UrbanBaby - Are there sources for designing a NYC ba...

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Are there sources for designing a NYC bathroom for elderly so they can enjoy a walk-in shower or walk in jacuzzi? My parents are 80 and trapped in a house with old-fashioned bathrooms - my dh and I are now in our early '50's and we want to plan better, and we live in the City with small but reasonably spaced bathrooms. Have any of you done this or do you know of any sources?
8 replies
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07.04.09, 04:00 AM [ Flag ]
- Any decent designer could handle this. That said, do NOT go near NYKB.
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  07.04.09, 04:55 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
  - I'm glad to know good designers can handle this but why not NYKB?
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    07.04.09, 05:46 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    - Because they take your money, bash your apt to ratshit then say "scope change" and shake you down for MASSIVE amounts of cash. You cough up, or they refuse to continue (and you're either living elsewhere or in third world conditions in a demo-d apt). They don't put money in escrow or protect it with a bond as required by law, so you're screwed. So, you're forced to either sue them (more $$$ down the drain) or to go to the DCA (very lengthy process). Either way, you're out vast sums of cash. Know many other victims; this is not an isolated incident. Oh, and the "designer" we had couldn't even use a tape measure and was off by several inches or even feet in several locations.
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      07.04.09, 06:00 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
- Go with a contractor/plumber you trust. One single person (bonded and insured) is definitely better than a big company like NYKB.
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  07.04.09, 06:23 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
  - NYKB isn't actually a very big company. They give the impression that all their trades are in house, but they use subcontractors--including unlicensed "plumbers" and "electricians". Agree about the single person, though. We used three of them (plus electrician and plumber) to repair what NYKB did to our home.
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    07.04.09, 06:35 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
    - OP - This is important information and thank you - definitely, contractors (trusted ones) will be the way we go. I'm researching elder-friendly bathrooms not just for safety but for beauty, good design and comfort. For ourselves, because we know we'll be in a position where we want these things as we age.
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      07.04.09, 08:33 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
      - The bottom line is accountability. The smaller the operation, the smaller the likelihood of being shafted and having the buck passed.
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        07.04.09, 09:48 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]
        
        Trust me. go to your super, he knows who has done good work. Go to friends, family and business associates. Look up the # of complaints on the web e-court. See the actual work of 4 differrent renos a contractor did. Become your own contractor. Be aware of the minute details of contruction. Lay down tiles? research type of tiles, where will they be (i.e bathroom, kitchen , silicone sealant, type of Mortar) Do you really need a new concrete floor? Do you need drywall? There are different dry walls for different types of conditions.. living room vs bathroom. You do not need a DCA license. You know and if you don't. find out. NYKB needs to pay their customers as the real contractors.. BE YOUR OWN CONTRACTOR. And there are honest contractors out there..
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        07.16.09, 05:17 AM [ Flag | link to this post ]