http://spaces.msn.com/members/geekspaceport/

In the topmost blog entry, there are pictures of our
soon-to-be-delivered manufactured home. Among them, pictures of the
60" shower in the master bath. Between the time I ordered, and the
time they finished, they started getting roll-in showers, and I didn't
know, or I would have changed my order.

Long story short - I'm stuck with it and will have to remove it myself
and put in a new one. My questions:

1. How do we get this out? Can I hire a local handyman to rip it out?
I'm guessing it will have to be cut up into smaller pieces. How? Jig
saw? Circular saw held up against the wall? Anything they do seems
like a helluva job.

2. How hard will it be to install this?
http://www.acessinc.com/cart/shopexd.asp?id=963
Can a handyman do it or do I need to hire a plumber? Keep in mind that
this is an additional expense that puts us over budget. We've already
spent a lot making the house accessible. We also still have to get the
well finished, etc etc etc, so a handyman might cost less than a
plumber.

BTW, I did shop around for a new shower stall. I went to Home Depot
and Lowes yesterday. Both have some special order units, but all one
piece units, which would be difficult, if not impossible, to get into
the house. Great for new construction, but not for a remodel.

The house is scheduled to be delivered within the week. We'll have
approx 8 weeks of finish work on it, so I can have this messy job done
and cleaned up before we move in. Any advice, suggestions, information
would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Maxi

Email addy upon request.

maxinemovies wrote:

http://spaces.msn.com/members/geekspaceport/

In the topmost blog entry, there are pictures of our
soon-to-be-delivered manufactured home. Among them, pictures of the
60" shower in the master bath. Between the time I ordered, and the
time they finished, they started getting roll-in showers, and I didn't
know, or I would have changed my order.

Long story short - I'm stuck with it and will have to remove it myself
and put in a new one. My questions:

1. How do we get this out? Can I hire a local handyman to rip it out?
I'm guessing it will have to be cut up into smaller pieces. How? Jig
saw? Circular saw held up against the wall? Anything they do seems
like a helluva job.

2. How hard will it be to install this?
http://www.acessinc.com/cart/shopexd.asp?id=963
Can a handyman do it or do I need to hire a plumber? Keep in mind that
this is an additional expense that puts us over budget. We've already
spent a lot making the house accessible. We also still have to get the
well finished, etc etc etc, so a handyman might cost less than a
plumber.

BTW, I did shop around for a new shower stall. I went to Home Depot
and Lowes yesterday. Both have some special order units, but all one
piece units, which would be difficult, if not impossible, to get into
the house. Great for new construction, but not for a remodel.

The house is scheduled to be delivered within the week. We'll have
approx 8 weeks of finish work on it, so I can have this messy job done
and cleaned up before we move in. Any advice, suggestions, information
would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Maxi

Email addy upon request.

$1700 and you have to get it shipped as well??

How about a DIY enclosure?
http://www.mustee.com/caregiver/360.shtml
You can buy just the fiberglass base thru a plumbing supply house.
Have the "handyman" install prefab walls or do real tile walls.

Plan "B": Might it be possible to simply modify the
entrance "ledge" to the shower base they put in the house?
This is off the top of my head......saw off the existing
ledge (curb) and have a guy with fiberglass experience
(think boat builder or auto body man) create a roll-in ramp.

If Plan "B" would work, it could be worth paying someone
several grand to do it.

Jim

maxinemovies email on wrote:
[message trimmed]
http://spaces.msn.com/members/geekspaceport/

In the topmost blog entry, there are pictures of our
soon-to-be-delivered manufactured home. Among them, pictures of the
60" shower in the master bath. Between the time I ordered, and the
time they finished, they started getting roll-in showers, and I didn't
know, or I would have changed my order.

Long story short - I'm stuck with it and will have to remove it myself
and put in a new one. My questions:

1. How do we get this out? Can I hire a local handyman to rip it out?

2. How hard will it be to install this?
http://www.acessinc.com/cart/shopexd.asp?id=963
Can a handyman do it or do I need to hire a plumber?


Thanks!

Maxi

Hi Maxi:

First off congrats on the new home. May it bring you many years of
happiness.

