While checking out prices on gates get a quote from an alarm company for a wireless alarm on the window and on your apartment door which may make you feel even more secure and which may actually be cheaper.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 19, 2009 9:20 AM in response to Bars on Fire Escape Windows

We haven't even made a dent in checking out the restaurants in Williamsburg but loved every place we've tried, nothing's been bad. So far we've gone to Pies n Thighs, Fada, Sweetwater, Marlow and Sons, Rye, Zenkichi. Also, we haven't been able to figure out which restaurant we stumbled onto years ago there with some friends but it was the first Williamsburg restaurant we tried and it was amazing. I remember it was in a more isolated area and I think in its own older building. Large covered outdoor seating area. Expensive. Anybody know what it might be?

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 18, 2009 12:37 PM in response to Closing Bell: Yellow Hook?

I normally say it can't hurt to have a broker as a buyer but I haven't found the brokers here are experienced with repping buyers in the right way. In CA, my broker searched for a good investment at a good price, looked into the seller's situation and strategized on successfully winning the bidding war without paying too much, etc. This guy's clients were normally far wealthier people making much bigger investments than I was looking to do. This guy wasn't so desperate to make a few more thousand dollars that he'd work for the seller more than work for his buyer client. As a result he had clients for life. I used him again ten years later when I sold the house he helped me buy, and if God forbid I had to return to CA, I would call him again. In contrast, our Brooklyn broker was very short sighted; she worked for the seller and her own commission more than for us as buyers and we felt left all on our own in the transaction. She's lost income not gained it in the long run because I will never use her again for buying or selling nor will I recommend her to others. Long story short, if you can find somebody who helps their buyer client find a particularly good investment, helps with research, and get in negotiation gets you a house for LESS than asking then yes hire one. Otherwise no, don't bother.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 18, 2009 9:55 AM in response to Need a Broker to Buy?

The DOB considers that a fire hazard too. You can't even build a wooden deck on the back of your house that comes within a certain number of feet from the neighbor's property line, much less a one-story structure.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 18, 2009 9:42 AM in response to Question about DOB Violation

Definitely there should be more ROTD's in Bay Ridge. Featuring Mr. Wonton baffles me when there are so many real restaurants not mere chinese takeout in Bay Ridge and elsewhere. It's like the site is making the statement every restaurant in Park Slope is worth serious consideration. When not really. We really like Areo in Bay Ridge. The food is great and we enjoy watching the older, wealthy Italian men to whom the waiters speak Italian and pay a great deal of respect. I'll let you speculate who and what they are. I would also suggest more ROTD's in Williamsburg. Every restaurant we try there is really good and often have unique concepts.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 18, 2009 9:34 AM in response to Closing Bell: Yellow Hook?

If they could prove it's a company-wide practice there might be a class-action lawsuit in this. The Corcoran broker (not this one) who sold our house to us also canceled open houses on rainy days and once we moved in we learned the basement would flood through the back door just like this video. In our case it wasn't difficult to fix. Still, it all begs the question did both brokers separately decide to do that or was it the company's instruction to brokers?

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 17, 2009 2:24 PM in response to Footage from 357 4th Street Condo Lawsuit

I can't figure out why there hasn't been a huge civil lawsuit against Nash by the neighboring buildings. Her decaying building is affecting their property values and threatening the safety and structural integrity of their buildings. This building isn't her primary home and isn't protected from being seized in bankruptcy, right? So sue her into bankruptcy.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 17, 2009 8:32 AM in response to Doings at the Dilapidated 7th Ave & 2nd St Building?

Picket Fence was the worst food I've ever had in NYC. We will never go back. The decor is supposed to be charming but it's corny and has turned grubby now that it's aged. Seems Picket Fence has skated by simply being the first restaurant of its type on Cortelyou. Well now they're getting more and more competition so they'll have to improve or go out of business.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 16, 2009 8:45 AM in response to StreetLevel: Cortelyou Market, Wine Bar Coming Along

I do think the Christmas lights go up in Dyker Hts at Thanksgiving but I'd suggest starting a separate post in Forum asking the Bay Ridge & Dyker Hts people when the light go up and which are the best streets. Sounds like a fun tour this year for your parents!

