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Author Topic: Home Improvement  (Read 28603 times)

Offline ECG

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #15 on: February 22, 2008, 01:25:47 PM »
You made a very important point, Buddy!

Word of mouth and good will towards friends is fine, but I want something written down now.

The excuse of: well if you pay by check I will have to charge you tax is getting pretty old. Heck, I have to pay taxes, do they
declare 100% of their cash jobs?

Our building has a rule that only licensed contractors can do work.

I am thinking of having work on my kitchen, but I want a contract spelling out EVERYTHING.

Still grumpy. But this is one of my pet peeves.


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Offline Griswold Girl

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Reputable Contractor?
« Reply #16 on: February 22, 2008, 10:24:01 PM »
Anyone know of a reasonable, reliable, knowledgeable and competent contractor?  Don't need any major work done but lots of small to medium size jobs around my new apartment. Looking for someone with good references.   Thanks.
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Offline rabucat

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #17 on: February 23, 2008, 02:55:34 PM »
Yes! Cesar is great!  He is currently doing a bunch of renovation work in my apartment--his plaster work is incredible and VERY fast.  He did a great job painting as well, and seems to have a good eye for detail (at least when it comes to walls--I haven't had him do any tilework, so not sure about that).  Good price too.  I'm having him do some floor and moulding work, and I'll post about it once it's done.


Quote from: orzabelle on February 22, 2008, 08:09:28 AM
Bob from Elmwood Plumbing is awesome.

Agree also on Antonio Electric

The FASTEST and best skim-coat/plaster guys I know are from El Campeon Construction. 

Cesar only speaks Spanish, but he is a lovely man, and he is awesome at skim coating.  (And very reasonable)
646-245-5961

If you call him, tell him that Claudia (pronounce it Cloudia!) rec'd him.  He also did our tilework in our kitchen and bathroom, and though they are inexpensive, they didn't do the most perfect job (my dh is an architect and notices imperfections I never would notice in a million years, but he agrees that they are great at skim-coating)

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Offline katie

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #18 on: February 24, 2008, 03:36:46 PM »
So the need for a locksmith came a lot sooner than I had anticipated.  I got locked in my apartment today.  The doorknob and lock have been on the fritz since I moved in.  This morning the lock literally broke in my hand as I unlocked it to leave for brunch.  I tried to call Joseph Locksmith but the guy whose number was given as the emergency contact on Joseph's answering machine said he was "on vacation" and couldn't help me.  Unfortunately, Joseph's answering machine did not give any other emergency numbers so I Googled "locksmith Jackson Heights NY."  I called several of locksmiths and finally got an answer at the Google result: A 24 Hours Local Locksmith (718-651-2613); the receipt the locksmith gave says Auto Lock A 24 Hour Emergency Locksmith Service (1-800-380-2345).

The locksmith that came to save me was extremely nice and helpful even though he arrived nearly 45 minutes after he said he would.  He opened my door and spent about an hour replacing the entire doorknob/lock mechanism.  The downside: it cost a pretty penny -- several (emphasis on several) hundred dollars.  I understand that it's a Sunday, an emergency, etc., and he did tell me the price of everything he was doing before he did it, which I greatly appreciate, but the price was still a shocker.

Anyway, most importantly, my dog and I can leave the house now!  Hopefully the next time I need a locksmith will be on a planned weekday.
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Offline michaelb

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #19 on: April 09, 2008, 05:14:26 PM »
Quote from: spanishfish on February 02, 2008, 05:58:54 PM
4) hardwood floor guy - 1800WOODFLOORS.COM (located in Astoria)

Very interesting.  Anyone else work with these guys?
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Offline Shelby2

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #20 on: April 09, 2008, 05:27:14 PM »
Quote from: michaelb on April 09, 2008, 05:14:26 PM
Very interesting.  Anyone else work with these guys?

here are a few more anonymous comments on brownstoner about them FWIW
http://www.brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2007/05/refinish_floors.php
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lpauls

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #21 on: April 09, 2008, 09:49:29 PM »
Can someone pass along the number of antonio electric (or other recommended electricians)?  I have a small job to be done.  Thanks.
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Offline michaelb

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #22 on: April 14, 2008, 12:30:05 PM »
What are the benefits/drawbacks to replacing a fusebox with a circuit breaker box? How much does such a procedure usually run?

My fusebox only had 3 circuits.  I've been around breakers all of my life until I moved to JH so I was rather fascinated to see one, as if it were a quaint paleolithic artifact.  Gives the place character, kind of.

