Make sure you use the ones with the round plastic washer on the end.

Not plastic or aluminum mini blinds, but faux-wood 2 inch blinds?  

If the contractor wants to maximize his take home on the bid, and you approve the price will that valve have plastic insides or a nice stainless?  

I buy sets of 6 Kwikset lifetime warrantee deadbolts and locking door knobs, I have plastic boxes that hold all six sets and I rotate them.

In my lower class B stuff, I just do the plastic surrounds.

Same with porches, patios, etc.

Any experience with "restore".Specifically concerned about some mixed reviews:seems to get 5star or 1star depending on if it peels a year later.Looking to paint steps that have a bunch of little cracks and damage from being covered in outdoor carpet.Also looking to facelift a patio area with patched (previously cracked) cement.I generally like to make thinks look nice, but need to go with the clean/paint ratger than replace motto so I can save $$.

In the meantime, I bought a $10 plastic bathroom faucet at Menards, and installed it in the kitchen sink, so I could at least have water. 

If you were to install check valve on your sewage line (to prevent back up from the street) would you go with plastic one or more expensive cast iron one ?

Temporarily wrap the crown with plastic material to prevent water leaking because It's cold now so crown rebuild can not be done until weather is right/warm enough4.