assured me that he would see and fix many more defects than I would notice. But I keep on going back and finding places where they missed. I'm not terribly anal, so I don't think I'm being too nit picky. They say they will go back and fix them - but again, yet to be seen. When I spoke with him earlier today he said "Oh, you know how it is - it is hard to find good workers", which I thought was interesting given that his wife was doing a fair whack of the painting.

They have just finished roughing our bathroom (which needs to be re-done in places as the pipe outlets for our dual sinks aren't anywhere close to symmetrical) and I am concerned about the quality of the finished job.

It was a little amusing watching them try and install my shower. A week before it was delivered, I gave them a long installation document from the manufacturer, complete with detailed measurements and drawings. I read it. I understood it. But when I saw them installing it, the shower was upside down. I had to spend quite some time explaining what the diagrams meant. I found this a little odd as I know nothing about plumbing, yet I understood what to do.

Now that I'm reading my previous paragraphs the experience sounds much more negative than how I feel. But I think its worthwhile pointing out a few of my niggling issues in light of the fact that all the reviews I read and heard about him were 100% glowing.

Posted by: kedalb at June 11, 2008 6:55 PM in response to Contractor Recommendation

Kedalb, I appreciate your honesty in presenting a balanced picture. It's good to know that this contractor everyone says as enjoyable to work with needs a little micro-management. Please post when he's done with your job and let everyone know if he made good on the promises to fix the problems.

Posted by: guest at June 12, 2008 11:11 PM in response to Contractor Recommendation

I feel pretty bad now. Beer got wind of my post, and while I don't think he has read it, someone told him about it. I didn't mean for it to be a bad review, rather, I just wanted to shed some light on the micro-management issues as tactfully put by guest 11:11.

I had a long chat with him last night and we have settled on a system whereby I will mark all areas where I see the need for improvement and we can then track these issues as they are resolved.

When the job is complete I will try to present a more balanced post that benefits from me knowing the end result rather than what I am seeing at this interim stage.

Posted by: kedalb at June 13, 2008 10:45 AM in response to Contractor Recommendation

Kedalb, that's interesting input. So far I've used Beer for things that don't require too much finishing or attention to detail. I know he is thorough and responsible when it comes to that. He's done a bang-up job framing in the walls, and I have no doubt he can lay out the plumbing well, but for example I plan to do drywall work myself so that I can control the final quality of the work. Same with moldings, flooring and painting. Well, post an update when he's through with your place, hopefully Beer can redeem himself when he presents you the final product!

Posted by: Sputnik13 at June 15, 2008 12:26 PM in response to Contractor Recommendation

We just had our bathroom re-tiled and we used Rob Mara. He advertises on Craig's List as "the grout & tile guy." We have used him a few times for plumbers patching and cracked grout/tile repairs over the last 5 years and since he'd always done nice work on those small jobs, we hired him to do the bathroom walls and also to re-grout the existing 2x2 tile floor. He did a very nice job and he's a really nice and friendly guy. His pricing is very fair and he and his helper worked quickly and cleaned up after themselves. Don't hesitate to tell him that Laurie in Brooklyn Heights referred you. You can also email me if you need any additional info laurie.duncan - at - gmail - dot - com

Here's his contact info:
Rob Mara
917-670-6900
www.thegroutandtileguy.com

Posted by: laurie11201 at July 10, 2008 3:06 PM in response to Tiler Recommendation?

We used a tiler named John Ortiz, I highly recommend him, can't find his phone number anywhere.

The contractor who sent him our way is Matt diFrancesco (also cannot recommend him highly enough). His email is tenfingers@earthlink.net

Posted by: guest at July 10, 2008 3:50 PM in response to Tiler Recommendation?

I hate to say it, but I'd be careful if you use Rob Mara. I hired him to do some work based on recommendations on this site. He did one job relatively well, the other he seemed rushed, didn't plan the tile layout well, resulting in uneveness in the tiling and gaps where a backsplash met the counter and the cabinets. He was very nice, and didn't charge exorbidant rates, but I was less than pleased with the end result. He can do good work, but we had an inconsistent experience.

Look, one job was good enough, the other needs to be redone, I'll leave it at that.

Posted by: guest at July 10, 2008 4:05 PM in response to Tiler Recommendation?

Don't use Steve's regrouting and tiling. He will be your worst nightmare.

I found him on apartment therapy website and he got great reviews.
I checked the references and they were good.

I signed a legit contract for 50% down and the rest payable to my satisfaction at the end.
The day came around he never showed up or called and my check was cashed promptly.
I had to chase him when I found him he could not care less about doing the job.
After threatening to take him to court he gave my money back a month later.
No explanation or apologies.
He also owns property all over Staten Island.
Stay away from him.

He appears polite and friendly.

Posted by: Ysabelle at July 10, 2008 5:53 PM in response to Tiler Recommendation?