read the basic installation guide here http://www.andersenwindows.com/servlet/Satellite/AW/AWProduct/awProductDetail/AWProduct/1135095638566/1135095638566?tab=5-1&tableftnav=1135095638566&tabname=Installation+&+Warranty its only a few pages and alot of pics... know what needs to be done and ask the contractor what he will do, but DO NOT give him a chance to lie by asking a direct "will you do this" type question, it's better to say something like "it has been mentioned by another contractor that the installation methods have changed over the years, what is it exactly that needs to be done differently now?" i'll say this too... the slightest chance that all 3 are unaware, you could show them the PDF and see how willing they are to accept change. If one of them are interested in doing it that way, which is required and minimal for warranty, let him make you happy. if one goes on (and on) about they have been doing it the old way for years and has never had any problems blah blah blah, RUN! i could write a book on the psychology of us contractors!

Your room looks beautiful. I can picture fresh flowers in that middle vase, like a bunch of lavender hydrangeas and white tulips spilling over in the spring, or white roses and pine in winter! Good luck with the basement...I know how time and money get sucked into the next project! We've been renovating different parts of our house for years! Lol. Tell us when you start a new thread for your basement! I'd like to follow your progress. :)

Where to start? First we installed a partial fence on one side with an arbor. Then, on the same side, added an exterior French door to the living room and an extra window to a spare bedroom. Then had the area landscaped. Pics below. Ran out of time (and money!!) to tackle the paver patio with a pergola off the dining room which will require changing out the double window for French doors. I hope to be able to do that in 2017, along with creating a pathway from lower yard between trees that form a sort of avenue to the upper field. Smaller projects in the meantime include currently getting quotes for a kitchen backsplash and under cabinet lighting. DIY projects: Would like to change out the pedestal sink in the powder room for a vanity and add cabinets to my laundry room. Extensive trim work and wainscoting in most rooms. Would like to put reclaimed barn beams on the living room ceiling. Lastly, if I still have any money left, would be to convert the deck to a screened porch with a fireplace, put in a small plunge pool and put a veggie garden and a shed/workshop in the upper field. I wouldn't say anything so far has gone terribly wrong. I will say that contractors don't really expect you to pay extra to do a real cleanup, do they??? Shouldn't that be part of the deal?? I mean should a homeowner expect to pay another contractor to fix the dings in her hardwood floors left by the previous contractor even though the homeowner took the time to put down heavy duty drop cloths?? Just saying...... New Fence: New window and door: New door:

Well...[smile] lots to do! Sell [all but a few of] the pews. Remove the asphalt; build a yard/grounds. Find out where the original ground level was at the front door. Weird application to have asphalt up to the building; it will never look right to have paving like that anywhere around the house [except a drive and parking pad]. What's behind the ceiling tiles? Looking at the exterior roof pitch, it may well be framed such that the ceiling height could easily be changed. Would look better for that space not to have the existing flat ceiling, and have it vaulted instead. And yes, very much agree to leave it one open space as much as possible. Good to leave stained glass windows - Yes! But I need to be able to look out windows. If you are the same, you might be able to add windows on the two sides of the building, in between the stained glass ones. Other than the tower/vestibule, the building is a rectangle, which is easiest to deal with. Don't know how many sq ft you have, or your needs for the house, but you could put your bedroom and bath at one end [ie, triple window end], leaving the entire center space open as living/dining/kitchen. That jut-out that appears to be in the middle of the room is awkward, but hard to tell what I'm seeing, to be comfortable saying much more. Too much info I don't know to speculate further [sq ft, your usage, bdrm #s, etc, etc].