Fixtures & Basement Bathroom Rough-Ins

Swapping a toilet, faucet or sink in the same spot is routine work. Under Alberta's permit rules, changing a fixture, faucet, trap or valve does not need a plumbing permit when the piping itself does not change. Moving a fixture, adding a new one or roughing in a bathroom does.

A basement bathroom is where most of the cost sits. The drain has to slope toward the main stack, so the plumber usually cuts and trenches the concrete floor to run a new drain and tie it in, then vents each fixture. Where the floor is below the sewer line, a sewage ejector pump lifts the waste instead. The rough-in is inspected before the floor is patched and the walls are closed, and again at the final.

Calgary homeowners can take out their own plumbing permit if they own the home, live in it or intend to, and do the work themselves; a homeowner cannot take out a permit for a contractor's work, and the City will not issue one for concealed plumbing done without a permit. At the final inspection the City checks, among other things, that tub and shower water does not exceed 49°C and that toilets have shut-offs. Some homes already have a capped rough-in in the basement floor; a plumber can confirm whether it is usable.

Ask the quote to separate the plumbing from the concrete work, framing and finishing, since those are often done by other trades.