I have a 10 foot counter and an adjacent 6 foot peninsula in the butcher block, and only two tiny sections of the granite, each less than 18" wide. Being practical, it's easier to raise the two small areas than try to modify the already installed 1980s builder grade base cabinets by a smidge. I finally got a callback from the granite yard - they said if it's not the sink area the most straightforward method is to cut a chunk of tempered 3/16 masonite the size of the cabinet top, glue/nail it down and then install the granite. Stain the edges if needed to hide them. If, as in my case, the seam is the full depth of the counter, there are small t-shaped moldings from various manufacturers such as Schluter. They come in stainless steel, brass or various colored anodized aluminum finishes. Just tap it into the silicone between the two sections.

I have prices on 3 direct set picture windows that are standard Loewen window sizes. Does it make sense that taller window costs substantially more per SF of frame size? I am surprised that the "premium" for taller windows is so much. Dimensions shown are rounded frame sizes, but SF calculation was done precisely to 1/16" #1 3/0 4/11 14.535SF cost $468 $32.20/SF #2 3/0 6/11 20.371SF cost $808.60 $39.69/SF #3 4/0 4/11 19.380SF cost $544.05 $28.07/SF Based on frame size SF, #2 is 40.2% larger. If it were priced per SF like #1 then the cost would be $656, but costs a premium of 23.3% more at $808.60!! These are all standard metal clad exterior, mixed grain douglas fir interior, with standard double pane glazing. I have far fewer window costs from Marvin of comparable windows, and in general all are more expensive than Loewen; however the "premium" for taller windows is less. My only speculation for the large differences in Loewen per SF pricing relates to possibility of wasted glass from their supplier Cardinal Glass. By this I mean that I assume Cardinal makes certain large sized sheets, which are then cut into smaller sizes; and that for 6/11 size there is more wastage. I guess the same might be true for the DF wood casing. Any help in understanding this is appreciated; and especially if you know that this same "premium" is there for other Mfg. such as Kolbe, Marvin. I am not going to re-design many of my windows, but in some cases I can modify dimensions without much change to visuals, and potentially save a great deal of money. I am building a modern house with the typical extensive glazing, but my estimated >$60k price tag has me floored. Thanks for your thoughts.

To gain a real idea as to the costs of your proposal, you should probably start with an excavation contractor and get an estimate. You need a licensed professional with experience and appropriate equipment (and insurance!). He/she will be doing a major portion of your work: dirt removal and then reconstruction of your yard and driveway to be sure proper drainage is maintained. Will existing infrastructure (buried utility/phone lines, water and sewer lines, etc.) need to be moved? You'll have to pay for that and that ain't cheap. I believe if I decided to do that at my house, I'd have to hire the owner of the specific line, for example, A.T.&T., to do the work. Advice from a structural engineer would be valuable first to make sure that removal of the dirt will not compromise the integrity of your house's foundation. You'll need someone with construction/basement knowledge to seal the to-be-exposed concrete foundation and to cut new window holes. And someone to install new windows. Then a concrete contractor to rebuild your driveway/sidewalk/other new things you might decide you want. And a landscaper to design/install new plantings. Oh! And you mentioned removal of a large tree. In my area, removal of a large tree costs $2,000. And that's just what's above ground. Will you need roots removed too? Others might know: would advice/permissions be required from your municipality because of the change in the grade of the yard (which may affect runoff both into nearby municipal-owned and privately-owned properties)? Obviously I don't what any of these services would cost you in a major city in Canada.

Depends. Got a picture?