Tri Express Plumbing is the licensed plumbing contractor that homeowners, GCs, and designers across San Diego County trust for remodel plumbing — rough-in, fixtures, drain relocation, gas lines, permits, and code compliance. We've completed over 8,000 plumbing jobs since 2008. We don't sell countertops or cabinets. We do plumbing, and we do it right.
Straight answers to what San Diego homeowners and GCs ask before they hire a plumber for a remodel.
Plumbing scope covers your home's water and gas systems — rough-in supply and drain lines, drain relocation, fixtures, water heater work, gas lines, permits, and inspection. It does not include demolition, framing, drywall, tile, cabinetry, electrical, or HVAC, which belong to your general contractor or other trades. We handle only the licensed plumbing scope, and coordinate cleanly with everyone else.
Yes, in nearly all cases — drain relocation, water line changes, gas line work, and most fixture changes beyond a simple swap require a plumbing permit from the City of San Diego or your local jurisdiction. We file the permits, schedule inspections, and make sure every installation passes. A cosmetic faucet swap may not require one.
Plumbing is separate from tile, cabinetry, and finishes. As a guide: a powder room runs $1,800–$3,500, a full bathroom $3,500–$6,500, a kitchen $3,500–$6,500, and a full ADU rough-in from $8,500. Final pricing depends on whether existing supply and drain locations can be reused, fixture count, gas line needs, and any pipe replaced while walls are open — and you get a written, line-item proposal first.
However your project is structured, we're the licensed plumbing piece — focused only on getting the water and gas right.
Managing your remodel yourself? We're the licensed plumber you call for rough-in, fixtures, gas lines, permits, and inspections — and we coordinate with your tile, cabinet, and electrical pros.
Need a reliable plumbing subcontractor? We work cleanly with your schedule, communicate proactively, pass inspections, and never go around you on scope. For GCs →
Have specs that need a plumber to execute? We read drawings, deliver fixture-rough dimensions, and make sure the final layout matches the original design intent.
Homeowners often blur the line between what the general contractor handles and what falls to a licensed plumber. Here's the honest breakdown.
A remodel is the only time your home's plumbing infrastructure is fully accessible without destructive work. The cost difference between addressing aging systems now versus later is enormous — here's what we recommend evaluating during every remodel.
Galvanized steel and old copper from the 1960s–80s are reaching end of life. Replacing while walls are open costs 30–50% less than after a finished remodel. See repiping San Diego.
Older San Diego homes often have cast-iron sewer lines that corrode and crack. Catching this during demo prevents a future leak that destroys new tile and millwork.
Tank heaters last 8–12 years. If yours is over 8, replace it during the remodel — tankless conversions are far easier with unrestricted access. See water heaters.
Long waits for hot water? A dedicated recirculation loop is most economical to install during a remodel and pays back in water conservation alone.
Hard water shortens fixture life. A whole-home filtration system integrates cleanly into the main supply line with no future wall work.
Insurance carriers increasingly require or discount for smart shutoff valves. Remodel timing is the ideal window to install on the main line. See smart shutoff valves.
From a single-bathroom update to a full ADU rough-in — every plumbing scope your San Diego remodel requires.
Complete rough-in, drain relocation, supply lines, fixture installation, and code compliance for primary, guest, and powder baths.
Sink relocation, dishwasher and fridge water lines, garbage disposal, gas lines for cooktops and ranges, full code compliance.
Complete plumbing for accessory dwelling units — supply, drainage, venting, water heater, gas lines, and all permits. Built for San Diego's ADU process.
New gas lines for ranges, cooktops, outdoor kitchens, pool heaters, and dryers — licensed gas work with pressure testing and SDG&E coordination.
Sinks, toilets, faucets, showers, tubs, and specialty fixtures installed precisely — designer-spec, contractor-grade, or homeowner-supplied units welcome.
All permit applications, inspection scheduling, and code-compliant installations handled by us, coordinated directly with city inspectors.
A predictable, documented process from plan review through final inspection — built for clean coordination with your other trades.
Review drawings or layout sketches, walk the space, and assess existing plumbing.
Line-item scope, equipment specs, timeline, and pricing — before any work begins.
We file plumbing permits with the city and schedule the inspection windows.
Supply, drains, vents, and gas lines installed and pressure-tested before walls close.
Fixtures set, final pressure test, city inspection passed, walk-through with you.
These ranges cover only the plumbing scope — separate from tile, cabinetry, and finish work — so you can budget the plumbing portion of your remodel cleanly. They include all rough-in, fixture installation, permits, inspection coordination, and code compliance.
| Remodel Type | Plumbing Investment |
|---|---|
| Powder / Half BathroomSingle toilet and vanity, no shower or tub, minor or no drain relocation | $1,800–$3,500 |
| Full Bathroom RemodelToilet, vanity, tub or shower, drain relocations, supply line work, fixtures | $3,500–$6,500 |
| Primary Bathroom (Larger Scope)Double vanity, separate tub and walk-in shower, multiple drain relocations | $5,500–$9,500 |
| Kitchen Remodel PlumbingSink relocation, dishwasher and fridge lines, disposal, gas line for cooktop | $3,500–$6,500 |
| Kitchen + Island AdditionAdds island prep sink, gas drop, complex drain re-routing under slab | $5,500–$9,500 |
| ADU Full Plumbing Rough-InComplete plumbing for an accessory dwelling unit — kitchen, bath, laundry, water heater | from $8,500 |
| Whole-Home Plumbing ModernizationGalvanized or cast-iron replacement, repiping, water heater upgrade — combined with active remodel | Consultation |
Final pricing depends on whether existing supply/drain locations can be reused, the number of fixtures, gas line requirements, and whether aging supply lines need replacement during the remodel. Every job gets a written, line-item proposal first. Call for your estimate →
Remodels are stressful enough without a plumbing contractor who flakes on schedule, blows inspections, or changes pricing mid-project. Tri Express has been the steady, predictable plumber on hundreds of San Diego remodels — owner-operated, same crew, same license, for nearly two decades.
