| Author |
Message |
    
mimi
Citizen
Username: Mimi
Post Number: 1
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 1:43 pm: | 
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Hi everyone. I'm new to this site. And (hopefully) soon to be new to Maplewood. My husband and I (plus 2 dogs and daughter-on-the-way) are in contract for our first home in the Tuscan section of town. Following our inspection, we've been trying to get some contractors in for estimates on a lovely but uncared for home.
First, thank you all for the incredible information. Stumbling on this site during my where-to-live research was a deciding factor for us when choosing Maplewood. I get a real sense of the town, the diversity, the community, etc every time I log on. And I continue to come to it for information almost daily.
I do have a few questions about contractor recommendations. Naturally, I performed searches on these things, but some of the info is a little outdated and I'm wondering if anyone has any new thoughts or experiences.
1) Exterior house painter: Our house hasn't been touched in a very long time. Everyone recommends Rutgers. But they can't come for weeks to give us the estimate necessary now for our lawyer. I saw JC Painting recommended highly. We met with him, got an estimate, and thought he seemed honest and a craftsman. Thoughts?
2) Plumber: We have to have our whole house replumbed from galvanized to copper. There are leaks but if we fix them now, the house will not suffer any more damage. Gateway was recommended. Any opinions?
3) We need some tree service (hopefully not removal) on a very large tree with overhanging branches and roots that may be encroaching on the foundation. Maplewood Trees was recommended. Experience?
4) Floor sanders? Our floors are in great original condition and merely need a light sand and re-poly. Any recommendations? We have to do the whole house.
Thanks in advance. I'm sure you'll be hearing from us again when we have to find someone to move us from our NYC rental and our PA weekend house to Maplewood (2 homes to 1--what fun) or when I'm trying to find a good dog walker.
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shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 2181
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 2:01 pm: |
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Where in the Tuscan section?
For floors, you can try Bryant in South Orange.
Rutgers did our house but we've had friends use JC and were happy.
We've used Gateway for a recent project and have been satisfied. Another suggestions (whom we've used in the past) CT Williams. It can't hurt to get a few names not only for pricing but scheduling as well.
We use Maplewood Tree as well.
Good luck. We live in the Tuscan section and love it. |
melicious
Citizen
Username: Melicious
Post Number: 103
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 2:21 pm: |
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Rutgers - okay
Gateway - love em
Maplewood Tree - okay
Floor Sanders - no recommendation
I used Move One (in Edison) to move me - try 'em!
Good Luck!
M |
Josh Holtz
Citizen
Username: Jholtz
Post Number: 12
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 5:24 pm: |
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Best movers - I have recommended them to many people who have been completely satisfied. Great movers who will be cheaper than any other.
Flowers - (973) 373-4242 - Speak to Frank or Robert - Tell them Josh Holtz recommended them - They will take care of you. |
DeborahG
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 1188
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 - 10:06 pm: |
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Another big thumbs up for Gateway. And welcome to town (in advance!) |
Mrs T
Citizen
Username: Netjack
Post Number: 38
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 2:36 pm: |
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Make sure you get the boiler and associated plumbing as well as the chimney inspected by specialists, not the home inspector!!!! |
Mrs T
Citizen
Username: Netjack
Post Number: 39
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 2:41 pm: |
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And... electrical, check for knob and tube (an insurance nightmare). It may cost you some money on service calls, but it's certainly worth it considering the investment you're making, and costs in the not too distant future. |
weekends
Citizen
Username: Weekends
Post Number: 49
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 2:49 pm: |
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Mrs. T: Since when is knob and tube an insurance nightmare? It was a non-issue when we insured our house. |
Mrs T
Citizen
Username: Netjack
Post Number: 40
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 4:06 pm: |
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Do they know? We filled out a form with info about elect, plumbing, etc. Mr T put down knob and tube, eventhough it's a few lights. It was cancelled because of it, and have had to go through the state. I'm still trying to get reinstated after an inspection. |
sk8mom
Citizen
Username: Sk8mom
Post Number: 91
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 4:45 pm: |
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We have had good experiences with the following:
Painter: Hugh Strong, 908-688-2586
Plumber: Tom's Terrific Plumbing & Heating
973-429-1166
floor sanders: Expert Floors, 973-378-8858
Maplewood Tree Experts -- we have had very good experience w/ them
Good luck! |
Maplemom
Citizen
Username: Maplemom
Post Number: 139
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 5:28 pm: |
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Welcome! You'll love it here.
