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September 23, 2026
Planning a remodel near Milwaukee? Learn when plumbing should happen during a bathroom, kitchen or basement remodel and what to check behind the walls.
A new walk-in shower. New tile. Better cabinets. A finished basement. Maybe you’ve been saving inspiration photos for months and finally decided it’s time.
But before you start choosing the things you’ll see when the project is finished, there’s something just as important to think about:
What’s behind your walls?
At Optimal Plumbing, we provide remodel plumbing throughout Milwaukee, Waukesha and Ozaukee Counties, and one thing we see is homeowners understandably focusing on the finished room without realizing how much needs to happen before the drywall, tile and cabinets go in.
If you’re already opening walls during a renovation, it’s one of the best opportunities you’ll have to evaluate your home’s existing plumbing.
Imagine investing thousands of dollars into a beautiful new bathroom.
New shower. New tile. Fresh drywall. New vanity.
Then you discover that the older piping behind your newly finished wall needs to be replaced.
Getting to it could mean opening that beautiful wall back up.
Homes throughout the Milwaukee area can have plumbing systems installed decades ago. Depending on the age and history of the property, we may find older galvanized water lines, aging valves, deteriorating drain piping or existing plumbing that simply doesn’t work well with the new layout.
Galvanized steel water piping can corrode internally over time, potentially restricting water flow and contributing to lower water pressure.
If the walls are already open, that’s the time to look.
That doesn’t mean everything automatically needs to be replaced. A plumber can evaluate what’s there and help you understand what makes sense to address while it’s accessible.
This is where a lot of homeowners get overwhelmed.
Do you call the plumber? Electrician? Carpenter? Tile installer? General contractor?
There isn’t one exact sequence for every renovation. Your project’s scope, permit requirements and whether you’re working with a general contractor can all affect the schedule.
But here’s a simplified look at how a typical remodel may progress.
First, determine what you’re changing.
Are you keeping the toilet where it is? Moving the shower? Adding a second sink? Relocating your kitchen sink? Adding a bathroom to the basement?
Once the plan is established, demolition opens the necessary areas.
Who handles this? Typically your general contractor, remodeling contractor or carpenter. Some homeowners choose to coordinate individual trades themselves.
Now we get behind the walls.
Your plumber can evaluate the existing plumbing and install or relocate the water supply, drain, waste and vent piping required for the new layout.
This is also an important opportunity to evaluate accessible older piping before everything gets covered again.
For example, a bathroom remodel could require plumbing for a new or relocated toilet, one or two lavatories, a shower or bathtub, new hot and cold water lines, new drain and vent piping, and updated shut-off valves.
Who handles this? A licensed plumbing contractor. This is where Optimal Plumbing comes in. We can provide an itemized estimate outlining the plumbing work needed for your remodel.
Plumbing isn’t the only system hiding behind your walls.
Your electrician may need to relocate outlets, add lighting, install new circuits or make other electrical changes. Depending on the renovation, HVAC ductwork or ventilation may also need attention.
These trades generally need access before the walls are closed.
Who handles this? Your electrician and, when needed, an HVAC company. Don’t have someone? We may be able to recommend local professionals we’ve worked with.
Depending on the project and municipality, permits and inspections may be required.
Required rough inspections generally happen while the work is still visible and accessible. Once the necessary approvals are complete, the project can move toward insulation, drywall and closing the walls.
Who handles this? Licensed trades typically coordinate required inspections for their portion of the work. If you’re using a general contractor, they may help coordinate the overall project.
This is the stage you’ve probably been picturing from the beginning.
Drywall. Tile. Flooring. Cabinets. Countertops. Paint. Trim.
The room finally begins looking like the inspiration photos you’ve been saving.
Who handles this? Depending on the project, this could include your general contractor, carpenter, drywall contractor, tile installer, flooring contractor, painter and countertop installer.
Once the finished surfaces are ready, your plumber comes back.
Depending on the remodel, this could include installing your toilet, faucets, sinks, shower trim, bathtub fixtures, laundry connections and other plumbing fixtures.
Everything is then connected and tested for proper operation and leaks.
Who handles this? Your plumber. When Optimal Plumbing handles your remodel, this is when we return to complete the plumbing finishing touches included in your initial itemized estimate.
Not automatically.
A better question is:
What condition is the existing plumbing in, and what will become difficult to access once this remodel is finished?
If your plumber identifies an issue while the walls are already open, you have an opportunity to make an informed decision before covering everything.
For example, if you’re remodeling a bathroom and accessible galvanized water piping is already restricting flow, it makes sense to discuss your options before installing expensive tile over that area.
That’s very different from discovering the problem after the renovation is complete.
Permit and inspection requirements depend on the plumbing work being performed and the municipality where your property is located.
Requirements can differ between communities in Milwaukee County, Waukesha County and Ozaukee County, so don’t assume the requirements for a remodel in Milwaukee will necessarily be identical to a project in Mequon, Waukesha, Brookfield or another nearby community.
A cosmetic bathroom update where fixtures remain in place is also very different from relocating a toilet, adding a basement bathroom or changing drain and vent piping.
If your renovation involves significant plumbing changes, talk with your plumber early in the planning process.
Optimal Plumbing can help you understand the plumbing portion of your project and coordinate applicable plumbing permits and inspections for the work we’re performing.
Fall is a great time to start talking about a winter renovation.
If you’d like to remodel a bathroom, kitchen, basement or laundry room in January or February 2027, starting the conversation now gives you more time to plan your layout, understand what’s happening behind the walls and coordinate the different trades.
You don’t need to know plumbing terminology.
You don’t need to know where every pipe should go.
And you don’t need to have your entire remodel figured out before calling a plumber.
Tell us what you want to change. We’ll help you understand the plumbing needed to make it happen.
Optimal Plumbing provides remodel plumbing for homeowners and contractors throughout the greater Milwaukee area, including communities in Milwaukee, Waukesha and Ozaukee Counties.
Our service area includes Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, West Allis, Greenfield, Franklin, Oak Creek, Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, Brookfield, Elm Grove, Waukesha, Pewaukee, New Berlin, Muskego, Mequon, Thiensville, Fox Point and surrounding communities.
Whether you’re working with a general contractor or coordinating the project yourself, we’re happy to help you understand the plumbing portion of your renovation.
Call Optimal Plumbing at 414-387-2332 to talk through your project and start planning the plumbing before the walls go back up.
At Optimal Plumbing, we combine expertise, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology to provide unparalleled plumbing solutions for both commercial and residential clients.
