contractors

Dear PoPville – Chimney Help

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user JoshBassett|PHOTOGRAPHY

“Dear PoPville,

I live in a three-story rowhouse rental unit with a fireplace on each floor (the living room and two bedrooms). In our lease, it states that the tenants are responsible for chimney upkeep/maintenance. The chimneys have not been inspected or cleaned in the two years I have lived here, and I highly doubt they had been checked for a number of years prior to that. I would like to know if PoPville has experience with reputable and ideally inexpensive chimney maintenance companies.

My chimney knowledge only goes as far as Mary Poppins. How much is a reasonable quote for inspection and cleaning in DC? As the fireplaces all share the same chimney track, does this technically count as one chimney, or would they charge additional costs for each fireplace/floor? Are there any particular questions you’d recommend asking, or specific conditions to be aware of? As we begin to approach fall, it would be great to have the option for a cozy fire. Thanks!”

From the Forum – Attic Insulation and Deck Renovation Recommendations

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

Blown in Attic Insulation Recommendations:

“I need to add insulation to the my attic of my row house. The attic space gets lower as you get closer to back of the house. I am having trouble finding someone that will do the work because the height in the back (or lack there of). 3 Contractors have come by but said they will not do it. Has anyone had luck finding a contractor to do this work when the attic space gets lower on one end? I think there is about 3 feet in the lowest part.
Thanks for any help!”

Deck renovation:

“I’m looking at tearing down my rusty, steel backyard deck and replacing it with a wooden deck. Anyone done something similar to remove/add a (small) deck? Any advice on possible contractors and cost estimates would be appreciated!”

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Dear PoPville – What’s This Called, Does It Need To Be Repaired, and Who Would Repair It?

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

What’s This Called, Does It Need To Be Repaired, and Who Would Repair It?

I have a feeling that this gutter-type thing (fascia??) at the front of my mansard roof probably needs to be repaired.

Is this in fact a fascia, and if not, what’s it called?

Does it need to be repaired? If so, who would I get to repair it — a roofer? A gutter-repair company?”

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Helluva Way to Wake Up Vol. 11

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

We live near Mt. Vernon Square on 4th Street NW and woke up to this today. DC Water was onsite to remove the water and should be here soon (hopefully) to repair and restore service. There is significant erosion under the brick sidewalk, so folks should be very careful walking by. If anyone can provide input on how to expedite the repair of our yard and the sidewalk so further erosion doesn’t occur, please let us know.”

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From the Forum – Where to find a notary? and Adding an Egress window and window well

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by flickr user 12th St David

Where to find a notary?

“My husband and I are trying to be responsible adults and finally got a will drawn up for us. Now we need to find a notary who will notarize the will (and hopefully act as witnesses for us too). No amount of googling turns up anything remotely legitimate-looking, and I have to admit that I don’t know much about notaries in general so I’m sort of at a loss. Any ideas on where we might find a notary?”

Egress window and window well:

“We are looking to add an egress window and window well to a basement room. Does anyone in Popville have experience with the permitting aspect? Has anyone done it DIY or hired a contractor? How long did it take? How much did it cost?”

You can see all forum topics and add your own here.   If you are having trouble uploading your question to the forum please try clearing your cache. If it still doesn’t work please email me at princeofpetworth(at)gmail

Dear PoPville – Anyone have a banister repaired?

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

Looking for recommendations for repairing an old, wobbly wooden banister. Ours looks like it has the original railing, which was previously cut and repaired in sections, but it definitely requires some additional attention or else we might take a tumble down to the first floor. It would be great to get a recommendation from someone who had to deal with this issue when renovating their house.”

From the Forum – Looking for a roofer/contractor/painter

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Miki J.

Looking for a roofer/contractor/painter:

“We’re finally getting around to doing a bunch of work on our row house and are in the market for some good recommendations for the following:

1) A roofer who can do some minor work and who’s also handled those old-style flat gutters that most DC rowhouses seem to have on the front. A few gaps have opened up that allow water to leak through and drip down to the foundation.

2) A general contractor (or tiler) type who can install a very straightforward backsplash (just a few large tiles) and expose some brick, which will involve rejiggering two electrical outlets. Plus, someone to hang a new front door.

3) A painter

4) Any of the above rolled into one dynamic package, if such a unicorn exists.

Any recommendations most appreciated.”

You can see all forum topics and add your own here.   If you are having trouble uploading your question to the forum please try clearing your cache. If it still doesn’t work please email me at princeofpetworth(at)gmail

From the Forum – ISO Stonescaper/Contractor

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user caroline.angelo

ISO Stonescaper/Contractor:

“We’d like to install a paver patio, as well as replace the stones in our yard with grass. Any recommendations for a reasonably priced stonescaper or contractor who could handle such a project? We enjoy doing our own landscaping, so not looking for help on that front. Thanks!”

You can see all forum topics and add your own here.   If you are having trouble uploading your question to the forum please try clearing your cache. If it still doesn’t work please email me at princeofpetworth(at)gmail

Dear PoPville – Exterior Painting Recs and Does Paving a Driveway need a Permit?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

“Dear PoPville,

My fiance and I are looking to get the exterior of our house repainted this spring, but are unsure of who to hire. Does anyone on Popville have any recommendations they can share? Also, and this might be a silly question, but does anyone know if we would have to get the city to approve a color change or are we free to do what we’d like? We are located in the Atlas area. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!”

and

“Dear PoPville,

Do I need a permit to pave my backyard to make it a patio/driveway? I assume that I do, but I’m not sure where to start with this process. I have a row-house in Northeast DC. Thanks in advance for your help!”

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