Hello AT,
Having recently purchased my first apartment, the thing that has most troubled me is finding a good carpenter to do the construction-related tasks (demo/removal, skim coat, closets, bathroom, kitchen, moldings, lights, doors, etc.).
I have been looking for an independent carpenter rather than a GC so that I have a better chance of very high quality work with good control over the job and associated costs. The problem is that it's been difficult to find someone that meets my co-op's insurance requirements ($1M insurance, workman's comp) and doesn't find my project too small. Is there such an abundance of work in New York that no one will take up the job of a total facelift of my 1-br in Gramercy?
I've called several GCs even, many parties have come to take a look, and I've had difficulty getting even a single bid from any of them! They all seem to have higher priorities and very few even return my phone calls.
Surely my project tops $25k, but in Manhattan I suppose that's chump change.
Anyway, I was wondering if you would be able to refer a good carpenter that meets my co-op requirements and would be interested in my project.
Thanks, John
Dear John, This is the toughest one. However, it sounds like you would do fine with a GC who you like as we would agree that there are not many small carpenters who carry insurance like that.
At $25k, you should be able to get SOMEONE.
It is also what Apartment Therapy has been trying to do for the past year: put together a good list of small to medium sized carpenters and contractors. Continue to check our Services Guide and give a call to Anthony Riccio, Fletcher Bardsley ((347) 268-8143), or Juan Corona for starters and mention our name. If you find someone else, let us know! MGR
Well, I live on the Upper West Side and had walked by My Home Solutions on Amsterdam between 100th and 99th Streets a million times, so when I was looking to have some work done in my apartment, I decided to see how much it would be to have someone besides me coordinate the changing out of 3 light fixtures, and about 8 outlets, and removal of wallpaper in my bathroom and kitchen, and the subsequent skim-coating of each, and few other things, like a couple of small, new counters (but no cabinets), and to change a couple of faucets. I think it came to around $7K or so, which some people told me was exorbitant, and some people said sounded about right.
Anyway... I didn't go with them because I decided that I couldn't afford that big of a chunk at once, and that I needed to do mine in the drips and drabs.
BUT ... the point is, that was an even smaller little budget than you're talking about, and they say that they're very good about dealing with co-op boards, and it was a free in-home consultation, etc. I have no idea how it really would have turned out, but they really did seem to be pretty "on it" to the extent that I dealt with them.
I found my super-nice carpenter by asking my super...
The insurance is the stricking point. Anyone who pays the insurance needs to have a steady supply of big jobs, which is why they keep telling you your job is so small. Remember that healthcare in this country is broken -- most of the kind of people who work on your apartment don't have healthcare and therefore everything that can possibly be shoehorned into worker's comp & disability is, including all kinds of chronic conditions that have nothing whatsoever to do with any accident on the job. The theory is often that work conditions such paster dust, sawdust, industrial solvents, etc., exacerbated or caused the chronic condition.
Do try going through your super. He is covered under the insurance paid by your co-op, so anything he does won't have that barrier.
hope this helps ...
D.
You'll probably be best off finding a GC who carries insurance and knows a good carpenter he can farm out to you. Either that, or doing everything at once so that same GC can employ several people and get a crew working in there for a week or so... Do you know your neighbors? Who have they used? Again, your super is likely to know everyone they've used, and whether or not they liked them. Even if you don't know your neighbors, knock on their door and ask about the work. A neighbor I hadn't met used my electrician, who was a little slow with everything and left my house full of plaster. I would have given him a mixed review, but she never asked...
Your website is new to me & I'm not sure how to recommend a carpenter, but I'm using this space, as it appears in the general area of this topic.
I recently renovated a small 50 year old powder room off the kitchen of my house here in Brooklyn. The one thing holding me back from doing this project sooner was the fear of not being able to find a good contractor. The fellow who did some expert wallpapering in my kitchen (you cannot find a single seam in the job this guy did-maybe I should be recommending him!!)recommended a friend of his to do some tile work. I find that one real craftsman is most likely to recommend another, so it's good to get names from good workers you have had experience with already.
Anyway, Lewis did the most professional and beautiful tile work I could ask for. I knew I was lucky when the plumber who installed the sink & toilet in that room complimented Lewis' work & said he did the right job.
The best part of all was that I was able to give him the key to my house and not have to work around his schedule and he around mine. Trustworthy and a true craftsman, which goes beyond the typical sub-standard work some contractors do, for sure.
I wasn't sure if I could post Lewis' number, or how it works if someone wants to use him, but reply to my e-mail address & I'd be proud to recommend him!
I am doing a total gut and redo of my kitchen. Any suggestions on who I should use? Money is a factor . . .
Thanks so very much.
Kimberly
I referred my friend Luke Lownds months ago for building a loft bed. You can search on AT for LOWNDS or check Craigslist: http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/sks/114511065.html
Paula Rubin,
Your guy sounds like a gem! I can't figure out how to write you to ask for his contact info...anyone?!