Updated:
21.8.2026
A bathroom reno throws up a couple of plumbing questions early on. When do you actually get a plumber involved? And once you’ve found one, how do you know they’re any good?
Emma and Aaron run Simply Plumbing, a family-owned business in Christchurch. They’re a husband-and-wife team, Aaron’s still on the tools, and Emma runs the day-to-day, and between them, they’ve been in the plumbing trade for over ten years.
We asked how they’d go about it if they were the ones hiring.
Getting the right plumber in at the right time sets your reno up to run smoothly.
Having a builder to manage your reno
Aaron reckons the first thing to sort out is who’s actually managing the job.
“If your builder’s switched on, you don’t even really need to bring in the plumber,” Aaron says.
“The builder’s gonna bring their own plumber, and it’s gonna be very smooth and easy for you, because they’re going to manage it.”
It means one less thing on your plate: the builder lines up the plumber and keeps the timing on track.
If a builder is managing your reno, they can take care of hiring the plumber for you.
Managing your own reno
If you’re managing the job yourself, Aaron’s advice on timing is blunt.
Getting them in that early means that anything tricky is surfaced and there are less surprises once the job’s underway.
What an early walk-through gives you
For Aaron, the early walk-through is where the groundwork gets done.
“You’re going to need to know what you can and can’t do and how much it’s going to cost,” Aaron says. “Set some realistic expectations off the bat.”
An early walk-through is where the plan and the budget get real.
Quick checks worth doing
Once you’ve got a few names in front of you, the next question is which one to go with.
Emma reckons it’s worth a quick check that whoever you’re talking to is the real deal, and it’s easier than most people think.
“You can just search the name on the plumbing board’s website, and that’ll tell you if they’re a licensed plumber,” Emma says.
It takes a minute, and it’s an easy way to know you’re in good hands.
Aaron reckons it’s well worth looking online, too.
“Chuck their name in Google, see if anything pops up,” Aaron says.
A few online recommendations or a tidy Builderscrack profile tells you plenty before you’ve even spoken.
Make sure to check your tradies before hiring.
Meet them, and go with your gut
Emma puts a lot of weight on meeting whoever will be in your home, especially if they’re a subcontractor through your builder.
“Get the builder to bring them in, so you can talk to them and make sure you’re all on the same page about what you want. Then go with your gut. If you feel like they’re a good person, go with them. If you feel like they’re not, ask the builder if you can use somebody else.”
You’re allowed to be picky here. A good working relationship makes the whole job run smoother.
Meeting subcontractors first makes a good working relationship far more likely.
The signs of a good tradie
For Aaron, the small stuff is the tell once work starts, and it comes down to respect for your place.
“Take off your shoes, do a nice job, don’t track mud through their carpet, clean up the water if you spill some,” Aaron says.
“Don’t let their cat outside. Whatever it is, just respect the client and what they want.”
Emma’s measure is simple: “If our team is running late, they’ll let the client know by text.”
Emma reckons the good ones don’t overcomplicate it: “We just try and be upfront with the homeowner and tell them exactly how it is.”
A tradie who keeps you in the loop and respects your space is one worth holding onto.
The little signs of a plumber who cares: they turn up on time, they respect the space & mess is cleaned up.
Key takeaways
Where to start
Whether it’s a leak that won’t wait or a reno you’re planning for next year, a good plumber is worth finding. Post your job on Builderscrack and connect with trusted local tradies like Emma and Aaron.
A big thank you
A big thanks to Emma and Aaron from Simply Plumbing for sharing their expertise.
