FLATTERY is NOT flattering and doesn't represent the neighborhood. RAMBO is much more appropriate.

Posted by: nise17 at November 19, 2009 9:40 AM in response to Commercial Klutch: November Edition

Just to be clear, I wasn't suggesting that actual fire inspectors came to our building and then used whatever information they learned for a well planned break-in.

We felt that thieves impersonating fire inspectors were responsible.

Posted by: nise17 at November 9, 2009 12:44 PM in response to Fire Dept Inspection

*********CAUTION**********************

I'm sorry I haven't posted this sooner.

One of my tenants in a 3 family building let 3 "inspectors" from the fire department into the building and their apartment last August. They were in full uniform, badges included. The "inspectors" looked around their apartment, went up to the roof and then let themselves out without leaving any paperwork, getting a signature, etc... A few days later the building was robbed.

The detective assigned to the case wasn't helpful at all and was unwilling to follow up with the Fire Department regarding the inspection. To us, there seemed to be an obvious link between the inspection and the burglary so we did our own investigation.

As we suspected, the Fire Department had no record of an inspection. The thieves were casing the building. Scary stuff!

Shockingly, the police department wouldn't acknowledge a link between the bogus inspection and the robbery despite the evidence.

The fact that the inspectors who visited your building left no paperwork and recommended that your tenants leave the roof hatch unlocked suggests another bogus inspection.

I recommend checking with the FD to see if it was legitimate. If not, contact your local precinct. If you need more information about my case, I'd be happy to help...

Posted by: nise17 at November 9, 2009 11:30 AM in response to Fire Dept Inspection

Your labor costs seem very high and I wouldn't expect the job to take 4-6 weeks.
If the job takes 4 weeks with 2 guys on site at any given time, that breaks down to almost $54/hr. per person. If it takes 6 weeks, $36/hr.
For about $20/hr. you can still get very professional results.

Posted by: nise17 at October 28, 2009 10:53 AM in response to Bathroom Reno - Any Opinions?

I'm a little confused...The Bed Stuy House Tour flyer says "Brochures are mandatory for the tour" and that "Tour Brochure Distributed at 11:00am No Exceptions." Does this mean that if you show up later, say noon, you've missed the event even though it runs from 11:00-4:00 or are they just trying to suggest that you can't pick them up earlier?

Posted by: nise17 at October 16, 2009 5:19 PM in response to House Tour Double-Shot This Weekend

http://handymaneric.com/

Posted by: nise17 at September 30, 2009 5:48 PM in response to a Good Handy Man is Hard to Find

As tiptoe mentioned, it is very important to get letters from former tenants stating that they left voluntarily. If they have not lived there for the previous 3 years, see if they can help you uncover the tenant history for the entire 36 month period that HPD will review.

Once you get your CofNH, you'll need the building department to approve your plans to convert the building to a 3 family. Do the necessary renovation, get the job signed off and receive your new CofO! The entire process (including getting the CofNH) could take around 2 years.

Posted by: nise17 at June 23, 2009 4:59 PM in response to SRO to 3 family?

A handyman with light plumbing skills will be able to handle the job. Handyman Eric has installed a few kitchens for me and is great! All his info is available here:

http://handymaneric.com/

Posted by: nise17 at June 23, 2009 12:38 PM in response to replacing kitchen sink

Expert Appliance Center:

http://www.expertappliancecenter.com/
(718) 858-5444

Posted by: nise17 at June 18, 2009 3:50 PM in response to Central AC Repair

Give Rick Ladd a call. He's a talented and reliable carpenter that I have worked with in the past. You can check him out here:

http://RickLaddBrooklyn.com

Posted by: nise17 at June 15, 2009 12:34 AM in response to Pocket door repair

Handyman Eric has helped me on a number of projects. He does quality work and is reliable and friendly on top of that. Highly recommended!

http://handymaneric.com/

Posted by: nise17 at April 30, 2009 3:45 PM in response to Looking for Handyman

I had a similar problem last year and learned that a freon leak leaves behind a black, oily residue. That helped me locate my leak. Fortunately, it wasn't behind the walls so it was relatively easy to spot and repair. If you're not convinced that your leak is actually behind your hallway wall, look for that residue. If it is behind the wall, my understanding is that you'll have to open it up. Good luck!

Posted by: nise17 at April 30, 2009 1:35 AM in response to AC Leak & Repair Recommendation

I had a very bad experience with Beer who ultimately walked out on my job without bothering to tell me. After weeks of no-shows and unreturned phone calls he finally answered his phone and told me that the remaining balance owed to him wasn't enough incentive for him to finish the job but that he would come back if I paid him more. Despite being set back a few weeks and eager to get things moving again, I didn't.

During the job, I had to re-negotiate our contract twice because work we agreed upon was not done. When asked about the overlooked work, he repeatedly claimed that he was not responsible for what is stated in the contract because he didn't read it before he signed it. It's not very easy to reason with someone who believes that to be a legitimate argument.

