Squeaky floors in co op (New York, York: lease, coop, new house)
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Expensive compared to what? Cork is fairly competitive price wise, not unless you're getting something like carpet.
I guess in my very cursory search, I recall that the cork that actually looked like hardwood was triple or quadruple the price of the cork that looked like....cork. And the ugly cork was at least double carpet. Regular hardwood was not an option in this particular co-op. For me, the pretty stuff was out of budget, and of what was in budget, I would have preferred carpet (not my fave but neutral enough and not ugly).
In my co-op in Westchester, they're not up to cork as an option yet haha. 80% carpeting is the only option, so as I said, I decided to do wall to wall to avoid math. I've been in for almost a month, and am pleasantly surprised at how I feel about it. It was pricey to put in, but I don't need slippers lol.
When was your co-op building built? Does it have a steel and masonry superstructure or wood? When floors squeak in apartment buildings it's usually because the floor joists are wood and not properly cross braced and/or the building has settled and loosened the joists.
I guess in my very cursory search, I recall that the cork that actually looked like hardwood was triple or quadruple the price of the cork that looked like....cork. And the ugly cork was at least double carpet. Regular hardwood was not an option in this particular co-op. For me, the pretty stuff was out of budget, and of what was in budget, I would have preferred carpet (not my fave but neutral enough and not ugly).
In my co-op in Westchester, they're not up to cork as an option yet haha. 80% carpeting is the only option, so as I said, I decided to do wall to wall to avoid math. I've been in for almost a month, and am pleasantly surprised at how I feel about it. It was pricey to put in, but I don't need slippers lol.
Interesting... I was prepared to set aside at least $80,000 for renovations because my thinking is most co-ops are older, and I want everything brand new (new kitchen, new bathroom, piping, etc., including flooring with soundproofing to avoid carpeting, etc.) but now I'm going to have to look at that whole situation very carefully if the co-op is very anal about having carpeting down, which I DON'T want at all. I don't find it sanitary quite frankly, so if I can't settle on a co-op that will consider some type of flooring with soundproofing or a type of flooring that dampens/softens sound, then I may have to consider a condo. I've seen cork flooring in homes before and find it very interesting for several reasons. The one that I saw actually looked nice. Easy upkeep.... Natural product that is eco-friendly, so I'd be fine with that if that was my option versus carpeting, though I personally would prefer a more industrial look like concrete or something, which could certainly be done in the kitchen, with a tile or something in the bathroom. What has always freaked me out was seeing people have hardwood floors in bathrooms!! Even having that in a half bath makes no sense to me.
Interesting... I was prepared to set aside at least $80,000 for renovations because my thinking is most co-ops are older, and I want everything brand new (new kitchen, new bathroom, piping, etc., including flooring with soundproofing to avoid carpeting, etc.) but now I'm going to have to look at that whole situation very carefully if the co-op is very anal about having carpeting down, which I DON'T want at all. I don't find it sanitary quite frankly, so if I can't settle on a co-op that will consider some type of flooring with soundproofing or a type of flooring that dampens/softens sound, then I may have to consider a condo. I've seen cork flooring in homes before and find it very interesting for several reasons. The one that I saw actually looked nice. Easy upkeep.... Natural product that is eco-friendly, so I'd be fine with that if that was my option versus carpeting, though I personally would prefer a more industrial look like concrete or something, which could certainly be done in the kitchen, with a tile or something in the bathroom. What has always freaked me out was seeing people have hardwood floors in bathrooms!! Even having that in a half bath makes no sense to me.
Regardless of budget, you're going to want to make sure that the changes you want to make to a co-op will be allowable. Piping may be difficult, because whatever is inside the walls is not yours, it's the co-ops. You can certainly upgrade YOUR piping, but not theirs.
I spent $35k or so. I gutted the kitchen, "refreshed" the bathroom, laid down new carpet, painted, updated all outlets and light fixtures. I did not do the panel because my contractor said it was money I didn't need to spend. Phase 2 will be freshening up my terrace, replacing air conditioners (sleeve), updating baseboards, closet doors and interior doors.
Regardless of budget, you're going to want to make sure that the changes you want to make to a co-op will be allowabe. Piping may be difficult, because whatever is inside the walls is not yours, it's the co-ops. You can certainly upgrade YOUR piping, but not theirs.
