Anyone who has built a new home before will know that it can be a very complex and stressful undertaking. As North Shores plumbers, we’ve seen our fair share customers who’ve had their dream project quickly turn into a nightmare thanks to budget blow-outs! It pays to have a very clear idea of all your expenses from the beginning, and the cost of plumbing for your new home is one of the key things you’ll need to consider.
We always recommend getting quotes from several licensed plumbers early in the project planning so you know what you’re in for, and so you can compare apples with apples. You’d be surprised how much the quotes can vary and while cost shouldn’t be the only factor you consider, you do want to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
To save yourself getting a nasty surprise when those quotes come through, make sure you understand the different elements that your plumber will include in their estimate. The cost for plumbing a new home will be a combination of the price of the materials needed and the estimated number of labour hours required. Labour costs will be charged at an hourly rate, usually between $100-$150 depending on the plumber. To make sure you’re getting an accurate quote, provide your potential plumbers with the architectural drawings and any other information about the project that you have. Things such as the number of bathrooms, the type of water heating system, and number of fixtures which need to be installed in your new home will all affect the final costs.
Many people make the mistake of thinking that the size of their new home will be the biggest factor in determining the cost of the plumbing. While the square metres will make some difference, for example a larger home will need more piping, it is often not as important as you would think. Other considerations such as the number of fixtures you need, and the complexity of the systems you are installing, will play a bigger role in determining the final cost for new home plumbing. In many cases, the installation of plumbing in smaller homes can actually cost more because they require more complex piping systems, which will increase the labour hours.
Usually, people building a new home will want to choose and purchase their own major fixtures, such as their bathtubs, showers, taps and sinks. However, If you do want any advice or assistance with choosing these things, our experienced Sydney plumbers can help. We have plenty of expert knowledge about the best fixtures on the market, and we can even purchase them for you if you like. If you would like us to help with this part of your project, simply let us know and we’ll include the costs in our final quote.
Other materials that will affect the cost for plumbing in your new home include pipes, drains, shut off valves, vents and p-traps. These items will all be provided by your plumber, and should be included in their quote. The plumbing quotes should also include the cost for any extra materials needed to complete the job, such as acid paste, propane for soldering copper pipes, PVC cement and primer.
Because the installation of plumbing happens over a number of stages, your plumber will be one of the first and last people onsite at your new home build. Early on in the build project, you’ll need to have your plumber connect the main drain pipe to the septic tank or wastewater system – this is usually done before the concrete foundation is poured. Installation of your fixtures such as toilets and showers are usually done later in the project, once all tiling work has been done. Make sure that quotes you receive from any potential plumbers includes the labour hours for all stages of the project, so you do not get any surprises when the final costs for plumbing your new home rolls in!
The most important thing to remember when planning the plumbing for your new home is that this is absolutely not a DIY project. Only an experienced, licensed plumber who knows all the standards and regulations relevant in your state should be hired for such a project. It’s far better to pay a higher rate and know that your plumbing work is top-quality, than to be left shelling out for repairs down the track thanks to a dodgy plumber! If you’re planning a new home build and would like to talk to our team of experienced plumbers or request a quote, give the team at Tai Irwin Plumbing and Draining a call today.
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