I have recently installed a shower basin in my basement. I have framed out the room and I am soon to be sheetrocking the entire bathroom. However, first things first and that would include the two handle shower body. I am only using it for a shower and not a tub use. I was wondering if what the height I should have the handles at... and where do I take the height measurement from since my shower floor is slightly below the finished tiled floor. I could go off the track from the wall which is near the soon to be finished tile floor give or take a half inch. I would appreciate any help on the shower body. Also, is it right to notch the stud to support the shower body or is there another way of doing this.. Thanks so much.
Charlie

Charlie, the figure I always shoot for on a shower valve is 48" from the floor. Now there's nothing set in stone that dictates this. If you want, put your tape measure on the bottom of the shower basin and measure up 45 or 46" and see how that looks. Find a height that seems accessible and attractive.

On securing the valve. I would recommend keeping your valve connections as tight as possible and then simply moving your studs over to each side of the valve. This may make your stud pattern a little off, but as long as you keep your studs right beside your valve, this should be fine.

Notching is OK too. My opinion is that I would rather have a non-notched stud a few inches off pattern than to start notching studs.

We also install an piece of backing just above the shower valve and pipe strap the shower raiser to it plus running the supplies up next to the studs and strapping them. 4 foot is the normal distance from the shower valve to the shower floor and the drop eared ell, (for the shower head) can be placed at 76" off the shower floor but that's the owners choice Good luck, Tom