Now regarding your dilemma. First thing that comes to mind is to ask do you
really need to rip out the shower? Could you instead use a 'transfer
bench' to move from the wheelchair to the seating area in the shower? It be
a hell of a lot cheaper, around $100 . I realize it is more convenient to
just roll in .... but you say that you are busting the budget right now, so
using a transfer bench could allow you to put off a MAJOR remodel for a
while. Just a thought.

Here are a couple of web sites that address mobility & independence needs.

http://www.disabilityproducts.com/cg...typroducts.cgi

http://barrierfree.org/

The second site has a lot of roll in showers, plus other goodies. Have
fun.

~~Phil~~

On Fri, 07 Oct 2005 19:32:01 -0400, Speedy Jim wrote:


$1700 and you have to get it shipped as well??

How about a DIY enclosure?
http://www.mustee.com/caregiver/360.shtml
You can buy just the fiberglass base thru a plumbing supply house.
Have the "handyman" install prefab walls or do real tile walls.

Plan "B": Might it be possible to simply modify the
entrance "ledge" to the shower base they put in the house?
This is off the top of my head......saw off the existing
ledge (curb) and have a guy with fiberglass experience
(think boat builder or auto body man) create a roll-in ramp.

If Plan "B" would work, it could be worth paying someone
several grand to do it.

Jim

The ledge in front isn't the biggest problem. It's the built-in seats.
I need an open space the full 60". The logistics are complicated to
explain here, and somewhat personal, but what would really work best
for me is a roll-in shower with my own shower chair and room for my
attendant to get behind me, then in front of me right in the shower.

Thanks for the link to that site. I'll look it over and see if there's
anything there I can use. I'll also call the local plumbing supply
house.

Thanks,

Maxi

Email addy upon request.

On 08 Oct 2005 03:05:42 GMT, (Phil Marshall)
wrote:

maxinemovies email on wrote:
[message trimmed]
http://spaces.msn.com/members/geekspaceport/

In the topmost blog entry, there are pictures of our
soon-to-be-delivered manufactured home. Among them, pictures of the
60" shower in the master bath. Between the time I ordered, and the
time they finished, they started getting roll-in showers, and I didn't
know, or I would have changed my order.

Long story short - I'm stuck with it and will have to remove it myself
and put in a new one. My questions:

1. How do we get this out? Can I hire a local handyman to rip it out?

2. How hard will it be to install this?
http://www.acessinc.com/cart/shopexd.asp?id=963
Can a handyman do it or do I need to hire a plumber?


Thanks!

Maxi

Hi Maxi:

First off congrats on the new home. May it bring you many years of
happiness.

Thanks. We're very excited about it and we can hardly wait until this
whole thing is over and we can be moved in.

Now regarding your dilemma. First thing that comes to mind is to ask do you
really need to rip out the shower? Could you instead use a 'transfer
bench' to move from the wheelchair to the seating area in the shower? It be
a hell of a lot cheaper, around $100 . I realize it is more convenient to
just roll in .... but you say that you are busting the budget right now, so
using a transfer bench could allow you to put off a MAJOR remodel for a
while. Just a thought.

Here are a couple of web sites that address mobility & independence needs.

http://www.disabilityproducts.com/cg...typroducts.cgi

The seats that are in the shower now are unsafe for me in my
condition. We really need a roll-in shower that I can put my own
shower chair into. (I do have a transfer board but don't use it
anymore. My illness has progressed to the point that it's dangerous to
be doing things like that.)

As for the budget, we've decided to get a $200 storage shed instead of
a fancy one over a grand. That will help a little for now. We'll also
cut back on a couple of other things. This shower is incredibly
important.

http://barrierfree.org/

The second site has a lot of roll in showers, plus other goodies. Have
fun.

~~Phil~~

Thanks!


Maxi

Email addy upon request.

"maxinemovies" email on wrote in message
...
http://spaces.msn.com/members/geekspaceport/

snip

1. How do we get this out? Can I hire a local handyman to rip it out?
I'm guessing it will have to be cut up into smaller pieces. How? Jig
saw? Circular saw held up against the wall? Anything they do seems
like a helluva job.