He treated his workers HORRIBLY, frequently referring to them as f**khead. As in, f**khead, get me that f**king hammer NOW. When said hammer was retrieved, the worker was usually berated for not fetching it fast enough.

Most of the work he did complete was acceptable which is why I kept him on for as long as I did. But, letting him go was a huge relief as his replacements were talented, reliable, reasonable and respectful.

I hired him based on favorable feedback from other Brownstoner users so it appears that my experience is unique. Nevertheless, I highly recommend NOT using Thahal Beer.

Posted by: nise17 at April 6, 2009 4:05 PM in response to Contractor recommendation: Beer

http://handymaneric.com/

Eric has helped me a lot in the past. He is reliable, friendly and does good work.

Posted by: nise17 at March 30, 2009 2:03 PM in response to Looing for handyman

Thanks for the replies! Does anyone have any plumber recommendations for this kind of job?

Posted by: nise17 at March 18, 2009 12:47 PM in response to Sprinkler Flow Test

I'm not sure but since I don't know when the last time the system was tested, it's probably best to do the more comprehensive option.

Posted by: nise17 at March 17, 2009 5:22 PM in response to Sprinkler Flow Test

Eric aka HandymanEric has been helping me finish up a project in Crown Heights. He does great work and is extremely reliable. I highly recommend him. You can contact him via his website: http://handymaneric.com/

Posted by: nise17 at February 3, 2009 10:54 PM in response to Handyman recommendations

Rick helped me finish up a project in Crown Heights recently. He does good work at a reasonable rate, is very reliable and a nice guy to have around the job site. I highly recommend him!

Posted by: nise17 at February 3, 2009 10:47 PM in response to Carpenter to fix the stairs

I'm not sure you're right about tonight, Brownstoner. Thisoldhouse.com says it's not airing until Saturday at 7:00 on PBS and a quick check through my DVR confirms that. If I've overlooked the broadcast, please let me know - I don't want to miss it!

Posted by: nise17 at January 22, 2009 9:34 AM in response to TOH Brooklyn Airing Tonight

It is definitely an SRO with 1 class A unit and 9 class B's. (The class B units are the SRO rooms). I see 35 violations, many of them recent.

It looks like a previous owner renovated the building without permits (and a Cert. of Non-Harassment from HPD) so the building dept's. records no longer match the current configuration as a 4 family. The violations against the building confirm this; One of them states "file plans and obtain a certificate of occupancy to legalize the following alteration or restore premises to prior legal condition reduction in occupancy 1 class a apt & 9 class b room to 4 class a apts."

It won't be fun trying to legalize the illegal 4-family configuration and will probably cost a lot in building dept. fines.

Posted by: nise17 at December 30, 2008 2:43 PM in response to House of the Day: 189 6th Avenue

Thank you all for your help! I will give all the recommended contractors a call first thing tomorrow morning!

Posted by: nise17 at November 2, 2008 4:06 PM in response to General Contractor Recommendation

CG, the scuttle shouldn't be padlocked because it is a alternate way to the roof if the Dirtbags house is on fire. They didn't leave you paperwork because it is a pain in the !@# for everyone involved. The Bloomberg Admin. see's fire inspections and fines as an untapped revenue stream, people get your homes in order.

Posted by: Grumpy at November 10, 2009 11:46 AM in response to Fire Dept Inspection

After the fatal fire in Queens this weekend, the fire prevention group went out looking for more illegal apartments. If you live in a basement apartment, there must be a secondary means of egress and the windows must be openable a certain distance above ground. If the apartment doesn't meet code, you will be vacated. People get hostile when that happens, but it's better than burning to death.

Posted by: oshma at November 10, 2009 11:47 AM in response to Fire Dept Inspection

Two means of egress, the definition of basement is 50% of the space must be above curb level. Otherwise it is a cellar. But even if you meet the above criteria that doesn't mean you are in a legal inhabitable space. There are zoning regs, certificates of occupancy and other rules.

Posted by: Grumpy at November 10, 2009 12:16 PM in response to Fire Dept Inspection

The FD has the local firehouse doing inspections and civilian inspectors, the civilian inspectors are stricter then the firemen, they will write a summons. The firemen are looking for things that will endanger their lives and yours. Imagine them crawling around your,hot smoke filled hallway and apt. looking for your unconscious body. They don't want to get hung up on the bike in the hall, fall through the missing step on the fire escape. They want to be able to vent the hallway of the toxic smoke by gaining access to the roof and opening the scuttle, bulkhead door or hallway skylight.

Posted by: Grumpy at November 10, 2009 12:31 PM in response to Fire Dept Inspection

Grumpy- great information and clear explanations. Much needed.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 11, 2009 11:50 AM in response to Fire Dept Inspection