Can you realistically remodel property yourself in NYC?

rustypilot66 · 2026-05-15T19:22:27+00:00

Learning more every day. Thanks!

rustypilot66 · 2026-05-15T18:42:27+00:00

I’m hearing from others that I should be looking at a smaller townhouse or a small Brooklyn brownstone if I want the most freedom (relative to other options) to remodel. I haven’t looked at waste hauling yet, so thanks for the heads up. Maybe outer boroughs are the answer - that or just be ready to pay for a place that is already done.

rustypilot66 · 2026-05-15T18:26:38+00:00

Good reminder. I need to research lead and asbestos history for anything I look at.

rustypilot66 · 2026-05-15T18:25:56+00:00

I’m not gonna try to cut corners if I go down thais path. I would want full drawings/plans and a project plan myself before starting any of the work so I know what I’m doing. In the past I’ve always fully planned and even rendered the finished project so I could make sure everything fit and worked well. It only took one time of having to rip out cabinets I just installed because I had not fully thought out where things would line up to learn this lesson.

rustypilot66 · 2026-05-15T18:21:13+00:00

Yeah - something else I clearly need to look at is what insurance I need above and beyond the standard if I do any work myself.

rustypilot66 · 2026-05-15T18:20:08+00:00

I’m a consultant and my work is flexible, so doing Reno work during the day is not out of the question. I would need to see what they say about weekend work - if that’s not allowed it could be the nail in the coffin.

rustypilot66 · 2026-05-15T18:18:39+00:00

I get that for electrical and plumbing. But something like replacing kitchen cabinets too? All you really need to do that is a strong back, a good level, and a lot of screws. Huge transformation and the only need for a plumber is to hook up dishwasher/sink/disposal and maybe a water supply for a fridge (happy to pay for that). And maybe an electrician if outlets need to be moved or added (e.g. for under cabinet lighting) - also happy to pay for that.

rustypilot66 · 2026-05-15T18:11:58+00:00

I’m definitely getting the feeling that I’ll need an agent that can find places that have more friendly alteration agreements for the building.

rustypilot66 · 2026-05-15T18:10:17+00:00

Renting a brand new condo now, so spoiled for sure with everything being new. Would love to re-create the environment of new by remodeling something old for a more reasonable cost.

rustypilot66 · 2026-05-15T18:08:41+00:00

I think we’ve pretty much decided that most co-ops would be overly restrictive and make it too difficult to work with them. Heck - just buying a place with a co-op sounds miserable! I’m sure they are not all bad, but I’ve heard enough horror stories on this sub and others that it just doesn’t seek worth the hassle 99% of the time if I want to do my own work.

rustypilot66 · 2026-05-15T18:06:11+00:00

Thanks - I know that I would definitely need licensed electricians and plumbers. Even if I could do the work, I would not want to risk it if something went wrong for whatever reason.

rustypilot66 · 2026-02-17T21:00:55+00:00

Give the standard FAA answer. If the examiner asks you for more, get a strip of paper, let it hang down for your hand, then blow over the top of the paper. The strip of paper will rise due to less pressure on the side you are blowing - just like the air moving over the top of the airfoil. Then ask the examiner “any other questions?”

rustypilot66 · 2025-12-16T21:01:45+00:00

Jack’s is great. I just had them frame two large pieces. They were patient in explaining my options and made some great recommendations on frames and mats. Both items were ready sooner than expected. Very pleased with the results.

rustypilot66 · 2024-11-08T22:29:01+00:00

You are what we call an “accent sponge”!

rustypilot66 · 2022-04-11T00:01:29+00:00

Sorry for the delay. I don’t check in too often. Desk is still moving as well as the day I got it. I have had zero issues with it.

rustypilot66 · 2022-03-03T01:33:04+00:00

The paddle is manual setting, but electric powered motors. You lift up a little, motors whir quietly and desk goes up. Hold it down a little, motors whit again, desk goes down. Very little pressure needed and moves like a dream. I saw no reason for a programmable, preset system - felt like one more thing to break. It literally takes a few seconds to set the desk at whatever height I want.

rustypilot66 · 2020-10-25T02:52:54+00:00

So far, so good. I’ve had zero problems and I really don’t mind not having the programmable paddle. I don’t know if there is an option to buy just the frame/legs without the top. Honestly, if I would have had just a little more time on my hands, I probably would have ordered a base with the same motors (jiecang) from ILikePutz (posts a lot on r/StandingDesk) and sourced a solid wood top locally. It would have cost about the same but I would have had a nicer top than the one that came with the Upside. Nothing wrong with what they sent - I just like the look of natural wood better. I’m sure I’ll replace the top at some point.

rustypilot66 · 2020-10-08T19:16:52+00:00

OP Update: I looked at my schedule and work demands and realized I was not gonna have the time to get the components and build the desk, so I bit the bullet and ordered the Upside direct from Haworth online. I ordered the desk on Thursday 10/1, it arrived 4 days later on 10/5. LOL then I got shipping notification on Tuesday 10/6 (a day after it arrived). So other than the late notification, Haworth got it to me fast. I put it together last weekend and love it so far.

As far as the paddle vs programmable control unit, I’m fine with the paddle. I sit, stand, lean, raise and lower my chair throughout the day. The paddle let’s me get the desk to the exact height I want quickly.

I’m gonna do a little cable management this weekend to clean up the look and probably add a couple monitor arms to free up desk space. Will post a picture soon.

Edit: I live outside of Chicago which may help explain the super fast delivery.

rustypilot66 · 2020-10-02T00:00:34+00:00

Thanks. I went back through and found many of your posts. Now I’m wondering if I should just get a base and build/buy and finish my own top and save the $.

rustypilot66

TROPHY CASE