Trees - Search the archives for Tree King. We used them, the beat everyone's prices by more than half and did a fast, excellent job.
Paint- Rutgers has been great for us.
Electric - Barry Cohen Electric
Plumbing - TC Williams and Corragio Bros. have worked for us
Floors - We used Bryant four years ago, they did fine but I did find a few places with pooling and a couple spots where some sawdust got poly-ied over. Most people wouldn't} notice and overall they did a nice job for the price.
This time we are using Distinctive floors (for our new house) since there is some border work and we want some attention to detail. We are going with oil based finish for a bit more wear(last time we did water base). Water based can be done quicker and has less fumes... whichever you choose I suggest going with a satin finish instead of high gloss....it doesn't show the scratches as much and scratches are inevitable.
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AZ
Citizen
Username: Azaltsman
Post Number: 229
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 8:44 pm: |
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Mimi,
We moved from the upper west side two years ago and used Flat Rate.com. Great price and great servce.
We recently used Stacey Electric in Orange, NJ. They did a GREAT job for us with some odds and ends. The tech we had was Conrad.
I have never used CT Williams plumbing but I did call them once for a referral for someone to replace our water main pipe to the street and Todd Williams was nice enough to give a good person to work with. BTW: Learn from our mistake. Get the $7 per month water service line insurance on your water bill. This oversight just cost us $4K. |
mimi
Citizen
Username: Mimi
Post Number: 3
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - 9:15 pm: |
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Thank you all so much. We're getting estimates from a number of people you mentioned and will hopefully be moving forward.
And thanks for the tip about the insurance...I was wondering about that. |
weekends
Citizen
Username: Weekends
Post Number: 50
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 12:39 pm: |
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Mrs. T: Sure, the insurer knows. They sent a fellow over to inspect the house before they issued the policy.
I'm curious: have other MOL'ers had trouble finding home insurance when they have some knob & tube wiring? |
Joel Janney
Citizen
Username: Joel_janney
Post Number: 26
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 18, 2005 - 1:46 pm: |
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Floors: Claudio Russo at Russo Flooring 973-418-2417. I recommend him highly and you'll find his name all over the home fix-it archives (that's how I found out about him).
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Mrs T
Citizen
Username: Netjack
Post Number: 41
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 19, 2005 - 11:30 am: |
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Weekends,
What insurance is this? Who's the agent? I'd love to change, but whenever I deal with insurance, it's always like I have to beg for their business. |
barbara wilhelm
Citizen
Username: Bartist
Post Number: 182
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 9:32 am: |
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mimi,
PLUMBER
The pipe under the kitchen sink broke on Friday afternoon. I called Gateway and the were prompt and the crew was professional. That said their charge for a half hour of work was $225. The part that they replaced under the sink could not have been more than $5. My conclusion is that their prices are on very high side. I would shop around and get several quotes for the work that you want done.
TREES
Used Tree King for the removal of two large trees and the trees trimmed in my front yard. Their price was more than half of the local estimates that I got. Very happy with their work.
ELECTRICIAN
I can recommend use Brian Stromko for your electrical work. Honest guy, good prices.
FLOOR REFINISHING
Used Briant for the sanding of all of the floors in my house. Best price around.
good luck |
barbara wilhelm
Citizen
Username: Bartist
Post Number: 183
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 9:35 am: |
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mimi,
PLUMBER
The pipe under the kitchen sink broke on Friday afternoon. I called Gateway and the were prompt and the crew was professional. That said their charge for a half hour of work was $225. The part that they replaced under the sink could not have been more than $5. My conclusion is that their prices are on very high side. I would shop around and get several quotes for the work that you want done.
TREES
Used Tree King for the removal of two large trees and the trees trimmed in my front yard. Their price was more than half of the local estimates that I got. Very happy with their work.
ELECTRICIAN
I can recommend use Brian Stromko for your electrical work. Honest guy, good prices.
FLOOR REFINISHING
Used Briant for the sanding of all of the floors in my house. Best price around.
good luck |
weekends
Citizen
Username: Weekends
Post Number: 51
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 22, 2005 - 9:43 am: |
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Mrs. T -- It was purchased through the insurance agent there on Maplewood Ave. between Baker and Lenox Place; I think it's called the Marine Agency or something like that. |
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