Schools and Childcare Plumbing Estimates: Accurate, Reliable & Tailored to Your Needs
What should i be careful about when quoting a school or a childcare job?
School and childcare plumbing projects require careful planning and attention to detail. The scope often includes:
🏫 New school blocks, classrooms, labs, libraries, and amenities upgrades
👶 Childcare facilities with multiple plumbing fixture types and accessibility requirements
Understanding existing site conditions, service connections, and fixture requirements is critical to delivering accurate estimates.
Existing Inground Services in Schools
Schools often have older, existing inground services that need to be carefully accounted for:
✅ Locate all existing services before pricing
✅ Understand the type, location, and estimated depth
✅ Plan for long external inground runs (e.g., connecting water and sewer across multiple blocks)
Most school projects involve 150mm fire mains with 100mm branches, so ensuring proper allowances for excavation and installation is essential.
Timing and Special Considerations
School plumbing work often takes place during school holidays, meaning:
🛠 You must be available within a tight timeframe
🪚 Saw cutting of concrete may be required (if unsure, exclude it from pricing)
🚰 Drinking fountains are common—don’t miss them in your estimate
If your estimate includes supplying fixtures, double-check the quantity of pillar taps for drinking and wash troughs—one trough may have three or four pillar taps.
Trade Waste and Special Fixtures in Schools
Some school facilities, such as science labs, require trade waste and specialized plumbing:
🛑 Grease arresters may be needed for lab sinks
🧪 Look out for “plaster arresters” under sinks—they are easy to overlook but required in many lab setups
Plumbing in Childcare Centers
Childcare plumbing projects involve a wide range of fixtures and special requirements:
✅ Junior WCs, accessible toilets, and staff toilets—each requiring different specifications
✅ Variety of basins, sinks, and tapware—kitchen sinks, baby wash sinks, laundry tubs, cleaner sinks, and more
✅ Different mixer types for each fixture—carefully review drawings to avoid mistakes
Outdoor and Stormwater Considerations
Many childcare centers have large outdoor play areas, and some have upper-level outdoor spaces. These require:
💧 Proper stormwater drainage planning
🛠 Stormwater pits, downpipes, and SPS systems
🚧 Allowances for any additional underground services
Why a Well-Prepared Estimate Matters
Schools and childcare projects have strict deadlines and specific plumbing needs. Missing details in an estimate can lead to budget issues and delays on site. By carefully reviewing the plans and providing a well-structured breakdown, you help your client stay on budget, plan labor effectively, and complete the job smoothly.