Forum
Search for Answers
Add Question
-
Feedback on Brooklyn Kitchen Gallery?
We are getting ready for the first phase of renovations of a brownstone/townhouse in WT that we are buying and the kitchen is up first. Our contractor recommended Brooklyn Kitchen Gallery. Has anyone used them? We need to stick to a pretty tight budget but also want a decent quality kitchen that will last. More»
8:56 AM 05/22/2012
- 4
- answers
Top Answer
Yes, we are looking at Ikea (and hadn't thought about Lowe's yet so will ck that out too) but wanted to also look at some other options for a comparison. I imgagine there is a tradeoff between labor time to set up the Ikea cabinets and the cost of other products. There is other work the contractor ...... See More » -
Roof. Again. Why I got quotes much higher then mentioned on this forum?
OK, so we need a new roof. It is not terrible, but sometimes roof leeks around skylights and it is old. We got quotes from 2 roofers highly recommended on this site. One - $10500, one - $25K. Roof is 20X65, we need to replace 3 big skylights and one small.Gentleman who quoted bigger estimation said that we need to replace roof hatch ( we actually probably do, but it is not the most burning issue) plus we have to rebuid gutter and tear down small part of the roof on the back. We understand it is expensive, but considering the biggest price mentioned on ... More»
11:39 PM 05/21/2012
- 5
- answers
Top Answer
Hm.....I posted a long answer that disappeared. Maybe the cost of the three skylights, tear off, and rebuild is adding to the cost. However, if you have not called John and Nick at Leakmasters, you definitely should. They are amazing and their prices are very competitive. 718-431-2000.They just fix...... See More » -
Problem with neighbor. How should I handle it?
Park Slope
I own a brownstone on a block in Park Slope which slopes down from the Park. When it rains hard, water flows down from one back yard to the next. So water flows from the yard of my neighbor on the left into my yard and from my yard to that of my neighbor on the right.All of a sudden i get a frantic call this morning from the tenant in the garden apartment that the backyard turned into a pool and their apartment is being flooded.Well, it turns out that very recenty my neighbor on the right hired someone to go into MY backyard, WITHOUT my permission an... More»
9:45 PM 05/21/2012
- 5
- answers
Top Answer
were you not aware when the work was being done? This is not a 2-hour project, so you must have been. Did you not speak about it with them? You have to speak with them about it now and tell them what impact their work is having on your building and tenants. See what they say. See More » -
Fireplace questions
Manhattan
We are considering having some of our fireplaces repaired so that they will work. A couple of questions:Does anyone have experience with renting out an apartment with a working fireplace? Do you get more rent?What does annual maintenance entail? Approx cost?(We are also getting info from insurance co.)Thanks! More»
9:24 PM 05/21/2012
- 4
- answers
Top Answer
Do you have wood under your hearths? Is the material in front of your fireplace new or old? If original, you problably have a stone hearth with brick under that. Perhaps you have victorian era tile. If replacement tile or brick at the floor level, or if the floor has been raised, you may have wo...... See More » -
Addendum to Lease
We have a two family house and our apartment is currently rented but one of the tenants is moving out before the lease is up and a new person is moving in. I need to create an addendum to the lease to take the old tenant off of the lease and add the new tenant but I don't know exactly how to word it; does anyone have an example they could share? Thanks. More»
6:39 PM 05/21/2012
- 3
- answers
Top Answer
How about offering a new lease......you could make it for 6 months if you wanted See More » -
Reasonable Increase In Rent
I have a great condo that I began renting out last summer in williamsburg after moving into Brownstone Brooklyn. It rented easily and now that the lease is almost up Im trying to determine what's a reasonable rent. The tenant is good and I would like to keep him, but things have really picked up there and I want to be sure Im getting what I should get. Is there a reasonable increase in rent expected after the first year?Thanks! More»
4:54 PM 05/21/2012
- 12
- answers
Top Answer
If we have a good tenant, we NEVER raise the rent after the first year--and sometimes not even after the second. Good tenants are like money in the bank. A few hundred bucks more per month is not worth the hassle of finding new tenants--especially if the new tenants end up being deadbeats. Beside...... See More » -
Building Inspector/Engineer Recommendations
Please let me know if you have any recommendations for an affordable building inspector/engineer for a brownstone/building located in Harlem. Looking to inspect a building pre-offer to ensure no structural issues. While the broker recommended one, I'm inclined to find an uninterested opinion. Thanks in advance. More»
3:42 PM 05/21/2012
- 4
- answers
Top Answer
Rick (Rich?) Perry, who has been recommended here a lot. he inspected for my buyers and I was quite impressed at his thoroughness yet he still kept everything in perspective. See More » -
Who Does Concrete Demo
I'd like to demolish the concrete porch (using the word lightly) shown behind the spiral, it's about 16x6 and has plenty of rebar. Any ideas as to who and how much it might cost? I can normally estimate well, but never had this type of work done. Would they use sledges or mechanical means?Also need to replace with small platform & metal stairs from the double doors seen at back (4' above grade) to grade, for egress. Any reccs on metal workers (Vinny?) More»
3:15 PM 05/21/2012
- 1
- answer
Top Answer
Contact Eco Living 347-512-4869 See More » -
So Long -- Off To Harlem!
