New construction is how homes and commercial buildings are built. It starts from preparing the ground, moving into the rough phase, then building the walls or structural framing, completing the top-out, and finally reaching the final phase; for plumbers, it’s the trim phase. This is a very basic way to explain it, but it shows the general order of how a project comes together from start to finish.
For a plumber, the rough phase is the installation of all plumbing that will go underneath the home or commercial building, whether the foundation is a concrete slab, a raised beam setup, or a structural foundation designed for heavier commercial loads. For slab foundations, this means installing all sewer lines, drainage lines, water main routing, and any sleeves or openings needed before the concrete is poured. For raised or beam foundations, the rough phase involves laying out all drain, waste, gas, and water lines that will run beneath the subfloor, making sure the lines are properly supported. In commercial settings, this may also include installing larger pipe sizes, floor drains, mop sink lines, or any specialty underground piping required for the type of business being built. When the wooden walls or steel framing are finally built, we bring the pipes that were left underneath the building up into the framing and add any other water, waste, or vent lines that weren’t installed in the ground. This part of the job is called the top-out.
The final, or trim, phase for plumbers is the installation of angle stops, faucets, toilets, sinks, garbage disposals, and any other fixtures or appliances that require water, gas, or drainage. In commercial work, this can include ADA-compliant fixtures, commercial-grade faucets, sensor-operated fixtures, floor-mounted toilets, water fountains, and any equipment specific to the business. We also finish connecting the water heater or commercial water heating system, adjust valves, and test every part of the system to make sure everything is working perfectly. Throughout each phase of the job, there are multiple inspections, and for every inspection, our work must meet all local codes and regulations for that city. The entire system must be fully pressurized with absolutely zero leaks, ensuring safety and peace of mind for our customers.