Sure - I'm going to fill the tub with the same amount of water (which, for the tubs we're looking at, is in the 70-80 gallon range). But, it will take almost twice as long - and yes, the water does cool. Sassinak - you're on my page! (I'm looking for a tub that holds less water, btw - but still, taking 15 minutes to fill a tub vs. 8 or so does seem like an issue). We didn't want a wall spout because it's a two person tub - and we don't want a faucet poking into the head of Bather #2. We did go to a good plumbing store yesterday - and it looks like we'll get the handheld PLUS a tub filler - with just a diverter between the two (no handles for the filler) - and mount the filler on the deck, possibly back side middle - so no having to have it in one's face. I really appreciate the help. Lazypup, in particular - thanks for the clarification on flow rates. We brought home Grohe literature that indicates that one of their tub fillers will reach a rate of 15 gpm! (We have good pressure at the main point of entry to our house and will be replumbing from that point to the bathroom in order to keep that good pressure up where it belongs - so I'll be able to ZOOM fill my tub). Not that it's been much of an issue - I actually have my day planned out right now so that I can fill our current fairly small tub (takes about 15 minutes) while I do stuff in the kitchen. It would be nice, though, to be able to plan a quicker bath!

plllog -- yep, reset the bookmark, and it seems to be working. In the olden days, you know, last week, I only signed in when I wanted to post (laughable, I know, like I'm actually privatizing my forum trail and someone cares) and I could just use That Home Site Forums - Gardenweb menu to look at Kitchens, Cooking, etc. If I want my topics now, I have to sign in; otherwise, I'm sent to the Garden Forum. It makes sense signing-in, I get it, but I just need to grumble a bit. And I'll whisper: this change and not knowing what the end of net neutrality is actually going to mean, makes me want to grumble, grumble, grumble a bit more:) On a positive note: I thought I was too old to learn new tricks; yet, a new talent that I've acquired is filtering out the peripheral, intrusive, embedded nonsense on the sides, top and bottom of my screen/phone. Advertisers think I see their stuff, but I don't:0) CathyinSWPA

Thanks jck910 for your comments. We approached the landlord a few months after moving in about doing work in and outside the house. He gave us written permission to do anything we wanted to and offered to pay for the flooring and the paint. So as for hiring someone, the decision was mutually agreed that we would do the work with the exception of the floors. He wants they done right even though we've done it before with friends in their homes. But I get to pick all the colors.

hire a contractor that's familiar w/fire/flood, and knows how to deal w/insurance companies. Have him write you an estimate that covers everything. down to removing a sink, molding, electrical plates, ,,,blah blah (because insurance companies overlook that and those little jobs all add up) so the contractor will need to be familiar in dealing w/insurance companies. the contract will submit the estimate to the insurance, the insurance will barter and come back w/ X amount. contractor will advise them "well you missed this and that, so I need This amount". insurance will come back again w/number. back and forth they go. The contractor needs to know how insurance works. There is also a set standard of what the contractor can change you for everything so no need to worry that he's going to gauge on something like drywall or electrical. (oh, and you will also need a company that hires a "Pack out" company. They will pack up any items move them to storage while the smoke is cleaned from the units. they can sometimes use an ozone treatment to remove smoke from furniture. ) don't know if the ins. co. allowed the pack-out company portion. (if you need it) for the garage conversion, I'd have the contractor write you a separate contract for that. he will submit any plans to the city. if there was smoke damage, include that portion in w/the insurance, but anything w/the upgrade have him do a separate contract w/you