Repairs to Basement: Contractor?
I recently bought into a brownstone co-op that needs a fair amount of work. Most immediately, there are multiple problems in the basement, including leaks, rotting joists, out-of-date electrical panels, and a bust hot-water heater. The work is going to require an electrician, a plumber, and some general labor. Would you recommend hiring a contractor…
I recently bought into a brownstone co-op that needs a fair amount of work. Most immediately, there are multiple problems in the basement, including leaks, rotting joists, out-of-date electrical panels, and a bust hot-water heater. The work is going to require an electrician, a plumber, and some general labor.
Would you recommend hiring a contractor to get the whole thing done? Or should I find an electrician, a plumber, and a handyman separately? I imagine the contractor will be more expensive, since he has to pay the others and take a profit for himself. But it would be a lot easier if I could hire one guy to take care of the whole mess. Your thoughts please.
I see this post is more than a year old- were you able to find a GC? How did the Reno go? We are undergoing a similar project and would like to hear your experience. Thanks!
Before you hire a contractor, a sub, a design or build….whatever Etc….go get some consulting.
John @ AGPE PLLC is one hell of a construction consultant and has a great engineering firm. I am almost sure your first consultant visits are free, as long as you go to their offices and don’t loose time on the Phone.
Try to see John, works very closely with DOB
….anyway here is their#
AGPE PLLC
1263 Prospect Avenue
Brooklyn New York 11218
347-787-3338
I have hired around 100 subs throughout the U.S. and none ever gave me a discount. There is a myth that contractors get discounts and pass them along. Any discount I get on material I resell for profit.
I do guide clients so that they have significant control over the project, but I still direct the subs. Subs usually prefer the GC’s direction because their language and work is so specialized, they want direction from someone who knows it.
Without the buffer of a good GC also, the shady ones may easily fool a homeowner. I recently declined a project where the homeowners were selecting their own subs. I did a walkthrough, and the plumbers were standing around, the carpentry was poor and the mechanical sub was trying to tell me how to work. It was a liability mess with no firm professional pushing the team.
Take your time and interview a number of contractors.
masterbuildernyc@gmail.com
A GC is not necessarily more expensive as the trades will give a discount to the GC for resale to the end user. I would hire the GC unless you know in person a plumber, electrician, etc.
We are also looking at a complete cellar overhaul some time in the near future, including moving the boiler and water tank so that they can be enclosed in a seperate space, replacing some of the plumbing (rest of the house has already been done), fixing walls, ceiling and floor. I would love recommendations from brownstoners for GCs who specialize in this work. It seems like the issues are very different from living space renovation.
Michael: Does Building Equity have a website?
Though it would certainly be cheaper to act as your own general contractor, you have to decide what your time is worth? It’s very easy to underestimate the “cost” of trying to coordinate the 3 or more vendors you would need for your job. You also lose the ability to hold one party responsible for the outcome of the entire job. Though not so likely on your project, you also open your up to finger pointing between vendors when something goes wrong, something a GC generally shields the client from.
Of course, I’m a bit biased as our firm offers design/build services and could readily handle your job. (We’ve built out/waterproofed a number of basements in brownstones we’ve restored.) If you decide to move forward and want a one-stop solution, feel free to contact me.
Michael Vinocur
Building Equity LLC
mvinocur@buildingequitynyc.com
631-680-9368