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Quick answer: Commercial plumbing in Auckland needs proper sizing, compliance, and minimal downtime. Water and Gas Worx handles hospitality, office, and retail plumbing, including gas work, hot water, backflow, grease traps, and fit-outs. Standard rates are $155+GST first hour and $100+GST after that; larger commercial projects are quoted after scope review.
Written and reviewed by Peter — qualified plumber and certifying gasfitter, PGDB registered, 17+ years experience. Last updated April 2026.
Commercial plumbing has different demands from residential work. The volumes are higher, the compliance requirements are stricter, and downtime costs money. Water and Gas Worx handles commercial plumbing across Auckland for hospitality, office, and retail clients.
Hospitality Plumbing
Restaurants, cafes, and bars are among the most plumbing-intensive commercial environments. A new fit-out or renovation involves:
- Commercial kitchen plumbing: Multiple sinks with adequate supply and drainage, dishwasher connections, ice machine lines, and prep sink setups
- Grease trap installation: Required by Auckland Council for any commercial kitchen discharging to the sewer — prevents grease from blocking the drainage network
- Gas connections: Commercial gas cooktops, ovens, and fryers operate at higher gas loads than residential appliances — sizing the gas supply correctly is critical. A licensed gasfitter must carry out all gas work.
- Hot water systems: Commercial settings require reliable, high-volume hot water — often a continuous flow system or dedicated commercial cylinder
- Bar plumbing: Beer lines, glass washers, ice bins, and backbar refrigeration all need water supply and drainage connections
Office and Retail Plumbing
Office and retail fit-outs typically involve:
- Bathroom and kitchenette plumbing for staff and public amenities
- Hot water systems sized for occupancy
- Backflow prevention on any water supply connections
- Compliance with the NZ Building Code for commercial occupancy
Commercial Gas Work
Commercial gas installations operate under stricter requirements than residential. WorkSafe NZ oversees gas safety compliance. Any commercial gas work requires:
- A licensed gasfitter with commercial experience
- Gas compliance certificate for all work
- Correct gas sizing — commercial appliances use significantly more gas than residential, and the supply line must be sized accordingly
- Ventilation and extraction complying with NZ standards
- Annual servicing of commercial gas appliances
Grease Traps
If you are operating a commercial kitchen in Auckland, a grease trap is a non-negotiable requirement under the Auckland Council trade waste bylaw. A grease trap intercepts fats, oils, and grease before they enter the sewer system.
Key points:
- Size must be appropriate for the kitchen output — undersized traps block quickly
- Regular cleaning and maintenance is required — typically every 1 to 3 months depending on output
- Records of cleaning and service must be kept for council compliance
- Water and Gas Worx can install new grease traps and advise on the appropriate size for your operation
Fit-Out Plumbing for New Commercial Tenancies
Taking on a new commercial tenancy and fitting it out for your business? The plumbing scope depends on the tenancy type, but commonly involves:
- Reviewing existing services and determining what is adequate and what needs upgrading
- Extending or modifying water supply and drainage to suit the new layout
- Installing compliant backflow prevention devices
- Obtaining any required building consents for plumbing work
- Commissioning and testing all systems before handover
If the fit-out involves a kitchen renovation, we can handle both the plumbing and gasfitting under one contractor — simplifying the process.
Blocked Drains in Commercial Premises
Commercial properties — especially hospitality — are prone to blocked drains from grease, food waste, and high-volume use. Regular maintenance and CCTV inspections prevent costly blockages during trading hours. For urgent drain issues, our emergency plumber service is available.
Maintenance and Service Agreements
For commercial clients, ongoing maintenance is more cost-effective than reactive repairs. We can set up a regular maintenance schedule for your premises — covering hot water systems, gas appliances, grease traps, and general plumbing — with priority response when something goes wrong.
Commercial Plumbing in Auckland
Water and Gas Worx provides commercial plumbing and gasfitting across Auckland. We are registered with the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board. We work with hospitality operators, office managers, and commercial property owners who need reliable, compliant plumbing done right.
Call 0800 322 322 or email service@wgw.co.nz to discuss your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a grease trap for my restaurant or cafe?
Yes. Auckland Council requires a grease trap for any commercial kitchen discharging to the sewer. The trap must be appropriately sized for your kitchen output and cleaned regularly — typically every 1 to 3 months. We can install the right size trap and advise on maintenance requirements.
How much does commercial plumbing cost?
Our standard rate is $155 plus GST for the first hour, then $100 plus GST per hour after that. After-hours and weekend work is $295 plus GST for the first hour, then $100 plus GST per hour after that. Public holidays are $395 plus GST for the first hour. We can quote before starting so you know the cost upfront. For larger fit-outs, we provide a fixed project quote after reviewing the scope.
Can you handle both plumbing and gasfitting for a commercial fit-out?
Yes. We are licensed for both plumbing and gasfitting, so we can manage the full scope — water supply, drainage, gas connections, hot water, and compliance certificates — under one contractor. This simplifies coordination and avoids scheduling conflicts between separate trades.
Do you offer maintenance contracts for commercial properties?
Yes. We offer regular maintenance schedules covering hot water systems, gas appliances, grease traps, and general plumbing. Scheduled maintenance prevents costly breakdowns during trading hours and gives you priority response when something does go wrong.