Building Services (MEP)
Plumbing Estimating Services in New Zealand
Plumbing and drainage quantities from fixture counts to pipe runs, with hot water systems, valves and fittings measured.
Plumbing estimates usually start with a fixture count, but the cost sits in the pipework connecting them: hot and cold supply, waste and vent pipes, and the sanitary drainage under the slab. Pipe lengths depend on where fixtures are and how they are grouped, which is why two homes with the same fixtures can cost very differently to plumb.
We measure plumbing from the hydraulic drawings where they exist, or from the architectural layout using sensible routing where they do not. Fixtures are counted by type. Supply pipework is measured by size and material. Waste and drainage are measured by diameter, with bends, junctions and inspection points counted.
Hot water systems, tempering valves, pressure reducing valves and backflow devices are included, along with gas fit-off where gas appliances are shown.
Scope
What we measure in a plumbing takeoff
| Item | Unit | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Fixtures | no. | Toilets, basins, sinks, showers, baths and tubs. |
| Water supply pipework | lm | Hot and cold, by size and material. |
| Sanitary plumbing | lm / no. | Waste and vent pipes, traps and fittings. |
| Sanitary drainage | lm / no. | Underground drainage, junctions, bends and inspection points. |
| Hot water systems | no. | Cylinders, heat pumps or continuous flow units. |
| Valves and devices | no. | Tempering, pressure reducing and backflow devices. |
| Gas fitting | lm / no. | Pipework and appliance connections where shown. |
| Roof water connections | no. | Downpipe connections to stormwater. |
Deliverables
What you receive
Plumbing estimates separate above-ground plumbing from below-ground drainage, matching how plumbers and drainlayers usually split the work.
| Itemised quantity sheet | Excel + PDF |
| Marked-up plans | Colour-coded PDF |
| Material and labour schedule | Excel |
| Assumptions and exclusions list |
Who it is for
Built for the people who price the work
- Builders
- Check a plumber's quote against fixture counts and pipe runs.
- Subcontractors
- Plumbers and drainlayers can quote more tenders with measured quantities.
- Developers
- Budget for plumbing across a multi-unit development.
- Architects
- See the plumbing cost of separating wet areas across a floor plan.
Process
How a plumbing estimate runs
STEP 01
Upload plans
Upload hydraulic drawings if available, plus floor plans and the drainage plan.
STEP 02
Scope confirmation
We confirm pipe materials, hot water system type and the boundary between plumbing and drainage.
STEP 03
Takeoff and review
Fixtures are counted, pipework measured and checked against the number and spread of wet areas.
STEP 04
Delivery
You receive the plumbing schedule, PDF and marked-up plans.
New Zealand context
Standards and practice
Plumbing and drainage in New Zealand must meet Building Code clauses G12 (Water supplies) and G13 (Foul water), with AS/NZS 3500 commonly used as a design standard. Work must be carried out or supervised by a person authorised under the Plumbers, Gasfitters, and Drainlayers Act 2006.
Hot water must be stored at a temperature that controls legionella and delivered at a safe temperature to sanitary fixtures, which usually means tempering valves. We count these where they are needed.
We measure and price to the drawings. Design compliance and building consent remain with your designer and building consent authority.
Cost drivers
What drives the cost of plumbing work
01
Wet area layout
Wet areas stacked above each other or grouped together use less pipework than ones spread across the home.
02
Hot water system
Heat pump cylinders, gas continuous flow and electric cylinders have very different costs and installation needs.
03
Pipe material
Copper, PEX and other systems have different material and labour costs. The specification decides.
04
Drainage length and depth
Long or deep drainage runs to the connection point add excavation, pipe and inspection points.
Where plumbing estimates go wrong
Plumbing estimates often focus on fixtures and miss the pipework, valves and drainage connecting them. Fixture counts are the easy part; pipe runs and fittings are where the cost lies.
Hot water systems are another common gap. Heat pump cylinders, tempering valves and the electrical or gas work to connect them can add significantly, especially when upgrading an existing system.
Finally, access for testing and inspection can be overlooked. Pipework must be pressure tested and inspected before it is covered, which affects programme and may need return visits. We note inspection stages so they can be planned. On multi-unit work we also count individual meters, isolation valves and backflow devices for each unit, since these are easy to allow once for the whole building when they are in fact needed per tenancy. Council inspection fees for drainage should be allowed for too.
FAQ
Plumbing Estimating questions
Can you estimate plumbing without hydraulic drawings?
Yes. We route pipework based on the architectural layout and state our assumptions.
Do you separate plumbing and drainage?
Yes. Above-ground plumbing and below-ground drainage are measured separately.
Do you include hot water systems?
Yes. Cylinders, heat pumps and continuous flow systems are counted with their valves.
Do you include gas fitting?
Yes, where gas appliances are shown.
Can you estimate commercial plumbing?
Yes. We measure commercial hydraulic services from the consultant's drawings.
Related services
- Sitework Estimating
Civil and site infrastructure quantities: drainage, water, roads, kerbs, retaining and paving, measured from your civil drawings.
- Mechanical Estimating
Mechanical services quantities for commercial and industrial buildings: plant, ductwork, pipework, controls and commissioning.
- Finishes Estimating
The fit-out that clients notice: tiling, splashbacks, cabinetry, fixtures, accessories and fit-off, measured from the finishes schedule.
- Fire Protection Estimating
Active and passive fire protection quantities: sprinklers, alarms, detection, hydrants and fire stopping, measured from the fire design.
Get a quote
Send your plans for a plumbing estimate
Upload your drawings and we will reply with a fixed fee and turnaround before any work starts. No obligation.
- — PDF, DWG and ZIP accepted
- — Fees in NZD, excluding GST
- — Prefer email? Use the link in the footer