Renovation of 2 family house

Hi Jason, I also recently bought a 2 family in Greenpoint and am essentially going through the exact same process (I’m even doing the deck from the 1st floor LOL). I’ve hired an architect, though, who worked on the plans and had them approved by the DOB. Now I’m going through the process of trying to find a contractor. I’m having some issues finding contractors (information overload online) and in getting estimates – the 2 estimates I’ve so far received have a lot of gaps so now I have to schedule follow-up discussions to go through the work. I have to start asap for personal issues so if you’d recommend that I meet with any of the contractors that you met with then it would be great if you could share their names. My email is era27@aol.com.

sharon121

in General Contractors 13 years and 1 month ago

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bk_homeslice | 13 years and 1 month ago

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Hey Everyone,  I posted a similiar post a while back, but we have an updated scope of the work we are looking to be done in a 2 family house (only the top 2 floors) in greenpoint.  We have met with 3 contractors thus far and all have been “ok” and vary in price.  We wanted to get some more feed back and possibly have a few more recommended contractors to come in.  Below is a list of items we are looking to be done: -update plumbing -update electric -new air conditioning system (possibly mini split units) -renovate master bathroom upstairs -replace 2nd floor bathroom with a laundry room -Floors (refinsih) -complete renovate kitchen on first floor with island -complete renovation/expansion of bath on first floor -remove unwanted walls to create an open floor plan -build a deck form the first floor -configure the upstairs for 3 bedrooms (putting up 2 walls) -Change the COO for an owners duplex upstairs and a rental on the group level   Thanks for the all the feedback and help -Jason

mike-the-expeditor | 13 years and 1 month ago

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Did you hire an architect or engineer to do the drawings and then find contractors? Or did you find three contractors and expect the GC to get your drawings approved? If you took the “drawings-first” route I would suggest working with someone that has experience working with your RA/PE.

bk_homeslice | 13 years and 1 month ago

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we’ve met with 2 of the architects that work with 2 of the contractors and we also met with an other independent architecht…which route would be best you think?

mike-the-expeditor | 13 years and 1 month ago

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I would recommend working with one of the architect/contractor combinations that you’ve already interviewed, or, if you want more contractor options, going with a contractor that already works with one of the architects.  I strongly suggest you do not sign a contract with the contractor until after your plans are approved by the DOB.  Changes to your drawings (in order to get them approved) may impact the labor (and, by extension the price of your job) necessary to complete the project. Mike
ESCG Expediting

skarns | 13 years and 1 month ago

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Given the amount of cosmetic work identified in your scope, I would recommend against going the contractor/architect combo route.  They will most likely work to the interest of each other rather than yourself and are likely to cut corners to benefit their bottom line.  By hiring an architect as a separate entity, you will gain a partner in the inevitable negotiation process with the contractor and will benefit from a trained eye in identifying issues of quality control.   There are many other advantages to hiring a design architect, which I’d be happy to discuss with you. Feel free to give me a call. Sean Karns Jordan Parnass Digital Archiecture AIA LEED AP http://brownstoner.staging.wpengine.com/jordanparnass

restorationcontractor | 13 years and 1 month ago

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Regarding Skarns self promotional post “I would recommend against going the contractor/architect combo route.  They will most likely work to the interest of each other rather than yourself and are likely to cut corners to benefit their bottom line.” I find this comment insulting to honest tradespeople like myself. Sorry but not all architects and contractors who work together are scumbags. Maybe you are reflecting on your own personal experience. There are actually firms like mine who get jobs done right because both contractor and architect work well together, have pride in their work, and the only thing they are concerned about is getting the project done right and on schedule. Ever heard of design/build?  Oh but wait you wouldn’t know you work by yourself.

skarns | 13 years and 1 month ago

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Yes, you are correct, not all contractors and architects who work together are scumbags.  That said, an architect playing intermediary between contractor and client is hugely helpful in solving disputes and guaranteeing work to a set standard.

restorationcontractor | 13 years and 1 month ago

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It can work both ways, if the client already has an architect who knows his work, great, if he doesn’t, not so good. I personally keep myself at an arms length, and do not involve myself at all in the business transaction between my architect and my client, this way there is no conflict of interest, he works directly for the client. It just does not have to be a bad thing for architect and contractor to work together, certainly not on the projects I have had the opportunity to do so on.

bk_homeslice | 13 years and 1 month ago

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thanks for the advice..i think we are going to go with an idependent arch and contractor.

pk4ave | 13 years and 1 month ago

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Hi If you need another price call New York Best Finish Contracting the phone is 718 909 1759 Im very happy with them