| Plan, plan, and plan again. Proper planning before any | | | | easier to install than cast iron. Just as PEX is a lot |
| work is to start will save you time and money during | | | | cheaper and easier to install than copper. |
| the work and long after. | | | | Choose the fixtures you are to use carefully. Most |
| First, you must have a good idea of where you want | | | | times you get what you pay for, however, there are |
| any additional plumbing installed. Also be sure where | | | | manufacturers that offer pretty incredible values for |
| your waste, vent and water piping is located. If there | | | | the price. Ask the builder whether or not you can |
| are plans for any significant changes in the residence | | | | provide your own plumbing fixtures. Quite often the |
| or commercial building you will probably need a permit. | | | | builder or general contractor will give you a credit |
| If a permit is needed and you are changing or adding | | | | back for less than the amount the equipment actually |
| any plumbing piping or fixtures you'll probably need a | | | | costs. It can be worth it if you can recover some |
| drawing stamped by an engineer. If you know where | | | | cost by choosing adequate but less expensive |
| you want your changes to be made and you know | | | | fixtures. Some builders actually prefer this because if |
| where your piping is to service these alterations you | | | | it is purchased by the customer, they don't have to |
| won't have to pay for a professional to look for you | | | | guarantee the functionality of the plumbing |
| and then engineer the system. | | | | equipment. |
| Another way to minimize labor and materials is to | | | | In order to plan far into the future, you must ask |
| locate your new fixtures close to other fixtures or if | | | | yourself a question. Do I want to save money now |
| you are adding a second floor to a home or office | | | | or on the operational costs down the road? If you |
| stack the new bathrooms on top of the old ones, | | | | are going to be in the home or office for awhile |
| minimizing new pipe installation. For instance if you are | | | | (more than 5 years or so) you may want to look at |
| adding an addition and there is a new bathroom going | | | | some of the new high efficiency plumbing equipment |
| in a hall or bedroom, try to design the new bathroom | | | | like tankless water heaters or water saving water |
| using an existing plumbing wall so you don't have to | | | | closets and urinals. These operational savings will add |
| run new piping to the other side of the addition. | | | | up and will often far surpass the immediate savings. |
| Verify for yourself which piping materials can be | | | | Finally, make sure you have multiple bids. The general |
| used. Most professional plumbing contractors will give | | | | rule of thumb is to get at least two and preferably |
| you the piping material which the code requires but it | | | | three bids for the job to solidify the scope of the |
| never hurts to do some research for yourself. If | | | | project. |
| your local code allows, PVC is a lot cheaper and | | | | |