How it works
From the first text to the final walk-through
Six steps, in this order. The first three cost you an afternoon, and most of what can go wrong is caught there.
- 01
Step 1: Call or text
Send a photo of your attic stair and the tallest height you can measure. We'll reply to set a time.
- 02
Step 2: The measure visit
Two of us come with a tape, a laser and a camera, and look at the attic, the stair, the floors below and the party wall.
- 03
Step 3: The one-page sketch
Heights, two or three stair routes and what each takes from the rooms below.
- 04
Step 4: A written scope and drawings
If the sketch works, you get a scope in writing and drawings for the city. We say what is not included.
- 05
Step 5: The build
Stair and floor first, then the mechanicals and insulation, then the finish. The city inspects at each stage.
- 06
Step 6: The final walk
We walk the job with you, with a written list of anything left. The inspector signs off before we call it done.
Week one on site
What happens in the house the first week
Row houses are small and everything is close. Before we open a wall, we protect your floors and tell you what will be shut off.
We cover the stair and the floors below every night, put up dust walls where work meets the living space and keep a runner on the path we use. You'll know ahead of time when water or power will be off, and for how long.
What we do before the first cut
Cover floors and the stair, and keep a clear path
Put up plastic dust walls at the work area
Tell you which days the water or power go off
Arrange the dumpster and any street permit it needs
Walk the party wall with you and note what's already there
Living in the house
Staying home during the work
Do I have to move out?
No. Work happens above you or in a closed-off room, and we keep a clear path through the house.
What about dust?
We hang plastic dust walls, keep a HEPA vacuum on site and clean at the end of every day. In houses built before 1978 we also follow the federal rules for older paint.
When do you work?
Weekdays, from early morning, with Saturday work by agreement. We tell the house next door before the noisy days.
Where does the dumpster go?
On the street, with a permit where the city requires one. We arrange it, and we tell you which days it's there.
Start with a photo of your stair
Text it to (215) 555-0102, or book a time to measure.