Wellington Tapware Upgrades & Replacement
Tapware does two jobs: it moves water, and it sets the tone of the room. A dripping kitchen mixer tells guests the kitchen hasn’t been looked after. A clean modern tapware upgrade — sometimes as little as an hour’s work — lifts a bathroom or kitchen more than new tiles.
Southern installs and services every major NZ brand: Felton, Methven, Greens, Paini, Mizu, Dorf, Plumbline. 40+ years, Master Plumbers, Certifying Plumber on staff. Call 0800 484 353.
Kitchen Mixers & Sink Tap Replacement
Kitchen mixers get the hardest life of any tap in the house — multiple uses an hour, constant temperature changes, hot pan splashes. Most last 7-12 years; cheaper units fail sooner.
- Pull-out and pull-down spray mixers
- Gooseneck mixers for deep sinks
- Filtered-water mixers (separate filter tap)
- Boiling and chilled water units (Zip, Billi, Methven)
- Sensor / touchless mixers
We coordinate with your kitchen renovation or do standalone swaps. Usually finished in an hour.
Bathroom Tapware, Showers & Mixers
- Basin mixers — single-lever, wall-mounted, three-hole sets
- Shower mixers — external (easier to service, cheaper to install) or internal
- Shower roses — rain heads, handheld sliders, dual systems
- Bath mixers and spouts
- Toilet cisterns and buttons
If you’re running low-pressure hot water, the shower mixer has to match — a mains-pressure unit on a low-pressure system gives you worse flow. See our water pressure page if you’re not sure what you have. Full bathroom renovations also available.
Laundry Taps — Repair or Replace?
Many older Wellington laundries have a four-tap setup — two tub taps and two washing machine taps. The taps themselves can sometimes cost more than a new tub to replace. We’ll look at your setup and give you options:
- Replace washers or spindles on existing taps (cheapest, short-term)
- Swap all four taps with modern mixer-style units
- Upgrade the lot to a modern 2-drawer tub unit with a mixer — usually better value at resale
Full laundry renovations available if you want a proper upgrade.
Repair or Replace?
Repair makes sense when:
- The tap is under 5 years old
- It’s a single washer, O-ring or cartridge failing
- The finish is still in good condition
- The brand is still made and parts are available
Replace makes sense when:
- The tap is 10+ years old and parts are hard to find
- The finish is pitted or discoloured
- You’re already doing other work in the room
- Repair cost is more than half of a replacement
- You want a style change
Fixed-Price Tapware Swaps, Same Day
Simple tapware swaps are free to quote — tell us the brand and model you want installed and we’ll give you a fixed price. Most single-mixer replacements are finished in under an hour. Stocked vans across Wellington, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua and the Kapiti Coast.
Call 0800 484 353 or request a quote online. Your Job On Time, or It’s Free. SuperGold discount available — just mention your card when you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
A standard kitchen or basin mixer swap is typically under an hour — assuming the existing isolation valves work. If we need to fit new under-bench shut-offs first, allow 60-90 minutes total.