BROWNSTONE RENOVATION PROCEDURE(S)
I am in the mindset to start renovating old rundown buildings into beautiful brownstones, and need help with steps to do so *ANY HELP*?
I am in the mindset to start renovating old rundown buildings into beautiful brownstones, and need help with steps to do so *ANY HELP*?
You have to be handy. If you have to pay a contractor for everything, the cost can be a lot more than you expect. Do the easy demo yourself. If you can do the framing, that is great. Skip the taping and leave it for pros. You need a crackerjack inspector prior to purchase. Look for buildings with roofs that are intact. Avoid buildings with extensive water damage, the problems are usually triple what you think. I’ve renovated an 1865 Old Oddfellows hall and an 1892 warehouse and now considering turning a historic church into a home. Every building has at least one major surprise. Good luck. This is my experience. If you ever need any architectural salvage, look us up. Fred from Silver Fox Architectural Salvage in Albany.
if only there was a website dedicated to such endeavors.
Assholes, all!
D’oh! Why didn’t I think of that? Now that OP figured out what a neat idea this would be, I guess it would be too late for me to find anything. The run down brownstone in Brooklyn is probably gone by now.
Hey, OP, let us know how it turns out.
So glad to hear you’re in that mindset–NYC needs more people like you. As I recommended in your other post, if you’re on a budget, I’d try looking for those old rundown buildings in neighborhoods that are still in transition. You’ll find cheap and beautiful, yet run-down, houses in Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, and maybe, just maybe even Cobble Hill. I mean, Brooklyn Heights is definitely sketchy, but you can find excellent deals. Try looking for something on Columbia Heights, a dangerous little drag known to have lots of abandoned historical buildings. If you’re lucky you’ll find a nice one that has a view of the Promenade and the river. I hope all goes well with your endeavor. It’s good to have another preservationist aboard!
Yes! First get you a bunch of those old brownstone buildings! Then! Renovate the heck out of them. You will do wells!
Yes! First get you a bunch of those old brownstone buildings! Then! renovate them! You will do wells!