Earlier than most people do it. The most useful conversation happens while the layout is still being drawn, because where waste can run at the right fall often decides where fixtures can sensibly go. At minimum, before framing starts. Booking a plumber the week the linings are due is how renovations end up delayed.

Twice for most renovations. Rough-in after framing and before linings, then fit-off after waterproofing and tiling. Larger jobs with multiple wet areas sometimes need a third visit if the areas are staged. What we try to avoid is extra visits caused by decisions changing after rough-in, because that means reopening work that was already finished.

It depends what is happening. Replacing a fixture in the same position generally does not. Moving fixtures, altering drainage or adding a new bathroom often does. The line is not always where people assume, so it is worth asking early. We will tell you what we think applies, but the consent itself is the owner’s or main contractor’s responsibility rather than ours.

Yes, and a renovation is by far the best time to do it because the walls are already open. Galvanised supply corrodes from the inside and narrows over decades, which is the usual cause of poor pressure in older Shore homes. Replacing it while everything is accessible costs a fraction of what the same work costs later through finished linings.

Either. Most often we deal directly with the builder or main contractor about timing, which is simpler for everyone because they own the programme. If you are project managing it yourself we will tell you exactly what we need to happen before each of our visits, and when we need to know.