I've followed Brownstoner for 6 years, and almost bought a house across the street from him. I've enjoyed my three decades in Brooklyn, but at some point (especially during the 06-08 period), the excessive droning on about high-end features and ever-rising prices became insane and irritating. Watching junky, non-descript houses on Garden pl for millions convinced me that the bubble wouldn't end anytime soon.So I've purchased a fully renovated 3-family Harlem townhouse for less than 1MM, at around $260/ft.The financing was incredible -- thanks to t... More»
3:08 PM 05/21/2012
- 6
- answers
Top Answer
lucky you! congrats!! See More » -
Construction Generator Noise - How much is too much?
Clinton Hill
There is construction of a private home going on in a formerly vacant lot two doors away from our building. The construction has been going on for almost a year with starts and stops. The structure of the building is up and they have been working very slowly on the inside of the building for months. They are powering everything on the property with a portable generator that makes a lot of noise. Weeks ago the architect told me they were "waiting on ConEd"... Every day the generator cranks out noise that is driving me crazy and I'm on the 6th floor o... More»
2:14 PM 05/21/2012
- 0
- answers
No Answer Yet
-
how about these peonies?
Carroll Gardens
- 6
- answers
Top Answer
Gorgeous! Peonies are my favorite flowers. I planted Sarah Berhnardt peonies as dormant roots over the winter. I can't wait for next spring. See More » -
Seeking plumber to replace main sewer and vent stack
Bedford Stuyvesant
Hi all -- We are looking for a licensed plumber to replace the mostly vertical main waste line and vent that runs from the cellar through the roof. (We may opt to replace part or most of the main waste line in the cellar also -- and there is another vent on the other side of the house that could use some attention.) Is there a particular type of plumber who does this all day long, and specializes in this, and does anyone have a specific recommendation? Should I call plumbers who specialize in drains, or do they only do snaking and cleanouts? I hope they ... More»
12:35 PM 05/21/2012
- 6
- answers
Top Answer
Mopar, Drain guys are more under street sewer connections. Larger outfits usually have a crew that spends most of their time doing waste lines. You might try going down and talking to Rocco in person (not on telephone)on Degraw St and Van Brunt at Plumbingworx. If you call on phone -you ...... See More » -
Backyard is flooding. Need recommendation for drain installer.
Park Slope
- 1
- answer
Top Answer
Sorry to hear that. Call Millad at 718-669-8305. He is great. He has done our backyard and put new drain, which we needed really badly. See More » -
FHA Loan - From the Seller's Point of View
Brooklyn
Is there any reason why, from a seller's point of view, an offer with an FHA backed loan is less desirable than an offer with a "traditional" loan? Are home inspections or closings made more difficult? Thanks, all. More»
11:48 AM 05/21/2012
- 1
- answer
Top Answer
Having bought with an FHA loan, I'd say for the most part no. There is an FHA inspection, but that is solely to establish that the property is "habitable", i.e. has a working kitchen, bathroom, is structurally sound, etc.They seem particularly obsessed with termites and other infestations, but that ...... See More » -
Brooklyn Utilities needed for a new residence
Brooklyn
Hi everyone, Thanks for all the help on my previous question (which areas in Brooklyn....) - but now I have more questions!!!!We have signed a lease for a duplex in Brooklyn (specifically Bed-Stuy / Kings County) and the landlord said that we need to setup services for power and cooking gas - ConEd and National Grid was specified: are they the correct providers for that area? And do I need to setup an account for trash services? And if so - who do I need to contact?Thanks More»
11:48 AM 05/21/2012
- 7
- answers
Top Answer
I live in Bed-Stuy and use ConEd and National Grid. I did not have to contact DSNY to set up trash services. See More »
