AlexShek's Advice

It depends on your particular circumstances. How long are you planning to stay in the house? If you use your basement for entertainment having at list  1/2 bath is a huge plus. If you have a home gym or an occasional guest who would spend a night or two sleeping there, having a full bathroom is preferred.  If your basement is just a storage, you really don't need the bathroom.I am not a realtor, I am a design-build remodeling contractor. My take is this: if you are planning to stay in the house for 5-7-10 years, I would not worry about the comparables. Even if you don't recoup every penny when you eventually sell, you have an opportunity to enjoy it for many years.This is a basement bathroom we build for a family in Germantown, MDhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/aa_design_build_remodeling/8531414012/in/set-72157622679427016

In most cases, moving your AC system is not the most economical way. However, given a proper budget, everything is doable.If having laundry downstairs is really getting on your nerves and you are planning to stay in this house for 5 years or more, just do it and enjoy!Good luck!

If you are talking about a specific project you mentioned - moving a wall, any qualified contractor or architect will be able to let you know whether or not the wall can be removed with high degree of accuracy.Ask your friends and neighbors who had large scale remodeling done. The link James Jacobs provided is good too.

Ask your friends and neighbors and check NARI (National Association of Remodeling Industry) website for a listing of good local contractors.Good luck!

I would ask your neighbors, co-workers etc. for a recommendation. You can also check NARI - National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Look it up on Google.I personally don't like Angie's list.Good luck!

While I agree with Don, in some cases it is not possible to build an addition that looks exactly like the house. It happens, for example, when working with older homes build of stone. While it is impossible to match the original stone, there are ways to build an addition that looks well "integrated"

Who installed the tile Darren? For liability reasons, we would not want to do grout only, as we can't guaranty the work done before us.  If later, lets say  in a few months, the grout cracks, who will you go after?As for the price, in the DC market it would cost you $200-$300.Good luck!

I agree with Thomas Richard. The wood will expend and contract depending on the temperature and humidity in your come, so on painted cabinets crack will eventually appear.Good luck with your project!

If you are planning to stay in this house for 5 or more years, do what is more important for your family. Good luck and enjoy your new kitchen!

A short answer is: a closet and a window.Good luck!