Cost of Plumbing in a Flat: Complete Price List for Plumbing Works

Key Facts About Plumbing Costs in 2026

New water pipework in a flat costs €504 to €756, chasing grooves into concrete €28.50 to €42.70/lm, installing a Geberit frame €99.40 to €149, and shower channels €96.80 to €145.20. Non-standard work is charged at an hourly rate of €40.70 to €61.10/hr. All prices are for labour only; for VAT-registered firms, 23% VAT should be added. A full plumbing installation for a bathroom, WC, and kitchen in a 3-bedroom flat works out at €1,800 to €2,400 for labour.

What Does a Full Flat Plumbing Installation Include?

A complete plumbing installation covers hot and cold water distribution, waste pipes, and the connection of all sanitary ware — from the main riser to every tap, toilet, washing machine, and dishwasher. It also includes fitting stopcocks at the flat entrance and, if necessary, a pressure reducing valve.

Pipework today is most commonly made from polypropylene (PPR) using polyfusion welding or PEX-AL-PEX multilayer pipes with crimped joints. Both have a 50-year lifespan; PEX allows for continuous runs without joints in the wall, minimising the risk of hidden leaks. Waste systems are made from plastic HT pipes with a minimum fall of 2% to 3%.

An essential part of a quality installation is the pressure test before the grooves are plastered over — the system is pressurised to 1.5 times the operating pressure and monitored for at least 60 minutes. Never allow walls to be closed up without a written pressure test certificate. Find a full breakdown of items in the plumbing works category.

How Much for New Pipework and Preparatory Works?

The core item is the installation of new water distribution in a flat, which costs €504 to €756 for a standard flat with a bathroom, WC, and kitchen. The price includes hot/cold water runs, wastes, stopcocks, and the pressure test. For flats with two bathrooms or a remote kitchen, the price increases by 30% to 50% depending on the pipe run lengths.

Preparatory work for plumbing is significantly more expensive than for electrical work — water pipes have a larger diameter and grooves are chased into concrete rather than just plaster. Chasing grooves for plumbing in concrete therefore costs €28.50 to €42.70/lm compared to €5.70 to €8.50/lm for electrics. After the pressure test, making good of walls after plumbing follows using cement mortar.

In tower blocks, connecting pipework to a cast iron waste riser costs €41 to €61.60 per joint — this requires special adaptors. Riser replacement must be coordinated with the building manager and neighbours. Non-standard jobs (relocation, repairs to old pipework, emergencies) are billed at an hourly rate of €40.70 to €61.10/hr.

How Much Does Sanitary Ware and Tap Fitting Cost?

Fitting sanitary ware is the final stage of plumbing — carried out after tiling. Prices are for labour; the fixtures themselves are chosen by the client.

WC and Concealed Systems

Wall-hung toilets have practically replaced classic floor-standing models — installation and connection of a Geberit Duofix or Kombifix frame costs €99.40 to €149 and includes anchoring the frame, water/waste connection, and fitting the flush plate. The frame is then bricked in or boxed with plasterboard. Access panels are fitted for riser and valve maintenance.

Shower Enclosure

A modern walk-in shower consists of three tasks: installation and concreting of a shower channel for €96.80 to €145.20, fitting a concealed iBox mixing valve for €93.60 to €140.40, and after tiling, fitting the shower screen. The concealed valve must be recessed before tiling — installation and recessing of a concealed valve is therefore the first task after chasing.

Washbasin, Taps, and Washing Machine

Fitting a washbasin costs €32.20 to €48.40, plus fitting a basin or sink mixer tap and, for baths, fitting a bath mixer tap. For the washing machine and dryer, fitting a valve with waste costs €49.30 to €73.90, and under every fixture, fitting isolation valves — allowing individual appliances to be shut off without cutting water to the whole flat.

Plumbing Renovation Step-by-Step

Step one is the design — exact positions of the basin, WC, shower, washing machine, and kitchen units are determined before chasing, as moving a tap by 20 cm after plastering means new chasing. This is followed by chasing grooves and installing pipework with a pressure test — taking 2 to 3 working days in a standard flat.

