The Ultimate New Build Plumbing Checklist in NZ
When you’re building a new home, townhouse, or small housing development, everyone expects the plumbing to “just work”. Good plumbing looks simple from the outside – but behind the walls, it’s all about planning.
As Master Plumbers with decades of experience in plumbing for new builds across Wellington, we’ve seen what works… and what causes headaches later. This checklist is designed to help you (and your builder or designer) get the plumbing side of your new build right from day one.
Tip: The earlier you involve your plumber, the easier and cheaper it is to get things right.
1. Start With Nailing the Plumbing Layout
The best time to make plumbing and gas decisions is before anyone pours concrete or frames up walls.
Ask yourself (and your plumber):
Does the layout work in real life?
It’s one thing to place a shower or kitchen sink on a plan – it’s another to stand there and use it. Think about door swings, clearances, and how people actually move through the space.
Is it both functional and good-looking?
Fixtures and appliances are on show. Make sure they feel balanced in the room, not squeezed into corners or fighting for space with joinery and doors.
Have you considered water and energy efficiency?
Different fixtures and appliances have very different demands. Planning for efficient taps, toilets, and hot water systems now can save you a lot on power and water bills later.
Is there enough space for future maintenance?
Hot water cylinders, valves, manifolds, and pumps all need servicing at some point. A bit more room around them now usually means easier, cheaper maintenance for the life of the home.
If in doubt, get your new build plumber involved at the design stage. It’s much easier to move a line on a plan than a pipe in a slab.
2. Choose Fixtures and Appliances That Won’t Let You Down
We totally understand the temptation to go for cheaper fixtures to keep the budget under control – but sometimes “cheap” ends up being the most expensive option.
A few things to keep in mind:
Ultra-cheap often means tricky installation
Some low-cost taps, mixers, and fittings don’t match common standards, need extra parts, or are just awkward to fit. That can add labour time and frustration on site.
Failure risk is higher with poor-quality gear
Cheaper fixtures are more likely to leak, corrode, or fail early. That means extra callouts, replacements, and warranty headaches.
Think efficiency as well as style
Look at water and energy ratings as well as looks. Efficient fixtures:
- Reduce ongoing power and water bills
- Lower your environmental footprint
- Often give a better user experience
Stick with reputable brands
Choosing recognised or commonly used brands usually means better build quality, easier access to spare parts, and more predictable performance.
Is cheap actually cheaper?
When you factor in lifespan, maintenance, and the cost of a plumber returning to fix or replace things, paying a little more for quality often ends up cheaper over the long run.
Most plumbers also can’t guarantee unknown products bought from random websites. Using quality, trusted gear protects your home, your budget, and your peace of mind.
3. Get Drainage & Stormwater Design Right (Especially for Townhouses)
Drainage is one of those things you don’t really notice… until it goes wrong. For new builds and townhouses, good drainage design upfront is crucial.
Design for the actual site, not just the drawing
Stormwater and wastewater systems need to suit the ground conditions – especially on hills, tight sites, or clay-heavy sections. What works on a flat, sandy site may not work on a steep Wellington hillside.
Think beyond a single house
For housing developments and sub divisions, you’ll often have shared drainage lines, manholes, and common areas. Detention/retention tanks, soak pits, and on-site stormwater management are a big part of council expectations now.
Plan for council and inspections early
Good drainage design makes approvals and inspections smoother. Poor planning is one of the quickest ways to blow out timelines and budgets – especially if pipework has to be dug up and redone.
Getting drainage and stormwater right at design stage is far cheaper than trying to fix it after driveways, paths, and landscaping are in.
4. Plan Your Hot Water Solution Properly
Hot water is something you’ll use every single day, so it’s worth putting some thought into the system you choose.
Heat Pump Hot Water Cylinders
Great for energy savings – they use ambient air temperature for most of the heating.
Often installed outside, freeing up valuable indoor cupboard space.
Ideal if you want lower running costs and a more efficient home overall.
Continuous Flow Gas Hot Water
Compact units mounted on an exterior wall (with the correct clearances).
Run off natural gas or LPG bottles.
Heat water on demand – no stored hot water sitting in a cylinder.
Simple to maintain and easy to replace when the time comes.
When planning hot water, think about:
Distance to fixtures
The further the unit is from bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry, the longer you’ll wait for hot water – and the more water you waste down the drain.
Accessibility
Make sure the unit is easy to reach for servicing and emergency shut-off. Avoid “burying” it behind framing or high up where nobody can comfortably get to it.
A quick conversation with an experienced new build plumber early on can help you choose the right system and the best location for your home or development.
5. Regulations, Compliance & Council Sign-Off
This is the less glamorous side of plumbing, but it’s absolutely critical.
Everything must meet current NZ standards
Plumbing and gas work isn’t just about what fits – it has to comply with building codes, manufacturer instructions, and safety requirements.
Locations really matter
Water heaters, vents, drains, valves, and gas appliances all have rules around where they’re allowed to go. For example, a continuous-flow gas unit can’t be too close to doors and opening windows.
Compliance affects inspections and CCC
If something is installed in the wrong place or in the wrong way, it can delay plumbing sign-off and your final Code of Compliance Certificate.
Bringing in a qualified, certifying plumber early helps make sure the plan is realistic, buildable, and compliant before anyone starts cutting holes or running pipe.
6. Think Maintenance & Future-Proofing From Day One
Good plumbing isn’t just about the first year – it’s about how easy the home is to live with long-term.
Some practical future-proofing tips:
Allow good access to critical components
Valves, pumps, cylinders, filters, and manifolds should all be easy to get to. If you can’t comfortably reach them, future maintenance is going to be harder and more expensive.
Protect anything exposed to the elements
Outdoor pipework, valves, and units should be protected from weather and UV. This reduces premature wear and keeps everything working longer.
Use proper wet areas for indoor cylinders
If you’re installing a hot water cylinder inside, make sure it sits in a proper wet area with drainage. That way, if something fails in the future, you’re not dealing with a flooded hallway or damaged flooring.
Plan for upgrades and extras
Think about future bathrooms, spa pools, an outdoor kitchen, or a sleepout. Often it’s very cheap to rough-in or allow for these during the build, and very expensive to retrofit later.
A little extra thought now can save you thousands in maintenance and renovation costs down the track.
7. Noise & Pipe Routing (Acoustics Matter More Than You Think)
Nobody puts “quiet pipes” on their dream home checklist – until they’re lying in bed listening to a toilet cistern refilling through the wall.
A few simple design choices can make a big difference:
Plan pipe runs away from sensitive rooms
Where possible, keep noisy pipework away from bedrooms and main living spaces. This is especially important in townhouses with shared walls between units.
Think smart in multi-storey builds
Consider where vertical risers run and what’s on either side of them. A bit of planning here can stop upstairs showers sounding like a waterfall in the room below.
Consider acoustic upgrades in key locations
In some spots, using quieter pipe systems or adding insulation around pipes can help reduce noise transfer through walls and floors.
Most plumbers also can’t guarantee unknown products bought from random websites. Using quality, trusted gear protects your home, your budget, and your peace of mind.
Ready to Plan the Plumbing for Your New Build?
Whether you’re working on a single new house or a full townhouse development, getting the plumbing right early will save you time, money, and stress later.
If you’d like a hand turning plans into practical, buildable plumbing, our team at Plumbspec can help. We specialise in plumbing for new builds across Wellington – from design input and layout advice through to full installation, testing, and sign-off.
You’re always welcome to send us your plans or give us a call on 0800 232 650 to talk through your project and get some honest, practical advice.
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