Hi, dadoes. I know you're right about the model number, but I didn't have it handy when I posted before. Hub called the national 'hot line' GE number and talked to a rep (he did have the model number), who said a repairman couldn't get here before Wednesday to diagnose the problem, let alone fix it. So I hit the yellow pages - yes, did it the old-fashioned way - and found a company which sends out repairmen 24/7 (what a novel idea), and also charged a LOT less than GE's quote. We were pleasantly surprised at the total for dx and repair, which was far less than what we were expecting. The guy was really good. Not only did he fix the fridge but he talked to hub the whole time, explaining everything to him. At times they worked together. This was invaluable for hub; this is exactly what he likes to do, as he always learns a lot. The problem was the thermistor. It had gone bad and quit working. The guy had to dismantle the freezer side and found a solid block of ice behind a large panel. We had to leave the freezer open for 24 hr. (thankfully, we have a separate large freezer and could put the food and ice in it). We turned it back on at the right time, and it has worked beautifully ever since. Now the temp in the fridge is 35. The milk is nice and cold, and we don't have to worry about spoiled food. The ice maker is churning out ice once again. Thanks again to you guys. Even though it turned out like it did, I really, really appreciate your input. Blessings to you both. :)

Location can be key to having good service. If you are near a larger town or city, finding an authorized Wolf service person isn't a problem. However further from those type areas does create quite a problem. rhome, Congratulations on not having any problems. Please don't take my comments personally and as an attack on your stove that you paid hard earned money for. As a courtesy to folks here, most of us who are professionals in various businesses, consciously offer what we think is good advice, based on experience, in these forums to help people come to a conclusion. After that, it's the inquirers decision. Having been in the business about 35 years, I can pretty much tell you which brands and models will have problems and in general, what problems you can expect to have IF you have any at all. Most service companies and technicians can do that. That's because being a service professional, we mostly see the units that have problems and one of the recurring problems I can expect Wolf's to currently experience is igniters. One consideration I think the OP should have is,if purchasing a WOlf, keep an eye on the igniter and suspect there might be a problem. After about 1-1/2 years of no problems, you can breathe a little easier that you may just have one of the "Good one's" Understand, MOST may not ever have problems but it is no consolation to the users who do have problems. Most stoves, no matter the brand with the electronic igniters will eventually have problems. However, the Wolf's manufactured in the past 5 years have had an accelerated number of problems with them, compared to the past. The gas does build in various cavities and when the igniter eventually does ignite, it can be a very harrowing experience for the user. It's not Wolf's fault per Se since they are supplied by various manufacturers. However Wolf stands to take the heat since they are installed in their stoves. I have made the decision not to service Wolf stoves in my area. Not so much because of the product itself but more so, ongoing dealings with them. The major problem with servicing their products, from the service company's standpoint, is the process of procuring replacement parts. Sure, you'll get them after a lot of time on the phone, a lot of paperwork and the customer having to wait for the approved part. What commercial or residential user has the convenience of waiting?? In several cases I've been involved in, Wolf has replaced the entire stove after several weeks of either not being able to get the part or a backlog from the manufacturer. Although this is great, the homeowner has to upset their schedule to be available for delivery and installation. You can imagine how frustrating it can be when the service man and customer are waiting at the scheduled day and time for delivery and it doesn't happen only to find out the delivery has been delayed a day or two, with no prior heads up to the user or the service company. Customer now has to re-arrange their schedule once more. If I have a service man standing there, he gets paid for his hours but my company gets nothing. I think you get the picture from both sides. When a customer has paid for a service policy, they expect immediate, courteous and professional service. Even if it is someone else's fault, my company reputation is at risk. And then there is the retrofitting of non standard parts. I refuse to do that on any appliance.

THanks for the honest feedback about cost. I cant believe this could cost $120K, but I guess I better be prepared to get blown away when I get these figures. And then get used to our existing floor plan, or move.  And unfortunately, no, theres really minimal work we can do ourselves. We have 3 little kids and my husband is not very handy and works really long hours. I still want to come up with an ideal solution and work backwards if its way out of our price range. THe original contractor who suggested a similar layout to above, I believe was implying that such a project might run about 60-70. I believe he said though that opening the structural wall up with about a 5-6' archway opening was more realistic than removing the majority of the wall entirely. Does that sound accurate? We are lucky to have a large finished basement where the kids mostly play now and I imagine when they,re older, that will be their getaway with the door closed, so we honestly do not have too much use for that formal LR. Although, I do occasionally sit in there and enjoy the quiet and the tidiness, since it�s the only room that stays clean! We moved furniture around last night! We put the kitchen table extended in front of the fireplace lengthwise. We pulled chairs up to the wall facing into the kitchen, as if we had a peninsula there. Ill attach a picture of 2 rooms I've seen online that made me think we could do this layout. We liked it and I really think we could do something similar. I agree Id miss the Fireplace in the FR, a lot. But I do think it'd be really pretty to have it in the kitchen/dining area and something that would make our cookie cutter house feel kind of unique! But we can,t figure out a good furniture arrangement for the 'new' Family Room. I feel like it could only work if we switched where the coat closet is, moving it down closer to the Entry Door, so we'd have wall down that end of the LR to put the TV on. If we cant make the new Family room feel comfortable, all this will not be an option. I'd love to see what you mean about bumping out the back wall of the kitchen. I've always thought that would be easiest rather than messing with the rest of the house! All I need is a little more kitchen space to make me happy!! Just a counter to work on is all I ask! But I have been told that will be way more expensive to add on to the house than it would be to reconfigure the existing layout. Might be a question for another thread on another board? But, if you have ideas I'd love to see it! Although, we don't have much room along the back wall of the house, especially on the kitchen side. Id only be comfortable bumping out 4-6 feet. After that, it would encroach on the back yard too much and behind the powder room, any larger would block our entrance into our backyard. We could add on adjacent to the family room out the back, but I don�t even see how that would help much. I don't need a larger FR, I need a larger kitchen. Plus I'd prefer to not lose backyard space, but I would consider it. How hard is it to move a powder room to the complete opposite end of your house?! I am overwhelmed :( Here is a link that might be useful: [Similar layout I think we could do[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/tiburon-home-remodel-traditional-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~46400) This post was edited by homebuyer23 on Thu, Jan 10, 13 at 16:08

I live in Florida. One of the many problems with realestate sales now is that by the time you pay the property tax and hurricane insurance your left with little money. This really smarts for those on a fixed income (and everyone else). On the news last night there was talk of raising the sales tax to 8.5% and lowering the property tax 20% the first year with plans on eventually eliminating it. Don't know when all this will take place though. I would advertise to pay the first year of property tax and if you really want to sell, offer to pay half the first years insurance. This should get the house some attention.