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21.8.2026<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Share on:<\/h4><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>A<\/span>\u200b\u00a0bathroom 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?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>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.<\/p>\n
We asked how they’d go about it if they were the ones hiring.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"aaron-and-emma-simply-plumbing\"](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PXL_20260619_002951894.PORTRAIT-1-scaled.jpg\" "\\"aaron-and-emma-simply-plumbing\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Getting the right plumber in at the right time sets your reno up to run smoothly.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>Having a builder to manage your reno<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Aaron reckons the first thing to sort out is who’s actually managing the job.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf your builder’s switched on, you don’t even really need to bring in the plumber,\u201d Aaron says.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
It means one less thing on your plate: the builder lines up the plumber and keeps the timing on track.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Having](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-877220458-2-scaled.jpg\" "\\"Having")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>If a builder is managing your reno, they can take care of hiring the plumber for you.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>Managing your own reno<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>If you’re managing the job yourself, Aaron’s advice on timing is blunt.<\/p>\n<\/div>
\u201cIn that case, I’d get your plumber in on day one, walk through and figure it out,\u201d Aaron says
\n<\/span><\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Getting them in that early means that anything tricky is surfaced and there are less surprises once the job’s underway.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Post a job<\/span><\/a>Need a plumber?<\/h2>\nPost your job on Builderscrack and connect with trusted local tradies in your area.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div>Post a job<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>What an early walk-through gives you<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>For Aaron, the early walk-through is where the groundwork gets done.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou’re going to need to know what you can and can’t do and how much it’s going to cost,\u201d Aaron says. \u201cSet some realistic expectations off the bat.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Two](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Quoting-tradies-1-scaled.jpg\" "\\"Quoting")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>An early walk-through is where the plan and the budget get real.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>Quick checks worth doing<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Once you’ve got a few names in front of you, the next question is which one to go with.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can just search the name on the plumbing board’s website, and that’ll tell you if they’re a licensed plumber,\u201d Emma says.<\/p>\n
It takes a minute, and it’s an easy way to know you’re in good hands.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/i><\/div>Did you know?<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\nWhen a tradesperson adds their plumbing licence on Builderscrack, we validate the number against the PGDB register. We also make it easy for you to view the licence on the register by providing the link, located all on their Builderscrack profile.<\/p>\n
Learn more here on how Builderscrack verifies<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Aaron reckons it’s well worth looking online, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cChuck their name in Google, see if anything pops up,\u201d Aaron says.<\/p>\n
A few online recommendations or a tidy Builderscrack profile tells you plenty before you’ve even spoken.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Managing-renovation-project1200x800_12.jpg\" "\\"Managing-renovation-project(1200×800)_12\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Make sure to check your tradies before hiring.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>Meet them, and go with your gut<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Emma puts a lot of weight on meeting whoever will be in your home, especially if they’re a subcontractor through your builder.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\u201cAlways meet the tradies doing the renovation,\u201d Emma says.
\n<\/span><\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\u201cGet 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
You’re allowed to be picky here. A good working relationship makes the whole job run smoother.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"meet](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-1439777206-scaled.jpg\" "\\"meet")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Meeting subcontractors first makes a good working relationship far more likely.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>The signs of a good tradie<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>For Aaron, the small stuff is the tell once work starts, and it comes down to respect for your place.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake off your shoes, do a nice job, don’t track mud through their carpet, clean up the water if you spill some,\u201d Aaron says.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon’t let their cat outside. Whatever it is, just respect the client and what they want.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emma’s measure is simple: \u201cIf our team is running late, they’ll let the client know by text.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emma reckons the good ones don’t overcomplicate it: \u201cWe just try and be upfront with the homeowner and tell them exactly how it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
A tradie who keeps you in the loop and respects your space is one worth holding onto.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"bathroomm](\"https:\/\/builderscrack.co.nz\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/shutterstock_614880632-1-scaled.jpg\" "\\"bathroomm")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>The little signs of a plumber who cares: they turn up on time, they respect the space & mess is cleaned up.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>Key takeaways<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>- <\/i><\/span>\n
