Taking on a new plumbing project in your home can be an exciting time. Whether you’re remodeling an old kitchen or adding a master bathroom to your home, it’s the perfect opportunity to make your dream a reality.
While most homeowners are always looking to the glamorous options like backsplashes and fixtures like sinks and toilets, there's more to it than just that. New construction plumbing is the foundation of your home renovations.
Without properly installed piping you could find yourself dealing with plumbing issues before long, and it may lead to damage in your new home addition.
The Importance of Measuring Pipe Size
The reason you work with a professional company when completing new construction plumbing is that every detail matters. The size of your pipe can make a huge difference in your plumbing as it directly affects the amount of water pressure you get and that stability of your plumbing.
If a pipe is too large or small to be compatible with your home’s original plumbing, it could leak to water leaks, low water pressure, or worst of all, water damage to your renovation. As the old saying goes, measure twice cut once, getting the proper size of your plumbing can go a long way at cutting down on excess costs or damages.
Excavation Costs Affect Your Costs as Well
When estimating the cost for your new construction plumbing, a major issue many people forget about is the cost of excavation. If you’re planning on adding a septic tank to your new home, space needs to be excavated and a leach field also needs to be dug. The same can be said for water mains that need to be connected to the city supply. A quality excavation service includes:
- Proper Planning: Before someone starts digging around your property, there should always be a detailed plan in place. From where the new plumbing or septic tank needs to go, to ensuring that all city plumbing is safe from any construction damage.
- Guaranteed Work: After investing money in new construction plumbing, you want to be sure that the work is being completed at the highest level possible. It’s important to work with a company that stands behind their work and will help you with any addition excavation that’s needed.
- Quality Installation: Once the excavation is done, the installation process can begin. Keep in mind that there are minimum depths that plumbing and septic tanks need to be installed at. Similarly, plumbing should never be placed around deep-rooted plants and trees. An expert plumber will know exactly how to contend with these things.
Number of Fixtures and Appliances
Just like space, the more water-consuming appliances and fixtures there are, the more costly the project. If you’re planning on a high-end design such as a master bath that features a shower, dual sinks and a bathtub, then you’re going to require more fittings and labor than a project with a single full bathroom.
Many people ask about the cost per water fixture in a new construction. The truth is that prices can fluctuate greatly per fixture as there are too many variables. This needs to be determined on site, based on several factors.
Sometimes it's much more than just the size of the building. For instance, a two- or three-story building will require more piping than new construction plumbing for a single-story home with the same square footage. Running pipes to multiple floors is more challenging and labor intensive than installing them on a single level so it will be more expensive.
If the new plumbing is for an add-on building, you could incur costs for protecting the existing building or area such as tiling or carpeting from dirt and debris during the construction work. Plumbing work typically involves kicking up dust and dirt, so it’s a good idea to protect your home by closing off the work area.
It’s important to realize that every new construction is unique. As such, the per square foot estimate is usually just a rough idea, and your specific plumbing project will have distinct characteristics that will affect the overall cost.
How to Upgrade for Only $4.50 a Square Foot
Home renovations and new construction plumbing can be expensive, but did you know that the national average is about $4.50 per square foot? This average is when everything is going perfectly and may be the sweet spot you’re looking for to keep costs affordable for your new construction. The best way to accomplish this is by:
- Working with an experienced plumbing company.
- Getting quality plumbing at the right sizes.
- Keeping the project within a set timeframe.
- Avoiding any construction related damage.