Renovating a bathroom is an exciting project, but it can quickly become overwhelming if the trades aren't sequenced properly. One of the key trades you'll need to schedule carefully is your plumber. In New Zealand, licensed plumbers are legally required for any work on water supply and drainage systems, so knowing when to bring them in is crucial to keeping your Tauranga bathroom renovation on time and on budget.
1. Planning & Design Stage
Before any demolition begins, involve your plumber to discuss:
Feasibility of layout changes (moving fixtures like toilets, showers, and vanities)
Water pressure considerations
Compliance with NZ plumbing regulations
Whether a building consent is required
Under New Zealand law, plumbing and drainlaying work is "restricted work" that must be carried out or supervised by a person registered with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. Certain minor jobs are exempt, but as soon as you're moving fixtures or altering pipework, you need a licensed plumber involved. Whether your project needs a building consent also depends on scope — adding fixtures or affecting structural elements typically triggers one, per Building Performance (MBIE). A quick consultation with your plumber and builder at this stage helps you avoid costly mistakes (and consent delays) later.
2. Before Demolition
If your renovation involves moving plumbing fixtures, your plumber may need to cap off existing pipes to prevent leaks or contamination. This step is essential before ripping out old fixtures, especially if you're keeping some plumbing in place.
If you won't have a working bathroom during this stage, this is a great time to book in our Summit Suite portable bathroom: a stylish, self-contained shower and toilet hire unit for the duration of your renovation.
3. First Fix Plumbing (After Framing, Before Gib or Tiling)
This is when the real work begins. Once the old bathroom is stripped back and any structural changes are made, your plumber will:
Install or move pipes for taps, showers, toilets, and drains
Set up the shower waste and bath drainage
Ensure everything is compliant with NZ Building Code requirements
Timing tip: Make sure electrical rough-in (for lighting, heated towel rails, or underfloor heating) is completed before this step, so your plumber isn't working around exposed wiring.
4. After Gib & Before Tiling
Once the walls are up but before tiles go on, your plumber may return to:
Fit shower mixers and bath spouts
Pressure test the pipework for leaks
Pressure testing is a requirement under Building Code Clause G12 (Water Supplies), which governs the safe supply and delivery of hot and cold water in New Zealand homes. Testing at this stage means any adjustments can be made before tiles are permanently installed — saving you from having to rip out finished tiling later.
5. Final Fit-Off (After Tiling & Painting)
The home stretch! Now your plumber comes back to:
Install taps, showerheads, toilets, and vanities
Connect waste pipes and ensure everything is sealed
Test all fixtures for leaks
This is also when you can hand our Summit Suite rental unit back, freeing up your driveway or section again.
Key Takeaways for Project Management
One of the biggest challenges in a bathroom renovation is keeping all the trades in sync. Builders, electricians, plumbers, and tilers all play vital roles — but having everyone on site at once doesn't always mean efficiency. In fact, it can create costly delays or mistakes.
If you're unsure how to sequence the trades, bringing in a project manager can make the process much smoother. Companies like Tuit Design & Build offer design and project management services to take the stress out of coordinating your Tauranga, Papamoa, or Mount Maunganui build.
We asked Tuit for their expert advice, and they've put together a standard bathroom renovation schedule to guide you through the process.
Click on the link below to get your free bathroom renovation schedule!
Need a licensed plumber for your next bathroom renovation in Tauranga, Papamoa, or Mount Maunganui? Get in touch with the Summit Plumbing team to talk through your project timeline.