Working with Us
At Colvin Plumbing we take the care to work with you – and that means that the process can take time.
The process that we use for our larger projects has been developed over a period of years. It highlights the communication process, as communication is the key aspect for projects to go well and meet the expectations that both parties are looking for.
In order for the process to work it means going through the following steps. Depending on the scope or size of the project, some of the steps may get compressed together.
Here are the Stages of the Process, as well as what to expect. Please read through this in completion, and feel free to call our office with any questions.
1) Estimate Appointment
2) Design and Project Planning appointment
3)Project Agreement
4) Payment and Scheduling
5) Demolition and removal and payment
6) Rough in and framing and payment
7) Finishing and payment
8) Final walk through and retainage payment.
After the project has finished, please use the space! We want you to run the water, testing the space to make sure that any issues can be taken care of while you are within your warranty.
9) Review and referral- Please review us on your favourite space, refer us to your friends, family, and co-workers.
1
Estimate Appointment:
$65
Design and scope of work is discussed. Think of this as a Get to know each other phase where both sides share their ideas and discuss rough plans for the project. If there are other projects in the near future-please mention them. Plumbing is in your walls- Re-doing the second-floor bathroom after you change all of the plumbing in your kitchen may make things more complicated. We want to help you with that, so a brief overview of your plans for the house is always appreciated. That way Colvin Plumbing Inc can be on the same page as you. When everyone is on the same page, that means that we can take a better approach to help you balance your dreams, expectations, and budget.
This includes:
Initial site visit
Initial measurements
Initial Client expectations and initial Budget discussions
Initial concerns (lead lines, Asbestos, pets, access to job site, parking, staging area, etc.)
Result:
Rough estimate and Scope of work is laid out. The process normally takes a 4-5 business days.
This will lay out the rough scope of work and the changes that you want to make to your home. It will also list unknowns (e.g., Tile, fixtures, lighting) that have to be discussed beforehand. These items can influence the Estimate and your budget dramatically, so we want to make sure that everyone knows about them and agrees on them.
This will be a ballpark estimate only- think round numbers, rough calculations of material and labour costs. This initial scope of work will give a rough plan for the project, so that all parties can see it in writing and make sure we are all on the same page.
Once the Project management stage is reached, a more detailed estimate will be given.
2
Design and Project Planning Appointment
$200-and up (Dependent on Size of Project)
Once the Scope of work has been agreed upon, and the ballpark estimate has been given we can move to the next step of the process. This will finetune the Estimate as well as the scope of work. Here we will drill down on the client’s expectations, the budget, the scope and the materials and fixtures for the job.
This is the part where many decisions will have to be made and can be quite time-consuming. This also means that once all of the products, fixtures, layout, are chosen and gathered that the process can go at a much easier pace (e.g., No stoppages because there was no faucet chosen, or there has been a 6-week back order for delivery.)
There can be some delays during this part, especially if you are looking for extremely specific fixtures that have a longer lead time.
The Design Process and Project planning will encompass the following:
A detailed list of the fixtures and finishes for your project. Even for a small bathroom, this can be quite a long list and encompass a lot of choices and finishes. Having chosen everything from the vanity, toilet, faucets, lighting placement and style to trim, tile, grout, tile trim and paint colours before hand Will make the process easier later.
If you would like help with this process, you can work with our team who can narrow down choices for you. (think of choosing from a short list of three instead of all of the options on the internet). Our team will do the legwork after discussing your preferences, and make sure all product lead times are within the correct timeframe. That the budget and finishes are what you are looking for, etc. You will still get the final decision.
Result:
A final Design and Layout booklet. This will include sections and all the fixture, lighting, plumbing, and final information. This will be everything needed to go ahead with your project compiled into one file and folder-including any installation, warranty, and instruction booklets that can be found online for the products that you have chosen. If you choose to buy the projects yourself and they come only with the product, feel free to send them to us and we will include them in your compiled list.
Rough Timeline for your Project.
Budget and Payment information Schedule for your Project.
Design Help:
$300
Design help will be $300 and include 10 hours of selection time.
Additional time will be extra and billed at $50/hr.
This is in addition to the Regular Design and Project fee.
To take advantage of Design Help you will meet and share pictures of what you like (and do not like) with our team. Going over pictures and designs together will make sure that everyone is on the same page and that the selection process can be done in the allotted time period.
Result:
Project Design Booklet which includes sourcing information, finishes, etc. that you keep. This is the Design portion of the Project Booklet. This will be laid out so that you can easily access everything from Paint Finishes and Colours (and where to source them closest to you) as well as your Faucet and where to source that (including estimated timelines as of the date of the booklet- all are subject to change).
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Permits:
Permits are to be applied for by the Homeowner. Colvin Plumbing requires that the appropriate permits for the project are pulled. Most Regions in Southern Ontario require a permit if any Plumbing changes are being made to your home. Other permits may be needed as well, depending on the scope of your project.
The benefits of a permit are:
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Third party inspection to make sure that all trades are following Ontario Building Code
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Appropriate tests are done and signed off on
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Home insurance for most companies will only cover permitted changes.
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To make sure that building safety and fire codes have been met according to OBC.
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To avoid fines up to $50,000 for an individual (In the region of Hamilton) and more for a corporation.
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More information for the region of Hamilton can be found here: https://www.hamilton.ca/build-invest-grow/construction-renovation/residential-building-renovation/building-permit or by typing your region and Permit into your preferred search engine.
