Ok, sorry about the delay in responding....pictures can be found here picasaweb.google.com/crayphish. From the bottom of the handle to the top of the faucet pipe unfinished is 3 inches. I think I am going to have to have an escutcheon fabricated....unless anyone has any sources to purchase moen odd parts. thanks! Here is a link that might be useful: Escutcheon pics

First, Congratulations on building your first home! I don't know of a complete list on the internet, but I can share what we had options on deciding when we built our starter home with a builder: 1. Flooring-type, color, style, grade, brand 2. Appliances-brand, color, style, size 3. Light fixtures/Ceiling fans 4. Cabinets-material, style, color, configuration/layout 5. Countertops, sink, & faucet-material, color, finish effects, configuration/layout 6. Trim 7. Paint 8. Tub-material, color, style, brand 9. Bathroom vanity, sinks, faucets & toilet-material, color, style, brand Outlet/light switch placement Ceiling finishes (i.e. tray, textured, smooth, etc) Interior & exterior doors Interior & entry door knobs Cabinet pulls Alarm system-company, type Hot water heater-size, brand, type (i.e. tankless, gas, etc) Insulation type Siding/shutters-brand, color, style Foundation veneer Porch/Deck-materials & finish Landscaping-shrubs, trees, driveway Windows-brand, type (vinyl, clad, wood, etc), color, grids (GBG, SDL, configuration, etc), style (single hung, double hung, casement, etc), size, shape Roofing- material, life of roof, color, brand Exterior lighting Outdoor water spigots (placement, type, number) 2x4 or 2x6 construction Changes to/Creation of floor plan Doorway, hallway & walkway clearances (30", 32", 36", etc) Attic construction (regular or open truss, floored or not) Basement or crawl space I know I probably left some things out, but at least it gives you a start! Some of this information will be needed now during planning (i.e. tub size, 2x4 or 2x6 construction, kitchen configuration/size of appliances, etc) and the rest will be needed later (i.e. paint color, floor finishes, landscaping, etc). Good luck with everything! When you get a preliminary set of drawings, post them on the 'Building a Home' forum and ask for feedback. It's unbelievable the things other members catch that you never would have until you moved in!

The national average 5 piece master bath renovation starts at about 35K and goes up. Way up. You are way way low for this project. It also requires permits and inspections, and that the labor be done from someone licensed and insured. Which doesn't sound like he case from your chuck in a truck hack. He ain't a licensed plumber, that's for sure. Or electrician. And both are REQUIRED. He is far far to cheap for what is being discussed here. Scary cheap. As in he may rot your house down from improper work. I'd be scared to look at that kitchen work! I think your cheap little project needs to upgrade or it is not worth wasting money doing at all. No one actually puts in builder grade crapola a second time once they've lived with it the first time. It's what they dream of getting rid of as soon as possible. Labor is the biggest part of any job, so moving to better materials will not be that costly on that front. And you will get a much better return by hiring someone with better qualifications.

I ended up here, because I'm redoing my kitchen and trying to make a decision about the faucet. I have various faucets throughout my house from Kohler, Moen, Restoration Hardware, and Newport Brass. I think the Restoration Hardware fixtures are made by Newport Brass, because we had to call them when we needed to replace. We've had them from 10-12 years, so I don't know the styles or even if they are made. Almost all are polished nickel, and the Kohler and Moen are always spotless, laundry room and bathroom, respectively. I'm not crazy about the pull down sprayer on the Kohler. The Moen Showcase (do they still make this line?) is in the bathroom, and I love it so much, because I can just pour water over it and it will dry spotless. It's amazing. It is wall mount, and I wish I had it in every bathroom. Because of my success with Moen, when I needed a faucet for my kitchen, I bought an inexpensive (relative to all the other faucets I have) Moen at Home Depot. It is the only non polished nickel faucet I have. It is stainless steel, still looks brand new (10 years+), and the pull down sprayer works wonderfully. Unfortunately, I'd never buy fixtures from Restoration Hardware again. They spot like crazy. The Newport Brass are slightly better, but they also spot. I'm looking at Kohler and Moen for my new kitchen, but the choices are limited in polished nickel. Now I'll look at California Faucets, too, but I'll skip Rohl, since someone mentioned the polished nickel spots so much.