South Slope Reno

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January 5, 2009

New Year's kitchen edition

We now have a almost-completed but definitely working kitchen. We are missing some trim pieces for the cabinets which Brooklyn Kitchens has promised in a week. We’ll see, because we’re still waiting for these glass shower doors, now sixteen weeks and counting. As soon as we get the trim pieces we’ll be done with Brian Ackerman except for the shower doors. If we don’t see them shortly after we’ll demand our money back and if not forthcoming sue.

Photos show the progression of the kitchen first with the counters (Caeserstone) and then the glass tile backsplash.
http://www.pbase.com/dentontay/kitch2

We’ve had our share of problems, all resolved or in the works. The big counter slab facing the dining room was not cut square, which I didn’t notice until after it was installed. Therefore it doesn’t overhang the cabinets properly. They’ll be back this week to rip it out and fix it. Another Brooklyn Kitchens sub-contractor. I find not being able to cut a piece of stone square to be rather appalling in this day and age.

The other fiasco was the dishwasher/waste disposal installation. The insinkerator was installed a few days before the dishwasher was hooked up, as the plumber always seems quite busy. When the dishwasher was finally connected, it wasn’t draining. Furthermore the motor was giving off a burning smell. Everyone seemed to agree (plumbers and master plumber) that there was something wrong with the washer and I called Bosch to schedule an appointment (after complaining that it was highly unlikely a defective motor would have left the factory).

Then the foreman of the main work crew (who’s not supposed to know about plumbing) wandered over and wondered out loud if the plastic tab in the insinkerator had been removed. As he explained, there’s a tab in the dishwasher inlet that needs to be removed if in fact there’s a dishwasher. I ran to my computer, downloaded the installation instructions for the insinkerator, and the foreman was correct. The tab was removed and the dishwasher is working fine.

We have a toilet and shower in the downstairs bathroom, but no sink yet. The reason is that we had to return it to Brooklyn Kitchens because it wouldn’t drop into the vanity. Because the clips were way too large and messily installed. I don’t know where Brian gets his sinks made but it seems to be somewhere local. Three sinks have had to be returned four times for repairs. Sloppy, sloppy work. Pictures when complete.

The last big piece of this job is replacing the stairs. My feng shui guru (alexstark.com) had suggested that instead of the stairs going straight to the exit doors (your money flies out the door, as it has, lol) you should bring the stairs into the living room. Because we’re keeping this as a legal two-family house, albeit using it as a one-family, we want to have the option of having the stairs go either way, so we hit on the idea of bringing the stairs to a platform, and then having the last two able to be configured into the LR or straight to the door.
The old stairs:
http://www.pbase.com/dentontay/image/107826622

The new open stairs:
http://www.pbase.com/dentontay/image/107826608

Cleaning up by the stairs and door.
http://www.pbase.com/dentontay/image/107826620

After a couple of minor problems, we have passed the plumbing inspection in the cellar, and are ready to finish up in the next few weeks.

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Comments

Looks like a great project, but seems like you've had a lot of headaches. Unfortunately, I've often read this about Brooklyn Kitchens. It's really scared me off about the store.

Posted by: BrooklynButler at January 5, 2009 3:29 PM

I love the sink. Where did you get it?

Posted by: bigmissfrenchie at January 5, 2009 3:50 PM

The kitchen looks great. I love the kitchen cabinets. You mentioned a possible name of the cabinet maker in the earlier post, but I wonder: Could you provide a name and contact information? I'm desperately looking for someone to make essentially the same cabinets.

Many carpenters and cabinet makers are facing some hard times these days, so I'm sure they would appreciate it.

Posted by: mmfarland at January 5, 2009 4:45 PM

BB, it hasn't been all that bad. Main hassles have been Brooklyn Kitchens and the NYC DOB. But compared to some of the horror stories you hear I have no complaints.

MMF, that's Hanssem America. They have a website with a list of distributors. Surprisingly, or maybe not, Brooklyn Kitchens is not on them.

BMF (and BRG), the sink came from BK. Wasn't a problem getting that delivered. I'll find out the mfgr and get back to you.