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 16, 2009 8:23 AM in response to Need recs for Park Slope tour

To Minard, don't be depressed. Yet! It was and is more than a bubble or excess money or whatever that drove people especially families in Brooklyn into brownstones. It was a shift in lifestyle. It became all about staying in the city and trying to make an urban city a place for green stuff, yards and kids. Gardening has made a comeback big time, even in apartments, on roofs and backs of trucks. I don't see this lifestyle changing back and the population of NYC is still increasing, not decreasing unlike other cities in the country during this recession. Interest in houses remains the same; people just want to spend less that's all. I know at least 3 couples who want to buy a house in our neighborhood of PLG and they're actively looking here. Two of the houses that were for sale on our street in recent months did sell. People will more often live with imperfect houses and fix them more gradually. They won't always spring for $20,000 worth of kitchen appliances. But people are not losing interest in owning historic homes and they're not losing interest in finding a bargain in non-Park-Slope neighborhoods.

About the Bay Ridge house, it seems a nice house. That wouldn't be a street I name as one of the best there though. I used to live near this location. It's a wide street and busy and mixed with big coop buildings.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 15, 2009 1:30 PM in response to Open House Picks

I agree with Denton and ilovebrooklyn that 3rd Street between 8th Ave and the park is a great walk. There are brownstones and limestones both, with eclectic and rich details in the facades. It's nice too because when you reach PPW you can walk along PPW to the Lichfield mansion, then walk around the mansion into the park and over to the Picnic House (which has clean-enough useable public bathrooms - older ladies need to use the bathroom periodically) and there are always families and kids and people playing games around the Picnic House so your mum can get a good sense of the people and culture of Brooklyn. From there you could cross the Long Meadow that lays in front of the Picnic House and take a left turn on the footpath that takes you all the way back up to Grand Army Plaza and over to North Slope to those blocks people mentioned.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 15, 2009 1:01 PM in response to Need recs for Park Slope tour

If you're using the car only on weekends perhaps garage it in a nearby neighborhood that's easy to reach, with less expensive garages. Park Slope garages will charge a premium and have fewer available spots.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 13, 2009 10:04 AM in response to Parking Garages in Park Slope

I believe that would be for linens and the cloth covering on the open space on the door allows the inside to get air so the contents stay more fresh. My father had an armoire that had cloth on the door like that, not glass or solid wood.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 12, 2009 11:04 AM in response to Estate Sale

I was all excited about the food lab and classes until I saw the remote location. :(
It's hard to take time for evening or weekend classes as it is, located closer to home in brownstone Brooklyn.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 12, 2009 11:00 AM in response to Brooklyn Food & Drink Round-Up

Also I would add, for those who say it comes with the territory, none of the men I've hired to work on our house said things like Argentina heard and I genuinely did not believe they were misogynists just putting on a show of good manners for me. They treated me with respect. So the good ones ARE out there. No reason to put up with anything else.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 9, 2009 10:00 AM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

Regarding Slick's comment: But that's the thing, I would expect a contractor to disappear from a job who DOES say misogynist things to his prospective employer from whom he is asking huge amounts of money. It shows lack of respect, lack of ethics, lack of intellect & reason, lack of emotional intelligence (simple common sense). Culture schmulture.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 9, 2009 9:58 AM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

People who renovate brownstones are spending tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars. And while doing so they're being told by people like eman and denton they have to just accept and try to fit into the "culture" of these workers?

Whatever. Not by me. I would never hire anybody who made comments like the ones that were listed. How about these contractors and workers trying harder to fit into MY culture as their employer? You know, like I have to do when I'm hired by somebody! I think that's argentina's main point, that the new "culture" of homeowners in the United States is this: Women are a significant group of homeowners and even when married are more often the boss on these jobs, so act professionally and with courtesy or you don't get hired.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 8, 2009 8:20 AM in response to Contractors & Chauvinism

Wow Joe from Brooklyn, way to totally misunderstand the tone and intent of a comment. Says more about you than it says about me.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 7, 2009 12:35 PM in response to The Albemarle Renovation Blog Launches!

