Do I need a General Contractor for facade renovation?

I’m considering a renovation of our brownstone facade, including stucco, new windows, cornice and ironwork. Do I need a GC for this, or does is seem doable with individual vendors and an achitect to take us through landmarks?

desperatelyseekingbrownstone

in Brownstoner Renovation 13 years and 9 months ago

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raddes | 13 years and 8 months ago

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(probaly you are set already, but I’ll add my 5cents anyway) You w’d have to pull out the permit for scaffolding, that need to be in conjunction of some renovation job, for both of these you need to have contractor who is registered with DOB , so pemitt may be issued on his name.  Obvioulsly that requires you to submit some sort of renovation application to dept. GC no necessarily  but as mentioned above – some other things may come up , but if you are firm just on facade renovation , you will be able to skip all other licensed plumbers, electricians etc. It depends what is your budget – you can get top shelf guys which charge quite a bit – but then they are unbeatable (for example I could blindly recommend JPontes.com), also you can try some other approach – I’m collaborating with one good exterior renovation oriented company which does quite decent work , from my part I organize all architectural service for the jobs, (designing, plans prep, paper work at the DOB, LPC etc)  which is my field of expertise, – that way offering full package we can lower the price a bit , and still feel comfortable on the job.  (you can send me inquiry if you still are shopping around either for full package or just architectural service) thnx rad

samantha83 | 13 years and 9 months ago

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I recently seen this company called D&H Contracting, at Bushwick area doing lots of facade work and their work seems decent but I dont know about their prices. You can call them at 7183986693.

wyckoff | 13 years and 9 months ago

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I wouldn’t use a GC, but I would use a high quality mason and window guy.   I highly recommend J. Mos of Brownstone Authority for the masonry work, and he will help you coordinate the iron and cornice work.   For windows we had a really good experience with Historical Windows of NY (aka EZ Tilt).  Both those guys are familiar with landmarks.

If you hire a GC you can’t control who he hires as his subs and if he goes the cheap route to boost his margins you r screwed.  These are specialty jobs so hiring the experts yourself is a little more work but definitely worth it.

jamesbedstuy | 13 years and 9 months ago

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You don’t need GC but any home improvement contractor can do the job. But make sure they have license to do  the work. I used Millad to do my house facade and inside renovation. He had home improvement license but since i change the plumbing with new design, they had to pull up a permit which they were able to do. Call Millad at 718-669-8305\. or you can email them at ctgconstruction@gmail.com.

JorgeF | 13 years and 9 months ago

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You should use a professional GC, that is a big job restoring a facade use a professional so that you do not have problems. Besides the job is insured by the GC his license goes on the documentation.

JorgeF | 13 years and 9 months ago

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You should use a professional GC, that is a big job restoring a facade use a professional so that you do not have problems. Besides the job is insured by the GC his license goes on the documentation.

daveinbedstuy | 13 years and 9 months ago

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Search through the archives link over to the right under “Facade” and you will find many recommendations for people who specialiize in this work, including the cornice repair.

I think there was also a thread last week on cornice where I recommended my guy Millad at CTG

masterbuilder | 13 years and 9 months ago

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Traditionally carpentry is the principal trade of the GC, who creates the structure and coordinates the subtrades.  The only carpentry you have is your windows – not enough to warrant a covering the rest of the project under a blanket contract.

You don’t need a GC.  You will want specialized, exterior contractors or a mason who can oversee the whole thing. 

I know of a GC in Brooklyn who takes on facades, only to turn around and sub them to someone else who is dirt cheap.  (I know because some of my clients hired them not realizing they did not do facade restoration with an in house-team.  They subsequently fired them when they realized they had been stung by a bait and switch).

There are several reputable specialty contractors who can take care of the facade for you and your best bet is to deal with them directly.  They should be able to provide you with numerous addresses for projects they have completed.