Building a new home is one of the biggest and most important investments you’ll ever make. Between deciding on flooring, countertops, and cabinet finishes, it’s easy to forget about new construction plumbing costs.
Plumbing is more than just pipes behind the walls, it’s a big part of your home’s comfort and functionality. At Hall & Sons Plumbing, we help homeowners understand where their money actually goes so they can budget smarter and avoid “surprise” expenses later on.
Factors Influencing New Construction Plumbing Costs
The cost of plumbing for new construction can vary widely depending on the layout of your home, how many and what type of fixtures you want to put in, and what water system you choose. If you don’t plan for it upfront, plumbing costs are one of the most common sources of surprise expenses during a new build. Here’s a closer look at the factors influencing the cost of plumbing for new construction:
1. Hiring a Licensed General Contractor
Before any plumbing work begins, hiring a reputable and licensed general contractor is the first and most important step. Your GC coordinates trades, timelines, permits, and inspections—helping prevent costly delays, rework, or code violations later in the build.
2. Home Design & Layout
When it comes to plumbing for new construction, your home’s size plays a big role. Bigger homes generally cost more to plumb. More space usually means longer pipe runs, more materials, and more time on the job. Your home’s layout is equally as important as its square footage. Homes where bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms are close together are usually easier (and cheaper) to plumb. For example, stacking bathrooms on multiple floors or placing them back-to-back helps keep pipe runs short. Each bathroom is an additional toilet, sink, shower, and/or bathtub. Full bathrooms cost more than half baths, and additional features like dual sinks or oversized showers add to both material and labor expenses.
3. Fixture Selection: Basic vs Luxury
One of the best parts of building a new home is getting to choose fixtures that reflect your personal taste and lifestyle. The downside? The options can feel endless, and costs can add up fast. Basic fixtures are usually more budget-friendly and straightforward to install. Luxury fixtures cost more and usually require additional labor for installation.
4. Water Heaters + Water Softeners
Want an endless supply of hot water in your new home? You may want to budget for a tankless water heater. While it typically has higher upfront costs compared to traditional tank models, it offers on-demand heating, which can lead to energy savings in the long run. Hard water is a common issue in many Jacksonville homes. Over time, it can damage your plumbing, ruin your appliances, and leave your water tasting and smelling unpleasant. Installing a household water softener during construction helps prevent scale buildup, improves water quality, and protects your plumbing system from day one. Add filtration systems to this: If you’re concerned about chemicals in the water in your area, weird smells or tastes with your drinking water, or you live in a rural area with high levels of sulfur and iron in your well water, you may want to consider a whole-home filtration system. Budget for it upfront because it’s more cost-effective to install during the build rather than after move-in.
5. Permit and Inspection Fees
In most cases, you will need a permit before you can even start the work. Then, when your new construction plumbing project is finished, it will need to be inspected to make sure everything is up to code. Be sure to include these fees in your initial budget.
6. Construction Phase
After permits and inspections are approved, the construction phase begins. This includes rough-in plumbing, top-out, trim work, and final water and sewer connections. This phase represents a significant portion of overall plumbing costs and must be properly coordinated with other trades.
7. Changes During Construction
If you’ve ever done a home renovation project, you know everything doesn’t always go according to plan. Maybe you won’t like how the first set of fixtures looks and will want to upgrade them, or maybe you’ll want a bigger shower than you planned for. Whatever the reason, if you plan ahead and get a professional estimate, it will prevent these costs from becoming surprises.
Professional Installation vs. DIY
New construction plumbing is not a DIY project. Maybe you can get away with installing a few of the fixtures yourself, but plumbing for new construction is best left to the professionals. Hiring a licensed plumber ensures code compliance with the city, the system is designed properly, and it will have fewer long-term issues.
Get New Construction Plumbing in Jacksonville
At Hall & Sons, we specialize in plumbing for new construction in Jacksonville, FL. We work alongside some of the area’s leading general contractors and custom home builders. We know how much your new home means to you, and we treat every new construction plumbing project with the same care and expertise we’d want for our own home.
If you’re planning a new home in Jacksonville, FL, or the surrounding area, we’re here to help. Call Hall & Sons Plumbing at 904-429-9747 or contact us online to schedule service.
