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Hot Topic | renovation

Room for Improvement: A wish for better water pressure, and a view of something other than an alley

by Hong Le | 5/18/12 - 12:51 PM

From dark-as-a-cave apartments to showers with little pressure to inconvenient laundry times, these five New Yorkers have plenty they’d like to see fixed up in their abodes....
Unraveling NYC real estate spin, one white lie at a time

by Lucy Cohen Blatter | 5/16/12 - 10:01 AM

Here at BrickUnderground, we have lots of first-person columns to peruse,...
Don't want to relocate during your reno? You may not have to

by Yoel Borgenicht, General Contractor | 5/09/12 - 8:13 AM

We always recommend clients move out of their...

NYC Renovation Questions: How can I keep noise, dust and odors to a minimum so my neighbors don't hate me?

by Emmalie Vance and Lucy Cohen Blatter | 4/25/12 - 8:41 AM

Q. How do I make sure to stay on my neighbors’ good sides when I’m renovating? I’m concerned about the smells, dust and noise annoying them.
A: First,...
10 Minutes with window treatment, glass and radiator-cover guy Lou Manganiello: Only fools take their own measurements (or buy online!)

by Marjorie Cohen | 4/20/12 - 1:08 PM

Lou Manganiello, owner of Strachman on the Upper West Side, is in the business of selling and...
Ask an Expert: Whose problem is it if my brownstone renovation bothers the neighbors?

by Teri Karush Rogers | 4/17/12 - 1:25 PM

Q. We're renovating a brownstone and we informed the landlords of the attached brownstones in advance. During demolition, one landlord called...

NYC Renovation Chronicles: Chicken-and-egg edition

by Yoel Borgenicht, General Contractor | 4/11/12 - 10:36 AM

Timing is the key to a successful renovation. If you’re wondering which pieces to do first, here are some chicken-and-egg scenarios for you:
1. What comes first...
The StreetEasy Hot Dozen: 12 rentals that may or may not be available by the time you read this

by Alex Hughes | 4/10/12 - 8:41 AM

It’s all about the East Side in this week's Hot Dozen, the rental listings StreetEasy.com visitors clicked on...
Soundproofing my windows changed my life (sponsored)

4/02/12 - 12:03 PM

Cityproof, the city’s premiere window soundproofing company, has been bringing peace to Gotham one ...

Renovation Qs: Where to splurge and skimp on your urban bathroom

by Emmalie Vance | 3/28/12 - 8:10 AM

Q. I’m renovating my bathroom on a budget. As far as aesthetics, where should I splurge, and where can I get away with saving?
A. There are lots of...
NYC Renovation Chronicles: If the reno is for your mistress, it pays to tell your contractor

by Yoel Borgenicht, General Contractor | 3/14/12 - 7:50 AM

As a general contractor working in New York City, I encounter a lot of strange requests and tricky situations.
Here's a recent sampling--and a few tips should one of...
NYC Renovation Chronicles: A pre-renovation checklist for your contractor

by Yoel Borgenicht, General Contractor | 2/29/12 - 10:41 AM

So, you've chosen a contractor. Before he can get started, make sure he completes the 10 duties listed below:
1. Offers a detailed estimate. Each...
NYC Renovation Chronicles: Seriously blinged-out apartment features (and how you can copy them)

by Yoel Borgenicht, General Contractor | 2/15/12 - 7:35 AM

As a contractor working in New York City, I get to see a lot of extravagant homes and furnishings where price is not a concern.

Below is a list of some eye-...
StreetNoise: The perfect countertop, the reason why your apt isn't selling, and more

by Ronda Kaysen | 2/09/12 - 10:21 AM
- You should be so lucky: ...
Renovation gifts for neighbors, above and beyond the warning letter

by Lucy Cohen Blatter | 2/08/12 - 10:26 AM

Many if not most NYC co-op and condo buildings require residents to send ...
David Schwimmer gets heat for demolition -- but did he do anything wrong?

by Lucy Cohen Blatter | 2/08/12 - 8:02 AM

Former “Friends” star David Schwimmer angered some soon-to-be neighbors when he tore down an 1852 East Village townhouse – which he bought for $4.1 million in 2010 – to...
NYC Renovation Chronicles: 4 difficult clients - and how not to be one

by Yoel Borgenicht, General Contractor | 2/01/12 - 12:17 PM

Just as clients prefer to work with ...
From 1 room to 2: The insider's guide to temporary walls

by Lucy Cohen Blatter | 1/24/12 - 7:36 AM

Temporary walls are so New York. Just mention plans to build a non-permanent wall to non-New Yorkers and you’ll get some seriously quizzical looks....
A fireplace in the city? It's not impossible!

by Teri Karush Rogers | 1/18/12 - 3:31 PM

Over on StreetEasy, one NYC-dweller is...
NYC Renovation Chronicles: How to make sure your project finishes on time (or at least know when it won't)

by Yoel Borgenicht, General Contractor | 1/18/12 - 11:48 AM

The culture of tardiness in construction is rampant among many NYC firms both large and small. This can cost you a lot of money and aggravation.
Here's how to minimize...