We get a lot of calls from homeowners partway through a bathroom reno — tile's picked out, maybe already ordered, and then someone asks "wait, where's the plumbing going?" At that point, options get a lot more limited, and sometimes expensive.
The fix is simple: bring a plumber in earlier than you think you need to. Here's when that actually is.
Why plumbing timing matters
Once tile is set, walls are closed, and fixtures are ordered based on guesswork, moving a drain or supply line means undoing finished work to get at it. Plumbing has to be roughed in before most of the rest of the reno can lock into place — not the other way around.
Where a plumber fits into the timeline
Design & layoutBring us in here if you're moving a toilet, sink, shower, or tub. We'll tell you what's possible and what it costs before you commit to a layout.
Rough-inWe run new supply and drain lines to match the final layout, before any walls go back up. This is the point of no return for layout changes.
Framing & drywallWalls close up around the rough-in. Any layout change from here on means reopening finished work.
Fixture install & finishWe come back to hook up the toilet, sink, shower, and tub once tile and finishes are in.
The short version: call a plumber during design, not after demo. If you already know roughly what you want — same layout, new fixtures — the window is a bit more forgiving, but it's still worth a call before anything's ordered.
Signs you're already past the ideal window: Tile has been ordered or set, walls are already framed or drywalled around the old layout, or fixtures have been purchased without anyone confirming the rough-in dimensions first. None of these are unfixable, but they usually mean added cost or a layout compromise that could have been avoided.
Moving fixtures? There's a permit for that
Relocating a drain — moving a toilet or shower to a new spot, for example — requires a permit in Kelowna, and the work needs to be inspected. Skipping this isn't just a technicality; it can cause problems if you ever sell the home and a buyer's inspector finds unpermitted plumbing work.
Good to know: Keeping fixtures in their existing locations is usually the cheapest and fastest option. If you're on a tighter budget, ask us early whether your dream layout is worth the extra plumbing cost, or whether a similar look works with the existing rough-in.
What happens if you wait too long
Bringing a plumber in after demo usually means one of two things: reopening finished walls to move a line, or redesigning the layout around where the plumbing already is. Both cost more than getting it right at the design stage — in money and in delays to the rest of your contractor's schedule.
How we work with your renovation
We're happy to work directly with your contractor or designer, or to be your first call if you're planning the reno yourself. Either way, we'll give you a fixed quote for the plumbing work up front, so it's one less unknown in your renovation budget.