I spent $35k or so. I gutted the kitchen, "refreshed" the bathroom, laid down new carpet, painted, updated all outlets and light fixtures. I did not do the panel because my contractor said it was money I didn't need to spend. Phase 2 will be freshening up my terrace, replacing air conditioners (sleeve), updating baseboards, closet doors and interior doors.
Yes, and that's why I'm concerned. I know someone who lives in one of the co-ops I'm interested in. Seems like a good fit, but the whole flooring situation concerns me. I also know that most of the co-ops are older where people have lived there for God knows how long, and now are selling and likely leaving NYC entirely, so the place cannot be left as is. I HATE dated apartments.
$35k for a new kitchen and a "refreshed" bathroom... I would think $40k could get both, but then again that depends on the labor. What exactly does "refreshed" mean? That's another thing I have to consider. Did the co-op want you to use contractors they approved of, or were you able to select who you wanted?
Regarding the terrace, as that considered a "common area" or what and what sort of changes are allowed?
Yes, and that's why I'm concerned. I know someone who lives in one of the co-ops I'm interested in. Seems like a good fit, but the whole flooring situation concerns me. I also know that most of the co-ops are older where people have lived there for God knows how long, and now are selling and likely leaving NYC entirely, so the place cannot be left as is. I HATE dated apartments.
$35k for a new kitchen and a "refreshed" bathroom... I would think $40k could get both, but then again that depends on the labor. What exactly does "refreshed" mean? That's another thing I have to consider. Did the co-op want you to use contractors they approved of, or were you able to select who you wanted?
Regarding the terrace, as that considered a "common area" or what and what sort of changes are allowed?
I absolutely could have done it for less, but I have a large kitchen and so ended up with a lot of cabinets and counter space. I also (of course) chose very expensive counters. I could have gotten quartz or granite for less, but I went with solid surface.
Refreshing the bathroom entailed reglazing the tile, ripping out the old built in hamper and patching the wall where it was, removing all grab bars, replacing vanity/medicine cabinet/light fixture, leveling old tile floor and putting in a new LVP floating floor over it, and adding a wall cabinet. It looks a million times better but was pricey. In about 5 years I'll want to actually gut it. But I couldn't do that and the kitchen at the same time.
My particular co-op let me use whatever contractor I wanted. I was referred to someone by a long time friend and have been very happy. He obviously needed to be licensed and insured. Other co-ops may operate differently. They did need to approve the renovation.
My terrace is mine alone, not common space. But I am not yet sure what changes they'll allow me to make. Right now I just want to paint the floor and the railing. My neighbor who has a terrace adjoining mine appears to have hers screened in - I'd be interested in that down the road but no desire to commit to the $ right now.
I moved into a coop months ago and while it the space is awesome I , to, get the squeaks. It bothers me more than any neighbor. I have not gotten any complaints, even with a 3 year old. I just hate it myself.
I want to pour concrete over the entire floor and pave it over. Ugg,..
Pro:
- it's a cheap alarm if any intruder enters.
Con:
- when you cat walks around at 3am you don't know if it's a Ghost or not.
Last edited by naicha; 12-12-2019 at 03:43 PM..
Reason: spelling
Hi everyone, thanks for all the responses. Theyve been really helpful. I spoke to my lawyer who helped me out with the closing years ago. He said anything behind the wall or beneath the hardwood floor, the building is responsible for it.
Even the guy from mananagement said " the problem here is you have squeaky floors, its not your fault"
They never did send that floor specialist but i did get a letter from the board that they want to meet with me next month for a follow up regarding the inspection. I guess we'll see what happens.
Hey everyone,i own a co-op here in queens.
So back in July I received a letter from management that my downstairs neighbor filed a complaint against me for making too much noise. I covered 80 % of the apt with area rugs so the inspection passed. Last week, she filed another complaint about the noise so they came to inspect the apartment again. It turns out i have a squeaky floors or whatever. I live in a prewar building so this building is pretty old.One of these days, they are gonna send a floor specialist to look at it and see what can be done. My question is whos responsible for making those type of repairs.
Thanks
I suspect that you're asking the wrong question. I very much doubt that it's the squeaking that she's objecting to. The sensible thing to do would be to talk to her and pin her down. It's far more likely that you just have a heavy tread when you walk.
I would imagine that it would be your responsibility. The floors are in your apartment, not in a common area. Doesn't your co-op have bylaws? If you don't have a copy, I suggest you obtain one.
Coops are usually responsible for anything related to infrastructure; walls, plumbing, electric, windows. Why wouldn't floors be part of that?
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