First fix: everything that will be hidden
First fix happens once the room has been stripped out and before any boarding or tiling. Supply pipes are run to where each tap, valve and cistern will sit, and waste pipes are run to the soil stack or drain. Concealed shower valves and cisterns are fixed in place at this stage, because they will be behind the finished wall.
If the layout is changing, this is when the toilet or shower drain moves. Our published figure for moving a toilet or shower drain is £400-£900 in labour and materials, because floor and wall access is needed.
Testing before it disappears
Before any pipe is covered, the new pipework is pressure tested and checked for leaks. It is far cheaper to find a weeping joint now than after the tiles are on. Only once the test passes do the walls get boarded and tanked where needed.
Between the two fixes
With the pipework proven, the room is boarded, waterproofed around wet areas and tiled. Electrical first fix for lighting, the extractor and any underfloor heating runs alongside the plumbing first fix, so cables and pipes are both in before the walls close.
Second fix: everything you see and use
Second fix connects the finished items. The toilet, basin, bath and shower controls go on, taps are fitted, wastes are connected and sealed, and everything is run and checked. Sealant goes on last, once all the fittings are in position.
| Stage | Plumbing work | Other trades at the same time |
|---|---|---|
| Strip-out | Isolate and cap supplies | Old tiles and suite removed |
| First fix | Run supplies and wastes, fix concealed valves and cisterns | Electrical first fix |
| Test | Pressure test new pipework | None, walls stay open |
| Boarding and tiling | No plumbing on site | Boarding, tanking, tiling |
| Second fix | Fit suite, taps, controls, wastes | Electrical second fix, sealant |
Why one team makes the gap shorter
When plumbing, electrics and tiling are separate firms, each stage waits for the next trade to be free. With our own team handling all three, with no subcontractors, second fix follows the tiling without a gap in the diary. Most of our full refurbishments run 7-12 working days depending on scope.
What this means for you during the job
First fix means the old suite is out and the room is not usable, so if this is your only bathroom, we talk through the timing on the survey so you know which days the toilet and basin will be out of use and can plan around them.
Decisions on concealed valves, cistern positions and tap heights need to be made before first fix, because they are fixed behind the wall once tiling starts. Having your products chosen early keeps the job moving and avoids reopening finished walls.
Where to read next
Questions we get asked most
What is first fix plumbing?
The hidden pipework: supplies and wastes run to each position, and concealed valves and cisterns fixed, before the walls and floor are finished.
What is second fix plumbing?
Fitting and connecting the visible items, such as the toilet, basin, taps and shower controls, after tiling is complete.
Why is there a gap between the two?
The walls and floor have to be boarded, waterproofed and tiled between them. With one team doing all of it, that gap is kept short.
Is the pipework tested?
Yes. New pipework is pressure tested after first fix and before anything is covered.