Contact info for Architect David Johnson

Housepoor, i realize that. I used 20% because that is on line with what some contractors will mark certain things up.

I am not sure what a gc’s liability insurance costs. Aside from that. I am wondering if these contractors consider worker’s comp a payroll expense or an insurance expense. My mom worked for an re management/owner and i will ask her how they looked at that. There is no way out of some of this and the city does not care if hic’s like me have insurance but with gc’s they require it.

justinromeu26

in Architecture 3 years and 3 months ago

2557

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2557 replies

stevecym | 13 years and 7 months ago

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I put Crystal windows into a house years ago and the customer spec’d triple pane for soundproofing.  I have always been happy with Crystal’s product (for aluminum windows).  I cannot say whether or not the triple pane was any quieter; I do wish I had gone with thicker replacement windows (such as certain t) in my own house as I now want to change out some of the double panes for triple. There are windows made specifically for sound proofing.  A contractor friend of mine had many years ago taken a job which was funded by the FAA to change windows in houses around Islip MacArthur Airport.  I remember him telling me the cost of each window (this job was done in the late 1980’s and I think each window was well over $1,000 – not only was he trying to tell me how great these windows were, but he was complaining that the taxpayers were footing the bill).  I cannot recall the brand name but if you are interested in a high end sound proof window, reach out to me via my website and I will call him to get some name brands. Steve

http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/tinkerswagon

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 7 months ago

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Get permanent columns installed and get them installed correctly, with footings.

stevecym | 13 years and 7 months ago

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See what DIBS Says.  you can add columns (the metal columns are ok so long as they are not the adjustable type and are inverted with the screw set in concrete set on a footing).  Don’t let anyone tell you you do not need footings (less than professional contractors will tell you this to underbid and get the job and leave you with a problem later), you need them and they will have to be reinforced with rebar in the upper 1/3 and lower 1/3 (not in the middle) and be something in the area of 24″ x 24″ x 24″.  There may be other ways to reinforce that girder with either steel or by enlarging it and setting the ends or the ends and a mid point on columns and footings – have an engineer spec this out if you do not wish to have all the columns. Steve http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/tinkerswagon

brucef | 13 years and 7 months ago

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Andrew Goodrich is a good structural engineer – T (347) 787-3338, you can say Bruce recommended him. Engineers go by the book, and the book is gruesome. Part of it is that now structural steel has to go up all the way, you cannot, or are not allowed to count on existing partition walls to transfer the support up. I wish it were as easy as what bent down can be pushed up. But I have tried that with mixed success. I would ballpark that a gutted building with the weight of plaster out might come back. At one time I rigged machinery, so using 50 ton jacks was something I was used to. You aren’t saying if this is a property you own or are considering buying? I always leave in place whatever support there is while I build stronger support. But I try never to give an inch, and it sounds like inches have been given up already.

pigthree | 13 years and 7 months ago

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five different engineers will give you five different solutions.  All probably sufficient.  There are many way to correct this problem.  You could lengthen the distance between columns by installing a steel beam.  But again, it all depends on the end goal in regards use of the space (beyond just proper support).  Over engineering footing is commom in these parts.  As steve says 24 x 24 x 24\.  I have seen 36 x 36 x 18 without any steel for large five story building in manhattan.  The type of soil you find one you start digging plays a part.  I have also seen 18 x 18 x 18\.  without the specifics of your house, its all just speculation.  But dibs is correct, start with good footings.

pigthree | 13 years and 7 months ago

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How wide is the house?

FortGreeneMyrtleAve | 13 years and 7 months ago

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call kushner studios 212-965-0914

BoHill | 13 years and 7 months ago

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Thanks for the feedback.  The house is a pretty standard four-story 20 footer.

slvillager | 13 years and 7 months ago

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we just installed a bunch of mitsu mr. slims and we love them. every hvac person we spoke to said they will only use mitsu. they are whisper quiet (and quiet outside) and COLD. good luck.

sallystag152 | 13 years and 7 months ago

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Thanks, slvillager. Can you share the information of your contractor?

trolltoll | 13 years and 6 months ago

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You’re better off getting a dog.

deancollins | 13 years and 6 months ago

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we’ve got the mitsubishi’s no problems so far….but we’ve only had them 3 years so you would expect a problem yet.
Pretty quiet at the intercooler considering we have 3 air exchangers.

steam_man | 13 years and 6 months ago

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What type of system is this (manufacturer name will help)? Yes, you need 2 condensers. There is no way this job can get any cheaper unless you use total schlockos (or a GC) to install it.

sharon121 | 13 years and 6 months ago

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Sorry, meant to include the system. That price is for Fujitsu. We also priced for Mitsubishi, but that came in several thousand dollars higher. We’re at the end of the budget here and the forums I found discussing Fujitsu vs. Mitsubishi seemed to indicate that they were comparable. My general contractor (not affiliated with the HVAC company) also indicated that Fujitsu would be fine. Regarding the 2 condensers, obviously there’s a benefit to having 2 separate systems so that if one goes down we still have air on the other floor, but are there other material benefits?

dorkofwindsor | 13 years and 6 months ago

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would be more holes in your brownstone or brick, but i am sure any metal working shop could do what you want.

dorkofwindsor | 13 years and 6 months ago

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installation is really a custom thing.  what the situation of the electrical is, where the paths for condensation will go and how difficult the walls will be to fix.

anndeborah70 | 13 years and 6 months ago

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You have better luck going to a shop and having it custom made. It will be difficult to find this in any store.

dorkofwindsor | 13 years and 6 months ago

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my understanding is that the two condensers are necessary because the residential systems can handle up to three internal air handlers for each condenser, depending on size.  i don’t believe one can “back up” the other.  the systems were initially designed for small japanese homes, and they decided to keep the condensers small and scalable.

brucef | 13 years and 6 months ago

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I would take a moment to consider a central system. One condenser, no problem with BTU’s, one air handler. It would require ductwork, but you said you have the walls open now anyway. I am certified on Fujitsu, and I do like them, but you are talking a rat’s nest of line sets. I think you are failing to grasp the amount of refrigerant lines that will be traversing your home. (two copper lines plus wire set) plus you need a gravity path down for condensate. You don’t want to rely on condensate pans and pumps, they will certainly fail down the road. I would think that the total installed bill would be less. Certainly here in NJ it would be substantially less.(We do no work in NYC) Just to give you a point of reference on your contractor’s helpfulness – I just checked the Fujitsu book and the weight of the 36K condenser, AOU36RLXFZ is 149 lbs. Hardly needs a crane. They are a little heavy, but we carry them all the time. Even the 48K unit, (which I DO NOT RECOMMEND) is only 216 lbs. One condenser, one air handler, one line set, one condensate drain. Less units to maintain down the road. Even if it wasn’t less expensive, go conventional. Pick a high SEER condenser, the new ones are quiet. I just did a new Bryant 4 ton high SEER that is half as loud as the unit it replaced.