We show up when we say we will, so your other trades schedule around us with confidence.
We communicate proactively, deliver fixture-rough dimensions on time, and never blow an inspection.
Every line item priced before work begins — no mid-project surprises that derail your budget.
1-year workmanship warranty on the remodel plumbing, plus 25-year coverage on whole-house repipes — and the same company is still here for follow-up.
Across 80+ ADU and new-construction projects since 2024, the rough-in is where remodel budgets get won or lost. We've watched homeowners pay twice because the first crew didn't coordinate slab plumbing with the GC's schedule, and we've seen finished tile torn out because nobody checked the aging supply line behind it while the wall was open. We pull our own inspections and stage the work to the build, so nothing gets opened up twice.
A remodel is only as good as the inspections it passes. Here's how we keep yours clean.
Related: ADU plumbing, whole-home repiping, and leak detection — common add-ons when the walls are already open.
5.0★ on Google — homeowners, GCs, and designers.
The full answers behind the quick ones above.
Remodel plumbing scope covers everything tied to your home's water and gas systems: rough-in supply and drain lines, drain relocation, fixture installation, water heater work, gas lines for appliances, plumbing permits, and code-compliant inspection. It does not include demolition, framing, drywall, tile, cabinetry, electrical, or HVAC — those belong to your general contractor or other trades. We handle only the licensed plumbing scope, and do it precisely.
Yes, in nearly all cases. The City of San Diego and surrounding jurisdictions require plumbing permits for drain relocation, water line changes, gas line work, and most fixture changes beyond a simple like-for-like swap. We file all required plumbing permits, schedule the inspections, and ensure every installation passes — permit fees are passed through at city rates. Minor cosmetic swaps like a faucet may not require one.
Plumbing is a separate scope from tile, cabinetry, and finish work. As a guide, a powder room runs $1,800 to $3,500, a full bathroom $3,500 to $6,500, a larger primary bath $5,500 to $9,500, a kitchen $3,500 to $6,500, and a full ADU plumbing rough-in from $8,500. Final pricing depends on whether existing supply and drain locations can be reused, fixture count, gas line needs, and whether aging pipe is replaced while walls are open. Every job gets a written, line-item proposal before work begins.
Yes. We work with general contractors across San Diego County as their plumbing subcontractor. We deliver fixture-rough dimensions on schedule, communicate proactively, pass inspections cleanly, and never go around the GC to the homeowner on scope changes. We also work directly with homeowners managing their own remodels and with designers and architects who need a plumber to execute spec drawings.
Most full bathroom remodels need 3 to 5 days of plumbing work spread across the overall timeline — typically one day for rough-in, then a return after walls close for fixture installation. Kitchen remodels usually need 4 to 6 days, and an ADU plumbing rough-in runs 5 to 8 days. We coordinate timing with your GC or trade schedule so plumbing is never the bottleneck.
A remodel exposes the inside of your walls — the only time aging supply lines, drain lines, and water heater plumbing are fully accessible without destructive work. If your home was built before 1990, replacing original galvanized or cast-iron lines during a remodel costs roughly 30 to 50% less than doing it after finish materials are installed. We identify these opportunities during the plan review so you can decide before walls close, rather than paying to reopen them later.
Yes. Many homeowners and designers source fixtures directly from showrooms, online suppliers, or design specs, and we install homeowner-supplied or designer-specified fixtures with the same precision as units we source ourselves. Just confirm fixtures are delivered before rough-in is finalized so we can verify they match the rough dimensions and avoid rework.
It is common in older San Diego homes — opening walls often reveals deteriorated supply lines, corroded cast-iron drains, or substandard original work. We document everything we find, give you a written scope for the additional work with pricing, and let you decide before proceeding. There are no surprise charges; you approve added scope in writing first.
Yes. We complete full plumbing for accessory dwelling units across San Diego County — kitchen, bathroom, laundry, water heater, gas lines, and all permits. ADU plumbing typically starts from $8,500 depending on whether you're building detached or converting existing space, distance to main service connections, and gas versus electric appliances. We've completed 80+ ADU and new-construction projects since 2024 and know the San Diego ADU permit process.
Because plumbing is where remodels quietly go wrong — a blown inspection, an undersized line, or a leak behind new tile. We're a licensed plumbing contractor, not a design-build firm: we don't sell countertops or cabinets, we do plumbing and stand behind it with a workmanship warranty that outlasts the tile. Whether you hire us directly or your GC brings us in, you get a specialist focused only on getting the water and gas systems right.
Honest scope, transparent pricing, and clean coordination with your remodel team — call for a written proposal. No obligation, no pressure, no upsells.
Kitchen and bathroom remodels require precise plumbing work. Remodel projects often include water heater upgrades or relocations — we handle those too! Tri Express Plumbing handles all aspects — rough-in inspection, fixture installation, drain relocation, code compliance, and permits. We work seamlessly with contractors and directly with homeowners.
Review plans, discuss layout, assess plumbing needs.
Ensure all work meets local codes. Handle permits.
Install supply lines, drains, vents before walls close.
Install sinks, toilets, showers, faucets with precision.
City inspection passed. System tested and verified.
Rough-in, fixture installation, permits. Starting from $2,500.
Sink installation, drain relocation, gas lines. Starting from $3,000.
Full rough-in, fixtures, permits. Starting from $4,500.
Pricing for reference only. Call for exact estimate.
Kitchen & bathroom plumbing expertise for your next remodel project. Call Tri Express Plumbing today.Call Now: (619) 843-6692
