Starfish24. I don't know...mainly b/c we weren't in a great hurry w/the design (I wanted to take my time with it) so it took quite a while for us...especially since we had to start over. Initially, we did have to wait for a KD but that was b/c we specifically asked for someone w/many years experience and who had a great sense of design. As I told them at EXPO, my DH and I are "techies" and not the creative/decorative type...our talents just aren't in the artistic arena! They told us their best designer was just finishing up several projects and then was going to be away for a couple of weeks b/c her DD was having their first child (and her first grandchild). So, we ended up waiting about a month for our first meeting. However, if you already have your design and just want to see how it looks w/cabinets & order them, I think you can get in a lot sooner. What I don't know is how they handle customers who just order products from them and not their services as a Project Director/Manager. I know it cost us $750 up front, but it was credited back to us when we ordered our cabinets. They will need time for you to pick out a door, measure, and put the info in the computer and get your approval. Only then will they generate the order. The order not only includes the cabinets but the crown molding, decorative items, etc. I'm not sure all of that can be done in one week. Can anyone do it in a week? I seem to recall, though, that measuring was pretty quick. I changed the design so many times and dilly dallied about selecting appliances, flooring, etc. that it took us several months to finalize everything. I hesitate to tell you how long...but we started in mid April 2007 and signed the contract November 10. We not only had a difficult time picking out things (and changing our minds!), but we had several vacations in that time frame that also delayed our decisions. We are NOT typical...our KD even said we were more involved and took much longer to decide things than most of her clients (or did she say all of her other clients?) She was not upset about it, but she did comment on it. Most clients, she said, come in and say "design my kitchen" and don't want to get involved in the design except in very superficial ways. I guess I was TKO before I knew what TKO meant! Oh, a comment on prices...at first I was unhappy that I couldn't shop around for the best prices for things (EXPO only installs what you order from them), but as it turns out, most of the prices are comparable to what I found online and other sales. If you're with a project (1) you don't pay taxes on products (a big savings!) and (2) you get a "project" discount on products & services on top of other incentives. +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Despite my problems, if I ever have to do this again, I would actually like to use the same KD...BUT have someone else measure! Her design sense has been great, IMHO. She even stalled the assignment of our project to a contractor until we could get the one she likes the best. While I have had some issues w/the contractor, it's not w/the individual workers...they've been great! The carpenter, tile guy, and several others have been so attentive to detail that I have no complaints about their work! It's only when the "supervisors" were on site that we felt they were rushing things to just get it done. Luckily, they weren't there that often! I refuse to succumb to the feeling of "I just want it done!" To me, I don't care if it takes 2 or 3 times as long, I want it done right! My KD feels the same way...she is really making sure everything is "right" For example, the drawer under the MW doesn't go back on track w/o fiddling...the "super" told us "too bad" but when I mentioned it to my KD, her immediate reaction was to try it herself and then said "those slides need to be replaced". Another example, the top of the top drawer of my 33" drawer base was gouged in several places while the kitchen was worked on (I think while they were working on the venting). The "super" again shrugged it off saying they'd just fill the gouges and b/c it's the top drawer it will be covered by the countertop so no one will see it. My KD took one look at it and said "that has to be replaced!" [Sorry this got so long but I HTH!]

Dear all, I have many questions as a homeowner, and first time window buyer. We are looking to purchase 17 windows for our 1770's home, in northeastern CT where the temps are below zero at times in the winter. Summers can be hot and muggy. We are looking at maintaining the character of our house, by seeking architectural features that match our current windows (six over six, wood, wavy older glass) but we want efficiency for comfortable living. We are interested in Marvin Ultimates, double hung wood, simulated divided light (same grill pattern that we have now), with aluminum clad exterior. We were told that the glass needs to be LoE366 in order to be eligible for the tax credit - which we would like to receive. I would like to hear from homeowners or others that are knowledgeable about the aesthetics of this LoE366 glass. I have seen a hand sample of the glass, but not a window/door sample with the glass mounted because it was not available. Will it be too dark? I have read other posts that share their satisfaction with LoE in general, but I understand not all LoE is the same, and tints vary. Any LoE366 customers out there? Also, a GC told me that there are other companies (Jenweld?) that make a tax credit qualifying glass, with better visual transmittance than Cardinal's LoE366. ZoE.. something, and I think there might be another one. Please share your experience with these other options. Do you think the quality of this alternate glass, and or these other window brands is as good as the Marvin Ultimates with LoE366? Finally, I am a little confused about whether we should be replacing or using new construction windows. We have had a lead inspector from the state create a lead plan for us to deal with many deteriorated leaded surfaces throughout our home, including the windows. And we are under the impression, that it is safer to do new construction. However, 2 GC's seemed puzzled when I said we were going to do it this way. Our exterior is clapboard, and we know we would have to replace around the windows. My husband is very handy, and ready to do this if it is the best course. He believes that because there is extensive exterior sill damage on all of our windows, we are better off going with new construction. True? Finally, I wonder if the draft be significantly less with new construction? I welcome your comments, and I am happy to know that there is a glass lord among us. Hello Oberon!

I wouldn't judge the price of Andersen windows based on a quote from Renewal! Go to the Andersen web site and find a dealer in your area (other than Home Depot) and pay them a visit. They will also be able to recommend a few contractors and will probably carry other manufacturers, have a display area, and be able to show you the differences in features and quality.

If you are still looking for Soapstone - Give Goran a call at Stone & Tile World in Rockville, MD at 301-231-7777. They just installed our counter -- good to work with - they worked through a number of tricky cuts, fabrication and reworks (without complaint) to make things right. We have a lot of unusual angles due to u-shaped counter with a bay window in the middle. Additionally, we spent a lot of time going round & round with different slabs -- visited lots of DC Area distributors / warehouses in the middle of nowhere... ugh such a time suck... we couldn't decide on what we wanted/liked - finally, fate intervened and the right slab found us. They are a fabricator; but Goran will steer to to the right distributors locally. I spoke with him earlier today - confirmed shortage of Soapstone in the area, but said he should be able to locate what you need.