My instinct is to cast it away under the banner of modernization but everything old is not necessarily automatically bad, is it?
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Offline buddy

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #23 on: April 14, 2008, 08:43:58 PM »
Fuse boxes vs circuit breaker:  the difference is how the electricity is distributed so you don't blow fuses. Circuit breakers are safer and stronger. I replaced my old 3 fuse box with a circuit breaker when I redid my kitchen. I put my fridge and my microwave on their own designated fuse which is a big plus.  And I have a couple of extra fuses in case the building ever upgrades the electricity.  That's not likely but I'm ready just in case.   It's always worth doing.  The cost also included the rewiring of my kitchen the adding more outlets for the appliances.  The licensed electrician had a couple of workers with him and charged me $1200.
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Offline PK1

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General Contractor suggestion
« Reply #24 on: April 17, 2008, 04:14:08 PM »
If you are looking for a general contractor, I recommend Gerard from Oldcastle Construction.

You can see examples of his work and get his contact information on his website:  www.oldcastleconstruction.com

He lives in Jackson Heights.  If you are interested, he has been known to show people what he has done with his own apartment.
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Offline NYC Native

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #25 on: April 17, 2008, 05:25:53 PM »
Gotham Stat Industries is amazing.  They did more than 30 apartments in Corona, Astoria and in Forest Hills.  They did do a couple of units in Jackson Heights but had so much work in 2007 they were turning work down.  Since it's not summer yet you can get this contractor involved in interior design, renovations, lead in paint and they are also Asbestos removal certified.  Amazing kitchens, bathrooms, arches, granite, marble...amazing.  They are not the cheapest but they are not expensive.  If you are just looking for a painter or some handyman work they wont be able to help you but if you need a new bathroom, kitchen, electrical or a full gut rehab call this guys .

They will even take you to any of their work in the area.  They can show you not 1 but as many as 5 or 6 jobs going on as I write.

Their number is 718-297-7405 and ask for Goldberg or Martinez (they are partners)
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Offline ECG

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #26 on: April 17, 2008, 06:07:39 PM »
Hmm.. A little bit of self-promotion here?

You posted on the real estate broker site, too.
 :o
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Offline buddy

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #27 on: April 17, 2008, 08:46:46 PM »
Quote from: ECG on April 17, 2008, 06:07:39 PM
Hmm.. A little bit of self-promotion here?

You posted on the real estate broker site, too.
 :o


If the people with services to offer end up being good, that would be great.  When it's busy season it's so hard to find people available.  If I ever wanted to use someone I found here, on site, I'd check references and go see their work.    I guess this site is getting known if people are joining to promote themselves.  So that's cool, ECG.  I actually don't mind that.  What are u thinking?
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Offline ECG

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #28 on: April 17, 2008, 10:18:24 PM »
I've been in correspondence with NYC Native and he seems to be really on the mark. I looked at over a dozen pictures of his work, and based on that I'd recommend him to anyone.

I'm sorry if I was too cynical about the posting. Too many readings of the Real Estate Broker postings I think.

Actually glad this all occurred because now I feel good about his work. If you'd like, I will privately email the pictures.
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Offline NYC Native

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Re: Home Improvement
« Reply #29 on: April 18, 2008, 12:13:27 AM »
Quote from: buddy on April 17, 2008, 08:46:46 PM
If the people with services to offer end up being good, that would be great.  When it's busy season it's so hard to find people available.  If I ever wanted to use someone I found here, on site, I'd check references and go see their work.    I guess this site is getting known if people are joining to promote themselves.  So that's cool, ECG.  I actually don't mind that.  What are u thinking?

BUSTED!!!!!!...LOL
I could never be a ninja or an under cover agent...I am hopeless....lol

But in my personal opinion we are what we say we are " a super star"...LOL.  I love that stupid song. 

If anyone wants to see some of our work please email me and I will send pictures and will arrange for anyone to see the work 1st hand.  Most of my work is readily available to be viewed.  Again, if you need a painter and your walls are in good condition have the super or any handyman do it.  But if your walls are shot and need skim coating or your floors are shot or maybe you need a new kitchen, bathroom or major work done right...we are it.  There I go again...promotion, promotion, promotion.   At this time it doesn't matter if I get one job from here since we have plenty and i thank God, Allah, Buddha, or whatever heavenly element is at work.  I didn't join the JH Life to promote Gotham Stat, It truly was almost an accident.   

I love Jackson Heights and I enjoy the people, their weirdness, intellectualism and the juxtaposition to reality as well as the old and new blood battling to maintain or change the old guard.  I lived there while I was separated from my 1st wife (Living la Vida Loca) and I have seen some changes, most of them wonderful.  If I am ever out of line please feel free to tell me and I will kick your butt...LOL.  Just kidding, last time a butt was kicked was mine.  My 73 year old neighbor shredded me in chess in less than 10 minutes.  I'm sure she cheated and since her English is really poor her son translated from Chinese to really broken English (I understood her better than I did him...LOL)

Chess, another thing I stink in

Be well, Stay well and do well![/color]
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