Joe from Brooklyn, years ago an anonymous poster (back when those existed) suggested an offshoot blog to be called "Vinylsider" for the demographic you mention. I nearly fell off my chair laughing. But thought it a really good idea actually. Jon, maybe there's franchise blog potential.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 6, 2009 1:39 PM in response to The Albemarle Renovation Blog Launches!

A garden level is definitely more light-filled (if the front of the house faces South) and more like a *real* room than an English basement but the E-basement is great for rooms like an open layout family room and tv/screening room. We love ours at night. Without big windows looking right onto the sidewalk where people are walking by just a few feet away, like one has with a garden level, we don't feel like we're in a fishbowl on display in the evenings. There's less sidewalk noise coming in too with smaller windows. Also you can't look only at the size of the windows when determining grade. If the front platform of a house is elevated the tops of the windows are actually the same height as some garden level windows. In our house, the E-basement is only a couple steps below the sidewalk level.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 5, 2009 8:33 AM in response to House of the Day: 238 Windsor Place

Also call your local reps, the state senator and city councilperson. It's always in their political interest to not have blatant drug dealing and prostitution on their watch. Shame them into action. You could also contact Key Food and make sure they know what goes on right behind their building.

It's funny, I have never witnessed anything specific walking by this area behind Key Food, but the couple times I've passed by I really got the creeps. A vibe it wasn't a place to be. Perhaps simply because it's so isolated and desolate without passing traffic and pedestrians. Good luck.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 4, 2009 9:42 AM in response to Illegal Dumping, Drugs, Rats

I'd rather have this for $12 million:

http://realestate.nytimes.com/sales/detail/1999-1601-2819531/2-Clifton-Pl-Irvington-NY-10533

Many would prefer to be situated in a park overlooking the Hudson River than next to a large high school. The Bay Ridge house is a Brooklyn gem but the only person who would pay that kind of money is somebody already in Bay Ridge like I said, who has always coveted it. It wouldn't attract a wealthy Manhattanite who would likely choose other towns if they had to be 45 minutes from Manhattan.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 3, 2009 12:23 PM in response to The Gingerbread House Hits the Market

NYC is a tourist destination over the holidays and Brooklyn has grandparents and family visiting then too. Try advertising a one-month holiday rental on Craigs List. Of course you'd have to furnish it with some basics like bed, table/chairs and sofa.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 3, 2009 11:58 AM in response to Tenants Breaking Lease

$12 million is what a smallish townhouse in the West Village sells for or a spectacular brownstone in Brooklyn Heights. Just to give my following comments context. I don't know they'll get that much for it but I predict the buyer will be a wealthy person who already lives in Bay Ridge and has for a long time if not a couple/few generations and has always coveted this house. But whether somebody who can afford a townhouse in Manhattan will buy it, eh, not so sure. The house is cool but it's next to a large high school if I remember correctly. And the listing mentions nothing about mechanicals, only the historic and architectural significance. Also note lack of photos of baths and kitchen. Don't expect the house to be updated.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 3, 2009 11:09 AM in response to The Gingerbread House Hits the Market

Cakeman Raven (featured in piece on Bloomberg baking a cake) needs to focus less on his tireless, narcissistic, celebrity-obsessed self-promotion and more on running a business. I love his cake, got my wedding cake there, but that place is so badly run it's a joke. Recently a friend of mine spent a month simply trying to place an order for a cake. It's her favorite cake, she wanted it for her birthday, and they literally would not take her order. It was Kafkaesque. You can't actually talk to anybody when you place an order, you call up and are told to leave a message and somebody will call you back. Only nobody does. She did that a few times then went there in person. She left her order with a guy who promised to personally bring the order to the place where the cakes are baked in another location. Then when my friend called to follow up closer to her birthday it turned out the guy never did that and the order was never placed. Is Cakeman Raven really so successful one has to beg him to take some money? Somehow I doubt it; I read last year some former employees sued him for not paying salary or overtime or something.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 3, 2009 9:28 AM in response to Tuesday Links

That's sad about your stolen Fury, Vinca. Looking for it in an empty parking lot.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 2, 2009 10:35 AM in response to Moving Car from Coast to Coast

The key information among all the OP said is this:

The tenant requested the showerhead. The tenant WAS told it would be two weeks. The tenant said that would be okay because he could shower elsewhere. LATER after making the request and agreeing to the installation even if it meant being without a shower for two weeks he decided it had been enough of an inconvenience that he deserves a rent reduction.