Posted by: denton at January 5, 2009 5:42 PM

The sink is a farmer's sink or farmhouse sink or Apron front. Not difficult to find. Very popular type. Your favorite manufacturer probably has 1 or 2 models.

Posted by: crimsonson at January 5, 2009 6:35 PM

Give Brian a last and final, tight, specific deadline on the shower doors and tell him you want your money back if he can't do it by the deadline. Tell him no exceptions. If you used a credit card tell him you will be calling to lodge a complaint and have the charges reversed. He will promise you delivery, then call you an hour before the doors are due, tell you they're on the truck and will be there in two hours, and they will actually show up in three ("my guys are telling me you wouldn't believe the traffic"). If the doors are are not exactly right, reject them and demand your money back.

Parthenon had my frameless door and glass installed within two weeks of when they measured. No excuse for B.S.

By the way -- it's looking great. You are going to enjoy it.

Posted by: slopefarm at January 8, 2009 3:55 PM

Not that I'm trying to run your life or anything. You did a big reno. By now you know what you are doing. I'm just saying what worked for me in the end with BK. I should have tried it much sooner. It's like magic. The stuff can't be found for months on end and when you threaten to pull the plug on the deal, they appear almost instantly. Happened with me on at least two different items.

Posted by: slopefarm at January 8, 2009 3:59 PM

Kitchens are really tricky. I was lucky that I was able to be home last summer when ours was gut-renovated. Had I not been all the issues that Denton mentions would have festered into real problems.

As it was, there were mistakes made that I didn't have the heart to press the contractor on to correct as it would have involved weeks of delays...so you're doing OK, I think. And the layout looks really user friendly. But no kick molding on the cabs? Guess you don't have kids with Hot Wheels...

If I ever have a big chunk of time, like 6 months, and some money, I'd love to try a kitchen myself (subbing out the plumbing, however!).

Posted by: Bolder at January 10, 2009 11:28 AM

Thanks, SF. Unfortunately I did not pay with a cc, I paid with cash in exchange for an alleged discount. I'm so close to the end right now I plan to make my move after it's done. I'm going to do my best to make sure no one who ever looks him up on the internet will use him.

Bolder, did you say no kick molding? I _promise_, in fact I _guarantee_, that kick molding, the missing drawer, and some other missing pieces will be installed on 1/16! How do I know? Brooklyn Kitchens has promised!

Posted by: denton at January 12, 2009 5:47 PM

"How do I know? Brooklyn Kitchens has promised!"

I hear you, Denton, good luck. I hate it when "so close to the end" takes longer than everything that led up to it. FWIW, I've never seen a good rec for him on the internet. last time I checked, he was a D+ on Angie's list, but that was a while back. We were warned, too, but we thought "how bad can it be?"

Looks like you'll be done for the Super Bowl (not that it matters anymore for anyone here but DIBS).

Posted by: slopefarm at January 15, 2009 5:00 PM

you made some fugly choices on lighting... the pendants are embarrassing and the mini track already looks dated

Posted by: eman1234 at January 16, 2009 10:26 PM

Denton, It looks great. T actually gasped when he saw that fab Wolf stove. Sorry you are having so many problems with Garfield but trust me---We can totally beat you in the tales of woe department!

Posted by: HomeSweetstuy at January 17, 2009 1:40 PM

Denton, did they show up on 1/16 from BK? Don't leave us hanging here.

Posted by: slopefarm at January 21, 2009 3:43 PM

that picture makes it look like it's about a mile from the fridge to the stove.

hope that's just trick photography.

Posted by: phripley at January 22, 2009 1:44 PM

Freekin' awesome looking! Congrats (belated)

Posted by: Action Jackson at January 22, 2009 7:08 PM

Sorry to be late with the answer, the counter is not incrementing and I only see the original 9.

BK did show up with the kitchen bits. Of course the grain to the spice drawers runs opposite where it should, horizontal instead of vertical. We'll just pretend it's a design decision.

Phripley, it's a distance, but exaggerated by the wideangle lens. Nevertheless I am loving the workflow I designed.

Open the fridge, onto the chopping board. Veggie debris into the sinkerator, continue to stove. From there around to counter to DR. Easily the best kitchen I've worked in yet. Works for me anyway.

Posted by: denton at February 11, 2009 4:42 PM