Plumbing installation is any work that adds or relocates plumbing: a new bathroom, a kitchen remodel, a dishwasher line, a laundry hookup, a gas range line or a pump. It differs from repair because the work often needs a plan, parts ordered ahead and sometimes a permit.
Start with the question of who needs to approve it. Rules differ by project, and the City of Hanahan Building and Codes department is the place to ask.
Permits first: who to ask before the work starts
Whether your project needs a permit depends on what is being installed and where, and we do not guess. Ask the City of Hanahan Building and Codes department. City Hall is at 1255 Yeamans Hall Road, and calling them first tells you whether a permit and an inspection apply before anyone cuts a wall.
Tell them what you plan to do in plain terms, such as adding a bathroom, moving a kitchen sink or running a gas line to a range. Then tell your plumber what they said. A job that skips a required step can cause trouble with insurance or a future sale.
New fixtures, drain lines and vents are governed in South Carolina by the 2021 South Carolina Plumbing Code or the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) with state modifications. LLR's Building Codes Council set January 1, 2023 as the implementation date for local jurisdictions.
Where inspections are required, the City of Hanahan Building and Codes department handles them inside city limits. Outside the city, ask the county or town that covers your address.
Sources: City of Hanahan, Building Codes and SC LLR, Building Codes in Effect for South Carolina. Checked October 2026.
What plumbing installation covers
The common jobs we are called for.
Fixtures
Sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, utility sinks and hose bibs, including stops and supply lines.
Appliance hookups
Dishwasher, washing machine, ice maker, refrigerator line and laundry boxes.
Water heaters
A new unit or a replacement. See water heater installation for that process.
Supply and drain lines
New branches for a bathroom, a kitchen island or a basement room.
Gas piping
Lines to ranges, dryers, grills and water heaters, discussed below.
Pumps
Sump pumps and ejector pumps for low spots and below-grade bathrooms.
From walkthrough to final test
This is how a typical installation proceeds.
- 1
Walkthrough and scope
We look at the space, the existing lines and what you want, then write the scope and a clear price.
- 2
Permit check
You or we confirm with the City of Hanahan Building and Codes department whether a permit and inspection apply.
- 3
Rough-in
Supply and drain lines are run, vents are connected and the lines are pressure tested before walls close.
- 4
Set fixtures
Fixtures, valves and appliances are set, connected and sealed.
- 5
Test and handoff
We test every fixture, check for leaks and show you the shutoffs.
Ready to book?Call and we will find the earliest slot, often the same day when the schedule allows.
Call (855) 575-2890Gas line inspection and installation
Gas piping feeds ranges, dryers, fireplaces, outdoor grills and some water heaters. Dominion Energy handles natural gas service to the meter, and piping beyond it is the property's responsibility. New lines, moved appliances and suspicious fittings all call for a licensed plumber and, in many cases, a permit and inspection. Ask the City of Hanahan Building and Codes department.
A gas line inspection checks fittings, shutoff valves, flexible connectors and the pipe route. We look for corrosion, loose joints, missing shutoffs and connectors that are old or damaged. We test the line for leaks with the appropriate method and tell you what we find, in writing if you ask.
We do not work on a line while a leak is suspected. If you smell gas, the next section applies and the work waits.
If you smell gas: leave first, then call
Natural gas has an added odor like rotten eggs. If you smell it, leave the building right away and take everyone with you. Do not switch lights or appliances on or off, do not use a phone inside, and do not start a car in an attached garage.
From outside and at a distance, call 911 and Dominion Energy. We do not respond to gas leaks before the utility. Wait for them to make the building safe, then call us for the repair. Do not try to find the leak or fix the line yourself.
Once the utility clears the building, we inspect and repair the piping on your side of the meter and can help you with the paperwork questions. Ask the City of Hanahan Building and Codes department what applies to your repair.
Sump pumps and ejector pumps
A sump pump removes groundwater from a pit, and an ejector pump lifts waste from a below-grade bathroom to the sewer line. Both need the right pump size, a check valve, a proper discharge route and a power plan. If your yard stays wet after rain, tell us. We install and replace these pumps and test them before we leave. A pump feeding a doubtful sewer line is a sewer inspection question first.
