Plumbing bid template with flat-rate and time-and-material pricing. Service call structure, parts markup, and warranty terms. Real market rates. Free.
Plumbing bids need to address two things clients consistently misunderstand: the service call fee and parts markup. Clients often think paying a service call fee means they're getting the repair free, or they expect parts at Home Depot prices. A clear bid that separates diagnostic fee, labor, and materials — and explains why parts are marked up — prevents the most common disputes before they happen. The sample below covers a common service call: water heater replacement.
Bid from
Clearwater Plumbing
Prepared for
Nathan & Priya Chandra
April 2026
Water Heater Replacement Bid
Remove and dispose of existing 40-gallon gas water heater (12 years old). Supply and install new 40-gallon gas water heater (Bradford White, 6-year warranty). Includes new flex supply lines, T&P relief valve, and expansion tank (required by current code). Relight pilot and test operation.
Water heater (Bradford White RE240T6, 40-gal gas): $680 Expansion tank (code-required, closed system): $95 Flex lines, T&P valve, fittings: $65 Labor (removal + installation, approx. 2.5 hrs): $325 Permit (city of record, if required): $85 Disposal fee (old unit): $45 Total: $1,295 Alternative: 50-gallon unit available for $1,495 total.
Removal and licensed disposal of existing unit, all new connection hardware per current code, expansion tank (required for closed systems), final inspection of all connections, pilot lighting and testing, and permit application if required by jurisdiction.
Venting upgrades or replacement (additional cost if existing vent is non-code-compliant), gas line extension or upgrade, drywall patching if access is needed, earthquake strapping (available at $85 if not present), and tankless conversion (quoted separately).
Equipment: 6-year manufacturer warranty (Bradford White) on tank and parts. Labor warranty: 1 year on all workmanship. Any failure due to installation error is repaired at no charge within the warranty period. Warranty void if unit is modified by another party.
Payment due on completion. Credit card, check, Zelle, or Venmo accepted. $35 credit card processing fee for charges over $1,000. Service call fee ($95) applied toward total if work proceeds.
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These ranges reflect common pricing in mid-tier U.S. markets. Rates vary by region, crew size, and job complexity.
| Service | Typical Rate |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic fee | $75–$150 |
| Water heater replacement (40-gal gas, installed) | $1,100–$1,800 |
| Faucet replacement (labor only) | $150–$275 |
| Toilet replacement (labor only) | $200–$350 |
| Drain clearing (standard snake) | $150–$300 |
| Whole-house repipe (per sq ft of home) | $3–$8/sq ft |
State your service call fee upfront and explain what it covers. Clients who don't expect a $95 diagnostic fee get upset when they see it on the invoice. A bid that says 'Service call fee $95, applied toward total if work proceeds' sets the right expectation before anyone opens a door.
Line-item parts at cost plus markup, not as a lump 'materials' number. Clients see 'materials: $350' and think you're adding mystery charges. Showing 'Bradford White water heater: $680' tells them exactly what they're paying for and why it's not the Home Depot price (which doesn't include delivery, warranty registration, or your standing account discount).
Include the permit cost, or note when it's required. Permits for water heater replacements are required in most jurisdictions. Clients who don't know this get surprised. A bid that includes permit in the line items builds trust. A bid that omits it, then adds it to the invoice, creates friction.
Specify equipment brand and model. 'New 40-gallon water heater' is not a spec. 'Bradford White RE240T6, 40-gallon, 6-year warranty' is. Clients can look it up. It also protects you from the client who expected a Rheem A.O. Smith and now claims you installed a cheaper unit.
Always address code compliance. Expansion tanks, T&P valves, and seismic strapping requirements vary by jurisdiction but are non-negotiable. A bid that notes 'expansion tank required by current code' explains why the price is higher than the client's brother-in-law said it should be.
Most plumbing pricing uses one of two models: flat rate (set price per job type) or time-and-material (hourly labor plus parts). Flat rate is better for repeat, predictable jobs (faucet swap, toilet replacement, water heater). T&M is better for diagnostic work or anything open-ended. Common rates: service call $75–$150, journeyman plumber $100–$175/hr, master plumber $150–$250/hr. Parts are typically marked up 25–50% over wholesale cost.
Scope of work (what you're doing and why), equipment specifications by brand and model, parts list with costs, labor estimate, permit cost if applicable, disposal fees, warranty terms, and what is not included. The not-included section is critical — most plumbing jobs uncover additional issues (corroded shut-offs, out-of-code venting, damaged subfloor under a leak). Calling this out in advance protects you when you find something unexpected.
Yes, for any job that requires a site visit before you can quote accurately. A $75–$150 diagnostic fee, applied toward the job if you proceed, is standard and filters out clients who just want free professional advice. The exception: obvious small jobs (dripping faucet, running toilet) where the phone quote is accurate enough and waiving the fee wins the job without losing money.
Stop work and contact the client before proceeding. This sounds simple but is hard to maintain in practice — it's tempting to fix the corroded shut-off valve while you're in there and charge it on the invoice. But clients who get a surprise charge after the fact, without approval, create disputes even if the work was necessary. A change order habit, reinforced in your bid language, makes the conversation easier.
Most water heater replacements, gas line work, and any new fixture installation require a permit. Drain clearing and faucet/toilet swaps typically don't. Requirements vary by jurisdiction — when in doubt, pull the permit. An unpermitted water heater that causes a flood may void the client's homeowner insurance, and the liability comes back to you. Permit costs are always passed to the client and should be line-itemed in the bid.
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