I am building a basement shower stall and relocating the washing machine from one part of the laundry closet to the other. We have a plumber coming in to relocate the washing machine controls and putting in a 34" x 42" shower base. We want the controls for the washing machine to be placed on the outside wall. However, the plumber has suggested that we not do that, for fear of the pipes freezing. He suggested we build another wall in front of the outside wall so that he may run the pipes. How far away (inches) from the outside wall should I build the second wall? We are also to frame out the shower stall, is there anything else I should anticipate? Thanks again for your help.

Where do you live? I have gone through some severe winters, and I never heard of pipes freezing in a basement. It is quite common for basement laundries to be against an out side wall with the pipes running down it. With today's heating costs, the sill plate, band joist, and underside of the main floor should be caulked tight and the band joist insulated. You could put the foam sleeves over the pipes, or a sheet of 3/4 Styrofoam between them and the wall.