Tracy Kaler

New Jersey might get a bum rap, but I’ll be the first to defend our next-door neighbor and the many attractions the state has to offer. For one, Jersey boasts some of the cleanest, widest, sugar-sand beaches you’ll find anywhere, not to mention a host of quaint shore towns, each with its own unique identity. Starting with Sandy Hook at the northern tip and stretching south to Cape May, seaside hamlets string along the Jersey coastline, enticing thousands of city slickers to escape NYC each summer for fun in the sun.

Renovating anywhere--let alone in New York City--is certainly not easy, even for the seasoned pro.  

Q. I want to expand my kitchen into my dining room  but there's a gas line in the way that's connected to my gas meter.  Can I move it or do I have to work around it?

 A. It sounds like what you're referring to is actually a gas riser, which begins in the basement of your building and terminates at the top floor.  Getting authorization from your co-op or condo board to move it is probably not possible.

Q. I'm in the process of hiring a contractor for my renovations. What questions should I ask his references?

A. First off, ask each candidate for a minimum of three references. Any legitimate contractor with experience should easily have a list of projects under his or her belt from which to choose.

Be sure to ask for references with completed projects similar to yours.

Here are 9 questions to ask:

1.  What did you do to your apartment?

Find out specifically what the scope of the project was.