New construction plumbing
New construction work happens in stages: the underground drain, the rough-in inside the walls, the top-out and the final trim. We work from your builder's plans and coordinate inspections with the schedule. Tank or tankless water heater choices are best made at rough-in. Ask the City of Hanahan Building and Codes department which inspections your project needs.
Water softener and filtration: an honest answer for Hanahan
Charleston Water System describes its water as moderately soft, with an average of 3.4 grains per gallon (58.4 ppm). Monthly results for 2024 ranged from 45 to 77 mg/L total hardness. Most Hanahan homes on that supply do not need a water softener, and we do not sell one as a fix for problems it will not solve.
Filtration is a taste or preference decision. CWS uses chloramines as a disinfectant, which some people like to filter for taste, and aquarium owners need a conditioner because chloramines are harmful to fish. A filter rated for chloramine reduction at a drinking tap is a small project.
Before spending money, test your tap. A hardness strip costs little, and CWS publishes its water quality results. If you are on a different provider or a private well, the answer can change, so ask your utility.
Softener or filter: do you need one?
A quick way to decide.
| Your situation | What it means | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| City water from Charleston Water System | Moderately soft, 3.4 grains per gallon on average | A softener is rarely needed. Test your tap if curious. |
| Chlorine or chloramine taste | A taste issue, not a hardness issue | Consider a filter rated for chloramine reduction at the drinking tap |
| Fish tank | Chloramines harm fish | Use a conditioner made for chloramine |
| Private well | Water quality varies a lot | Have the water tested before choosing equipment |
| Not sure who supplies your street | Utilities differ by address | Ask your water utility, CWS lists the area it serves |
What affects the price of installation work
We do not post prices. Here is what moves them.
- Scope
- One fixture costs far less than a new bathroom. The scope sets the hours and the parts.
- Access
- Slab, crawlspace, attic and finished walls change labor.
- Fixtures and appliances
- You can supply them or ask us to source them. Fixture price is separate from labor.
- Permits and inspections
- Ask the City of Hanahan Building and Codes department. Fees and timing vary.
- Gas and pumps
- These need extra materials, testing and sometimes electrical coordination.
Insurance does not usually pay for upgrades or new installations. If the work follows a covered loss, ask your carrier what they will approve before anything is installed.
Call and describe your project for a clear price before work starts.
Questions to ask any plumber before installation
Ask us these too.
- Is the plumber licensed? Verify with SC LLR, Residential Builders Commission.
- Who pulls the permit, if one applies, and who schedules the inspection?
- What is included in the price: fixtures, parts, disposal, patching?
- What shutoffs will I have when it is done?
- What happens if the inspection fails?
- Is the price in writing before work starts?
Work near Goose Creek and other nearby towns follows the same steps, but each city has its own building office.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for plumbing installation in Hanahan?
It depends on the work. Ask the City of Hanahan Building and Codes department, and we will give you a written scope to describe the project.
What should I do if I smell gas?
Leave the building right away. From outside, call 911 and Dominion Energy. Do not use switches or phones inside. We do not respond to gas leaks before the utility has made the building safe.
Does Hanahan water need a softener?
Usually not. Charleston Water System reports moderately soft water at 3.4 grains per gallon. Test your tap first and ask your utility if you are unsure who supplies your street.
Do you install fixtures I buy myself?
We can, but the fixture should be on site before the visit so we can check the rough-in and parts. We cannot warrant a fixture we did not supply to the same degree. We explain that before we start.
How long does a bathroom plumbing installation take?
It depends on scope, access and inspection timing. We give you a schedule after the walkthrough, not before.
Do you install sump pumps?
Yes, along with ejector pumps. We size the pump, set the check valve and route the discharge. We test it before we leave.
Do you offer same-day installation appointments?
Same-day appointments are available when the schedule allows, and small jobs often fit. Larger work needs a walkthrough and planning first.