A look at what's going on in Trinidad, on H Street, and in the larger area north of Capitol Hill.
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Monday, May 03, 2010
Decent General Contractor
I posted early in the year asking for a decent plumber. I'm now asking for help with a general contractor (who can do good plumbing work). I want to do a small bathroom overhaul (even out and replace floors, replace much of the plumbing, and change out fixtures), and also possibly do some other minor electrical work (that part could be separate, as I have a person/s who could do it). I'd love to have someone without exorbitant rates. Anyone have a good rec? I can either buy the fixtures, or have them purchase them.
David Robertson of Something Different Contracting. 202-321-6416
ReplyDeleteHe's really good to work with. He redid my bathroom and much more, a neighbor's bathroom, and a coworker entire house.I've seen his work for a few years now. He's a good guy even though he moving from Emerald street.
I need to order a cake for a Confirmation Party. Any recommendations for a place in the neighborhood?
ReplyDeleteI am considering putting a smooth stucco finish over the brick on the front of my row house in Trinidad. I'm not to fond of the existing brown brick and thought putting stucco would be an easy, clean looking way of adding color to the home. Any thoughts, suggestions or recommendations? I've seen couple newly renovated homes done that way and I like the finished product.
ReplyDeleteI would not recommend hiring a general contractor. When I renovated my house last year I got quotes ranging from $165,000 to $215,000 for a 2 BR/1BA row house. Eventually I decided to hire individual sub-contractors (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) and had the entire project done for approximately $45,000. General contractors will make $100,000+ just to make few phone calls, acquire permits and sit back and relax. You can do that yourself and save a bunch of money. It's a little bit of a work to coordinate sub-contractors but it's worth considering the money you save and also you have more control over the materials that they use.
ReplyDeleteAnon: 8:37 With regards to stucco, these days they use synthetic variety which when incorrectly applied leads to cracks and moisture can seep through causing mold. The synthetic stucco requires insulation foam board which traps moisture as well.
I think putting stucco over brick is a huge mistake. And you might decrease your home value with it. I didn't like my brown brick so much when I bought my place but it grew on me. Also pressure washing really improves the look.
ReplyDeleteIf you really can't stand the brown brick paint it.
Can anybody recommend a handyman? I just have a few things that need to be fixed - i.e. drywall, molding repairs/replacement, etc.
ReplyDeleteAny thoughts? Thanks.
Inked-
ReplyDeleteCan we email you directly? I know a good plumber and electrician/ general contractor, but I need them to do work for me soon so I can't have eveyone blowing them up.
http://www.kitchenguild.com/
ReplyDeleteThey also do bathrooms.
Oh - and just one ant-recommendation - Victor Alcantra / Valcon Construction. He took out a wall in my friend's house, saying it wasn't load bearing. Turns out - it was absolutely load bearing. Holy crap.
ReplyDeleteI used Professional Full Remodling - pfrco.com for my bathroom a few years ago. I bought my own fixtures that way I got the quality I wanted plus it was easier to compare the quotes for labor & raw materials.
ReplyDeleteAlso, for bathroon and handyman work, try theransomcompany.com
Stucco is up there with formstone when it comes to swiftly depreciating a house!
ReplyDeleteDoug, whose last name escapes me, of Fairchild Construction. He redid our kitchen, installing cabinets, new wood floor, kitchen sink. he also installed a new sink and cabinet in our downstairs bathroom. We also exposed some brick at a later time and he did a great job with that.
ReplyDeleteWhat I like about him is he divides out supplies and labor. And you can go and choose your materials at Lowes, for instance, and he'll pick up and install.
I think he specializes in bathrooms and kitchens.
ok seems like stuco is not a good choice. I have thought about painting the brick, but would they have to sand the bricks smooth before painting? My brick has grooves thought and traps a lot of dust.
ReplyDeleteThere is a difference between Stucco and EFIS (Exterior Finishing and Insulation System).
ReplyDeleteStucco is a Portland Cement base with fine aggregate that is applied to a masonry surface. It is commonly used in Europe and in the Mediterranean region. Plus certain parts of the States. If you are planning to use this system to cover your brickface, I would do a great deal of research in the process and get SEVERAL quotes. Or you can paint.
http://www.edgarsmasonry.com/
For the EFIS, the needed and required air separation from the structure with drainage must be done or mold will happen. There is a process with this system and by cutting corners and 'saving money' has and will lead to problems. You can gain a good amount of added R-Value to your home.
Do understand that you most likely will have to get approval for doing either one.
Anon 12:49
ReplyDeleteDo you need tuck-pointing done?
This is a process of grooving out a portion of the old mortar that has eroded away to refill in new mortar. It adds life to the bricks, plus when done right, improves the appearance. In other words, when it is done with inexperience tradesmen, it looks like crap, but does the job.
I'm looking for an AC repair man if anyone has a rec. thx
ReplyDeleteNo the exterior brick is perfectly fine. It's just that I wanted to add curb appeal. Half of the homes on the block are painted. The other half are look the say because of the same brick exterior. So this is more for curb appeal. I figured if I painted or did something to the exterior, that perhaps the remaining neighbors would sign on. I like when the homes have their own character, vs a row of 10 homes looking exactly alike.
ReplyDeleteDavid Roberston of Something Different Contracting was highly recommended to us by two trusted friends (who are contractors as well, but don't do 203k work) of ours. We ended up finding a place that doesn't need much work, but he was on our shortlist of getting an estimate.
ReplyDeleteWe used Copple Construction for some general contracting in our home, and we were very pleased with both the work and the price. http://coppleconstruction.com
ReplyDeleteWe also used Keil Construction for a different project. I wouldn't piss on the proprietor if he was on fire, but as much of a shitweasel as I found him to be, I have to admit that his people do good work and also have reasonable prices. http://keilconstruction.com/
Chung Ku
ReplyDelete301-318-2775
He did our bathroom (tile, plumbing, electrical, drywall, floor work). Very good, very reasonably priced, honest, and knocked out the job really quick.
Anyone know a good landscaping contractor? I've got some grading/retaining wall work to do in my backyard.
ReplyDeleteAward,
ReplyDeleteyou can:
inked78[at]hotmail.com
Everything that I've read says painting brick is a very bad idea.
ReplyDeleteYou can trap moisture behind the paint which leads to accelerated deterioration of brick surfaces. Old bricks like ours, they have a hard crust, but softer interior. As soon as you damage the outside of the brick, the rest goes really fast.
Plus, once you've painted brick, you've pretty much committed to repainting every few years. The paint it going to peel, and there is not way to get it all off the brick. sandblasting is a no-no (see above about the surface of the brick).
House flippers paint the brick exteriors because in the short term, it is the fastest way to make the house look fresh on the outside. They are often just hiding problems though, and when that paint starts to peel...
Keil construction quoted me $185,000 to renovate a 2 BR house. I don't know where he got that number from. It was a 2 month job. Basically had I hired them he would have made $140,000 in two months and I would be paying a heft mortgage.
ReplyDelete