Does anyone know a good elevator repair/boiler repair/pointing companies...
Hi. I just became a secretary in the board of my building. We are having lots of difficulty in the sense that the building is becoming in bad physical condition. The elevators dont ever seem to work, people have leaks through their walls, and the terraces leak into downstair neightbors apartments. We need to get…
Hi. I just became a secretary in the board of my building. We are having lots of difficulty in the sense that the building is becoming in bad physical condition. The elevators dont ever seem to work, people have leaks through their walls, and the terraces leak into downstair neightbors apartments. We need to get our building in shape fast. Our sponsor seems to have found all the contractors on his own and i believe he is getting kickbacks every time they come and fix something, so they come every day. I would like to replace alll the contractors in the building so i am appealing to you guys for help. if you know of any elevator/boiler/construction companies, can you let me know. we are also in need of a super because for the last six months he has only been parttime in a 96 unit building. so if you know of anyone, you may foward their resume to justin.n.schultz@gmail.com. Also, if you are on a board or know about buildings and would like to drop me an email, i would be very happy to talk to you for i need to start getting to know the process of running a building. as my user name says. my coop sucks – please help.
PS, for boiler repair, contact Chuck Milan, Pulse Combustion, 516-779-1001.
For elevators, if you are looking for a smaller company, try Genco, 718-608-1811. For a larger but independent company, try PS Marcato, don’t have their number.
If you call the engineers or Chuck, tell them who sent you.
imo, management companies can be part of the problem, especially regarding corruption. Be careful.
I’ve been there and done that and you need to stop all the work immediately because you are wasting your money, as you have already figured out.
Then, you need to hire a respectable engineering firm who will do a soup-to-nuts evaluation of the physical structure of the building, make recommendations how to repair it, prepare bid packages for contractors, review the bids, and finally, oversee that the work being done meets the plans. Do NOT just go out and hire a contractor.
Here are two engineers I have worked with:
Mike Drerup, Exponent, 212-895-8105
Doug Stivie, WJE, 212-760-2540
Both are large national firms.
If you need assistance with the process I have years of experience in managing projects, pls contact me thru my profile.
For exterior work, I can recommend:
Standard Waterproofing Corp. 718.292.2800.
They just did work for someone I know in an upper east side co-op. Created openings, sills, flashing, repaired terraces, re-pointed brick, etc. They did an excellent job. They do all the work for this particular building with very high standards.
Whatever, you do interview several people for each trade.
Also, you should have a plumber and electrician on file, just in case something happens.
Good luck.
It sounds as if you may the the help of a management company. Try checking Brownstoner for them….It may be a better alternative than doing all of this yourself.
Good Luck
A few suggestions for starters: visit the website of the Council of New York Cooperatives and Condominiums: http://www.cnyc.com/. They provide training and other services for board members, as well as an upcoming educational expo.
Also visit these sites for articles and vendor directories: cooperator.com/, and habitatmag.com/