South Sloper's Profile
Author's Posts
September 8, 2009
Messy DOB Situation with Ext.
I have been putting this off for too long, but now feel like I need to bite the bullet and deal so I thought I'd come to the experts for advice...
When we bought our ramshackle house (naive first-time buyers), there were no plans on file at DOB and the inspector did not flag that the extension was done illegally. Now it seems obvious, but we had no idea at the time.
Halfway into the job, our contractor/architect pair hipped us to the problem and said that DOB would probably make us knock it down. They did a gut reno using plans that did not show the extension and advised us that this would be an issue if we ever wanted to sell (which we don't). We have not yet closed out the work order at DOB
When I asked the architect recently how much it would cost for him to revise the plans for submission to DOB, he quoted $12K! Now I'm feeling 100% stuck and also unclear on the implications re: a fine from DOB at some point or even the likelihood of a plan revision getting through.
Can anyone suggest a plan of action here? (Oh yeah, we can't refi our mortgage with an open work order, too.)
Thank you.
January 29, 2009
NYC-assessed market value
I just opened this year's statement and the market value on our skinny, small house has shot up $298K! It's a disproportionate increase, out of line with the market.
Should I challenge it or does it not matter? Thanks for your help.
December 23, 2008
WTF - Park Slope Plumbing?!@#
I've had good experiences with them in the past, but lately their service has been atrocious: orders long overdue, 10+ calls with no call back. Anyone else having this experience with them?
(And no, it's not just because of the holiday. This is going back several months.)
September 12, 2008
Quote to 'check out' gas heater
I got a quote of $125 to have someone check out our gas heater for the season. I am confident everything is OK with the heater, we just haven't had it checked out for 4 years. Do you think that figure is reasonable - sound high to me.
July 23, 2008
Soffit, downspout, gutter repair
Can anyone recommend people to repair a soffit, replace the downspout, and install at least one new gutter?
What material do you recommend: vinyl or aluminum?
Also, what's the ballpark cost (it's a three-story, 16' brick house).
Thanks.
Author's Comments
I'd also recommend you swing by a used furniture place on 5th Avenue around 14th or 15th streets. It's all traditional pieces but they're refurbished and in fairly good condition. I've seen some great things there and I'm guessing they'll negotiate, since I rarely see people there. Timeless Treasures, I think it is.
You could also try Olde Goode Things, on 24th street in Chelsea. They have a website you can check out in advance.
Also, if you're willing to spend, try Rico on Atlantic. It's all fairly modern, but last I checked they can order you anything from the Mitchell Gold line. Also, in the 'willing to spend' category, there's a Grange warehouse sale in Secaucus once or twice a year; they sell high-end, beautiful (traditional French) pieces. If you call the main store on 200 Lexington, they can probably get you on a list or tell you the date of the next sale.
Posted by: South Sloper at July 14, 2009 7:50 PM in response to Furniture Stores in Brooklyn?
I hesitate to pipe up after vinca's awesome post, but I recommend you check out the front gardens on 11th or 12th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues (it's the block on the south side of the Ansonia Clock Building). People have put in some creative plantings and those are looong front gardens.
Also, on 2nd or 3rd Place in Carroll Gardens, between Hoyt and Clinton, there are a number of buildings with lovely front gardens. Since some face north and some face south you can get ideas for your specific situation. If you go on a weekend, you might catch some of the owners in their gardens; I've found them to be particularly friendly and interested in talking about their choices.
Enjoy your project!
Posted by: South Sloper at June 7, 2009 12:57 PM in response to Landscaping help for front yards
We always use Michael Deranieri (718) 791-8396). Here's the string of recommendations from parkslopeparents.com:
He'll drive to wherever you're located. I'm sure he does a lot of work in Fort Greene.
Posted by: South Sloper at May 18, 2009 10:41 AM in response to LOOKING FOR PLUMBER
I've had good experiences with Bill Fidelo (http://billsgardens.com/) and Julie Cummings (http://www.juliecummingsurbangardener.com/about.html).
Julie is low-key and knowledgeable. Bill has a long up-front meeting with you to really clarify your goals and expectations and has a skilled team of people to do the work.
Posted by: South Sloper at May 18, 2009 10:37 AM in response to Gardener
How about Sidecar, on 5th Avenue and 15th (I think). The owners took great care with the reno and turn out consistently good bar food and well-mixed cocktails.
It would be great to have a lot of reviews of West Indian restaurants (besides Brawta).
I second the vote for Milan's, too.
Did you do Get Fresh NYC already? Love them...
