the ejector pump will simply sit down into a sump pit, and turn on and off as needed, pumping the "contents" vertically to where the ejector line ties into the existing waste line and then flows along with everything else via gravity. note, if you already have a sump pump and pit, you can just swap in an ejector pump and remove the 1 1/2" sump drain line and replace with a 2" pipe. regarding the existing vent line, you'll need to confirm proper function, and yes you do need to have a vent line out of the sump pit, so if the vent is OK, I don't see why you couldn't utilize it

Benjamin, I would think that an experienced builder could look at it and tell you what needs to be done right off the bat, without going to the expense of hiring an engineer. There's nothing wrong with getting a quote and then deciding to do all or part of the work yourself. The reason I asked if the original builder put up the wall, is that the work looks kind of amateurish to me. Why go to the trouble of building a wall, using that much wood and not finishing it, when a simple beam with support posts would have been much easier to do. What is on the floor over that wall? Maybe a previous owner was trying to correct a problem or trying to put in additional support for something heavy (like a waterbed). If the wall is a true bearing wall, I would think that it's also supporting another bearing wall on top of it. I'm having a bearing wall taken down on my first floor and wanted to move one of the supports for the beam that the builder is putting in. My builder told me that the support had to be there because it would sit over a support in the basement and it's important to transmit the load from above all the way to the ground.

It depends on many factors. I prefer to do what we call a bonded mud screed or "dry pack" floor most of the time, other times self leveling can work but from what you've mentioned i don't think so. You have to thick of a pour for most all self levelers. and they are tempernmental in cold climates over crete. Share some pics, condition of the slab?

You are right there is not enogh space for an island but IMO not all kitchens need an island and some of the most functional kitchens are galley type layouts . If you go into the DR space at all the DR then becomes too small to function as a DR maybe think the other direction into the breakfast space since in a small house the need for 2 eating spaces is really not nessessary IMO. Iwould probably do an elongated U shap and then have the wall on the LR side all true pulloy pantries for storage eliminating the need for upper cabinets on that window wall with the range and hood between the windows for proper venting too If you post some pics of the exterior that will help with mud room ideas . I think I need a budget too.