Most people plan the kitchen for months. The outside tap gets about ten seconds of thought, usually when the builder asks, “Where do you want it?” Then the house is finished, the garden is laid out, and you find the tap is nowhere near the veg beds, the car, or the shed.
Fixing that later means drilling through a finished wall and digging up pipework. A little planning now saves a lot of hassle. This building-a-house checklist focuses on one small but useful item: outdoor taps. You will learn where to place them, which rules apply, how to protect them from frost, and what it costs. You will also see a stage-by-stage list you can hand to your plumber. Whether you are self-building or reviewing a developer’s plans, you will know exactly what to ask.
Why Outside Tap Placement Deserves a Place on Your Checklist
An outside tap seems minor. But it touches several parts of a build, including plumbing, groundworks, landscaping, and winter protection. It is far cheaper to decide on positions while the walls are open.
It Is a Plumbing Decision First
The pipe has to run from your cold supply through the wall to the outside face. That route is easy before plaster and cladding go on. It is awkward afterwards, especially with solid walls or insulation in the way.
It Is a Safety and Rules Decision Too
UK water rules apply to outside taps. We cover them below, because a legal install protects your drinking water, and it also keeps you on the right side of your water company.
The Rules You Need to Know Before You Choose a Spot
The key point is simple. An outside tap must have backflow protection. This stops dirty hose water from flowing back into the mains.
The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 say outside taps should always have a double-check valve to prevent backflow. Homes built since 1999 usually have an inline valve in the supply pipe, while older homes tend to have it built into the tap.
For a new build, one water company fact sheet says the outside tap needs a service valve and a double check valve. Rules can vary slightly, so ask your water supplier or plumber to confirm what applies to you.
Why It Matters
This is not just red tape. The water industry warns that bacteria such as Legionella can grow quickly in warm, stagnant water. A hose left in a bucket or pond can siphon dirty water back into the house supply.
Check Valves Wear Out
A compliant valve is not a fit-and-forget part. The same source notes the British Standard says check valves should be replaced every ten years. Put a reminder in your home maintenance diary.
Smart Places to Put Outside Taps
Think about how you will use the garden, not just where the pipe is easiest to run. Two taps are usually better than one in a medium or large plot.
| Location | Why It Works | Handy Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rear of the house, near the patio | Watering pots, cleaning furniture, filling a paddling pool | Choose a spot away from doors and windows. |
| Front of the house | Washing the car, rinsing the drive, topping up planters | Keep it out of direct view where possible. |
| Side access or gate path | Quick access for bins, bikes, and muddy boots | A good place for a hose reel |
| Near the garage or workshop | Cleaning tools and filling buckets | Easy to link to a rainwater butt |
| By the veg patch or greenhouse | Long hoses are the main reason people stop watering | Saves dragging a 30 m hose |
| Near a deck or outdoor kitchen | Rinsing hands and tools | Plan before you build the deck. |
Aim for the Right Height
Many installers fit the tap at a comfortable height above the ground, often around waist level or lower. That makes it easy to fill a watering can. Check the finished ground level first, since paving and soil can change it.
Keep It Away From Electrics
Outdoor sockets and lights near a tap need careful planning, because water and electricity do not mix. Our electrical safety tips explain what to watch for. Read about electricians and Part P registration and how to approach choosing an electrician before you place outdoor power.
Protect Your Taps From Frost
This is the part many people skip. In the UK, the first hard frost often arrives in autumn. A burst pipe in a wall can flood a room before you notice.
Fit an Isolation Valve Inside
One trade guide says an indoor isolation valve lets you shut off and drain the outside tap each winter without affecting the rest of the house. You turn the valve off inside, then open the outside tap to let the last water run out.
Consider a Frost Proof Tap.
A frost-proof through-wall tap has a long stem. According to a UK trade source, it keeps the shut-off point inside the heated wall, so the external part drains when you close it.
Make It a Habit
Drain taps down when the weather turns cold. Our winter tips for the eco-friendly and green autumn preparation guides fit nicely into a seasonal routine.
What It Costs to Add an Outside Tap
Adding a tap while the house is open is usually cheap. A trade source lists materials such as the bib tap and double check valve at about £20 to £60, with an indoor isolation valve at roughly £15 to £40 extra. Labor comes on top and varies by region.
The same source describes a simple install as about an hour of work when the pipe is easy to reach. A tap added during the first fix, before the walls are closed, is far easier than one drilled in later. Prices change, so ask your plumber for a written quote.
Your Building a House Checklist for Outside Taps
Use this list to keep the job on track. Share it with your plumber and site manager.
Before Groundworks
- Mark the garden layout and where you want each tap
- Note any plans for a deck, shed, greenhouse, or hot tub
- Check with your water company about any rules for your site
During First Fix
- Run the pipe through the wall before insulation and cladding
- Fit a service or isolation valve inside the warm part of the house
- Fit a double check valve, or choose a tap that includes one
- Add insulation to exposed pipework
During Second Fix and Landscaping
- Fit the tap and wall plate at a sensible height
- Test for leaks and flow before the paving goes down
- Add a hose reel, hose guard, or butt if wanted
At Handover
- Label the isolation valve so everyone knows where it is
- Note the date of the check valve for future replacement
- Keep the paperwork in your home file
A Real-Life Example
Picture a couple building a three-bedroom house on a sloping plot. Their plan showed one outside tap at the back door. Their plumber asked about the garden before the first fix.
They planned a vegetable bed at the bottom of the plot and a deck to the side. So they added a second tap on the side wall, near the bins, and kept the deck plan clear of it. Both taps got an indoor isolation valve and a double check valve. The extra tap cost little at that stage.
A year later, they reached every corner of the garden with a short hose. And when the first frost came, they drained both taps in two minutes. It is a good example of how small choices early make everyday life easier.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing only one tap for a large garden
- Fitting a tap with no backflow protection
- Skipping the indoor isolation valve
- Putting a tap where a deck or paving will block it
- Placing sockets and taps too close together
- Forgetting to drain down before the first frost
More Planning Ideas
Outdoor water use can also help you live more sustainably. Read about green homes and how they are gaining popularity for water-saving ideas. If you plan outdoor entertaining, see adding a deck. Want smarter control over watering? Look at home automation. If you plan to change wiring in an older property, check when you will need an electrical rewiring, and compare the factors that affect electrician costs.
Conclusion
A good building a house checklist includes the small stuff. Plan outside taps while the walls are open, place them where you will really use them, and fit proper backflow protection. Add an indoor isolation valve, drain down before frost, and replace check valves on schedule.
Ready to act? Print a plan of your plot, mark where you would use a hose, and take it to your plumber before first fixing. Two minutes of planning now will make garden jobs easier for years.
FAQs
Does an outside tap need a double check valve in the UK?
Yes. UK water rules say outside taps need backflow protection, usually a double check valve. Some taps have one built in.
Where is the best place to put an outside tap on a new build?
Near where you will use it most, such as the patio, veg bed, or side access. Many homes benefit from two taps.
How do I stop an outside tap from freezing?
Fit an indoor isolation valve, turn it off before frost, and open the outside tap to drain. A frost-proof tap also helps.
How much does it cost to fit an outside tap in the UK?
Materials are often about £20 to £60, plus around £15 to £40 for an indoor isolation valve. Labor is extra and varies by area.
How often should an outside tap check valve be replaced?
The water industry advises about every ten years, in line with British Standard guidance. Check the age of yours.