So the managing agent has finally contacted me as a result of the wall and ordered me to stop all work. This has me 1) freaked out a bit, as the co-op could kick me out if they wanted to, 2) ticked me off as all work I was planning to do with my Dad cannot be done and 3) delayed the whole project!
They have decided to send out an engineer to look at the wall, mainly to verify it's not a load bearing partition. A load of bah humbug really since I feel they don't trust my engineer and they are just looking to make money off of me.
In the meantime, I'm going to head off to Green Depot in Brooklyn to buy some denim insulation. It's a pretty cool product because it's natural, eco-friendly and is easy to handle. No glass fibers or masks need to be worn, so it's worth the little premium compared to fiberglass insulation to me. Plus I'm sure it will add value to the home and help keep my apartment cool in the summer and more moderate in the winter. I hope I can fit a few packs in the back of a Subaru!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The great shuffle
After a weekend of shuffling all of my belongings from one room to another (with the help of the lovely Rachel of course), the electrical work has commenced again. The bedroom and bedroom closet now has recessed lighting. All the dimmer switches have been installed too, making mood lighting much easier then I ever imagined :) I've held off on buying the reflectors for the recessed lights as I want to wait until all the plaster removal is done. So, I'm ready to tear through some walls in the foyer and closets when my Dad comes out for Thanksgiving.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Light in a dark place
The electrical work has commenced and it's look fabulous. The main feature being added in is recessed lighting and the elusive outlet in the bathroom. Here's a few pictures of this week's progress in the Kitchen & Living Room.
In my usual fashion, I waited until the last minute to put the lighting design down on paper. I mis-measured my living room and the advice I received from Chris Rush, a lighting designer at Arup, didn't exactly fall into place with the incorrect dimensions. Yet, it all worked out when I realized my mistake.
From what I've learned in the past, you always need to leave clear concise directions, measurements, and drawings when you're doing construction. I'm glad the drawings worked out after having finished them at 2 AM.
In my usual fashion, I waited until the last minute to put the lighting design down on paper. I mis-measured my living room and the advice I received from Chris Rush, a lighting designer at Arup, didn't exactly fall into place with the incorrect dimensions. Yet, it all worked out when I realized my mistake.
From what I've learned in the past, you always need to leave clear concise directions, measurements, and drawings when you're doing construction. I'm glad the drawings worked out after having finished them at 2 AM.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Busted
Today I was busted by the super of my building. I had this one coming to me, but thought I could defy the laws of grumpy/overprotective new yorkers. Wrong!
I knew I wasn't supposed to knock down the wall without board permission. I also knew I wasn't supposed to do construction on the weekends. It turns out that a lot of dust fell into the steam pipe collar in my kitchen. When the heat kicked on recently, the expansion and contraction of the pipe resulted in dust falling into my neighbor's kitchen. I politely dealt with him about this and offered to seal it for him. I thought this was a normal occurrence in every NYC apartment, so I didn't think much of it.
Apparently, it kept falling for 1 week while I was gone at Greenbuild (kind of ironic how I'm at a conference about building for the future as my old building is falling apart in a sense). My neighbor continuously phoned the managing agent who then told the super to check out my apartment today, the day the electrical work started.
I assured the super that it was fine and that my structural engineer had looked at it, assuring me it wasn't a load bearing wall. He freaked out, telling me the ceiling would fall down on me. It's funny how much these guys don't know and they take care of your building!
Anyways, no consequences yet, but I plan on hearing soon about it.
I knew I wasn't supposed to knock down the wall without board permission. I also knew I wasn't supposed to do construction on the weekends. It turns out that a lot of dust fell into the steam pipe collar in my kitchen. When the heat kicked on recently, the expansion and contraction of the pipe resulted in dust falling into my neighbor's kitchen. I politely dealt with him about this and offered to seal it for him. I thought this was a normal occurrence in every NYC apartment, so I didn't think much of it.
Apparently, it kept falling for 1 week while I was gone at Greenbuild (kind of ironic how I'm at a conference about building for the future as my old building is falling apart in a sense). My neighbor continuously phoned the managing agent who then told the super to check out my apartment today, the day the electrical work started.
I assured the super that it was fine and that my structural engineer had looked at it, assuring me it wasn't a load bearing wall. He freaked out, telling me the ceiling would fall down on me. It's funny how much these guys don't know and they take care of your building!
Anyways, no consequences yet, but I plan on hearing soon about it.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Debris Removal Hurts...My Wallet!
I had to get rid of all the wall debris today in order for the electrician to have the proper room to work in. The city has been letting me down with the pickup and resulting in nothing but angry phone calls from my super. I decided to pursue removal by paying someone to get it done.
One company came in this morning and wanted $475 to take away all the plaster and wood. I told them to take a hike. After a few searches on Craigslist and phone calls, I found a guy who would take a cargo van full of debris for $300 if I brought it to the curb. I instantly jumped at this option as there was no cheaper way (van rental + gas + finding the dump + paying the dump + my time > $300). This also gave me the opportunity to get rid of all the trim that's been lying around forever.
After an hour of hauling bags down in laundry carts (shhhh!!! don't tell my neighbors!!) with the help of Rachel and Chris, we got everything to the curb. The money exchanged hands and all was done. The best part was that the contractor offered to bring a garbage truck next time if I had more debris! Cool! He can only bring the truck at night though....sound illegal???
One company came in this morning and wanted $475 to take away all the plaster and wood. I told them to take a hike. After a few searches on Craigslist and phone calls, I found a guy who would take a cargo van full of debris for $300 if I brought it to the curb. I instantly jumped at this option as there was no cheaper way (van rental + gas + finding the dump + paying the dump + my time > $300). This also gave me the opportunity to get rid of all the trim that's been lying around forever.
After an hour of hauling bags down in laundry carts (shhhh!!! don't tell my neighbors!!) with the help of Rachel and Chris, we got everything to the curb. The money exchanged hands and all was done. The best part was that the contractor offered to bring a garbage truck next time if I had more debris! Cool! He can only bring the truck at night though....sound illegal???
Friday, November 9, 2007
Can you taste it?
Dust, dust and more dust. This is what you get for knocking down an old dry plaster wall. Blah!
My floors have a nice coating on them, no matter how much I mop. It's getting better though as I keep cleaning. I think I just need to buy a new mop!
The electrical starts next week and I went to buy supplies the other night. 18 recessed cans at home depot worked out to $275. Not too bad. I got free dimmers from Matt Franks at work, 6 of them which retail @ $50 a piece. Again, connections are great!
I'm looking forward to the lighting being installed, although it will be a bit of musical chairs as I have to clear out the kitchen and living room, and then flip it over the weekend so that the bedroom is clear. I think it will work out in the end.
My floors have a nice coating on them, no matter how much I mop. It's getting better though as I keep cleaning. I think I just need to buy a new mop!
The electrical starts next week and I went to buy supplies the other night. 18 recessed cans at home depot worked out to $275. Not too bad. I got free dimmers from Matt Franks at work, 6 of them which retail @ $50 a piece. Again, connections are great!
I'm looking forward to the lighting being installed, although it will be a bit of musical chairs as I have to clear out the kitchen and living room, and then flip it over the weekend so that the bedroom is clear. I think it will work out in the end.
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