I breed and show LaPerms. They are still a very rare breed, but not expeisive as many of the other rare breeds. They are very healthy as they have not been over bred. I would be happy to answer any questions about the breed. Or you can visit my web site. I have freinds who are allergic to cats and they tollerate my cats quite well. Here is a link that might be useful: Arohanui LaPerm Cats

I'm in a large reno project in ATL now. It's a bit larger in scope than this, but it includes a complete kitchen gut and wall teardown too like yours. Our project evolved, as many do, from "let's touch up a bathroom and kitchen" to a small expansion of the overall house to "complete gut down the studs" on the whole house pretty much. Along the way, we got a look at several different types of outfits: 1-man shops, medium sized outfits, design-build firms, and full service GCs. Free advice (worth what you pay): - I strongly urge you to seek other bids. At least 3, 5 would be better. - Your project fits in what I would call "the Bermuda Triangle" of remodeling projects. It's not a small job where you can get away using a GC outfit with small overhead. These guys often have lack of organization / project mgt. skills, but on small jobs with limited scope the risk of that may be worth the reward. On larger jobs, you would use an architect and/or a designer up front to draw plans/specs...then you bid out to the GCs and its easier to compare apples to apples. Sounds like you are trying to use a smaller type outfit, and combine that with no secondary bids and no formal plans/specs prior to signing a contract. This is a recipe for disaster, in my opinion. - You are getting too much into the weeds too quickly trying to examine line item by item, and wonder what is appropriate. Some I saw were fine, some were low for sure, and some seemed maybe high. Doesn't matter. You can't see the forest for the tree. Step back and consider your whole approach, with more careful upfront planning, before you spend a dime. We planned for almost 2 years before selecting a GC finally and breaking ground. But we finally found the right approach and partner, and its gone reasonably well. We've had change orders, but they've been fairly small "gotchas" or nice-to-have upgrades we felt were worth spending the $ now vs. later. - I would think about a design-build firm for this type project. It wasn't for us, but I think they can help provide some discipline up front to your planning and scope. If you don't like that approach, do some more research on fixed price vs. cost-plus contracts and make darn sure you understand the which party bears what risk in each contract. Good luck, keep us posted.

I think enough to finish the job is a good rule of thumb, unless your contract specifies otherwise. This doesn't necessarily protect you against the contractor disappearing anyway, though. As a point of reference, while we've never worked with a GC, we have done two big projects with a structural and HVAC contractor in the last few years. The structural guy wanted final payment after we passed inspection. He got 90% done and then completely disappeared---no final inspection so we still owed him $3K, and he *still* didn't return calls! Took a month to get him back out to tie up loose ends so we could final the permit. Contrast that to the HVAC people, where the contract specified final payment upon completion of work---*before* final inspection, which irked my husband. But the contract also specified that they were required to correct any inspection issues within 30 days of notice, so there was some protection there. So if they disappeared, we would have had some recourse. I actually think I prefer that to the contract with the structural people, which didn't put any timelines on anything. And then there's our cabinetmaker, who has a 30-30-30-10 contract, with the last payment coming after we are "completely satisfied." Ha, hope he knows what he's getting himself into... :)

Tiskers, Sounds like you're doing the same extensive DIY that we did/are still doing! I have one question --- if hubby is that handy, why aren't you installing the cabinets yourselves? WE saved $2000 doing that. That was the easiest $2K we saved on the whole reno. Mind you, my DH is an engineer (electrical- so he did all the re-wiring and new wiring), and really really good at drawings and figuring things out. One day (perhaps when it's all done), I will sit down and figure out how much we have saved DIY. WE gutted a 25 X 10.5 space- including removing ceiling (which wasn't pleasant as it was an older house with no vapour barrier)- bits of insulation were 'everywhere'! We tore down a wall (that was fun)- removed aluminum wiring- rerouted plumbing/venting re-wired/installed all new electrical/appliances. Changed windows- now, that was an area that I subbed out, ie manufacturing and installation of new windows. That delayed us by quite a bit- they were more than 2 months late, as we had to take out old windows to reframe- we did it to be ready for scheduled delivery... and we ended up living with plastic sheeting for windows for months! Check your timelines. We had to have drywall up and painted for a set period of time (forget exactly), so that it could all dry before cabinets went in. Since we weren't drywalling until windows were in, we got behind right from the start. Luckily our cabinet supplier had room to hold the cabinets for us until we were ready. Flooring was also subbed out, and when we missed our original time, had to wait awhile until he could reschedule. Appliance store also agreed to hold appliances for us for several months. We originally planned a July 30th finish date. With delays, we then hoped to be in before Christmas. Granite was finally installed end of November- had to be re-ordered, and replacement pieces weren't installed until April 08, so of course we couldn't put up backsplash or finish off back of peninsula. Not to belabour the point, but as of Nov 24 08, we are still waiting for the last pieces we subbed out to a carpenter- finishing off our cabinets (original order was screwed up- long story). Hired him in August, and supposedly will get our order this week (not holding my breath). As I've said here before, my mistake in saying we wanted to be finished before Christmas, was in not specifying the year!!! So, advice? Money to be saved is real. In these times, priceless. Luckily, your DH can do all the work. If you don't have to sub out to anyone for anything, you're ahead of the game. But, if you have to depend on anyone else, be prepared for delays, and make sure your suppliers are OK with them.