hi worthy, its a certified assessment - in writing/stamped, not verbal. i wouldn't pay $275 for someone's word. he measured the worst "bow" at less than 2" its all in writing. however, how do i know which foundation repair guy is right - if either? two diff methods to "straighten" a wall - each claims the other guy is wrong and they're right. how am i supposed to know who is right? that's my question. do you do wall/foundation repair? i'd like your opinion on how to tell who is right - any red flags i should look out for? i also questioned their assessment of a "failed wall" without measuring. one guy did eventually but somehow came up with over 2". i don't doubt they can "fix" my walls but i want them to insure they don't bow anymore. i don't care if they are straightened. the floors above are level. no leaks through the wall. i don't ever intend to finish the basement. thanks for your insight

oasisowner, you could get a home that functions much better for you if you're willing to do it in phases and are willing and able to spend more $$ on the remodel. Here's how: Phase 1 Basement stairs doorway relocated to hallway (I explained how in an above post). Knock down the wall between kitchen and 3rd bedroom to create an open kitchen/DR. I did not include counter seating since the table is right there. Remove the lower half of the "windows" in the LR/hallway walls so that you have a better connection between kitchen/DR and LR. (This could wait until Phase 2, if necessary, but you'd have to add floor repair at that time, might be easier and cheaper to do it all at once.) The current DR becomes a den; no walls or doors added. Phase 2 You close off the "windows" from LR to den and create new walls for a relocated MBR, MBA and closet in its own wing of the home. Next, remove the existing MBA to create bedroom #1 with a new entry. Closets for bedrooms #1 & #2 are built between the 2 bedrooms. I'm assuming existing closet in bedroom #2 is along a wall so relocating it should create a larger bedroom. Rearranging the bedrooms and eliminating the existing MBA could wait for Phase 3. Or you could leave them as is and have a dual master bedroom home. This is a much larger undertaking but I went back to the issues you have with your home - not a large enough kitchen, unused DR, too small bedrooms - and addressed them with this plan. Doing the projects in phases will make it easier on the budget and on one's sanity. If you intend to stay put for a long time, then it might be worthwhile to pursue remodeling to gain a home that functions better for you now and in the long run, especially if your neighborhood will support these improvements.

If it is to be for drain cleaning,inside a cabinet is a poor location. Turning to go through wall is much better,,,,,but,,,,,if that stack vent's anything besides kitchen sink,you can turn it but the stack has to stay. Ask why the drain has to be accessible. As it is right now,it would be much easier to go down stack from roof than from beneath sink and make all those 90 deg turns. If you just left it and plugged the drain,the stack can be used from roof for cleaning.

This situation is full of danger for the homeowner. Even with a floor plan, it’s the local in person engineers, architects, kitchen designers, contractors, and most certainly the local building inspector that should be tackling this issue. It should have been tackled with the design professionals and engineer on the front end, then the permitting office. Before ripping the house apart.