How to quote a plumbing job (hot water, gas and repairs)
Fixtures, hot water, gas fitting and blocked drains. What to check, how to price the common items, how to show rebates, and a hot water example that adds up.
Updated
Plumbing quotes range from a $200 tap swap to a $5,000 gas hot water install. The common thread: see the job properly, price the parts and labour separately where it helps, and be clear about what's certified.
What to check on site
- Access. Under the house, in the roof, behind tiles. Difficult access is real time and should be priced.
- The existing setup. For hot water: electric, gas, heat pump or solar; size; location; age. For gas: existing point or a new run, and how far.
- Pipe material and condition. Old galvanised pipe can turn a simple job into a bigger one.
- Drains. Any history of blockages, tree roots, previous repairs.
- What the customer is supplying. Tapware and fixtures supplied by the customer change your warranty and your price.
How to price the common items
Rough starting prices for common plumbing and gas items, ex GST. Use your own costs and rates; these are only a sanity check:
| Item | Rough starting price (ex GST) |
|---|---|
| Tap or mixer, supplied and fitted | $200 each |
| Toilet suite, supplied and fitted | $400 each |
| Basin or vanity, supplied and fitted | $450 each |
| Dishwasher connect | $200 each |
| Hot water unit supplied | from $1,300 |
| Hot water install labour, like for like | $700 |
| Tempering valve | $220 |
| Compliance certificate | $150 |
| Gas hot water, continuous flow, supplied and installed | $2,900 |
| Gas cooktop connect to existing point | $250 |
| New gas point, up to 5m of pipe | $450 |
| Extra gas pipe run | $65 a metre |
| Blocked drain clear, high-pressure jetter | $380 a drain |
| CCTV drain camera inspection and report | $300 |
| Call-out | $100 |
| Labour | $120 an hour ($180 after hours) |
Rebates
On hot water and heat pump jobs, the customer may be eligible for small-scale technology certificates (STCs) and state rebates. Show them as a separate negative line so the saving is visible, and say clearly that it depends on eligibility. Don't promise a rebate amount you can't confirm.
A worked example
Like-for-like electric hot water replacement:
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Hot water unit supplied | $1,300.00 |
| Install labour, like for like | $700.00 |
| Tempering valve | $220.00 |
| Compliance certificate | $150.00 |
| Subtotal (ex GST) | $2,370.00 |
| GST (10%) | $237.00 |
| Total including GST | $2,607.00 |
An optional extra could be a pick-one choice between two unit sizes, so the customer chooses the one that suits their household.
Licence and compliance notes
- Plumbing and gas fitting are licensed work in every state and territory. Gas fitting usually needs its own licence or endorsement.
- Certificates. Most states require a certificate of compliance for regulated plumbing and gas work. Include it on the quote.
- Show your licence number on the quote.
- Backflow devices need regular testing and lodgement in many areas. If you do this work, quote it as its own item.
Check with your state's plumbing regulator for the exact rules and certificate requirements.
Quoting by job type
Fixtures
Ask whether the customer is supplying tapware, toilets or vanities. If they are, quote fitting only and say your warranty covers your workmanship, not their product. If you're supplying, give a pick-one choice between a standard and an upgraded fixture.
Hot water
Note the current system, its size and location, and whether the customer wants like for like or a change (for example electric to heat pump or gas). A change of system type usually means extra work: new gas run, new circuit, a slab or relocation. Quote those as separate lines so the customer sees why the price is higher than a straight swap.
Gas fitting
Measure the run from the meter or existing point. Quote the appliance connection, any new point, extra pipe per metre, pressure testing and the gas compliance certificate.
Blocked drains and repairs
Quote the clear as a fixed price per drain where you can, and offer a camera inspection as an extra. If the camera finds a broken pipe, send a new quote for the repair. Don't guess at it on the first visit.
Mistakes to avoid
- Fixed-pricing a leak you haven't found. Use a call-out and hourly estimate until you know the cause. See quote vs estimate.
- Forgetting removal and disposal of the old unit.
- Hiding the rebate maths. Show the full price, the rebate and the net, so there's no confusion.
- No access allowance. Tight subfloors and high roofs take longer. Price it in.
Make it quick to send
Karven brings up common plumbing and gas items with starting prices as you type, keeps your profit private, and lets the customer accept and pay a deposit on their phone. See Karven for plumbers, or grab a free plumbing quote template. For setting your own rates, see how to price a job.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Check your state's plumbing and gas regulator for licensing and certification rules.
Common questions
- How do plumbers quote a hot water replacement?
- Quote the unit, the install labour, any extra parts (tempering valve, valves, pipe), the compliance certificate and removal of the old unit. If a rebate applies, show it as its own line so the customer sees the saving.
- Should a plumber charge a call-out fee?
- For service and repair work, yes. A call-out fee covers travel and the first part of the job. Say what it includes, and quote labour by the hour after that.
- How do I quote a blocked drain?
- Usually as a fixed price for the clear (for example a high-pressure jetter clear per drain), with a camera inspection as an extra. If you find a broken pipe, quote the repair separately once you know what's needed.
- Do I need to include a compliance certificate?
- Most states require a certificate of compliance for regulated plumbing and gas work. Include it on the quote so the customer knows they'll receive one.
- How do I show a rebate on a quote?
- As a separate negative line (for example 'Rebate: STC and state'), with a note that it depends on eligibility. That way the total is clear and the customer understands where the saving comes from.
Write and send the quote from your phone
With Karven, your customer gets a clear quote, you keep a private breakdown, and a follow-up is ready when a quote goes quiet.
- A clear quote on their phone
- Your private breakdown, kept for later
- Follow-ups Karven writes for you
Free for 21 days, with no card needed.
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