Posted by: South Sloper at April 13, 2009 7:45 PM in response to Nominate Your Favorite Restaurants
I love the roses at Zuzu's Petals, but had to give up the habit many months ago because of cost. I was surprised to find that the local flower shop, the type with a neon sign and garish carnation displays, carries lovely, affordable, and long-lived flowers: roses, lilies, delphinium, alstromeria, etc.
The place I go is on 5th Avenue around 14th street, but it's the type of place you would find in most not-quite-gentrified neighborhoods. I recommend walking in to places that may seem unassuming, try them out, and you might find a consistent local source that could even order some things for you.
FWIW, I had only rotten experienced with Root Stock and Quade back when they were on 7th Avenue. My husband sent me flowers in the summer and, when the flowers died within 24 hours, I asked for replacements and the *supervisor* blamed my husband for selecting a particular flower that doesn't do well in the heat! Never again....
Posted by: South Sloper at April 10, 2009 10:53 PM in response to Buying cut flowers in Brooklyn
I'd like to do a combo glass door/wall of windows (far in the future when I can afford to), and I have some preliminary questions for people who have made this change:
- How do you keep the room from being cold with that much window exposure?
- What have people advised you in terms of security? (We've been burglarized once, then I installed bars in the windows.)
Thanks for any info you can share.
Posted by: South Sloper at March 3, 2009 11:35 AM in response to Sourcing black windows
We used Schnall on our renovation 5 years ago. He did get the job done, but it was a hassle.
Speaking with them on the phone was hectic, when we did get through to one of them.
They lost our plans at a key point in the process and we lost about two weeks time as a result.
Next time, I'll work with an office staffed by people willing and able to explain things and get things done right....as opposed to just getting them done.
Check other sites for recommendations. I think parkslopeparents.com has a recommendations section that includes expeditors, for instance.
Good luck.
Posted by: South Sloper at February 24, 2009 11:59 AM in response to Scott Schnall: Questions
I had trouble finding it as well. Here's what I found via Google:
John Roggenkamp Roof & Sheet Metal, Inc
510 76th St, Brooklyn, NY 11209-3305
Contact Phone: (718) 680-1217
FWIW, I saw a number of recommendations for Leak Master when I was searching for Roggenkamp's information; assuming they haven't planted their own good press, you should search under "roofer" here, read the posts, and get a quote from them as well.
Good luck
Posted by: South Sloper at February 13, 2009 7:35 PM in response to Skylight Not Sealed
I have the same problem and, according to our faithful contractor, your skylight is not intended for residential use without some kind of glass/plexiglass buffer.
I don't remember the terminology he used, but you might want to contact John Roggenkamp and ask him to assess the situation and give you an estimate on fixing things. He's old school and, in my experience, won't advise you to do unnecessary work. You can find his contact info in prior Forum posts.
Posted by: South Sloper at February 12, 2009 2:41 PM in response to Skylight Not Sealed
Try Bend and Bloom on Sackett (bendandbloom.com). It's a beautiful, newly renovated space and the owner hired really talented teachers. They even have an early a.m. weekday class, which makes it easier to stick to my resolution.
Posted by: South Sloper at January 13, 2009 7:58 AM in response to Best yoga place in BoCoCa?
You're both right, of course. Thank you for weighing in.
Posted by: South Sloper at December 23, 2008 8:39 PM in response to WTF - Park Slope Plumbing?!@#
I'm also interested to hear how insulation gets added. I have a frame extension to a brick house BUT it doesn't have a full foundation underneath; I'm told these extensions are common in my end of the Slope. I got a quote from Buscarello once on a demo/rebuild but was so horrified by the price I never pursued it. What are some other options?
Posted by: South Sloper at November 10, 2008 6:59 PM in response to extension insulation ?
This may seem an odd stretch, but I once went to the Grand Brass Lamp Parts store in Bushwick and noticed a shop where people were making spindles. If you don't have luck finding pre-made spindles that match yours, perhaps you can track down the name/number of this place next to Grand Brass. Here's the Grand Brass website: http://www.grandbrass.com/default.htm
Good luck.
Posted by: South Sloper at September 18, 2008 10:30 AM in response to Looking to match Spindles
I recently had John Roggenkamp do some minor work to improve my roof drainage and would recommend him. Unlike the other company that gave me a quote, he was direct, didn't list all the other things I 'need done,' and quoted me a much lower price. You can find his contact information in other posts on Forum.
Posted by: South Sloper at September 9, 2008 9:52 AM in response to Downspout Diverter
Park Slope Plumbing on 5th Avenue between Prospect and 16th Street. 718 832 0400. They can get you anything and are very experienced, unlike most places I've found. Highly recommend them.
