pickles's Profile
Author's Posts
October 19, 2009
Recs from Renovation
Hi all, just finished up an extensive reno project that I basically contracted myself. In the interest of giving back to this community from which I pulled a number of good referrals - here are some picks for tradespeople i was pleased with:
green light expediting - chris and manny were amazing with getting my lpc/plumbing/work permits together. around 4 weeks...in a landmark district. www.greenlightexpediting.com
kevin boyle - excellent and trustworthy carpenter, who hung all my doors, did trim work, kitchen cabinet install, bathroom cabinet fabrication. also does custom furniture - he custom built our dining room table out of american walnut and it looks amazing. he was basically running the show when i was at work and helped with key design considerations. kevinmboyle at yahoo dot com
john hlad plumbing - moved the kitchen from the garden to parlor level, added a parlor bath, replaced old gas lines to rental units, ran vent to roof, got boiler in order for heating season. joe/andy know what they are doing and show up on time, solid work.
rb wyatt - (pick based on brownstoner forum) joe did a great job on my custom shower door, 84 inches high, 1/2 in glass, looks great and feels solid, pro install.
ricardo iron works - (pick based on brownstoner forum) built a steel deck and stair from parlor to garden level. very reasonable pricing and work came out just as expected.
windows we are - (pick based on brownstoner forum) created screens and replaced some clouded glass in existing windows.
a&a chimney - (pick based on brownstoner forum) andre's team opened up a bricked over fireplace on parlor and converted to wood burning. built a firebox/smoke chamber, ran steel liner up to roof. all seems to work well...messy work and glad i did it when the place was a work zone.
September 18, 2009
Extra Siding for Sale/Trade
Hi, I have some extra white aluminum siding that I had a heck of a time finding. like 10 or so 10 ft pieces with some foam insulation...white with a grain pattern.
Also have a couple of free pieces of hardie backer if anyone wants.
please email if interested carrollgardensparking @ gmail.com
August 25, 2009
Fireplace Design Help, Please
I'm entering the final stretch of a grueling reno, and have to make a decision on what to do with 3 fireplace "hearths" on the parlor level...the stone area where the fireplace spills into the room. One will be wood burning, the others will not be used.
I'm thinking carrera for one that will stay non functioning, but unsure whether to tile or go with a stone slab for the others.
My floors are 4 in pine (original subfloor) in a natural finish, surrounds/mantles are marble.
Anyone have some pics of what they've done or links for inspiration?
July 31, 2009
Siding Help
Hi, I have a 3 story extension that is clad in aluminum siding. When replacing windows in the 2nd floor, we discovered a bunch of issues with the back wall which we've had to partially rebuild. Now I have to either try and match the siding or replace it all.
Can anyone recommend a siding person and/or estimate the cost to re-side the back wall? Would consider some sort of stucco but money is tight. Thanks
May 21, 2009
Backyard Door Search
Hi, I'm struggling to find a exterior door with glass to fill a rough opening of 40" by 110" leading to a deck I'm creating. Already checked out the local salvage yards and didnt find anything.
Anyone have a 8 ft door with some lights laying around or know of places that have big doors in stock? The 80" door I bought looks silly as the room has 11 ft ceilings. Thanks in advance.
January 21, 2009
Jumbo Mortgage Rates
Hey, anyone seeing good rates on jumbo mortgages? I'm looking at a 3 family...mortgage amt is over $1 mil.
Best I've seen is 6.1% fixed in this category. Any banks running deals?
Author's Comments
Still tabulating costs, but more than double what i budgeted :)
Posted by: pickles at October 19, 2009 2:30 PM in response to Recs from Renovation
Hey, try George at Coral - 347 451 5589. Depends on the size and what you're doing, but i was in the same boat as you. for an U shaped counter setup that included undermount sink and overhang for island, i spent around $2k.
Posted by: pickles at October 19, 2009 11:19 AM in response to Cost to Fabricate Granite
Great post, can we request more reno/creative improvement type info like this? The pricing commentary by the bklyn real estate “experts” on this site looking to drive prices down is getting old…starting to seem desperate.
Posted by: pickles at September 16, 2009 10:51 AM in response to Cast Iron Fence: We Can Rebuild It
Hey where'd you get that backyard fencing? I'm looking for the same for mine. Thanks
Posted by: pickles at August 4, 2009 4:53 PM in response to Contractor Recs at End of Reno
To clarify - we did move the location of our kitchen to parlor level and moved bedrooms to the garden level, but did not change c of o/use/egress, nor did we make any changes to the facade/street of the building. Sounds like I got lucky I guess, but I felt even 4 weeks of waiting was a long time. I think our expediter did a good job of teeing up the process, and periodically calling landmarks to check status may have helped. Our architect's self cert was audited by the DOB and passed fine..we didnt realize this even happened until we checked recently.
