All Forum Posts by: Charles Stein

Hi BP - is providing teacher rent discounts considered discrimination in Massachusetts?

I left the dirt floor. Added new basement windows for light, repointed the walls, and new lighting with a laundry stand. Looks great now

Hi,

I am changing our 2nd units heat source from steam radiators to hyper heat minisplits.

The unit currently has 5 steam radiators.

Should I remove myself or hire out? 

Thank you!

Hi BP, 

We will be installing new baseboards into our duplex in 3 weeks and jacking the basement in 2 weeks. It is a very old house and has some excessive sagging floors. 

I’m wondering if waiting only 4-7 days after our floor is jacked is enough settling time to begin replacing all trim (windows, baseboards, doors) in our 2nd unit. 

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! 

Hi BP, 

Does anyone know how to fix a bowed fieldstone basement wall and rough costs?

Here’s a picture of ours. 

Hi BP,

I have a dirt floor in my duplex's basement that we would like to make nicer. 

If we pour concrete, we would have to excavate the floor first which we rather not do. The main goal of the basement is for utility access and for Unit 1's washer and dryer. 

I am wondering what options we have. My wife is thinking to put a plastic vapor barrier over the dirt floor and to cover with rubber mats? 

Any ideas will be super helpful.

Thank you!

Hi, 

I am replacing all trim throughout the second unit of our multihome which has outlets in the baseboard. Does it make sense to move the outlets higher up the wall or to tell the carpenter to keep them where they are when installing new baseboards?

Thanks for your help!

PS: the walls are plaster and lath 

Hi BP,

I am wondering if my interior quote is super high.

I received a quote to paint the interior of our 2,400 sq ft duplex's interior walls, trims, ceilings, and stair case railing for $12,115. 

I have heard from similar duplex's that they have paid below $10k but I am unsure about the scope of their work. 

What are your thoughts?

Thanks for your help!

Hi BP,

I am new to radiators and plan to remove 5 steam based radiators from my duplex unit 2 as we are replacing with central AC & heat.

Has anyone removed radiators before? I am wondering how easy of a job it is and if I can do myself?

Advice and tips are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi BP,

I am new to radiators and plan to remove 5 steam based radiators from my duplex unit 2 as we are replacing with central AC & heat. 

Has anyone removed radiators before? I am wondering how easy of a job it is and if I can do myself? 

Advice and tips are greatly appreciated. 

Thanks!