Thanks much for the advice -- I see that this quickly going from DIY to hiring in a professional (which I will absolutely do, no problem). Question is, if DH and I start the demo, but stop short of the 'crucial' areas (where the hanging wall makes contact with ceiling/wall portions), will any professional deem it worth his time to come in, finish the demo, then properly repair? If someone posed such a project to you, would you take it? Just wondering. We're trying to save as much money on this kitchen reno as we can by doing much of the work ourselves (DH and son have already removed all the upper cabs).

You have a craigslist in your area?

Look at the gigs section.

Practice good vigilance.

tim: a ton of CLs, I'm sure -- sprawling suburbs outside huge metro area, but how to distinguish a hack from a pro? (Over the past 9 months, have encountered too many of the former who have professed to be the latter...) And by practice good vigilance, meaning I should park a chair in the kitchen and watch their very move? :) That would presume I know what I'm looking for...which gets me back to why I wouldn't mind hiring in a professional.

I'd follow the cut line on the angle of the family room and box out the triangle (with the 5 inch width) which leaves a little red triangle at the face of the kitchen wall transition, a small sloped 5 inch wide (white piece on the ceiling which matches the FR ceiling and leaves a small discontinuity from the end of the FR wall to the exterior wall.

Thanks for your perspective and input, sdello. I think (!) I've decided to leave this job to a professional (i.e., not us!), but am taking into account all the various suggestions I've received on GW. I'll share all the ideas with whomever we go with, and see what they think is the best solution.

I'd be a little cautious before making that cut. That piece of wall gives me the impression that it may be full of 2x4s and is a major vertical support. or it could be nothing more than framing lumber to make that stub wall. Its best to find out before cutting. It would be helpful if you had a set of framing plans for the house.

bethany: TY. DH and I have decided to be spectators (with me in charge of dust mitigation -- I've learned the hard way THREE TIMES these past months as my entire downstairs has been covered with layers of grout, granite, and hardwood adhesive dust!).

jem: I should probably redefine the 'cut' lines: I envision these will be points of removal/elimination. We've formally turned this part of the project over to our KD company, so we'll need to trust in their experience and expertise.

I hope I'm just understanding this incorrectly. Please do not make cuts at those locations without removing the rock off that hanging wall. Then remove studs. Trying to cut that section entirely could be dangerous for a DIY. A contractor like myself would not charge much at all extra to remove the section and repair rock. I would hire the job out.

Lutz: Don't know how to reply and not sound rude, but YOU MISUNDERSTOOD! ;)

We've decided NOT to DIY this (for the many reasons that you and everyone else have pointed out), and are having an outside company handle it. Had I pursued DIY, though, I wouldn't have simply taken a saw and started cutting at the dotted lines. Thanks for looking out for us DIYers!

Glad to hear you found a plan. I normally do misunderstand. Unfortunately, I have worked guys in the past that would have just sawed it down. Wasn't trying to degrade your ability.

Hey, Lutz: no apologies needed at all -- I didn't interpret your comments as degrading in any way. Kinda disturbing to think that someone would indeed just start blindly cutting away...can just picture this thing crashing down!