Posted by: pickles at July 8, 2009 12:50 PM in response to Approvals Sob Story - Normal?
Sounds long to me. I just went through the same gauntlet, 3 weeks for landmarks (once plans and app were submitted) with the expediter calling them regularly to keep the process moving. That included time to respond one objection where they wanted to see paint color chip for exterior deck. Then less than 1 week for DOB alt 2 permit, architect self-certified. Used green light expediting, highly recommend them.
Posted by: pickles at July 7, 2009 3:35 PM in response to Approvals Sob Story - Normal?
Hi, What kind of $ are we talking about for that chimney repair? I have a similar small job. Thanks
Posted by: pickles at April 10, 2009 12:21 PM in response to Good Mason
I think it would be cool if the widget recorded each username/corresponding appraisal. When you revist when sold, the closest appraiser could get some sort of praise...
Posted by: pickles at April 1, 2009 2:04 PM in response to House of the Day: 213 Berkeley Place
They had not signed the contract, the plan was we were to sign and they'd bring it to the seller for signature. Then they started stalling...
Probably not illegal, but definitely unethical. Haddasah was the manager's name at Coldwell Banker, a complete snake.
Posted by: pickles at March 30, 2009 12:33 PM in response to Real Estate Broker Setting Up Shop on 7th Avenue
I hope Coldwell Banker Innovation is out of business. I signed a contract on a PS house in 2005, after paying for full engineer inspection, lead paint testing, mortgage application, etc. They wound up selling the house to a higher bidder, without giving us an opportunity to match that bid. This again, after signing a contract that they gave to us.
A heartbreaking experience for us. Completely unethical.
Posted by: pickles at March 30, 2009 11:48 AM in response to Real Estate Broker Setting Up Shop on 7th Avenue
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
We did an oil to gas conversion 3 years ago. Recently our boiler was tripping off for seemingly no reason, which turned out to be due to a small mountain of chimney debris/dust clogging the exhaust. It's important for those that convert their boilers to clean your chimney yearly as natural gas burns hotter and drier, and dries up mortar and such in your chimney. We used Jacobsen for the sweep...good experience.
Posted by: pickles at February 25, 2009 1:05 PM in response to Chimney sweep rec?
Hey, would you mind posting a pic of the shower? I'm looking to create something similar. What did you use for as a basin/drain? Thanks
Posted by: pickles at February 4, 2009 10:51 AM in response to Glass Recommendation
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
I'm an architect and I recommend Foro Marble for all my stone work. Incredible customer service.
Typically, they purchase the stone and you pay them for the stone and the fabrication, so I couldn't speak to the cost of having them do fabrication on stone you've purchased.
Call them at (718) 852-2322, ask for Joan, and tell her I sent you.
Jim Hill, RA, LEED AP
Posted by: JimHill at October 19, 2009 11:42 AM in response to Cost to Fabricate Granite
Where did you get this granite at an incredible price?
Posted by: Gowanus_Bklyn at October 19, 2009 11:58 AM in response to Cost to Fabricate Granite
Very nice posting!
Posted by: Arkady at October 19, 2009 2:31 PM in response to Recs from Renovation
Great post. Thank you for giving back!
Posted by: mamaday at October 19, 2009 2:53 PM in response to Recs from Renovation
I second John Hlad Plumbing. They did a great job replacing my boiler and hot water heater, and at a good price, as well as countless smaller jobs around the house.
Posted by: CarrollGardened at October 19, 2009 2:57 PM in response to Recs from Renovation
thanks for the post - what did the fireplace entail and cost?
we are constantly debating getting our fireplaces working, some actual numbers might help the decision...
Posted by: LafCH at October 19, 2009 3:17 PM in response to Recs from Renovation
i def second rbwyatt for shower doors...our glass frameless shower doors are gorgeous!
Posted by: CGmodern at October 19, 2009 3:59 PM in response to Recs from Renovation
^--- How much did he charge for the glass frameless shower doors installation? Ballpark figure would be nice.
Posted by: CookieCutterBrownstone at October 19, 2009 4:39 PM in response to Recs from Renovation
I'm starting to meet with g.c. for a small bathroom & kitchen reno, but $$ is tight and my husband and I have discussed acting as our own general contractors. Can I email you to ask more specific questions? We'd really like the advice of someone who's been through the process.
Posted by: 12345 at October 19, 2009 5:00 PM in response to Recs from Renovation
Thanks, guys. Good to know.
Believe it or not, I found it on ebay. The only catch was that you have to pick it up yourself in PA = about a three hour drive.
Posted by: bedstuytownhouse at October 19, 2009 5:05 PM in response to Cost to Fabricate Granite
Hey guys, it's my pleasure. Fireplace project was $5k and the shower door was $1800.
Posted by: pickles at October 20, 2009 4:07 PM in response to Recs from Renovation