A successful renovation involves more than choosing a new sink, shower or vanity. As soon as a fixture is relocated, a bathroom is added or walls are opened, the water supply, drainage, venting, valves and future access must be planned before the finishes are closed back up.
SOS Plombiers receives and qualifies requests for plumbing renovations in Greater Montreal, then attempts to direct them to a partner contractor based on the area, the nature of the project and availability. The assigned company confirms feasibility, defines the work, provides its proposal and invoices the authorized work.
This page covers planned plumbing system modifications: relocating or adding a fixture, creating new connections, preparing a bathroom, adapting the piping to a new layout or taking advantage of open walls to correct an aging section. For a one-time repair that does not involve modifying the plumbing system, see our toilet, faucet and plumbing fixture repair service instead.
Kitchen, bathroom or basement project
To properly direct the request, indicate what is currently in place and what needs to change. The most useful information includes:
The plumbing behind the new layout
The need is not defined by the name of the room, but by the modifications required to supply, drain and vent the fixtures in their new locations.
Creating or renovating a bathroom, relocating a toilet, bathtub, shower or vanity, adding shutoff valves and preparing the connections before the finishes are installed.
Adapting the water supply and drain for a new sink, island, dishwasher, refrigerator with a water connection or washing machine, based on the plans, selected appliances and available access.
Plumbing preparation for a new bathroom, kitchenette or laundry room. The location of the main drain, elevation, venting and protection against sewer backups may influence the solution.
Modifying several branches, selectively replacing accessible piping while the walls are open or coordinating plumbing work in a plex, rental building or commercial space.
Avoid choosing the wrong service
The distinction matters when choosing the right professional, preparing the worksite and preventing a small request from becoming a poorly defined project.
A faucet, toilet or sink replaced in the same location, with accessible and compatible connections, generally falls under the plumbing fixture service.
This page is the right destination when the layout changes: a fixture is relocated or added, pipes are extended, a new drain is installed, venting is modified, walls are open or coordination with a general contractor is required.
Before demolition and before closing the walls
An inspiration photo is not a substitute for a connection plan. The earlier the choices are made clear, the easier it is to coordinate the plumbing with the cabinetry, structure, electrical work, ventilation and finishes.
A better-prepared request
A reliable estimate requires more than the square footage and a preferred date. The partner must compare the existing configuration with the proposed layout, then confirm what is visible, accessible and feasible.
From the plans to the final connections
The number of visits depends on the project. A renovation involving concealed pipes is often completed in separate stages so the walls are not closed before the plumbing system is ready.
The plans, fixtures, access, existing materials and responsibilities are reviewed. The partner specifies the assumptions and the items that must be confirmed on site.
Water shutoffs, demolition and required openings are coordinated with the owner, renovator, property manager and other trades.
The planned water supply lines, drains, vents, valves and supports are installed or modified while the cavities are accessible.
The completed scope and concealed connections are checked in accordance with applicable requirements before the walls and floors are closed.
After the surfaces and cabinets are installed, the fixtures are connected, secured and tested within the scope of the authorized work.
Older homes and open walls
The plans show the desired result, but they do not always show what is behind the finishes. Aging piping, previous connections, restricted access or a configuration that differs from expectations may change the solution.
When the walls are already open, it may be worthwhile to have the accessible sections assessed before closing them. This does not mean everything must be replaced: the decision must be based on the observed condition, compatibility, the scope of the project and the risk of having to reopen the finishes.
Important: a remote estimate cannot confirm the condition of concealed pipes. The partner must report any discoveries and obtain authorization before completing additional work.
Permits, licensing and responsibility
In Montréal, the City states that it no longer issues municipal permits for the plumbing work itself, but provincial rules continue to apply. A municipal permit may nevertheless be required if the renovation modifies a wall, the structure, the floor area, the division or the use of a room. Requirements may also vary by borough and municipality.
Consult the official Ville de Montréal process for interior renovations. For professional obligations, the CMMTQ explains who should carry out plumbing work, and the RBQ describes the required licences.
A proposal based on the actual scope
There is no single price per room. Two bathrooms of the same size may require very different work depending on the distance to the connections, access and selected fixtures.
Residential, multi-unit and commercial
Kitchen, bathroom, laundry room or basement, with particular attention to the plans, selected fixtures, open walls and responsibility for the finishes.
Shared stacks, water shutoffs, access to dwelling units, notices to occupants and coordination with the owner or property manager affect the schedule.
The intended use, operating hours, business continuity, access and property manager requirements must be considered. Also see the commercial plumbing service.
The role of SOS Plombiers and the partner
SOS Plombiers helps direct the request; the partner company remains responsible for the technical assessment, its proposal, the authorized work and invoicing.
Address, plans, photos, fixtures, stage of the project, people to coordinate with and preferred timeframe.
We distinguish a planned renovation from a repair, drain cleaning or work on a main line.
The company communicates its availability and confirms the information, required visit and its conditions.
The partner specifies the price and work. Any discovery or modification must be explained before the scope is expanded.
To understand how the network operates and how responsibilities are divided, see the About SOS Plombiers page.
Network coverage
The ability to direct a request depends on the area, scope, stage of the project and available partner contractors.
Montréal, Montréal-Est, the central boroughs and the West Island.
Laval, Terrebonne, Repentigny, Saint-Eustache and areas of the North Shore.
Longueuil, Brossard, Boucherville, Châteauguay and areas of the South Shore.
Is your municipality not listed? Send the address and a summary of the project. You can also consult the network’s directory of plumbing services.
Frequently asked questions
Ideally, before finalizing the plans and ordering the fixtures. The plumber can check whether the proposed locations are compatible with the water supply, drain, venting, structure and access. Waiting until after demolition or furniture delivery may limit the options.
No. Feasibility depends on the routing and slope of the drain, venting, structure, floor thickness and access to existing pipes. A site visit and sometimes plans are required to confirm the solution.
Requirements depend on the municipality and the overall project. In Montréal, plumbing is governed by provincial rules, while a municipal permit may be required if the work modifies a wall, the structure, the floor area, the division or the use of a room. Check before starting.
This must be specified in the scope. The plumber may require specific access without necessarily completing all demolition or restoration. The owner, general contractor and partner must agree on protection of the premises, openings and finishes.
Yes, whenever possible. Technical specifications often determine the drain position, heights, valve type, installation depth and clearances. A late model change may require the connections to be modified.
Accessible sections can be assessed and, if their condition or the scope justifies it, included in a proposal. It should not be assumed that the entire system must be replaced without an inspection. The partner must explain the observations, options and limitations.
A simple replacement can sometimes be completed in one visit, but a renovation involving concealed pipes often includes a rough-in stage followed by a final connection stage. Verifications, inspections and the schedules of other trades may add visits.
The price depends on the number of fixtures, their relocation, access, existing materials, openings, venting, plans, permits and coordination. The partner company must confirm its charges and provide a scope specifying inclusions, exclusions and how unforeseen conditions will be handled.
A plan to validate before opening or closing the walls?
Send the address, plans or sketches, photos, fixture list and the current stage of the project. SOS Plombiers will attempt to direct the request to an appropriate partner contractor based on the area, scope and availability.
The partner confirms feasibility, availability, price, schedule and the work to be completed.
Experiences of customers served through the network
The reviews below are aggregated by Trustindex from profiles associated with SOS Plombiers. They may relate to different services and partner contractors within the network.