Plumbing quotes fail for one reason more than any other: what is behind the wall is not known until the wall is open. The job of the quotation is to price what you can see and be explicit about what you cannot.
Line items that belong on a plumbing quote
| Item | How it is usually priced |
|---|---|
| Callout / assessment | Fixed fee, often credited against the job if accepted |
| Labour | Hourly, with a stated minimum, and a separate after-hours rate |
| Materials | Listed individually with quantities, not bundled into labour |
| Geyser and fittings | Named by capacity and make, since the client is comparing |
| Isolator, drip tray, vacuum breaker, tray outlet | Separate lines. These are what a cheaper quote leaves out |
| Removal and disposal of the old unit | A line, or an explicit exclusion |
| Compliance certificate | Where required, priced separately |
Listing the small compliance parts individually is not padding. It is how a client compares your quote against one that omitted them, and it is the difference between looking expensive and looking complete.
Exclusions that earn their place
- Making good after access: chasing, plaster, tiling, painting
- Ceiling repairs where access is required from above
- Replacement of existing pipework found to be corroded
- Electrical work, including reconnection where a certificate is required
- Rubble removal
- Any work arising from a pre-existing leak not identified at quotation
The third one is the money clause. Quote the geyser, exclude the pipework you cannot see, and say that any replacement will be quoted before it is carried out.
Callouts and after-hours
Emergency work is a different commercial arrangement to a scheduled job and should be quoted as one. State the callout fee, the after-hours rate, and whether the callout is credited if the client proceeds. A client who calls at 21:00 with a burst pipe is not comparing quotes, but they will compare the invoice afterwards against what they were told on the phone.
Getting paid on plumbing work
- Deposit covering materials on any job with a geyser or significant parts
- Balance on completion, invoiced the same day
- For insurance work, confirm who is paying before you start, and get it in writing
- For body corporate or managing agent work, ask for the purchase order up front
Insurance and managing agent work are the two places plumbers most often carry the cost for months. Both have paperwork requirements that are easier to satisfy before the job than after it.
Common questions
Should the callout fee be credited if they accept?
Many plumbers do, and it converts well. Say so on the quote either way.
Do I need a compliance certificate for a geyser?
Requirements vary by municipality and by the nature of the work. Confirm what applies in your area and price it as a separate line.
How long should a plumbing quote be valid?
Fourteen days is common where materials are involved, because supplier pricing moves.
Save your parts and rates once, and build a plumbing quote from your own price list.
Create a professional quotationDisclaimer: This content is for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax, accounting or financial advice. Always confirm important requirements with SARS, the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