Having a builder manage your renovation makes the process smoother, but still meet the tradies first, get on the same page, and trust your gut.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
If you’re managing the reno yourself, get a plumber in on day one to walk through what’s possible and what it’ll cost.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
Make sure to check your tradies before hiring.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>\n
Good tradies keep you in the loop and respect your space.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Where to start<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>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.<\/p>\n<\/div>
A big thank you<\/h3><\/div>A big thanks to Emma and Aaron from Simply Plumbing<\/a> for sharing their expertise.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
A<\/span>\u200b\u00a0bathroom 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?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div> 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.<\/p>\n We asked how they’d go about it if they were the ones hiring.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Getting the right plumber in at the right time sets your reno up to run smoothly.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> Aaron reckons the first thing to sort out is who’s actually managing the job.<\/p>\n \u201cIf your builder’s switched on, you don’t even really need to bring in the plumber,\u201d Aaron says.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n It means one less thing on your plate: the builder lines up the plumber and keeps the timing on track.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> If a builder is managing your reno, they can take care of hiring the plumber for you.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> If you’re managing the job yourself, Aaron’s advice on timing is blunt.<\/p>\n<\/div> Getting them in that early means that anything tricky is surfaced and there are less surprises once the job’s underway.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Post your job on Builderscrack and connect with trusted local tradies in your area.<\/p>\n<\/div> For Aaron, the early walk-through is where the groundwork gets done.<\/p>\n \u201cYou’re going to need to know what you can and can’t do and how much it’s going to cost,\u201d Aaron says. \u201cSet some realistic expectations off the bat.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> An early walk-through is where the plan and the budget get real.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> Once you’ve got a few names in front of you, the next question is which one to go with.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can just search the name on the plumbing board’s website, and that’ll tell you if they’re a licensed plumber,\u201d Emma says.<\/p>\n It takes a minute, and it’s an easy way to know you’re in good hands.<\/p>\n<\/div> When a tradesperson adds their plumbing licence on Builderscrack, we validate the number against the PGDB register. We also make it easy for you to view the licence on the register by providing the link, located all on their Builderscrack profile.<\/p>\n Learn more here on how Builderscrack verifies<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Aaron reckons it’s well worth looking online, too.<\/p>\n \u201cChuck their name in Google, see if anything pops up,\u201d Aaron says.<\/p>\n A few online recommendations or a tidy Builderscrack profile tells you plenty before you’ve even spoken.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Make sure to check your tradies before hiring.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> Emma puts a lot of weight on meeting whoever will be in your home, especially if they’re a subcontractor through your builder.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div> \u201cGet 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.\u201d<\/p>\n You’re allowed to be picky here. A good working relationship makes the whole job run smoother.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Meeting subcontractors first makes a good working relationship far more likely.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> For Aaron, the small stuff is the tell once work starts, and it comes down to respect for your place.<\/p>\n \u201cTake off your shoes, do a nice job, don’t track mud through their carpet, clean up the water if you spill some,\u201d Aaron says.<\/p>\n \u201cDon’t let their cat outside. Whatever it is, just respect the client and what they want.\u201d<\/p>\n Emma’s measure is simple: \u201cIf our team is running late, they’ll let the client know by text.\u201d<\/p>\n Emma reckons the good ones don’t overcomplicate it: \u201cWe just try and be upfront with the homeowner and tell them exactly how it is.\u201d<\/p>\n A tradie who keeps you in the loop and respects your space is one worth holding onto.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> The little signs of a plumber who cares: they turn up on time, they respect the space & mess is cleaned up.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div> Having a builder manage your renovation makes the process smoother, but still meet the tradies first, get on the same page, and trust your gut.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> If you’re managing the reno yourself, get a plumber in on day one to walk through what’s possible and what it’ll cost.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Make sure to check your tradies before hiring.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li> Good tradies keep you in the loop and respect your space.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div> A big thanks to Emma and Aaron from Simply Plumbing<\/a> for sharing their expertise.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Having a builder to manage your reno<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Managing your own reno<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
\n<\/span><\/i><\/div>Need a plumber?<\/h2>
What an early walk-through gives you<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Quick checks worth doing<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
Did you know?<\/h2><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Meet them, and go with your gut<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
\n<\/span><\/i><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>The signs of a good tradie<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Key takeaways<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
Where to start<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
A big thank you<\/h3><\/div>