Huh?? Just tell the guy no. Remind him he agreed to everything. I bet he won't bother to take it to court. Sounds like a spoiled entitled 20-something brat with no context or experience renting apartments, as you say. Don't let him take advantage of you any more than he already has.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 2, 2009 10:16 AM in response to Tenant Compensation?

P.S. Oh, and gorgeous car, masterbuilder!

Vinca, I am so jealous. I've wanted a Fury since I was in college. Do you still have it?

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 1, 2009 1:28 PM in response to Moving Car from Coast to Coast

I think by rail might be the best way to do it, at least it used to be. My father shipped my car to me in CA from MN that way in 1993 and he's a frugal guy.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 1, 2009 1:26 PM in response to Moving Car from Coast to Coast

Basements and garden levels definitely should have recessed lighting IMO whether you're staying "period" or not. It's not just a ceiling-height issue but it brightens a room that's always shadowy thus somewhat depressing even when it's relatively well lit by windows.

I also like it even in parlors when there's a big space that's not adequately lit by sconces or lamps and isn't right for a chandelier. We have a spot like that and when we do the next round of renovations in a few years I want some recessed lights on a dimmer there. I'd like to add the lights now but there's a whole thing to do with the ceiling so we have to put it off a while. I need to brighten a shadowy section in the middle of an open space in the parlor where we plan to have our son's play area. So if you have a spot like that in your house you think you'll use for children's play, or future owners would, it may be worth it to add recessed lights overhead. People live lives in these houses so the decor must be functional not just faithful to the period. The lights don't have to be huge and they don't always have to be turned on just because they're installed.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 30, 2009 12:36 PM in response to Thoughts on Recessed Lighting

Is that a person's name? What a cool name. Sounds like the character in a novel.

My apologies, I know that's not helpful in the slightest, unlike edkopel's good advice.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 30, 2009 12:25 PM in response to Salem Darrow

Here's something very telling - people who work in film never let film crews use their home as a location. Because they know what happens.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 29, 2009 11:15 AM in response to Renting Your Place for Movie

Definitely tell your friend to add specifics to the contract. Just write it in and have both your friend and the broker initial the written notes. Even when it's not a high-end $5 million property brokers these days should be providing a professional photographer and floorplan for the online listing; the listing should be on the company website and the New York Times.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 28, 2009 1:48 PM in response to Broker Contract?

This is great. But I'll admit I'm confused about also asking for landmarking on #185. It's hard to voice support one way or another not hearing what it would mean and what would be allowed to be built if it's landmarked. What would be the rules or guidelines on that? Would an owner have to build a reproduction brick or limestone one or two family house? That doesn't seem realistic financially for somebody and I'm not sure a empty, blighted lot is preferable over an 8-unit condo if it's done tastefully.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 28, 2009 10:52 AM in response to Ocean on the Park Landmarking: The Details

Wow, this must mean their music is SO important artistically they are entitled to do whatever they need to get their glorious sounds recorded. Even if it ruins their neighbors' day to day lives. What morons.

Do hire a lawyer to write a letter as was recommended. It would save you money and of course your sanity in the long run to have an attorney get out of your lease. We had to endure bad neighbor noise for months once and anybody who hasn't experienced it has no idea how severely it affects quality of life. I thought I would go crazy. Good luck.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 27, 2009 7:23 PM in response to Tenant Rights: Band as Neighbors

Exactly, Wine Lover. Considering our freelancer/consultant quotes that's how we'd have to calculate it. And if you have to do two extra shifts after missing one? For EACH adult in the household? Forget it. Not possible for us. It's clear looking at the huge number of members they have and hearing these stories they need to require fewer hours of members. It's surely been proposed. Probably some very rigid board members are shooting it down.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 26, 2009 11:32 AM in response to NYT: Food Co-op Exile's Story Demands 2,000 Words

My feet get sore on the hard tile in our kitchen. But it was newly installed when we bought the house and it was fine so we kept it (we redid the rest of the kitchen). I wish I had marmoleum/linoleum. I'd so much rather have a softer surface and no texture, grout or gaps of any kind.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 26, 2009 11:01 AM in response to Kitchen Floors

