Planning Your Project
Some plumbing jobs are good do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, giving you the opportunity to learn home improvement skills and save some money. However, there are several reasons you might want to hire a plumber or installer:
- Local codes require a licensed professional for some plumbing work.
- Some plumbing projects are complex and not suitable for a typical DIYer.
- You may not be comfortable doing the work yourself.
- You may not have time to do the work yourself.
Some details differ depending on the work or the professional, but we’ll give you general tips, so you’ll know what commonly happens during a plumbing project, what to expect from the job and how to prepare for the work.
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Know What’s Included When You Hire a Plumber
The cost of many plumbing jobs includes the labor and some supplies. Find out before you start what tasks and supplies are add-ons and if there’s work that would require you to hire a separate professional. While included services and products differ depending on the project and the professional, here are examples for jobs like replacing a kitchen faucet, bathroom faucet, kitchen sink, bathroom sink or toilet.
Understand the Plumbing Job
Make sure you know what you’re paying for when you hire a plumber or installer. Common work and products can include:
- Removal of the existing fixture
- Installation of a new fixture in the existing location and any necessary supply lines
- Basic fittings and supplies such as caulk, plumbers putty, plumbers tape, supply lines and a trap
- Reconnecting an existing disposer as part of a sink installation
- Installation of a new disposer you purchase at the same time as a new sink
- Caulking around the new fixture, if necessary
- Permit fees
- Haul-away of the existing fixture
- Product and labor warranties
- Cleanup of the work area
- Disposal of job materials and debris
Know What Products You’ll Need to Buy
In addition to the new faucet, sink or toilet, there may be some additional products you’ll need to purchase for the installation, such as:
- New shutoff valves
- A matching flange for a sink
- A basket strainer for a kitchen sink
- Mounting hardware and a seat for a toilet
- Color-matched caulk
Understand What Might Cost Extra
There may be some factors that increase the cost of the plumbing project, including:
- Travel beyond a standard installation range, toll fees, etc.
- Delivery of the fixture
- Replacement of shutoff valves
- Reconnecting a water filtration or hot water dispenser system
- Dump fees
- Installation of specialty products, such as a cast iron sink
Be Clear on What Work the Installer or Plumber Won’t Handle
Some work may be out of scope of the project, or your plumber or installer may not offer the work. If this type of work is necessary, plan on hiring an additional professional. For example, even with a simple installation like a faucet, the project won’t include heavier work, such as:
- Structural changes
- Plumbing work inside the wall
- Modifications to a sink, tub or shower to fit the new faucet
- Installation of new drain lines or water lines
What to Expect Before, During and After a Plumbing Project
Knowing what prep work you need to do and understanding what work the professional will do helps your plumbing project run smoothly.
How to Get Ready for a Plumber or Installer
There are some things you need to do before a professional arrives:
- Make sure there is an open path to the work area, free of obstacles or fragile items.
- Clear the work area of anything that blocks access or that could be damaged, including rugs, small appliances, storage bins, electrical items, cleaning products and personal items.
- If you’re having work done on a sink or faucet, empty the cabinet or vanity under the fixture.
- Create a space for project debris.
- Plan alternatives for your family’s use of a bathroom or kitchen while work is in progress, particularly if the water to the home will be off.
- If possible, locate the main water shutoff so you can point it out to the professional.
- Make sure children don’t have access to the work area.
- Secure your pets or consider arranging day care for them.
What Happens During a Plumbing Project
When the plumber or installer arrives, you’ll verify the project area with them. Before beginning the project, they’ll inspect the area to:
- Make sure it’s ready for the work.
- Check for any potential code or safety issues.
- Identify any necessary work that’s outside of the scope of their license. If there are no problems, they can get to work.
- For some jobs, the installer or plumber will need to turn off the main water supply to do the work.
- The work area will be off limits during the project, so make sure to keep children away and secure your pets.
- The professional may notice unexpected work that needs to be completed before they can finish the job. Depending on the work and the professional, they may be able to handle the additional work, or you may need to hire another professional.
Any concerns the pro identifies during the initial inspection can cause delays and added expense, so it’s a good idea to be clear on the work and to have the area ready before they arrive.
What Happens After a Plumbing Project
After the installation work is complete, the installer or plumber will have a few final tasks:
- They’ll turn the water to the home back on, if necessary.
- They’ll test the installation to verify that everything works properly and to check for leaks.
- They may demonstrate operation of new fixtures or products, if necessary.
- They’ll clean up any work-related debris.
- For larger projects, they’ll remove and dispose of old sinks, tubs, toilets, etc. if haul-away was included in the project.
While the installer will perform tests after they complete the plumbing job, it's a good idea to check the new installation periodically for a few days to ensure no hidden leaks develop.
Explore Plumbing Inspiration
We’ve got a library of guides, ideas and projects to help you plan your plumbing upgrades. Get inspiration for improvements to kitchens and bathrooms or take a look at our how-tos to get an idea of the work a pro will do.