First-fix vs second-fix | what happens when
First-fix plumbing is the pipework, waste, isolation and backing that goes in before walls are boarded and tiles laid. It sets the layout, sizing and future accessibility of the whole installation. Second-fix is the visible work, brassware, showers, WCs, sinks, appliance connections, done once tiling, worktops and cabinets are in. On a typical bathroom refit we're in first for one to two days, then back for a second-fix of one to two days once the tiler is done. Kitchen refits are similar but with more coordination around cabinets, worktops and appliance timings.