That's about exactly what I was quoted before for a similar bathroom renovation from a mid-level contractor and less than what a top contractor quoted me.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 26, 2009 10:53 AM in response to Bathroom Quote

Listen to everybody saying the double-maintenance fee monthly on a combined apartment would be difficult for resale. Even in Brooklyn Heights or Park Slope - we know somebody who did it on the UWS in Manhattan and now they're stuck and can't sell. We own and live in PLG/LM and I agree with Babs if people come here for more space they get a house for $850K. Several non-LM blocks in PLG are fine and getting better and there are houses to be had there for under $850K. I also agree PLG is a 5-10 year wait to see more dramatic changes if one buys now, since that topic came up. That's what we're figuring. Then again even in 3 years we've seen a lot change so who knows. Especially the renter population. My husband recently told me a hilarious story, how he was riding home on the Q and he looked around at all the "beautiful people", the stylish, attractive 20-somethings. He sighed pathetically and thought to himself, gosh I miss Park Slope. But when the train stopped at 7th Ave none of the beautiful people got off. They got off at our stop, Prospect Park.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 23, 2009 12:23 PM in response to Combining Apartments

Like Donatella, we have a different but similar problem. The ne'er do well son of the former longtime owner of our house (now deceased) who hasn't owned or lived here in several years still to this day puts our address as his, with the DMV, with car rentals, with Social Security, child support and employers. And the mail always somehow looks like he's in trouble for something at any given time. I put each and every piece of mail back, with "return to sender, incorrect address, please correct your records" on it but the mail for him still comes in waves every once in a while. I just can't believe places like the DMV don't make sure a home address is correct - don't they require a utility bill in their name or something?

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 23, 2009 12:07 PM in response to Someone's Using My Address

Actually, BHS, I love craftsman era fireplaces and built-in surrounds. It's exactly why I call this one ugly! Because I've seen many many that are far better.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 23, 2009 8:59 AM in response to House of the Day: 177 Rugby Road

That's the thing though, I don't even like the fireplace. Boring, even ugly, and again, weirdly non-special and non-dramatic for what I would expect seeing the exterior and the staircase. It can be lost without being a loss to the house.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 22, 2009 3:48 PM in response to House of the Day: 177 Rugby Road

The total lack of drama and detail to the rooms is such a letdown and mismatch after seeing the dramatic and unique exterior and staircase. Those are seriously the only two details worth saving. If you don't like a closed-off parlor then knock down walls. Do a modern, open layout and just keep that amazing staircase.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 22, 2009 3:25 PM in response to House of the Day: 177 Rugby Road

JimHill, will you post a photo on Forum when you do finish that backsplash? Sounds cool and I'd love to see it!

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 21, 2009 9:41 AM in response to Kitchen Backsplash

I have to ask the question that's been burning in my mind for years now, is there even such thing as a health dept in NYC? Or are they a myth? I see mouse droppings, filth and dust in stores and restaurants/cafes all over even in upscale neighborhoods. I saw mouse poop and crusted up grime on the fixture that holds the organic produce at Associated in Park Slope on 5th a couple weeks ago. No other city in the U.S. allows a business stay open in that condition. NYC needs to to do what LA does - post the health dept rating in huge lettering right by the front door of an establishment. It gives the consumer information and power.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 21, 2009 9:28 AM in response to Tuesday Blogwrap

And I'll add that we need wealthy people with trust funds to live in NYC, specifically in Brooklyn because people like to donate a chunk if not all their money locally which is essential for local organizations big and small.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 20, 2009 9:17 AM in response to Co-Purchaser vs. Guarantor

P.S. if you can still change the countertops you will have more versatility with a softer, medium grey countertop for choosing colors for backsplash and wall. I really love white cabinets with a grey countertop. Black & white gets harsh IMO.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 20, 2009 9:11 AM in response to Kitchen Backsplash

If there were no trust funds there would be no art museums, no theatre, no charities that help the poor, hospitals would be half the size with half the resources. Just to name a few things that are funded by philanthropists largely with inherited wealth.

