Three pipes stick out of the basement floor. The listing called it a bathroom rough-in. It is reasonable to be pleased, but a little early to order the vanity.
The useful first appointment is a plumbing assessment with a proposed layout, not a tile-shopping trip.
Identify what is actually there
Ask the plumber to identify each pipe, trace its purpose and destination, and assess whether further investigation or testing is needed. Collect available permit drawings and inspection records. A capped opening is evidence of a pipe, not evidence that every hidden detail was completed correctly.
Check the location against finished wall faces and the actual fixture specifications. Measurements from bare concrete can become misleading after walls, insulation, and finishes are added.
Separate three questions
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Can the fixtures drain properly? | Pipe elevations and the available connection affect gravity drainage or pumping. |
| Is the venting arrangement suitable? | A drain connection alone does not establish a complete plumbing system. |
| Does the layout fit? | Toilet, shower, door, and vanity need usable space after finishing. |
A pipe a little off-centre can be harmless for one fixture and inconvenient for another. Have the layout checked with the chosen products, rather than asking the installer to make them fit later.
A suite adds another layer
Ontario's second-unit guide addresses plumbing as part of a complete dwelling conversion. An old bathroom rough-in does not establish that a proposed suite meets the applicable requirements for the whole project.
Consider the kitchen, laundry, water supply, drainage, and any backwater protection alongside the bathroom. The existing pipes may still save work, but the savings should follow the assessment.
Keep testing ahead of concealment
Toronto's inspection schedule includes plumbing rough-in and testing stages. Confirm the requirements for altered or newly connected work with the local inspector before covering it.
Ask for a marked-up plan showing what stays, what moves, and what remains uncertain. That is enough to make the next design decision sensibly. The best version of "already roughed in" is a useful head start with the remaining work clearly named.