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Was the lumber really dry? It's surprising to me that a 2x12 would have cracked that way. Was this Southern Yellow Pine, or? A pic my be helpful, but barring that if it looks as if the cracks are going to continue I'd replace it.

Minor checks and cracks are common in framing lumber. Can you post a pic? How is the header nailed off to the king studs? Do you have two jack studs on each end or only one?

Smack the tiles you want to removed until they fragment into pieces. Then remove the chunks carefully with a hammer & chisel. If you get to them within the first 24 hours, you can often pry them out before the thinset is fully cured. After that, you'll usually end up taking chunks of the...

DensGuard is basically the same thing, I believe. I'm not sure of the differences between the two but they serve the same purpose. We use cement board in steam showers, but that's about it. The Dens materials offer great performance and much more ease of use.

I'd want to know where the drains at the base of the driveway go. If into sump pit, that pump will need regular maintenance and replacement probably every 4-6 years. I'd also want a backup in the case of a pump failure or power outage. Also, as was mentioned the water stains are a little...

I agree. It won't be fun, but adding joists from underneath is the only thing that will prevent deflection in this floor. 2x6, 16" o.c.

Are you tiling the floor or going back with linoleum. If you are tiling the floor, you'll have a better transition to the hall if you remove the hardwood flooring to the subfloor, then install a 1/2" backer, then install your tile.

You must be careful when laying tile directly to concrete. If there are any cracks or control joints in the area you are tiling, you'll need to use an isolation membrane--which prevents those cracks from transfering up into your tile over time. There are several types which usually don't add...

Thinset is fine, but screw it as well. Use tap cons which usually come with the proper size masonry bit. Set the board in place and then drill your pilot holes through the board and into the masonry. It will be easier if you hit the mortar joints.

The better known brands for stock cabinets will be of best quality: Kraftmaid, Aristokraft, etc. They will also offer the most options for species, finishes and accessories. $10,000 for cabinets and counters sounds about right for the average size kitchen, depending on the wood, finish and...

Making laminate look the best is a lot about the edge detail you choose. Try and select one without a seam (which shows the raw edge of the laminate). Stay away from solid colors which tend to look "plasticy". Textured, matte finishes usually look better than the glossy ones. The selection of...

Parging on any outside masonry usually doesn't last very long in climates that are subjected to heavy freeze & thaw. It's likely to be something you have to keep up on a yearly basis. Just make sure you get everything loose off, and follow the directions of your product closely. Most recommend...

The job you're describing is a difficult one to DIY. Hopefully you've done some masonry work before. You'll need a 4" angle grinder with a diamond blade. Start by framing the opening from the inside, and hammer drill location holes through the brick at the four corners. With the location...

First and formost, my concern would be that the foundation is stable. It appears from your pictures that sections on the outiside have been stuccoed. I inspect a lot of houses for prospective owners and realtors--one of the first things I look for are signs of fresh work--paint, plaster, stucco...