Posted by: South Sloper at September 9, 2008 9:47 AM in response to Good places to buy shower sets
I've bought things through them as well and would recommend them. The salespeople are knowledgeable and their pricing is fair. They can get you anything you want - they don't have much on the floor, but they have books for all the major manufacturers.
Posted by: South Sloper at September 7, 2008 9:30 PM in response to Plumbing Fixtures
I've never seen them locally, but you can buy them from Rejuvenation. Check their website.
Posted by: South Sloper at September 7, 2008 9:27 PM in response to push button switches for lights
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
for what it's worth, i interviewed a number of gardeners and julie seemed the least willing to do standard clean-ups and maintenance. that is, she said she'd do it but was going to charge a pretty hefty hourly fee and basically suggested we find someone less specialized (and less costly) to do it.
Posted by: i disagree at May 18, 2009 1:30 PM in response to Gardener
Ed Mule & Son. 516-250-2234. He did an oil to gas conversion and bathroom for me. Great guy.
Posted by: Yankee at May 18, 2009 2:20 PM in response to LOOKING FOR PLUMBER
Yankee, how much did Ed Mule and Son charge for oil to gas conversion? i'm getting prices now for 4 story brownstone 20 feet wide. Thanks
Posted by: Oldlady at May 18, 2009 2:55 PM in response to LOOKING FOR PLUMBER
If you are willing to hire someone who is not licensed you can ask my sister for a quote (she is the super for our building and does gardening for them). She has worked previously for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and also ran a small landscaping business a couple summers ago in Brooklyn. I think she is very reasonable. Let me know if you are interested.
Posted by: theklahy at May 18, 2009 4:00 PM in response to Gardener
contact Nicole at Sustain Landscape Design -- she and her crew do everything from basic maintenance to complete landscape makeovers. sustainlandscapedesign.com
Posted by: el_nino at May 19, 2009 10:59 PM in response to Gardener
Try Sterling Place on Atlantic, near Hoyt.
Unique pieces, sturdy, well-made. Sometimes antique pieces. The style is farmhouse or rustic, as opposed to modern. All at pretty reasonable prices. We have gotten a few things from there, and have been really happy with them. Everytime we near downtown Brooklyn, my wife wants to make a stop.
Posted by: theandrewlee at July 14, 2009 8:09 PM in response to Furniture Stores in Brooklyn?
Don't laugh but i just got a perfect dining table, chairs and sideboard from Overstock.com. I had been looking for months for the price, style and size I needed and wanted to see a huge selection so went online. Couldnt believe I spent thousands based on just a photo, but it worked out well - i love it and the delivery was easy.
Posted by: dokas at July 14, 2009 10:36 PM in response to Furniture Stores in Brooklyn?
i second sterling place -- it's my favorite shop on atlantic. they also have a location on 7th ave in south slope if i remember correctly, but i haven't been there.
housing works on montague has also been amazing for us... we found the most gorgeous old pine farm table for $200 and have seen so many treasures there.
haystack on clinton around joralemon is a beautiful little shop. they have the sweetest small loveseat in the window that i wish i could find a place for -- i've been staring at it for months. they have some upholstered pieces, side tables, etc. not a big store but worth a look if you're in the area.
for decorative accessories (not furniture, i know, but related) try abitare on henry between atlantic and state. nice little shop.
Posted by: duckumu at July 15, 2009 10:32 AM in response to Furniture Stores in Brooklyn?
Rico on Atlantic is good for modern. They carry Maria Yee and some other interesting lines including DeLaEspada's lower priced line. Moon River Chattel in W'burg always has fun stuff -- their style is recycled/antique/industrial. Future Perfect has great decorative items but not much real furniture (at least not at real-world prices). Fabrica on Vanderbilt has a good but small selection of mid-century modern. Of the chains, I like CB2 best. And there are infact deals to be had on 1stDibs -- easy to search by price and location. Horseman on Atlantic is a little scarey -- don't bring bed bugs home is all I'll say!
Posted by: grand army at July 15, 2009 6:33 PM in response to Furniture Stores in Brooklyn?
I third Find on 9th street. Amazing stuff.
Posted by: boofer at July 15, 2009 10:38 PM in response to Furniture Stores in Brooklyn?
I met with Mac Carbonell and liked him, although I didn't get the impression he had oodles of experience (this was two years ago). Meet with him, look at his book and see if his aesthetic meshes with what you want in your garden.
I recommend you also meet with Bill Fidelo and Julie Cummings, to get a sense of who else is out there. You can find their contact info either by searching the archives or google.
Posted by: South Sloper at October 4, 2009 2:00 PM in response to Verdant Gardens Design