What a plumbing installation job includes
Installation work falls into a few kinds. Fixture installs replace a sink, toilet, tub or shower valve in an existing space. Line installs add a new run of water supply or drain pipe, such as a bathroom addition, a second kitchen sink or an outdoor spigot.
Equipment installs include water heaters, softeners and backflow devices. We also do rough-in plumbing for new construction, where pipes go in before walls close.
We confirm what the job needs before we quote it. You get a clear price before work starts.
Gas lines: safety first, installation second
Many Marana homes are all-electric, and gas service at a given address is not something we can assume. If your home has natural gas service, a new line for a range, dryer, fireplace or grill is a licensed-contractor job with a pressure test and inspection.
Do not strike matches, use light switches, thermostats or appliance controls, start an engine or use an automatic garage door if you suspect a leak. Any of these can make a spark. Southwest Gas takes leak calls from customers and non-customers alike.
We do not promise a response time for a gas leak, and a suspected leak is a call to the gas utility and 911 first. For planned work, such as a new gas stub or an inspection, call our line and we will confirm what the address has.
Planning an addition or a new fixture?
Call and tell us what you have in mind.
Permits and codes: Town of Marana or Pima County
Marana adopted the 2024 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with local amendments, and the Town lists local amendments on its building safety page. Which office issues your permit depends on where the property sits.
| Location | Permit office | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Town of Marana limits | Marana Development Services, (520) 382-2600 | Application, checklist and inspection for new pipe work and water heaters |
| Unincorporated Pima County, such as Picture Rocks | Pima County Building Safety, 201 N Stone Avenue | New pipe work and water heater permits are listed as required |
| Not sure of your jurisdiction | Ask Marana Development Services first | Mailing address and ZIP do not always match the jurisdiction |
Permit rules change and vary by job, so ask the office before work begins. Our Picture Rocks page explains why that area follows county rules.
How a new supply or drain line gets installed
Most additions follow this order. The details change with the building.
- 1
Plan the route
We decide where the line starts, how it reaches the new fixture and whether it must cross a slab or run through an attic.
- 2
Check utilities
If digging is needed outside, Arizona 811 must be called at least two working days before. Desert soil can be hard to dig, which adds time.
- 3
Pull the permit
Where required, the permit and inspections are arranged before pipes are covered.
- 4
Rough in and test
We run the pipe, pressure test the water lines and check drain slope before closing walls.
- 5
Set fixtures
Fixtures are mounted, connections are made and every joint is checked for leaks.
New construction and remodel plumbing
New construction plumbing starts with the slab. Drain and supply lines are placed before concrete is poured, then tested, and later trim-out sets the fixtures. In a remodel, we tie new lines into existing ones and plan around what is already in the walls or slab.
If a project involves repiping an older line or replacing a water heater at the same time, see our repiping and water heater installation work.
Fixtures that suit the water
Marana hardness runs from roughly 3 to 14 grains per gallon depending on the neighborhood. Faucets with exposed ceramic discs and fixtures with fine aerator screens clog sooner in the harder areas. Picking fixtures that are easy to clean and take replacement cartridges saves trouble later.
Water heaters often sit in garages or attics that get very hot in summer, so we plan clearances, drain pans and relief piping with that in mind.
Backflow prevention and testing
A backflow preventer is a valve assembly that keeps dirty water from flowing back into the drinking supply. You may see one on a lawn sprinkler line, a commercial building or a service connection with a fire system. Many water providers require them to be tested every year.
Requirements differ by provider and by property type, so confirm with your water provider whether your device needs annual testing. We do not assert a Marana rule. If your device needs repair or replacement, we can install it. Exposed devices can freeze in the rare cold nights Tucson records.
Choosing an installer
Arizona licenses plumbing contractors by class. The Registrar of Contractors lists C-37 for commercial, CR-37 for dual residential and commercial, and R-37 for residential. Check the license record at roc.az.gov and confirm the class covers your work.
Ask for a written scope, who pulls the permit and how inspections are handled. We are licensed and insured, and we give a clear price before work starts.
What drives the cost of an installation
Installations vary more than repairs, because the scope is your design.
Frequently asked questions
Marana lists water heater replacement under its permit application process, with a safety inspection. Confirm details with Development Services at (520) 382-2600.
Where a home has natural gas service, yes. Gas service at an address is not something we can assume, so we confirm first. If you smell gas, leave and call 911 and Southwest Gas first.
Picture Rocks is unincorporated, so Pima County Building Safety issues permits there, not the Town of Marana.
Yes. Arizona law requires a call to 811 at least two working days before digging. It is a free call.
Many providers require annual testing. Confirm the rule with your water provider, since it varies by account and property type.
Usually yes, though it can mean cutting the slab to place drain lines. We check the layout before quoting.
Ready to plan your installation?
Call (855) 575-2890 and we will walk through the job.
Call (855) 575-2890