built in radiators

I've bought 4 radiator covers from these guys:

http://www.stanleyradiatorenclosures.com/

Depends on what's being built in, and how well it's done. I pulled out some poorly built bookcases, only to replace them with new. Given the rise of e-readers, bookcases may be considered negatives by future buyers. When I was looking to buy, most of the radiator covers I saw were fairly old, and candidates for replacement. In the one place I saw with recently replaced covers, they were in a style I didn't like, so got factored in the 'cons' column. I'd say in general, built-ins are a negative, unless they're particularly well done, easy to repaint/refinish, and are the obvious only solution for the space they're in (example: a small bookshelf built between a wall and a poorly placed protruding column).

It depends what you are looking for. Most of my clients have them custom made but you can also have places like Little Wolf make then and have it painted

"Given the rise of e-readers, bookcases may be considered negatives by future buyers."

You know bookcases can hold more than just BOOKS, right?

little wolf only makes custom--they come, measure, build, deliver, and install.

Bookcases qua bookcases are probably on the way out. As shelving to hold your collection of [handbags, antique plates, obsolete e-readers, whatever], there will always be a use for them. I'm suggesting that a prospective buyer, looking at a wall of built-ins, may well find them to be of negative value. The OP asked about built-ins for value -- implying that by adding some, he would increase the value of the apartment. I'm dubious about that proposition.

I agree with you Aaron on the bookcase point. "collections" whether DVD, books, or CD are increasingly seen as clutter. However if the built-in cleverly conceals cabinets that is always nice.

People will ALWAYS need bookcases.

Especially grown-ups who will always read books.

Yikes,

Little Wolf does that but they do not apply a finish, it is custom made but has to be painted

"Especially grown-ups who will always read books." And morons who will always make stupid comments. Stick to your Morningside Heights efficiency and pull down the shades.