Home renovation project in historic Bronx brownstone

Hi Avantclau. I’m in the process of closing on a Bronx brownstone within the next couple weeks and wonder if you can recommend a local, Bronx-based general contractor for interior upgrades. I’m also looking to convert oil to gas for heating. Thank you!

lilyclifrod

in Brownstoner Renovation 10 years and 9 months ago

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avantclau | 11 years and 1 month ago

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We are about a week away from closing on a three family (to be used as a two family) brownstone in a historic district of the Bronx and are looking for someone to do some much needed work. If anyone has any recommendations for contractors, please let us know. We would like to begin work as soon after closing as possible. There are a couple of issues that are more urgent, as our home insurance providers are giving us 60 days to do the electrical and exterior siding updates. See below for general issues that need to be taken care of: Electrical (updates) Exterior Siding (on rear extension only) Structure beam (one of the beams is wooden and rotting) Plumbing (inspector raised concerns about 100+ year old pipes) Update heating system from oil to gas (need separate boilers for the 2 units) Update to energy efficient windows in rear extension Bathroom renovations Flooring Replace some roofing tiles General home remodeling Looking to make as many environmentally sound updates as economically possible. Thank you!

Lurker | 11 years and 1 month ago

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Without knowing details on electrical and siding it’s tough to say how easy it is to get those done in 60 days, especially if you’re planning on change use of the house (so rearranging service, and so the need to bring it up to code, and then whether the house is landmarked or just historic, and so on). But most of the rest of the work you list —beams, plumbing, heating, bath reno, change of C of O—requires permits, some architectural and engineering plans, surveys, asbestos inspections, and more, depending on how deep you go with “general home remodeling.” To avoid surprise and heartache, you should expect several months ate best to go by before you start any construction and allow up to a year for everything to be done. That may sound insane but is a good rule of thumb.

cate | 11 years and 1 month ago

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Re the switch from gas to oil, this can be done in a few days by any licensed master plumber who specializes in heating systems. They will have to file it with the city. (It’s a special plumbing permit — nothing to do with the other permits you will be getting for your reno.) Sometimes getting the permit takes time, sometimes not. My advice is to move on this immediately, so it is all finished before heating season kicks in. You don’t want to be without heat during the winter, even for a few days, and it’s cheaper to do it now anyway. Incidentally, the licensed trades are very fast and a licensed electrician can rewire a 3,000 square foot three story house plus cellar in three weeks with maybe a week or two of notice. You could slow them down if you are not prepared. You will have to know exactly what plugs you want where, draw a map of all the outlets, and know placement for bathroom and kitchen lighting, which will depend on things such as the location and size of medicine cabinets. It’s nice to have the actual fixtures on hand to install, too, though not necessary — you can use the cheap ceramic one lightbulb holder type temporarily. Some of the electrical placement will certainly require knowledge of the future bath and kitchen design.

maryana | 11 years ago

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Hi, Please get in touch if you are still looking maryana@boswyckstudio.com

premierbuildingny | 11 years ago

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janeinteriorsnyc | 11 years ago

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