Rob, you're amusing but really, MUST you always compulsively provide unhelpful comments on subjects you know absolutely nothing about? And then do it in such an authoritative way? Most of the time I find it hilarious but today it's annoying.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 20, 2009 9:05 AM in response to Co-Purchaser vs. Guarantor

I disagree about going too neutral/boring because it's assumed that's the only thing that's widely appealing. If it's well chosen something unique absolutely can be widely appealing for resale. I'm a fan of visually interesting walls and backsplashes in kitchens because we do have to stand there performing tedious tasks like washing dishes. Give me something cool to look at. The fact that kitchen counters get cluttered with appliances is all the more reason to have a glam element. For example my countertop is quartz (caesarstone) with sparkle in it. Disco. I love the sparkles so much. Just a little thing but it cheers me anytime I look at it. When I picked it out I thought well this won't appeal to everybody. But it totally has. Everyone who walks in our kitchen loves it. I still haven't found the perfect backsplash! I'm not in a hurry. In the meantime the walls above the counters are painted and in a great color and I'm really enjoying it.

Posted by: traditionalmod at October 20, 2009 8:55 AM in response to Kitchen Backsplash

Correct. You do not need a broker. There really is no such thing as a buyer's broker in NYC. They represent the seller. And in some areas or in some instances, having a broker can hurt you since some agents will favor buyers without them since then they can keep the full commission themselves. Also, in my experience, it is rare to find a broker who will be able to find listings you won't or search better than you can. I'd say the best reason to have a buyer's broker is if you are living outside the area while looking. And then I'd find one who specializes in this and pay their fee myself.

Posted by: mopar at November 18, 2009 10:30 AM in response to Need a Broker to Buy?

Contact the fire department as well.

Posted by: edkopel at November 18, 2009 10:41 AM in response to Question about DOB Violation

I can recommend The Shutter Store a new wood shutters company if you need diy plantation shutters shutters and I think they look great with brownstone buildings being classic whether cafe style or contemporary with no push rods they give a great clean line...

Posted by: nickshutters at November 18, 2009 10:54 AM in response to Shutters or Shades?

There are a few older posts asking this same question. Read the responses here but do a search of the forum too.

Posted by: fawn at November 18, 2009 11:32 AM in response to Need a Broker to Buy?

The main way a buyers broker can help you is if you DO NOT LIKE negotiating. This can be a struggle for some people. If a broker is good at what they do, it can be helpful only if you're dealing with a major broker. Most Mom and Pop brokers neigotiate lower percentages with sellers i.e. 2-4% as apposed to 6% so they can't afford to co-broke, and they won't. You have to go to them direct. The bottom line is if you have the time, know what you're looking for, an are comfortable negotiating you don't need one. If you're dealing with Brooklyn it's prob best not to use one, however in manhattan it;s a different ball game. Most sellers pay the 6% and everyone co-brokes. Although the inventroy is a lot of co-ops so a sellers broker always goes with the most qualified client to avoid fears of board rejections. A direct deal is better for the seller's broker at the end of the day, but if a buyers broker has more qualified client that will pass the board, you can bet the seller's broker will go with them.

Posted by: IrieMan at November 18, 2009 1:07 PM in response to Need a Broker to Buy?

It can be an eyesore and still be legal so that isn't the issue. The question is whether it is legal and whether it was approved. Also, some details of the construction could be in violation of code or zoning without the project being in violation. For instance - there is nothing that says a structure can't be build to the property line, it's what is on that wall that matters, such as windows, etc.

The first thing you should do is go on the dob website and look up the project. Is it an approved job? Does the project match the job description? Exactly what is the existing violation for? If the project is already being reviewed by dob, it isn't necessary for you to do anything, they will take a hard line on anything that is nonconforming. You may not like the results, if in fact they do allow something there, but they won't approve anything that doesn't conform to code and to the zoning district you are in.

Posted by: raphael9 at November 18, 2009 5:31 PM in response to Question about DOB Violation

http://tinyurl.com/yhnwm85

Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at November 19, 2009 9:57 AM in response to Bars on Fire Escape Windows

End of story here: We called two more places and got quotes that were more like $10 or $11 a square foot installed. We are going with Marmoleum in the kitchen, vinyl sheet flooring in the baths.

Posted by: mopar at November 19, 2009 5:16 PM in response to Best floor for 1890s bath?