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3
Project Agreement:
This is where we go over the entire Project and Design Booklet to make sure that the final selections all work together, everything has been included and that the scope of work is still accurate. This is the last stage to make changes. Once the Project has started and been booked, any changes can affect the final timeline of the project. Especially if Colvin Plumbing has projects booked back to back. In that case you will be waiting for an available day.
We will also go over the Terms and Conditions in the Contract and listed on our website. Please preview them beforehand and be prepared to ask questions! That is why Colvin Plumbing is open about our Terms, Conditions, and processes.
Result:
Final Project Contract is signed and agreed upon. Questions answered. Everyone is on the same page. If all of the materials that the Homeowner is responsible for have been chosen, we can go to Downpayment and Scheduling in the same appointment.
4
Downpayment and Scheduling
Once all parties have signed the Project Agreement, and the materials have been collected, The Down-payment and scheduling can go ahead.
Colvin Plumbing requires the full Downpayment to schedule. This portion of our schedule is now yours, and that is why we require downpayment.
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Result:
Dates will be applied to the rough schedule and any other trades required will be booked for your project. Depending on the timeline of the other trades, and how soon the scheduling process is, it may vary slightly from the Project agreement.
5
Physical Start:
Physical Start:
Now that all of the planning process and materials have been collected, the downpayment has been received, and the project scheduled, we can move to the Physical Start of the project.
Demolition and Removal:
The First portion of most projects will be the Demolition and Removal. Before that though: Colvin Plumbing will lay out drop sheets, floor paper, and any other protective materials needed. A dumpster may also be delivered in preparation to safely remove any debris and fixtures.
Once the Demolition and removal has been completed, the full picture of any issues with plumbing, framing, electrical can be assessed. It is essential to get all of this taken care of while the walls, floors, ceiling, and finishes are down. Once everything has been rebuilt, drywalled or tiled, any remediations are more costly and difficult to get too. If damage or costs are found to fall outside of the original estimate, another will be given at this time.
Again, this will help all parties have the communication and expectations needed to get through the project successfully.
6
Rough In
The Rough in phase can be thought of as all of the aspects of your project that go Behind the drywall. This is the longest stage of the project, especially when plumbing needs re-routed, or framing for the floor, wall or ceiling needs addressed. All of the rough in plumbing will be put in place, tested, and inspected, as per the laws in your area.
During the rough in portion of your project, there will be times when the water to the house will need to be turned off, so that the plumbers can work on the plumbing lines. Depending on how the plumbing is being re-routed and where the shut off valves are, this can take a few days. Though Colvin Plumbing makes every effort to have the water turned on in the evening.
Water Turned Off Checklist:
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Wash all needed dishes and laundry beforehand to avoid being stuck.
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Fill bathtubs and have a bucket ready to manually flush any toilets if you plan on being home during the rough in stage. Make sure the bucket can be filled and lifted to the toilet by each family member.
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Have water or wipes set aside for washing hands. Remember that Flushable wipes are not flushable.
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Fill all kettles, water containers, and have water on hand for drinking/cooking. Have a plan for making dinner that doesn’t involve water use in case the project runs a little late. (prepared or frozen foods, take out, etc.) It may not be the best time to need an early dinner where you are cooking raw chicken, meat, or planned on having pasta, without water.
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Have baby food, bottles and pet food and water prepared ahead of time.
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It is better to have too much and fill a couple of extra containers then too little.
7
Re-build
The Drywalling stage can be super exciting. Th walls are going in! Its starting to look like a room again! It also seems to last forever. The drywall needs taped, and multiple coats of compound. Waterproofing needs done before the tiling can happen. Fixtures need to be built and installed. There is dry time too, cements, drywall compound, adhesives and glues need dry time before the next stage can start. Short days are likely here while the project waits for things to dry. If your project is scheduled for humid months, where the outdoor humidity is high, there will be extra dry time needed. This can especially be the case if there is little ventilation in the room (no Window, no air conditioning, no exhaust fan).
Be Patient, it will dry, multiple visits and some shorter days are common during a renovation. It is important for the team to stop at a logical time in the project for that day.
Waterproofing:
Tiling needs specific board behind it to hold the weight of the tiles, it also lends to repelling moisture. Once this is laid (which can take longer than the other walls to make it square and level for tile layout) the Surface will need waterproofing. This is typically in the form of a specific kind of paint-like coating. Please keep in mind that some tiles/finishes may have different pre-requisites.
8
Finishing
This stage is where you can see your bathroom coming together. Tiles are going in, flooring, paint, and the fixtures as well. Expect your house to be busy, and yes, once again, more dry time.
Tiling:
Mortar for tiles, shower pans and sills need to be set. Tiling can be a slow process because each stage needs a careful hand. In order for the full project to have a beautiful outcome, that slow and steady base is key. Keep in mind some tiles are slower to lay than others, and if you have opted for items to customize your shower such as insets or benches that drastically adds to the tiling time.
The tile is typically all laid before the grout goes on. So yes, more drying time. Once the grout is dried it can be washed off of the tiles. This adds more steps and can lend a cloudiness to more porous tiles.
Bathtub/Shower Kits and Inserts:
Depending on the style chosen, some of these will be attached (glued with a specific adhesive, specified by the manufacturer), or screwed directly into the studs. Colvin Plumbing follows the manufacturers’ directions thoroughly.

Get in Touch
Thank you for going over all of the information.
Call/Text: 289-448-5115
Email: admin@colvinplumbing.ca