Looking for someone to help you with your renovations? Please realize no one is perfect and construction is a messy business, but I think the people on this list are worth consideration…
Real Estate Lawyers
- Bernd Allen – bhallen@amtslaw.com – (212) 353-0040 x234 – our real estate lawyer (since ’98) – can’t say enough good stuff about him – DECADES of experience, well known and well respected, tough when he needs to be
Insurance Agents
- David Bodanski – david@zamzok.net – (212) 561-8990 x201 – knows creative ways to insure shells (can save you THOUSANDS)
Mortgage Brokers & Bank Loan Officers
- Michael Stein @ Wells Fargo – michael.b.stein@wellsfargo.com – coordinated our loan, highly recommended
- Prospect Mortgage – I know two people who got 203(k)s through them
Architects
(also see design/build firms below)
- Peter Holtzman – pholtzman@yahoo.com – owns one of the Astor Row townhouses, was kind enough to review our plans, he seems to enjoy fussing over details (a good trait in an architect)
- Victor Ruiz – http://victorruizarchitecture.com/ – he’s done a good job for one of our friends/neighbors.
Design/Build Firms
(Generally I think design/build firms have an inherent conflict of interest built into how they’re structured, but there are a few I think are worth a shot…)
- Steve Hoffman (architect) – sustainablarchitect@yahoo.com, 917-710-7047 – he’s an architect we know socially who works for a design/build firm
- Cary Paik (architect) of Paik Construction http://www.toba-paik.com/ 212-431-1088 – recommended by our architect, the person who turned us onto Gaulhofer windows
Contractors
(also see design/build firms above)
- Tomasz Construction – 347-680-0419 – they’re doing 32 Mount Morris Park West and the work is incredible
- Dennis O’Leary Construction – 718-884-3778 – doesn’t do structural work, but good for interior work
Home Inspectors
- Accurate Building Inspectors (the Ubells from NPR) – http://www.accuratebuilding.com/ – reputable, but a structural engineer is more appropriate if you’re having a shell inspected.