What counts as a plumbing installation
A plumbing installation is any job that adds or relocates pipe, fixtures or appliance connections rather than fixing something that broke. In a Los Gatos house that usually means a new bathroom, a moved kitchen sink, a laundry hookup, a gas line to a range or fireplace, or a pump in a low spot.
Most of the work happens before you see it. Supply and drain lines go in while framing is open, and everything is pressure tested before drywall covers it. Good planning at that stage saves a repair later.
Smell gas? Leave before you call anyone
Gas safety comes first
If you smell gas, leave the building right away. Avoid light switches, phones inside the house and anything that could spark. Call 911 from outside, then call the gas utility. Only after that should you call a plumber.
PG&E also notes that once a customer shuts off gas, PG&E must be called to turn it back on. We do not promise a response time for gas leaks, because the utility and emergency crews handle that first.
Planning a remodel or new fixture? Call (855) 575-2890 and tell us what is moving, so the right plumber arrives with the right parts.
Call (855) 575-2890Gas lines and appliance hookups
A new gas line for a range, dryer, outdoor grill or fireplace needs the right pipe size, a shutoff valve within reach of the appliance and a leak test before the gas is turned on. Flexible connectors have limits, so ask which type is used and where it will be routed.
A gas line inspection is worth ordering before a remodel or after a long vacancy. Corroded fittings, missing shutoffs and unsupported pipe are all visible to a trained eye. Permit rules vary, so check with the Town of Los Gatos building division before any gas work begins.
Fixture swaps and remodel rough-in
Rough-in is the stage where pipes are placed for fixtures that are not installed yet. A toilet flange is set at a fixed distance from the finished wall, commonly 12 inches, while a vanity needs supply stubs and a trap arm at the right height. Measure twice, because moving them after tile is down is costly.
Shower and tub installs add a valve, a drain and a waterproof pan or liner. The pan gets a flood test before tile, which is the cheapest moment to discover a pinhole. If you are also tired of old supply lines, a repipe can be timed with the remodel while the walls are open.
Installs on hillside lots off Highway 17 may involve steep driveways and private roads, so describe the access when you book. Jobs in Santa Clara County ZIP codes 95030, 95031, 95032 and 95033 are scheduled from the same line.
Drain slope and low bathrooms
The Town's septic conversion checklist cites the 2022 California Plumbing Code and a minimum pipe slope of one quarter inch per foot. Use that as a planning rule for any new drain run. A bathroom added in a basement or lower level may sit below the sewer, which can call for an ejector pump instead of gravity.
West Valley Sanitation District also requires an owner-funded backflow protective device when the lowest fixture floor sits less than one foot above the nearest upstream manhole. Ask your plumber to check that before a lower-level fixture is roughed in. Owners with such a device should check it every three to six months, because its flap can close during a blockage.
Sump and ejector pumps
A sump pump removes groundwater from a pit, while an ejector pump lifts waste from a below-grade bathroom up to the sewer line. They are different machines with different vents and check valves.
The sanitation district's code bars sending storm water, groundwater, subsurface drainage or roof water into the sanitary sewer, and its homepage warns against pumping basement water into it. That means a sump needs a legal discharge route, and the plan should name where the water goes before the pump is bought.
Which jobs need the most lead time?
Some installs are an afternoon. Others need permits and parts ordered first.
| Job | Decide first | Common snag |
|---|---|---|
| Gas appliance hookup | Pipe size, shutoff location, connector type | Existing line too small for the new load |
| Bathroom addition | Drain location, slope, vent path | Joist direction blocks the drain run |
| Sump or ejector pump | Discharge route and power outlet | No legal place for the discharge |
| Shower or tub install | Valve model, pan type, tile start date | Valve ordered before the wall depth is known |
| Whole-room remodel | Fixture list and permit timing | Fixtures chosen after rough-in is done |
Fixture lead times change, so order big-ticket items early.
Permits and who can pull them
The Town accepts building permit applications only through its online citizen portal, and you must register an account first. Ask who files the permit and whose name goes on it. If a contractor says no permit is needed, ask them to say why and confirm with the building division yourself.
A water heater swap of the same type in the same location needs a Town permit that can be applied for online. A change of type or location needs a regular building permit instead. Our guide to water heater installation covers that path in detail.
What drives installation pricing
Installs are priced by labor, parts and what is behind the wall. These factors move the number.
Distance from existing lines
A fixture near an existing supply and drain is simpler than one across the house.
Open or closed walls
Rough-in during framing is quick. Opening finished walls adds patching.
Fixture and valve choice
Pressure-balanced valves, wall-hung toilets and specialty faucets need more parts and labor.
Permits and inspections
Permit fees and inspection timing depend on the job and on the Town.
Gas or pump work
Gas piping and pumps add testing, venting and electrical coordination.
On insurance, sudden accidental damage is often covered, while planned upgrades and wear are not. Policies differ, so check yours before a remodel.
Want your real number? Call (855) 575-2890. We give a clear price before work starts.
Getting your install on the calendar
Bring a rough list to the call. Include fixture models if you have them, photos of the area, and whether walls are open. Remodels in Monte Sereno and the rest of the area follow the same steps, and our Monte Sereno service area page lists the coverage. Same-day appointments are available when the schedule allows.
Call (855) 575-2890 and we will plan the visit around your project. If the job turns out to need a softener or filter, see water softener and filtration for sizing.
Questions to settle before a plumbing install
Permit rules vary, so check with the Town of Los Gatos building division. Applications go through the Town's online portal, and you should ask who files the permit and whose name goes on it.
Yes, when the existing line has enough capacity. The line is sized, tested for leaks and fitted with a shutoff before gas is restored.
Leave the house, avoid switches and flames, call 911 from outside, then call the gas utility. Call a plumber only after that.
Only if the fixture sits high enough above the sewer. Otherwise an ejector pump lifts the waste. Ask about backflow protection too.
Not into the sanitary sewer. The district's code bars groundwater and roof water there, so the plan needs a legal outdoor route.
It is often the cheapest moment. See repiping for how to judge whether the old pipe is near the end of its life.