The ideal pH for Zoysia is 6.5. If you visit the State extension agency's website, or submit a soil test to them, they give a range of 5.5 to 6.5 for Zoysia. However, more recent studies of the effect of soil acidity on root development indicate that keeping the pH up produces deeper root development. Your county extension office can process a soil test with all of the information you need for $8. As for sodding, do not sod now. Although sod can be laid at any time if moisture levels are maintained, laying dormant sod is only done when completely necessary. During the sod cutting process, most of the adventitious roots (or secondary roots) are removed. This adventitious roots developed as the lawn matured, and are the primary source of water for mature grass. Actively growing sod will quickly replace these roots and become self-sustaining in a few weeks, whereas dormant sod has to be irrigated, as if it was just laid, until a few weeks after it greens up and takes root; so save your water and wait until May (mid-April at the earliest). The State keeps recommended calendars available through your extension agent. I believe they list May through July as the "best" months and April and August as "possible" months. The link I provided below gives a list of county offices. Just click on your county for office hours, contact info, etc. When you're ready to do the soil test, just take plugs from various points in the back lawn, pulling soil from 2"-4" in depth, and totaling about 1 cup. I submit these in a ziplock bag and they have all the paperwork there for you (if memory serves, they only take cash or check). They usually email the results in one week. I'm going to take a guess and say that your pH will be 5.5, unless you have pines nearby, in which case I will guess 5.0. If it is 5.5 and they tell you that is fine, I still recommend putting down 20 to 40 lbs of lime per 1,000 sqft. to get the pH up toward 6.5. Since you're in the Atlanta area, feel free to contact me for questions. My website is linked in the first post. Here is a link that might be useful: Georgia Extension Agents by County

So my husband went into the local appliance specialty store with his most common pots and pans (Staub grill pan, Chinese carbon steel wok, Le Creuset Dutch oven, and a pasta pot) and just did not like the DCS with its large burner in the center. He also looked at the Blue Star, Wolf, Dacor, Thermador, and Miele. Ultimately, based on the layout he needs and the specs (e.g., simmer, BTU, continuous grate), he chose the Miele with the contemporary (linear grates). Frankly, I think it's not as pretty, as it's a little industrial looking, but whatever. Husband is the one who does all the cooking. It should be delivered next week and I will try to report back in a month or so what our experience has been with it. Here is a link that might be useful: Miele KM3475G

Just about all manufacturers have a Good, Better, Best line. The Good usually 13-14 SEER, the Better 15-16 SEER, and Best being 17-20 SEER. It looks like the company quoted you the two higher lines for Bryant. Was this your preference based on information you gave to the sales person or did they determine what was best for you? I would definitely recommend the variable speed, two-stage furnace. To truly improve your comfort level and give you control over different parts of your house...PUT IN A ZONE CONTROL SYSTEM! When we were looking, I learned that many companies just want to sell you a "box", but not really do anything about your comfort through your air distribution. The middle range equipment (including variable speed, two-stage furnace) along with a Zone Control System will give you the ultimate in control & efficiency. ProTech Heating & Air put in our Zone System and really educated us on the importance of the air distribution and the equipment. Couldn't be happier that I can now keep Master bedroom at a temp different than my kids' rooms.

Oil I`m sure you know that there is three kinds of heaters. Gas, heat pump,and solar.Gas will heat your pool faster and hotter,but very expensive,heat pump is more economical and probaly your best choice south of the proverbial MasonDixon line.With a HP you must have a pool cover,HPs are great but they take a day or two to get your pool temp up and if not covered the heat will escape at night.Using the thermostat and a cover your pool season will be extended spring thu early fall. Solar systems are also great.Initial cost is all you will occur,nature pays for the rest.SS can be used to supplement gas or heat pump.SSs are also good if you have too much shade on your pool.(you mentioned trees?) Another minus on gas is if you don`t have a gas line to your house,you need a hugh unsightly tank.Some who do have a city line have to go to a larger line (ca Che-ca che). Good Luck it seems you are going to have beautiful,well thought out pool....JR PS.. Like an early post said you can easily add a HP later. I did mine myself a year later and saved dough.The major thing is getting an electrical circuit (50w)to your equipment.