Your handyguy should be able to handle it as long as you get a reputable
one with lots of experience. Ask around town and with any associations
that you might belong to. How? That's his choice but it will be ugy at
first.
Don't worry with that. The finished job is what counts.


2. How hard will it be to install this?

Not hard at all since it's in pieces. The bigger issue might be moving the
plumbing to accomodate the new faucet location. Code may or may not
require a plumber but I would use one. Water problems can be pretty
expensive.


The house is scheduled to be delivered within the week. We'll have
approx 8 weeks of finish work on it, so I can have this messy job done
and cleaned up before we move in. Any advice, suggestions, information
would be greatly appreciated.

Enjoy the new digs.

Thanks!

Maxi

Email addy upon request.

clipped
2. How hard will it be to install this?


Not hard at all since it's in pieces. The bigger issue might be moving the
plumbing to accomodate the new faucet location. Code may or may not
require a plumber but I would use one. Water problems can be pretty
expensive.


The house is scheduled to be delivered within the week. We'll have
approx 8 weeks of finish work on it, so I can have this messy job done
and cleaned up before we move in. Any advice, suggestions, information
would be greatly appreciated.


Enjoy the new digs.


Thanks!

Maxi

Email addy upon request.



Wonder what would happen if you contacted the manufacturer or vendor?
I would, for sure, use licensed contractors because of code and warranty
issues. If they are generous companies, they could offer to make the
alterations before they deliver it. Stranger things have happened )

On Sat, 08 Oct 2005 14:56:03 GMT, Norminn
wrote:

clipped
2. How hard will it be to install this?


Not hard at all since it's in pieces. The bigger issue might be moving the
plumbing to accomodate the new faucet location. Code may or may not
require a plumber but I would use one. Water problems can be pretty
expensive.


The house is scheduled to be delivered within the week. We'll have
approx 8 weeks of finish work on it, so I can have this messy job done
and cleaned up before we move in. Any advice, suggestions, information
would be greatly appreciated.


Enjoy the new digs.


Thanks!

Maxi

Email addy upon request.



Wonder what would happen if you contacted the manufacturer or vendor?
I would, for sure, use licensed contractors because of code and warranty
issues. If they are generous companies, they could offer to make the
alterations before they deliver it. Stranger things have happened )

I asked. They declined. If I push it, they'll put in their own roll-in
shower, and charge me for it. I ordered a 60" shower, without seeing
it first, and got the one that's there now. I don't think I want to
order a roll-in (that, to my knowledge, they've only installed in one
other house so far) and take the chance of getting something else I
might not be able to use. I figure I'll have better luck getting
something I've seen already. I've also talked to the owner of the
company that makes that 5 piece, and he's been exceptionally
accomodating, including offering me a discount on any accessories I
buy from him if I buy the shower from him.

I'll look into the code issues this week. Thanks.


Maxi

Email addy upon request.

On Sat, 8 Oct 2005 07:42:06 -0400, "C & M"
wrote:


"maxinemovies" email on wrote in message
.. .
http://spaces.msn.com/members/geekspaceport/

snip

1. How do we get this out? Can I hire a local handyman to rip it out?
I'm guessing it will have to be cut up into smaller pieces. How? Jig
saw? Circular saw held up against the wall? Anything they do seems
like a helluva job.

Your handyguy should be able to handle it as long as you get a reputable
one with lots of experience. Ask around town and with any associations
that you might belong to. How? That's his choice but it will be ugy at
first.
Don't worry with that. The finished job is what counts.


2. How hard will it be to install this?

Not hard at all since it's in pieces. The bigger issue might be moving the
plumbing to accomodate the new faucet location. Code may or may not
require a plumber but I would use one. Water problems can be pretty
expensive.


The house is scheduled to be delivered within the week. We'll have
approx 8 weeks of finish work on it, so I can have this messy job done
and cleaned up before we move in. Any advice, suggestions, information
would be greatly appreciated.

Enjoy the new digs.


Thanks. Maybe I could have the local handyman remove the old shower,
and have a plumber put the new one in. Does that sound like a good
idea?


Maxi

Email addy upon request.