New Construction Plumbing in Fort Lauderdale, FL
A new build, an addition or a gut remodel needs plumbing planned before the walls close or the concrete is poured. Call with the scope and the dispatcher will explain what comes next.
Planning a build or addition?
Say what is being built, where it stands and who the general contractor is.
(754) 320-541224/7 phone lineWhat counts as new construction plumbing
Most callers fall into a few groups. Some are building a house from the slab up. Others add a bathroom, a second story, a garage apartment or an outdoor kitchen. Property managers and owners also call when a gut remodel leaves bare studs and new fixture locations.
Each project uses the same basic trade steps, although the scale differs. A single added bathroom may need a few days of work. A full house needs several visits spread across the build.
| Project | Plumbing work | Stage that matters most |
|---|---|---|
| New single-family house | Underground drains, water service, in-wall supply and drain, fixtures | Before the slab is poured |
| Bathroom addition | New branch lines, vent, shower or tub valve, toilet | Rough-in before drywall |
| Second story | Stacks, vents and supply risers through existing walls | Framing and rough-in |
| Garage or ADU conversion | Water, drain and vent runs to new fixtures | Cutting the slab |
| Outdoor kitchen | Water, drain and a gas line if needed | Before pavers go down |
| Gut remodel | Moving fixtures, replacing old supply pipe | Open walls |
The stages of a plumbing installation
- Plan the fixturesFixture locations, drain sizes and vent paths are set from the plans. Changes later cost more.
- Underground rough-inIn a slab home, drain and sometimes water lines are laid in the ground before concrete. The drains are tested while still open.
- In-wall rough-inSupply, drain and vent pipes are run through the framing. The valve bodies for showers and tubs are set at the right depth.
- InspectionThe city inspector checks the rough-in before walls close. Corrections happen now, while access is easy.
- Trim and finishToilets, sinks, faucets, shower trim and the water heater are set and connected.
- Final inspectionThe inspector checks the finished system. Water is turned on for the occupant after approval.
Why the slab stage cannot be redone cheaply
Most Fort Lauderdale homes sit on slabs, so the drain layout under the floor is fixed once concrete is poured. Moving a shower drain later means cutting the slab. A drain placed a few inches off from the fixture can force an awkward trap or a visible offset.
For that reason, walk the plan with the plumber before the pour. Confirm every shower, tub, floor drain and laundry box. Check the tub and shower rough-in against the tile plan. Ask for the drain test to be done while the trench is open.
Ask who orders the fixtures
Rough-in dimensions depend on the exact toilet, shower valve and tub. If the owner picks them late, the pipes may need to move. Settle fixture models before rough-in, and keep the spec sheets for the inspector and the warranty.
Permits and inspections
Florida law requires a permit to install, alter or replace a plumbing system. The contractor normally pulls it. The City of Fort Lauderdale schedules inspections through its online system, and the work must pass before walls are closed and before power is released.
Water meters and sewer connections can have their own permits and fees through the city or the local utility. Confirm what is needed for your address early, because a utility connection can be a long lead item. If your property sits in another Broward city, that city's building department sets the process.
Verify the contractor
Ask for the Florida license number and check it on the DBPR license search before you sign. Confirm who is responsible for permits, inspections and corrections.
Coordinating with the other trades
Plumbing shares space with framing, electrical and air conditioning. A drain needs slope, and a duct may want the same path. Rough-in visits work best when the general contractor books them after framing and before insulation.
Builders often ask for written scope, a schedule and a clear line between rough-in and trim. Owners who act as their own general contractor should ask the same. A short written scope avoids arguments over who supplies shutoff valves, hose bibs and the water heater.
What changes the price of new construction plumbing
- Number of fixtures
- Each bathroom, kitchen and laundry adds pipe and labor.
- Slab or raised floor
- Underground work is a separate stage with its own testing.
- Pipe material
- PEX, copper, CPVC and PVC differ in cost and method.
- Distance from the main
- Long runs to the water and sewer connections add pipe and digging.
- Water heater type
- Tank, tankless and heat pump units need different connections.
- Permits and utility fees
- These vary by city and by project.
Ask for the scope and price in writing, with rough-in and trim listed separately.
For work on an older home that already has pipe in place, see repiping and water heater replacement. Business projects are covered under commercial plumbing.
Questions people ask before they call
Call and describe the project, the stage it has reached and the general contractor. The dispatcher will explain what the contractor can take on.
Before the slab is poured. Drain locations under the floor are hard to change once concrete is in place.
It is the first phase, when pipes are run through the framing or the ground before walls and floors are closed. Fixtures are installed later in the trim phase.
The licensed plumbing contractor normally pulls it. Ask your contractor to confirm and to book the inspections.
Often, yes. The plumber looks at drain access, venting and the supply near the new room. A slab floor adds work if the drain must be cut in.
It depends on the size of the project and the build schedule. Plumbing is done in stages, and each stage waits on other trades and on inspections.
Plumbing for a new build or addition?
Describe the project, the stage it is at and the date you need rough-in done.