Call Hills Plumbing & Gas on 0472 657 042 for a fixed price on plans. QBCC licence 15243081.
What do the 2026 figures look like by build type?
These are the tiers as published on our new build plumbing page:
| Build type | Full plumbing scope (2026) | What drives the range |
|---|---|---|
| Production style 4-bed, basic spec | $14,000 to $22,000 | Builder-standard fixtures, stacked wet areas, single storey |
| Mid-tier custom 4-bed | $20,000 to $32,000 | Better tapware, heat pump hot water, more considered layouts |
| Premium custom | $32,000 to $55,000+ | High-end brassware, freestanding baths, multiple ensuites |
| Acreage or rural | Add $4,000 to $12,000 | Longer mains runs, septic or AWTS, tanks, LPG |
These are complete-scope figures, slab to handover. Anything outside these ranges for your specific build gets answered the same way: send the plans, get a fixed quote. We do not publish numbers we cannot stand behind on site.
What is included in a full new build plumbing scope?
Slab to handover means every licensed stage:
- Pre-slab drainage, sewer and stormwater runs under the slab, inspected before the pour
- Rough-in, all water, waste, vent and gas lines through the frame, pressure tested
- Hot water system supply and installation
- Fit-off, every tap, toilet, basin, sink, shower and appliance connection
- Compliance, the QBCC Form 4 and gas certificates the certifier needs at handover
If a quote you are comparing is thousands lighter, check which of these stages it quietly leaves out. Hot water units and gas fit-out are the usual missing pieces.
Why is plumbing licence-only in Queensland?
Under the Plumbing and Drainage Act 2018, plumbing, drainage and gas work in Queensland must be done by a licensed plumber and certified at completion. There is no DIY lane, including for owner-builders. The certification is what lets your build reach its certificate of classification, so the plumbing cost is not just pipes and labour, it is the compliance trail your handover depends on. What owner-builders can and cannot do themselves is covered in our owner-builder plumbing requirements guide.
What makes new build plumbing cost more?
The five factors that move the number, in order of impact:
- Wet area count. Each extra bathroom adds fixtures, drainage runs and rough-in time.
- Fixture specification. The gap between builder-basic and premium brassware is measured in thousands.
- Storeys. Double storey means longer runs, more venting and more coordination with other trades.
- Layout. Wet areas stacked or back to back are cheaper to plumb than wet areas scattered across the plan.
- Site. Acreage adds $4,000 to $12,000 for mains runs, septic or AWTS, tanks and LPG.
Notice what is not on the list: the suburb. On the Gold Coast specifically, we cover local pricing in detail in how much new home plumbing costs on the Gold Coast.
How does rough-in fit into the total?
Rough-in is the biggest single stage of work, all the pipe that disappears into your walls and ceilings, and it is billed as a progress claim inside the full scope. If you are trying to budget stage by stage, we break down exactly how that works in rough in plumbing cost in Queensland.
How does a fixed-price quote work?
You send plans, we price the complete scope, and the number is fixed before the slab goes down. Progress claims land at the stage completions: pre-slab, rough-in, hot water, fit-off, compliance. Around 4 to 6 site visits across the build. One licensed plumber, one number, no variations culture.
The alternative, hourly or per-point pricing, shifts all the risk onto you. On a new build the plans exist, so there is no reason the price cannot be locked from them.
Is it cheaper to organise plumbing yourself as an owner-builder?
It can be. Owner-builders who engage a plumber directly avoid the builder margin on the plumbing package, and on a $25,000 scope that is real money. It also means you carry the coordination: booking stages around the frame, waterproofing and tiling, and holding the compliance paperwork. Whether that trade is worth it for you is exactly what our owner-builder scope guide walks through.
How do I get an exact price for my build?
Plans in, fixed quote out. Whether you are building through a volume builder, running a custom build, or owner-building on acreage, the number comes off your drawings, not off a rate card.
Get the full picture of how we run a build from slab to handover on our new build plumbing service page, or call Jieye direct on 0472 657 042. QBCC licence 15243081.