A plumber for a specialty job


My husband and I brought a clawfoot tub in from a dumpster on the street, painted it and placed it our recently renovated bathroom. The plumbing needs to be connected from the shut off valves (on the floor), and the waste, which is now a brass nipple connection for a 2″ waste line.

We need someone to install a shower system – faucet, overhead shower, and shower curtain railing – for the space – specific to antique-replica fixtures. We also need advice on how to level off the tub, which appears to have mismatched claw feet and does not sit perfectly flush on the floor.

This is a specialty job, and frankly, my husband has the skills to do it (we have done much of our own work), but we do not have the time and need someone to do it for us.

We need a plumber who does this kind of work.

Suggestions anyone?

By msmahoney | 06/13/2009 2:29 PM | Comment

plumber that does finishing work


Looking to have a plumber install a bath, shower and curtain fixture for a clawfoot tub.

I’ve called a bunch of plumbers recommended on this site to get quotes, but none seem to want to do this kind of finishing work. Or maybe the job is too small? Any recommendations?

Categories: Plumbers
By msmahoney | 06/02/2009 10:14 PM | Comment

fixed vs variable rate question


There was a great discussion here about a year ago about fixed vs. variable rates on a HELOC. I was hoping for some updated input and comments.

I have a Bank of America HELOC in which the principal is slightly larger than the cost of the first mortgage. About three years ago, after spending it down on renovations, I switched from the variable rate (prime minus something) to fixed (6.85%) as the prime rate increased. Yearly,we pay 1/25th of the principal (following the time line of our first mortgage) plus the fixed interest.

That strategy has worked well for us the last few years, but now that the variable/prime rate is so low, I’m wondering if we should switch back. BofA lets us switch back and forth pretty easily (so there are no refi cost implications). The catch is that the current fixed rate is higher than what we pay now (8 to 9%).

Should we gamble on a variable rate? Are folk’s sense that prime will stay below the average fixed rate mortgage rates like they did in the early 2000s?
I’d really appreciate this community’s thoughts!

Categories: Mortgage
By msmahoney | 02/02/2009 11:43 AM | Comment