Step two is making good and tanking — after a successful pressure test, grooves are filled and tanking (waterproofing) around the bath and under the shower is applied in two layers with sealing tapes in the corners. Only then do the tilers start.

Step three is the second fix — after tiling and grouting, the sanitary ware, taps, shower glass, and washing machine are fitted. Plumbing during a renovation is always coordinated with bathroom electrics (dedicated circuit for the washer, extractor fan position) and in flats, it's a key part of the bathroom pod renovation, accounting for 15% to 25% of the budget.

What Mistakes to Avoid in Plumbing?

The most expensive mistake is closing up walls without a pressure test. A leaking joint only shows up months later as a damp patch or a leak to the neighbours below — fixing it means ripping out tiles at a cost of hundreds of Euros. Always demand a written pressure test certificate.

The second mistake is insufficient fall on waste pipes — a minimum of 2% to 3% (2 to 3 cm per metre). Too little fall leads to blockages; too much drains the water away faster than the solids. For a shower channel, allow for at least 9 to 12 cm of floor build-up.

The third mistake is skipping tanking or applying only one layer without sealing tapes in the corners. And the fourth mistake is fitting sanitary ware before tiling — basins and WCs are mounted onto the finished tile, otherwise, you get unsealable gaps. We covered these errors in detail in our article on plumbing mistakes during bathroom renovation.

How to Choose a Reliable Plumber?

Check their business credentials and ask for 2 or 3 references from the last six months. Insist on a written quote with itemised costs (pipework, chasing, each fixture separately) and a pressure test certificate as a condition for payment for the first-fix pipework. Labour warranties should be at least 24 months. An experienced plumber will ask about furniture and appliance positions before they start chasing.

Real-Life Example: 3-Bedroom Flat Plumbing in Nitra

Full plumbing replacement in the bathroom, WC, and kitchen of a 3-bedroom flat (1982 build) switching from a bath to a walk-in shower. New pipework €630, chasing 12 lm of grooves in concrete €420, making good €96, connecting to cast iron riser (2 joints) €100, Geberit frame €125, concealed valve and iBox €230, shower channel €120, shower glass €95, basin and taps €105, washer valve €60, isolation valves and access panel €70.

Total €2,051 for labour, materials (pipes, fittings, Geberit, iBox, channel) another €1,150. The client budgeted €1,700 for labour, but the reality was 20% higher due to unplanned replacement of a corroded waste pipe under the bath and an extra valve for a dryer. The work took 4 days plus 1 day for second fix after tiling. See the full price list in the construction work price list.

How to Approach Plumbing the Right Way?

Plumbing is a 50-year investment that no one sees once installed — which is why material quality, pressure testing, and tanking matter so much. Plan fixture positions before chasing, prepare spare outlets for dryers or dishwashers, and don't skimp on concealed systems — replacing them means demolishing the entire wall.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions About Plumbing Costs

How much does plumbing in a flat cost?

Installing new pipework in 2026 costs €504 to €756. A full bathroom, WC, and kitchen plumbing job including chasing, making good, and fitting sanitary ware costs €1,800 to €2,400 for labour plus materials.

Why is chasing grooves for water more expensive than for electrics?

Water pipes have a larger diameter and grooves are chased into concrete, not just plaster — hence €28.50 to €42.70/lm compared to €5.70 to €8.50/lm for electrics.

What is a pressure test and why is it important?

The pipework is pressurised to 1.5 times the operating pressure and monitored for 60 minutes. It detects leaks before walls are closed up — never allow plastering without a written report.

How long does plumbing a flat take?

First-fix pipework and pressure testing take 2 to 3 working days, with the second-fix sanitary ware taking another 1 to 2 days. Overall, plumbing is spread across 3 to 4 weeks of a bathroom renovation.

Calculate the Plumbing Cost for Your Flat

This overview provides a rough price range for 2026. The specific price depends on the length of pipe runs, the number of fixtures, and the condition of existing waste pipes. Before you contact a plumber, calculate an estimated price using the Numiq online calculator. You’ll get a real idea of market rates, a stronger negotiating position, and you can return to your saved calculations anytime.

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