I just can't imagine having all those problems with new appliances. I really feel sorry for you. In regards to your Thermador, you have the GE extended warranty. If they can't fix it, they will have to replace it. No question about that. In regards to your U-Lines...The law did not say that refrigerators with freon could not be sold. It said after the effective date, they could no longer be manufactured. No one broke any law selling you those U-Lines. Warranties are from manufacturers not stores. A store can not strip away a manufacturer's warranty. The warranty starts on your date of purchase. The fact that the store is now claiming that they were sold without warranty is a nonissue. Don't waste your time on that one. You do have manufacturer's warranties. What needs to be researched, is if the problem relates to needing more freon. I didn't think anyone could obtain freon anymore for refrigerators. And how does this affect the manufacture's warranty. I would obtain some paperwork and supply it to the manufacturer and put in a claim under the manufacturer's warranty. You do have one. If the issue is freon, wait until you hear from the manufacturer how they intend to handle this. Can they get freon or do they have to give you a new one? Was part of the law that manufacturer's are exempt from their warranties in regards to freon? This was so long ago, I don't recall the details but the manufacturer will tell you. I would not panic until you get a final word from them. Write them a formal letter demanding specific performance on their warranty. Send it certified mail return receipt requested. Either they will change their tune or at least you have locked them in as to the exact reason for their refusal which will be most useful if you pursue legal action. It will also speed up the time required by a lawyer to research it versus you telling him this blow by blow story. It looks like the problems with the other items have been resolved. This is the strange part. It makes no sense why you purchased these items so far in advance and kept them in a garage. I wonder if the prolonged storage has anything to do with some of these problems. How is it possible that you shopped at different places and all these places sold you such old appliances? Something doesn't make sense there. There is nothing wrong with stores selling old appliances. And stores do not have to tell you when appliances were manufactured. Some people were actually requesting to purchase refrigerators with freon because they didn't trust the new method. You could have easily looked up the model numbers and found out how old these appliances were. How can a 14 year old refrigerator look like the new ones. It generally is pretty obvious based on the styling. The same goes for other older appliances. I find it hard to believe that you were totally clueless that these appliances were old...not saying that you thought they were that old. You said the sales person said they were year end models or whatever. They did tell you that they were not current. You must have thought you were getting a deal on the price. That should have alerted you. Maybe your husband or father knew the scoop and you didn't. Some people think it is good to purchase out dated appliances because of the reduced cost. In any event, when spending a lot of money like that, people should do their research first before purchasing. Its that old buyer beware thing. Good luck.

Or another alternative if you are dead set on installing a gas rangetop is a plug in portable induction unit. This would allow you to pull it out when making pasta or hosting parties. These won't have the performance of a built in unit, but an option. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Portable+induction+ If I was buying one, I would splurge on a hospitality grade one. MIL has the 48 inch Wolf Rangetop with integrated griddle that runs on propane. I honestly prefer the cooking performance of my Bluestar I have the Electrolux Wave Touch ovens. Do I use half the buttons, no, but it's an amazing oven and I'm really happy with it fwiw. But, if you like the other Kitchen Aid appliances you may be able to purchase a suite and receive a discount. So, the KA oven may be better for you. These guys aren't joking on venting. I was shocked when remodeling to learn how much vents cost. There is a laundry forum, you may get more feedback on the whirlpool machines there. HTH

Check with your local municipality first as to what will be allowed. A secondary dwelling unit is not allowed in many many locations. Then, if allowed, you will need to operate under the rules that do allow them. Many do not allow kitchens, etc. If everything aligns correctly, the largest obstacle then will be the plumbing. That is when you get an experienced plumber and builder in to address the limitations that adding plumbing will have on the design. You are way ahead of yourself. You don't know the constraints yet.

CEM TOSA, I appreciate your experience and knowledge. I’m sure your home will be beautiful. I will do the best I can with mine. We are not rushed at this time to build. If we proceed with building now, I do realize the prices/economy will not allow the size or everything I love. But to dream and plan is the most enjoyable thing to me. We will see in a year or two what will be then.