Renovating Your Bathroom or Kitchen? 7 Plumbing Decisions to Make Before You Start

Planning a bathroom or kitchen renovation in Christchurch? The decisions you make about your plumbing before work begins can have a significant impact on your budget, timeline and finished result.

A renovation is an opportunity to make your home more functional, comfortable and enjoyable. Whether you’re updating a tired bathroom, creating a more practical kitchen or completely reconfiguring a space, it’s easy to get caught up in choosing tiles, tapware, cabinetry and finishes.

But what happens behind the walls and underneath the floors matters just as much as what you see when the renovation is finished.

At MJ Robertson Plumbing & Gas, we’ve been helping Christchurch homeowners with their plumbing since 1955. Here are seven important things to consider before you start your renovation.

1. Decide Whether You’re Moving Your Plumbing Fixtures

One of the first decisions is whether your toilet, shower, bath, kitchen sink or other plumbing fixtures will stay in their existing positions.

Keeping plumbing fixtures in the same locations can often reduce renovation costs because existing pipework and drainage may be reusable.

Moving a toilet, relocating a shower or shifting a kitchen sink to an island bench can involve additional work, including changes to water supply pipes, waste pipes and drainage.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t change your layout. Sometimes relocating plumbing is exactly what’s needed to create a better space.

The important thing is to understand the implications before finalising your plans.

Our advice: Talk to your plumber while you’re considering different layouts, not after you’ve ordered the cabinetry.

2. Check the Condition of Your Existing Pipework

A renovation is an ideal opportunity to inspect plumbing that would otherwise be difficult to access.

Many Christchurch homes have undergone repairs, alterations and additions over the years. Depending on the age of your property, some of the plumbing may be approaching the end of its useful life.

Once walls, floors or cabinetry are removed, your plumber may identify ageing pipes, deteriorating connections, previous repairs or pipework that doesn’t meet current requirements.

Replacing problematic plumbing while the area is already exposed can be much more straightforward than dealing with a leak after your beautiful new bathroom or kitchen is completed.

Our advice: Allow some flexibility in your renovation budget for unexpected plumbing issues uncovered during demolition.

3. Make Sure Your Hot Water System Can Meet Your Needs

Have you ever considered whether your hot water system is suitable for your renovated home?

Perhaps you’re installing a larger showerhead, adding a second bathroom or replacing a bath with a luxurious walk-in shower.

These changes can affect your household’s hot water requirements.

Before purchasing new fixtures, it’s worth considering:

– Whether your existing hot water cylinder has sufficient capacity.
– Whether your water pressure and flow will support your preferred fittings.
– Whether your hot water cylinder is approaching replacement age.
– Whether a different hot water system, including a hot water heat pump, might be appropriate.

It’s particularly important to check compatibility before selecting high-flow shower fittings or multiple shower outlets.

Our advice: A renovation is a good time to review your entire hot water setup, especially if you’re already considering replacing an older cylinder.

4. Choose Tapware and Fixtures for Quality, Not Just Appearance

There’s an enormous range of tapware, showers, toilets and other plumbing fixtures available, with prices varying considerably.

While appearance is important, so are reliability, compatibility, availability of replacement parts and suitability for New Zealand plumbing systems.

A tap that looks fantastic online may not be the most practical choice for your home.

Consider whether the product is suitable for your water pressure, complies with applicable New Zealand requirements and has accessible after-sales support.

A little research upfront can save considerable frustration later.

Our advice: Before buying fixtures yourself, check the specifications with your plumber. That way, you can avoid purchasing products that are unsuitable or difficult to install.

5. Think About Waterproofing, Drainage and Ventilation

Bathrooms and kitchens are hardworking areas of the home, and effective water management is essential.

In a bathroom renovation, the plumbing, drainage, waterproofing and ventilation all need to work together.

Poor planning can lead to problems such as inadequate drainage, water escaping from shower areas, condensation and moisture damage.

If you’re planning a tiled shower, wet-room layout or a significant change to your bathroom configuration, make sure the relevant trades are involved early.

The sequence of work matters too. Plumbing installation, waterproofing, tiling and fixture installation need to be coordinated carefully.

Our advice: Don’t treat waterproofing and drainage as an afterthought. Ensure the relevant licensed and qualified tradespeople are engaged for their respective work.

6. Understand What Plumbing Work Requires Consent or Certification

Not every kitchen or bathroom renovation requires a building consent, but some alterations do.

The requirements depend on the nature of the work, particularly where plumbing and drainage systems are being altered or additional fixtures are installed.

Gasfitting work also has specific safety and certification requirements.

Before work begins, establish whether your proposed renovation requires building consent, and who is responsible for arranging any necessary documentation or inspections.

It’s much easier to address these requirements at the planning stage than after construction is underway.

Our advice: Discuss the proposed scope with your plumber and confirm any consent requirements with Christchurch City Council or the relevant building consent authority.

7. Plan the Order of Work Before Your Renovation Begins

Even a relatively straightforward bathroom or kitchen renovation involves several trades working together.

Depending on the project, this might include builders, plumbers, electricians, waterproofers, tilers, plasterers and cabinetmakers.

Plumbing work is often needed at multiple stages, including:

– Initial assessment: Reviewing the proposed layout, fixtures and existing services.
– First Fix: Installing or relocating pipework and drainage before walls, floors or cabinetry are completed.
– Final fit-off: Installing taps, toilets, showers, sinks and other fixtures.
– Testing and commissioning: Checking that the completed plumbing installation operates correctly and safely.

When these stages aren’t properly coordinated, delays and additional costs can follow.

Our advice: Confirm when your plumber will be required and allow for plumbing work in the overall renovation schedule.

Good Renovations Start with Good Planning

A successful bathroom or kitchen renovation isn’t just about selecting beautiful finishes. It’s about creating a space that works reliably for years to come.

Making informed plumbing decisions early can help you avoid unnecessary costs, reduce delays and achieve a better result.

Whether you’re planning a small bathroom refresh, a complete kitchen renovation or a larger home improvement project, involving an experienced plumber early is a worthwhile investment.

Planning a Renovation in Christchurch?

MJ Robertson Plumbing & Gas has been serving Christchurch since 1955.

We can help you understand the plumbing requirements for your renovation, assess your existing services and plan the plumbing work needed to bring your ideas to life.

Get in touch with our team to discuss your renovation.
MJ Robertson Plumbing & Gas — Your Property Partner