statebk's Profile
- State Street
- 1988
- Brooklyn
- Boerum Hill
- Co-op
Author's Posts
June 16, 2008
Pro for Small Bathroom Renovation?
I'm looking for a dependable and reasonable pro to do a straight-forward gut renovation of a small (5 x 6) bathroom. Not looking for an "artist", just someone who knocks bathrooms out for a living and will get in, do the job right and do it quickly. Is that asking too much? Any recommendations would be much appreciated. Thanks folks.
May 19, 2008
Payment for Scaffold??
I own a 6 family building next to a school. A construction company just called me and said they need to put up a scaffold in front of the school (and my building) and it may be there for a year! I'm happy to have the scaffold to protect my tenants during construction, but this will be an eyesore and the tenants especially on the ground floor who are used to nice light are not going to be happy about it and may want to move. Am I entitled to any sort of compensation for this one year? Many thanks.
April 12, 2008
Mortgages for Multi-Family Bldgs?
I'm looking for a mortgage for a 16 unit brownstone. Can anyone recommend an S&L, bank or mortgage broker? Low rates, fees and a lack of endless hoops to jump through would be nice. Thanks.
April 6, 2008
Landscape Stone?
Doers anyone know of a reasonable place to purchase actual stone pavers and planter bed borders? Home Depot & Lowes only seem to have the concrete imitation stuff. Thanks..
Author's Comments
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
Actually the sidewalk is typically beyond your property line, it belongs to the City, which is why the Scaffold people have to maintain sidewalk permits from the DoB/DoT. Also, the building code specifically requests that sidewalk bridges extend 'x' (?) amount of feet in front of neighboring properties for protection. A friend of mine jokes that all the sidewalk bridges/scaffolding in New York is actually a multi-decade Christo project...
Posted by: Espresso at May 19, 2008 12:51 PM in response to Payment for Scaffold??
If - when the city screws up my plumning by digging in the street/sidewalk because it's "not city prooperty", leaving me responsible for the bill, then it's not city property regarding the construction fence. They can't have it both ways!
Posted by: guest at May 19, 2008 3:51 PM in response to Payment for Scaffold??
OP and 3:51 sound like real gems.
You don't own the sidewalk fool!
And yes 3:51, YOUR water main is YOUR property. If you don't want to maintain it, simply disconnect from the municipal water supply. Problem solved.
Posted by: guest at May 19, 2008 3:59 PM in response to Payment for Scaffold??
Sadly, the city can and does have it both ways.
Posted by: guest at May 19, 2008 5:19 PM in response to Payment for Scaffold??
Just b/c some company calls doesnt mean they have a right to do it. Why would they need a scaffold in front of your building to do work on another building? I would ask for more info and definitely wouldnt sign anything.
You also might be able to make an insurance claim for loss of rents if the tenants move out.
Posted by: slick at May 19, 2008 8:42 PM in response to Payment for Scaffold??
I dont see any scaffolding extending past any building under condtruction in my neighborhood. There's a 12 story going up with a 4 story brownstone on either side. Tell em NO. then call the DOB
Posted by: guest at May 19, 2008 10:04 PM in response to Payment for Scaffold??
no, you get nothing. Often a 8 foot extension into the next property is required. the city REQUIRES scaffolding or bridging. They make the rules, not your neighbors.
Posted by: guest at May 19, 2008 10:09 PM in response to Payment for Scaffold??
By NYC law, a construction shed must cover the walkway in front of the building from lot line to lot line if there is work being done at more than +40' from grade. IF the work being done is done on a structure that is +100' in height, the shed must extend beyond the lot lines by 20'. That's not to say that all job sites are satisfying the requirement but the law is pretty clear in this case. And just for the sake of karma, it probably bears noting that if your building is over 40' tall, you'll also need a shed when it comes time for your next facade inspection.
Posted by: guest at May 20, 2008 10:57 AM in response to Payment for Scaffold??
True, but on the other hand they are using my property (specifically the sidewalk) so it is not the same as someone building a highrise next door and blocking my tenants' views. As you say, I can ask, but without knowing the law on this issue, I don't know if "no" means no.
Posted by: statebk at May 19, 2008 12:43 PM in response to Payment for Scaffold??