sounds like a great idea, but I can tell you that I only had a sliding glass door in my kitchen before we remodeled, and I hated not having a window whenever I needed a small amount of air. I also would be concerened how the peninsula would look from the porch when you have the glass doors closed. Unless the doors can be stacked to one side of the opening and windows made over the peninsula stacked to the other side. I don't know if that would give you the best of both worlds? Just a thought.

John, I think the tone of your post speaks for itself, and I find it really unnecessary. There's a distinct difference between trying to talk a contractor down FROM a fair price vs. talking them down TO a fair price. Consumer protection, John. It's my right to do my homework. I don't know anyone who doesn't obtain several quotes for comparison or at least go by word of mouth, and for good reason. My observations and experiences are based on the contractors I've dealt with, not with the general population. When quotes for the same work come back with figures ranging all across the spectrum, it is evident that something is skewed. That's my observation. If you aren't one of "those" contractors, then don't get your panties all up in a bunch.

"The mason just left. He went and GOT insurance to do our job." We hired someone to do a job and we required that he have liability insurance. He, too, "went and got insurance to do our job." I contacted the agent to make sure it was legit and he confirmed that a policy had been issued. Unfortunately, since I knew the guy we hired, I did not require that the agent send me a binding certificate right away and told him he could send it on Monday (he asked if that would be okay). The job only took about a week, and I was still waiting for the certificate to arrive when the job was completed. I called the agent to see what the delay was and he informed me that the guy we hired had called him (apparently right after he started the job on Monday) and canceled the policy. I asked the agent how that was possible when he himself had told me that a policy existed, he said since he hadn't issued the certificate yet, the policy could be cancelled. I took him at his word that a policy was in effect, but I should have made him give me the certificate right then and there. I was disgusted, but it was my own fault ... I should have been more diligent and less trusting. Lesson learned ... if the guy has insurance, have the agent send you a certificate proving it. And don't take anyone's "word" for it. Any legit business will be able to have their insurance company provide you with a certificate. And if he truly did get a policy just to do your job, they will be able to issue that certificate immediately.

It seems to me to make most sense to put one handrail near the garage.