One of the other co-ops on our block bought their machine and found that it was a hassle to get it repaired, esp. when it was the coin mechanism that broke. So look locally to see if you can find a company that will repair that part as well. I'm in a very small co-op (10 units plus a super), and only about half the apartments use the machines very much at all. I'd actually like to just buy home machines, and assess each apartment based on their current use of the machines (everybody has to write down when they use it, right now), or on a per-person formula. We'd have to take into consideration the idea that some people don't use it at all, but in our situation, I don't think it would be hard to do, actually.

I too love the look of my "bare" house after the Christmas decorations are put away. I start out decorating after Thanksgiving and am all too ready to start putting things away after Christmas. I start putting away a few days after Christmas, but I always leave the tree up until after New Years. I really go all out so it's usually and week's work to get everything put away. I'm fortunate that I teach school and have the time off, so I just do it at a snail's pace. I do like to everything put away before heading back to work after the new year. We put up a tree in the LR that has all vintage ornaments (over 1000), it's actually my DH's baby. He collected most of the ornaments. He takes that down, and he does it real slow. That tree has been up as long as the beginning of Feb. LOL.

9h Lord- I forgot how stressed I was 25 years ago- and that was essentially a decent build atmosphere! This house will also be a 'small build'. 800-1,000 ft2. I am also against illegals working for any company that is used. Though the footprint will be small there are several upgrades that I want. I have been screwed so many times that I HAVE been better about "we're done check please until I inspect EVERYTHING!! And hopefully learn BEFOREHAND what I need to know about each phase. What I want is none of your business as long as architect approves and you have been told ahead of time. I may need drugs! Or at least many bottles of wine....... Two friends are in the process of building, one just broke ground and another to start in a couple months. I will probably have to live in a camper on site... Not fun that you cannot trust people. How about you need to come into my Emergency Room for something serious- but I don't give a rat's Add... Shall I give you half the cardiac meds? Use wrong suture on your facial laceration- align the wound edges unevenly or decide that I'll just not sew muscle edges- after all, you will never know.... 'Good enough' is not acceptable. 'Done correctly' is. Maybe I'll forget to give you pain medication..... No, I would never do that but am so frustrated at the work ethic of many. I hope I have good connections in Gainesville.... I hope your build goes well.

I'm an engineer. I have remodeled my own homes, I'm not a seasoned plumber. Here's how I see it: You can get a thermostatic valve with a diverter - to the shower head or tub. But you will need another valve to chose between the shower head and the hand held, also you will need a vacuum break for the hand held - this can be a separate vacuum break, or one that's built into the hand held connection. In my opinion - you should get it all from the same mfgr. Otherwise, if you have problems, you are putting yourself in the middle.