contractors

“Help with new Flooring – During a particularly brutal heat wave last summer, the old laminate buckled in numerous places.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Rukasu1

“Dear PoPville,

We’re having some trouble selecting what kind of floor to install in our condo and I was hoping the PoPville community could offer some advice. We need new flooring in the majority of our ground level condo. During a particularly brutal heat wave last summer, the old laminate buckled in numerous places. It was so bad that I was convinced there must be water under the floor, but once we pulled up a piece of the flooring we found the concrete sub-floor bone dry. This past month we had a shipment of bamboo flooring delivered and stacked to acclimate only for the installers to find out the material had bowed already and was impossible to install. Both of these failures happened during a heat wave, but we have central air conditioning which was on constantly so the heat and humidity couldn’t have been too bad.

Have other people in the area had similar experiences with laminate or engineered wood flooring? Are we just experiencing the consequences of poor quality materials or could something else be going on? Should we resign ourselves to installing tile so we can stop thinking about floors?”

“should we be investing in a sump pump?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jordan Barab

“Dear PoPville,

We have a condo in Shaw (townhouse conversion and we have the basement and first floor). During the past two big storms, we have had clear water come through the floors in one of the basement rooms. We have tile floors, not wood, and have mopped up the water quickly and ran a dehumidifier. I know the solution is likely $$ but two questions: 1) any recommendations for a contractor or plumber who we can trust to give an estimate and do a good job and 2) should we be investing in a sump pump?”

“Any recommendations for carpenters or woodworkers?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user washingtonydc

“Dear PoPville,

I recently bought a 110-year old rowhouse that appears to have some original interior wood trim around the window frames and baseboards. I’m interested in finding someone to repair/replace the old baseboard and interior door frames, interior staircase handrail, other assorted woodwork. Any recommendations for carpenters or woodworkers?”

“General Contractor recommendations for rehabilitating a 1938 house?”

By Prince Of Petworth

reno
Photo by PoPville flickr user Erin

“Dear PoPville,

My husband and I are under contract for purchasing a 1938 house in need of rehabilitation through a Homestyle Renovation Mortgage (similar to FHA 203k). The house needs a significant amount of work from different trades to become habitable (e.g. all new plumbing and electrical, structural and non-structural masonry work, asbestos tile removal, exterior grading, roofing repair, window and door repair, plaster repair, wood floor repair, etc). Everything in the house is original to 1938, which is what we like about the house and want to keep to the extent possible. Does anyone have experience with a general contractor for a rehabilitation/restoration of an old house that does not include any remodeling or design work? The general contractor needs to have enough experience with jobs similar in scope in order to be approved by the lender.”

“What Kind of Contractor Do I Get To Look at This?”

By Prince Of Petworth

DamagedColumnBase-Photo1

“Dear PoPville,

My front porch is supported by two columns.

The base of one of the columns (which I think is wood) seems to be deteriorating — sort of “sinking in.” (Possibly termite damage?? I haven’t had it looked at yet.)

Regardless of what’s causing the damage… what kind of contractor (or contractors?) do I get to look at it and possibly fix it? I’m worried that if the column itself has sunk — and/or continues to sink — it could make the porch roof imbalanced and possibly strain it. (more…)

“Looking for Contractor (or just handyman) to do small back patio”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user fromcaliw/love

“I’m hoping to convert my small back yard (roughly 12′ x 12′) into a patio, and am hoping to have the work done in the next 4-6 weeks. I live in Kingman Park. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a contractor or handyman they’ve used?

Thanks!”

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Cost of a Pop Up?

By Prince Of Petworth

pop up

“Dear PoPville,

I know you posted about this a few years ago, but I haven’t seen anything lately. I love our neighborhood, but as our family expands we’d like a little more room and I’m afraid that we’re fully priced out of the surrounding area. I’m thinking a third floor pop up might be the answer, but have no idea what that would realistically cost. If anyone has insight, it would be greatly appreciated.”

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