My suggestion would be to first make sure that you buy with a family owned store; and if buying online make sure they have a showroom and are not just sitting in an office or warehouse taking orders. The big box stores will always have prices set by their corporate offices and will not generally be the best deal. Second would be to look at another brand; although Lazy-Boy makes a great product they are also well known and do have a lot of restrictions on what dealers can and can not do. This just takes the competitive nature away and keeps Lazy-Boy making a ton of profit. You can typically find an off brand that has the same construction and warranty for a lot less. However if they are the only ones that have the style you are looking for; then check around and go in and offer them a price. You will need to know where they are at on their pricing to know what the lowest offer you should make is. The main thing is to find a sales person who is not into all the sales games that I am sure you are well aware of. If you get the sense that they are not being straight; do not waste your time.

I am just now reading all these amazing comments. We were going to sell our 5 bedroom house and build a “smaller” 2B2B barndominium, but plans changed due to my dad getting sick and not wanting us to move away from me. So we have decided to renovate what we have and incorporate the things I wanted into this house but I have no clue where to start. This house had NO storage. We have extra rooms I want to make one a butlers pantry that connects to my kitchen and the other I want to make a master closet. Any ideas would be appreciated

If you don't want to actually wall off part of the living/dining space as a bedroom, then at least claim the entire wall between stairwell and exterior patio door wall for your "bedroom". Set your bed and your wardrobe and your chest of drawers against that wall. If you don't already have a twin bed for yourself, choose a quality metal twin bed frame with castors and without headboard of foot board -- one that, with appropriate pillows/bolsters, could pass as a day bed ... one that appears to be and could be used as seating; however, do NOT let anyone get in the habit of using it as seating or you'll end up with the side edge your mattress being worn and sagging in an uncomfortable way. (Aunt had this issue with her day bed when I was a child.) If you have any difficulty with physical activity, do not skimp on your mattress and box springs -- get the best of both and have the height of your bed be what you can use comfortably, such as swing your legs over the side and stand up rather than needing to climb up out of the bed. (Been there; done that -- too low is not good.) On a tight budget, consider checking with Habitat for Humanity Restore Store for good used wood furnishings -- wardrobe and chest of drawers -- and even the metal bed frame. Would not upholstered furnishings or mattress used. You might also try checking with other local charity sponsored thrift stores and/or used/antique/consignment stores.

I actually never thought about raising the garage floor and then adding a deck. I’m really into that idea! The pool will be to the left of the driveway. I do intend to do some pavers around the pool, so the wood would be a beautiful contrast. Another dilemma then, though. I wanted to replace the garage doors with another set of garage doors, but all glass. I wonder if that could still work with raising the floor (affordably). I’m not opposed to sliders. I do appreciate your thoughts. This is the biggest project I’ve undertaken. I’ve done a couple kitchen remodels before so I do trust myself. But this feels BIG. No chance you know of any good contractors in the Chico, CA area, is there?