We paid a designer a flat fee of $1800 to do plans/drawings for us. That price would have included some help picking materials etc. We ended up doing everything else. Another designer that I may work with to help me put the finishing touches on my home bills by the hour: $75/hour. I am confused. How many hours did he spend on your bathroom project? What did he do exactly? I think 3300 sounds excessive for even a 40,000 remodel unless the designer did everything and coordinated with your GC/subs and you didn't even lift a finger except to sign off on things. Was his original plan to charge you 3300 PLUS make a profit on materials he purchased for you? I think that is mind boggling. 3300 should cover a lot. I thought $1800 was a lot and I realize I didn't even need to spend that amount. My cabinet designer could have done what she did. I really want to know what your designer did!! You sound very reasonable, I hope you come to a good conclusion with this.

My scratchpad - bolded measurements are the size of shelf/cubbyhole/drawer starting off at the bottom super rough outline of a cabinet on wheels still sketching. top of cabinet router 18 or 16 Wx22D 10" high - one shelf cubby - with doors External portable @7 or 5 = 6.5HX 5DX3W - these can be turned into a stacked block - using reusable double-sided sticky tape that I used for the external DVDs. External Drive 5 Terrabytes - 1.75Hx7D X 5W -can be on a separate mini shelf below or above External Drives 10 Terrabytes - 7HX6D X 2W - can be next to - placed next to the above mini External Dvd Drive - 3.25H X 5.5Dx 5.75W - this can be placed next to the 10 terabytes drive this would give it an appx 15-17 width depth this can be two small doors. One 12 port USB hub 1" HX9"Dx2.25" W (hub count for this shelf - 2 drives are plugged into the router so not in the hub - 13 cords to 12 port hub - 1 power cord from hub to One 12 outlet Belkin surge protector and 1 cord from hub to the back of pc.) Earbuds can be sneaked into this space as well and included on cord count. 18 or 16 Wx22D X 18H - need to map out the cord count and ethernet cable modem - 2"Hx7.25"Dx7"W thin client - 7"Hx7.5"Dx2"W tower - 16.5"Hx16"DX7"W KVM switch to using one keyboard, mouse, monitor Belkin surge protector 1-inch space 18 or 16 Wx22D X 18H - monitor or just used as a writing desk or storage at a later date. mount swing arm for a monitor, swing-out for keyboard and mouse (this can be on a floating desk as well)or a heavy-duty drop-down door that can be used as a mini desk; then this section would need to be moved further down. 18 or 16 Wx22D X 7H - pen/pencil/junk drawer 1-inch space 18 or 16 Wx22D X 6H - Rollout Scanner Tray Epson v600 Photo Scanner - 5HX 19.5DX11W 1-inch space 18 or 16 Wx22D X 8H - Canon Printer Tray Canon Printer 6" Hx12"dx15"w - wireless 1 Power cord into Belkin surge protector 1-inch space 18 or 16 Wx22Dx12H hanging file drawer wheel casters

More traditional FP - Although this one has a low hearth it could be made lower by having no hearth and the Fireplace at floor level. You're not creating another shotgun space since your kitchen is around the corner. Your existing space probably feels more shotgun too in that it is narrower than the new space and goes all the way from the front to the back. People have open dining/living generally on their wish list. I think you need to really think through what is it that is bothering you about the current open space you have vs. a shape thing. The back space will be facing your backyard so that will be different, you also won't have the entry right into it so it will feel more private. I suggest you really dig into what the feelings are that causes you to question the openness as I don't think it is all related to the shape. No-one that comes to your front door will be able to see into this space or see much of it etc. There are many more differences than there are similarities so focus on what is different and similar to your current space as you work through what it is you want. Similar to make a pros and cons list, but make one that is different and similar. I agree with cpartist that a good architect would get you something that ties in well with your house and even though you don't want to move also will be good for re-sale if something ever changes there. Also a good architect would help you make your house so you really feel that you don't ever want to move. Also consider a garden shed for storage. It is the best bang for your buck when it comes to storage.

" The fabricator is saying he CANNOT do a 2.5 inch radiused corner on a piece that's only sticking out 2.5 inches." Lay it out full scale. Math doesn't lie.