Aerial view of the Lot 236 slab with the underground plumbing stub-ups in place before the pour.
Project snapshot
- Builder: M/I Homes, Turnleaf community
- Project: New single-family model home and sales center (Amelia plan, 2.5 baths), 13519 Everbreeze Ln, Punta Gorda, FL 33955
- Our role: Plumbing subcontractor, furnish-and-install of the complete plumbing system
- Scope: Underground PVC sanitary, PEX water distribution, city water service with backflow preventer, rough-in and tub set, 50-gallon electric water heater, fixtures and Moen trim
- Timeline: Underground in early June 2026, water service and backflow in late June, rough-in and tub set in July, and trim from late July 2026.
The Challenge
A model home is the builder's showroom. Every fixture has to look perfect on opening day, and the schedule leaves no slack. The work required:
- A tight model-home schedule. The house ran on a fast turnaround so the sales center could open on time.
- Showroom-quality finishes. Matching brushed-nickel trim in every bath and the kitchen, set straight and clean.
- Plan revisions. The revised plans turned a bedroom into a den and moved the powder bath, laundry and A/C closet, so our layout had to follow the updated drawings.
- City water with backflow protection. A new service connection with a backflow preventer, as the utility requires.
Our Solution, Stage by Stage
1. Underground
We laid out and installed the PVC sanitary drains and water stub-ups under the slab to the revised plans, tested them and had them inspected before backfill and the slab pour. The aerial view above shows the stub-ups in place on the prepared slab.
2. Rough-In and Tub Set
With the walls framed, we ran the PEX (Uponor) water distribution and the drain, waste and vent piping, set the tub and shower valves, and roughed in the kitchen, laundry, three baths and the water heater location.
3. Water Service and Backflow Prevention
We connected the home to city water at the meter, installed a 3/4-inch backflow preventer on copper risers and provided temporary water for the other trades.
New brass backflow preventer on copper risers, tagged and ready for the city water connection.
Backflow assembly and meter box set at the water service.
4. Water Heater and Kitchen
A 50-gallon electric water heater with insulated piping and a full-port shutoff serves the house. In the kitchen we installed the undermount sink faucet, disposal with an air switch, and the dishwasher and ice maker connections.
50-gallon electric water heater with insulated hot line and a full-port shutoff.
Kitchen: undermount stainless sink with brushed-nickel faucet and disposal air switch on the quartz top.
Garbage disposal and dishwasher connections neatly installed under the kitchen sink.
5. Bathrooms: Trim and Fixtures
Every bath got matching Moen Genta brushed-nickel trim: lavatory faucets, tub and shower valves and showerheads, plus comfort-height toilets and a pedestal lavatory in the powder bath.
Powder bath: pedestal lavatory with a single-handle brushed-nickel faucet.
Lavatory faucet trim, set square and tested.
Tub/shower valve trim and spout in brushed nickel on marble-look tile.
Square brushed-nickel showerhead on the finished shower tile.
Primary bath walk-in shower, fully trimmed out.
Comfort-height toilet set on finished tile.
6. Laundry
The laundry has a recessed washer outlet box with hot and cold shutoffs, ready for the appliances.
Laundry washer box with hot and cold supplies connected.
Project Highlights
- Complete system: underground, rough-in, tub set, water service and trim by one crew.
- Modern materials: PVC sanitary drains and PEX water distribution.
- Backflow protection: a new backflow preventer on the city water service.
- Consistent finish: brushed-nickel Moen Genta trim throughout the kitchen and baths.
- Built to the Florida Building Code – Plumbing, per the approved plans.
Results
- Inspections: underground plumbing inspected and approved before backfill.
- Trim complete: kitchen, three baths, laundry and water heater, ready for the model home opening.
The entrance to the new Turnleaf community in Punta Gorda.
Building new homes in Southwest Florida?
DCH Plumbing partners with home builders on new communities and model homes across Southwest Florida. Call +1 239-357-8107.
