....Thank you both....that link would definitely explain as to why possibly-as my dh had to have his own pc/internet and got one this weekend. thanks again guys....

mugnaini Heat Pumps are always a consideration especially in a dual fuel application(HP with nat gas furnace backup) in a climate like yours. I like HPs as well-for the right application. HPs are not for everyone or every application. There are many factors to consider for HPs and those include location/winter climate, comfort, home's envelope/insulation properties, and electric rate vs other alternative heating fuels. I want to go back to furnace sizing and the statement made in my previous post. I don't know why dealers want to oversize. I would want a load calc performed on heating. I still believe the 100K mdls are oversized. More of a big deal on the Trane furnace than the Carrier furnace. Your heat sourse fuel is nat gas, not propane? The Carrier quote #2 is a nicer system than the Trane system. That Carrier furnace is 3 stg while the Trane is two stg. The Carrier quote includes a new correctly sized refrigerant lineset and new box filter? dealers have inspected your ductwork system? you have damper control on supply lines to main floor, upstairs, and basement zones? If not bthey should be added to better balance airflow. I can provide the AHRI performance/eff numbers if you are interested. IMO

HOLLY: How was I putting him on the spot? I was asking his professional opinion about some work done by someone else--work that was *clearly* inferior. (I will be happy to send you a photo if you would like.) I wasn't demanding that he answer. He could have dodged my inquiry quite diplomatically. I've seen doctors dodge quite diplomatically--and I think there's more of a code of ethics among docs than contractors. PLUS, this question was in the context of "now, if I should hire you for this job, how will we resolve things if I see YOU doing work that looks sloppy to me?" And you said after all, "...focus on the negative...rather than focus on the person in front of you and their work and references. " How, after all, can I get some kind of objective idea of his work and references? What contractor is gonna give a potential customer negative references, or say anything bad about himself? Isn't it very naive to expect that a contractor, hoping to sell his services, will give a prospect ANYTHING of a negative nature?

lynn2006, thanks for the link. I did find it. I think I've got it narrowed down to a 2x4 in silver sands slate or a quartzite in the golden white or oracle. I think the brick shape is a nice medium between the diamond I have now (and like the shape of) and 4x4 squares I don't care so much for.The store we hoped to buy it at (prices are great) doesn't carry Crossville, and that's where we'll be stopping on our way home from vacation, but I really want to look at the Oracle too so maybe we'll have to make an another trip to the Big City. Thanks very much to you and to all.