Moraflauta: For the Broan MUA systems, have a look at these links: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/appl/msg010822599493.html?6 http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/appl/msg0313214523464.html?40 The second link is titled "Braun" but they meant "Broan." For finding contractors, I'd start with my local government's building department/code enforcers and find out if they've ever inspected any kitchen hood MUA systems -- if so, ask who did the work. Also, I would try calling any local retailers who sell higher-capacity range hoods (if anybody local sells them). Also, there have been discussions here at GW where folks have owned-up to using exterior-venting 400 cfm OTRs with pro-style ranges. Heck, if your stove is against an exterior wall, you could even vent the existing OTR and work with that for a while. Almost any overhead vent-set-up will do a better job than the downdraft and recirculating vents you now have. A 400 CFM hood would be better, even if not as good as the venting could be. We have to work within our budgetary, spatial and architectural constraints, Wekick: Specifically I would love it to go low enough to -hold an 8 qt pot of mashed potatoes in enameled cast iron. Can you do that with your Wolf range? I've done that with induction but very low gas flames seem a little too concentrated to evenly heat the cast iron base on my LC enameled CI when I've got mashed potatoes in them. Of course, the burners will do the stupid melt-chocolate-on-a-paper-plate trick and I haven't needed a double boiler for years even with my previous GE DF range. Holding mashed potatoes on a gas stove-top is the one task for which I've needed a dispersion plate/disk/flame tamer. Todd or any of you folks with a BS or AR have any better luck with the star-shaped open burners on your ranges? Maybe I just don't put enough butter and cream in my mashed potatoes? ;>) This post was edited by JWVideo on Tue, Feb 4, 14 at 16:23

Actually, all those horror stories are probably glorified by haters, which often happens. Samsung actually has great service and repair now and their products, especially home appliances, have one of the lower returns rates in the US. If you purchase any Samsung appliance from Lowe's, and something goes wrong, Lowe's will switch it out for you. Some repairmen, who are alittle behind the times, would say that Samsung's are "awful", etc. because they didn't want to pay to be trained/educated on higher-end products. Products like Samsung are known to be higher-end but at a cost efficient price. Repairmen typically bad-mouth applainces that they can't repair because if more people purchase them, they can't fix em. And if they aren't aurthorized to fix them, they can't make money! Samsung (one of THE largest technology company in the world) does not put materials that look like they came out of a Kracker Jack box. They have a reputation to uphold. 99.9% of Samsung fridges have this technology called Twin-Cooling or Twin-Cooling Plus. Three huge benefits would be: Energy efficiency, no mixing of orders and most importantly, your foods remains fresher waaaay longer than the conventional fridge. You get similar technology from Sub-Zero and Liebherr. Those two companies produce the highest end refrigeration but their fridges have two compressors and Samsung has one. Samsung just got another award from JD Powers for the fourth year in a row now. A JD Powers award is like getting an Oscar. It cannot be planned. Thanks for reading.

They're very different companies. In general, Thermador makes quality appliances, but the German company expects the local stores and distributors to handle the customer service, so it's a mixed bag depending on where you live and whom you buy from. SubZero/Wolf are American, and while they don't have a spotless reputation, in general they're considered to have excellent customer service. The have local licensed service companies whom they've trained and certified to do the work. The whole package issue is a tough one. There's no one appliance maker that makes all excellent appliances, though perhaps Miele comes close. Additionally, while the oven from one might suit you best, the fridge from another might also suit you best. Matching appliances are usually a sign that either the builder bought them by the truckload, the designer got a kickback, erm, sponsorship, or the buyer either is obsessed with matchiness or was seduced by a "deal". If you're buying a whole suite of appliances from a good independent appliance dealer, you can get about the same kind of discount as a maker's package, either through a builder/designer discount (they may require your contractor to give his license number) or through direct negotiation. They may not be able to discount choices with a contracted price floor, but they can give you a free dishwasher, free delivery and installation, etc., and thereby give you a great deal. SZ/W doesn't make dishwashers. Theirs are made by Asko. Some people love Askos. Some really hate them. Thermador DWs are the same innards as the lower priced units from their sister company, Bosch, done up in a Thermador dress. Bosch are generally the second most liked DW's after Miele as far as I can tell. Both are European, so will not have a heated dry. They require an interaction between rinse aid (makes the water drip instead of clinging in a drop) and the heat retained in your dishes. The heavier your dishes, flatware and pots are, the better your load will dry. CS is a poor source for information on med-high and high end products. Their goal is the most performance for the least money, not overall best performance, and they also are more concentrated on brands which ship the most units. Why not pick the ones you like best from each company and be happy with all your choices?

Permaseal can come out to inspect your foundation first. They do more than just water remediation. They specialize in all foundation issues. Their report may better help you to understand your options for fixing the underlying problem.