Plumbers send invoices for service calls, repairs, fixture installations, water heater replacements, drain clearing, repipes, and new construction rough-in and finish work. Most are solo operators or small shops with one to five trucks, billing homeowners, landlords, property managers, and general contractors. A good invoice separates labor, parts, and trip charges so the customer can see what they paid for.
Create an invoice for payment collection
Upload logo
PDF will be generated with filename:
Invoice_1001_Client_2026-10-14.pdf
Plumbers price in two main ways. Service and repair work is usually billed either by the hour with a trip or service call fee, or by flat-rate pricing, where each task (replace a toilet fill valve, clear a kitchen drain) has a set price that includes typical labor and parts. Larger jobs such as water heater replacements, sewer line repairs, bathroom rough-ins, and repipes are normally quoted as a flat fee for the whole job, often with progress payments. Parts and materials are typically marked up 15-50% over cost to cover sourcing, warranty, and trips to the supply house. Emergency, after-hours, weekend, and holiday calls often carry a higher hourly rate or a fixed surcharge. New construction work for builders is often bid per fixture or per phase (underground, rough-in, trim-out).
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Service call / trip charge (diagnosis) | per visit | $75-200 |
| Standard labor rate | per hour | $85-200 |
| Emergency or after-hours labor | per hour | $150-300 |
| Drain clearing (sink, tub, or toilet) | flat fee | $150-400 |
| Toilet replacement (customer or plumber supplied) | flat fee | $250-600 |
| Tank water heater replacement (40-50 gal, installed) | flat fee | $1,200-2,800 |
| Garbage disposal install | flat fee | $200-500 |
| Main sewer line camera inspection | flat fee | $150-500 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service call and diagnosis, no hot water | 1 visit | $125.00 | $125.00 |
| Remove and dispose of old 40-gal gas water heater | 1 flat fee | $150.00 | $150.00 |
| 40-gal gas water heater (6-year warranty), supplied and installed | 1 each | $925.00 | $925.00 |
| Install labor, vent connection, gas line, and testing | 3.5 hours | $125.00 | $437.50 |
| Flex connectors, dielectric nipples, T&P valve, and fittings | 1 lot | $85.00 | $85.00 |
| Expansion tank, installed | 1 each | $110.00 | $110.00 |
| Total | $1,832.50 | ||
Notes: Payment due on completion. Check, card, or ACH accepted. Water heater carries a 6-year manufacturer tank warranty; installation labor is warranted for 1 year. Permit pulled under license #PL-12345. A 1.5% monthly fee applies to balances over 30 days past due.
Many states and cities require the license number on invoices, estimates, and ads, and it tells the customer you are legitimate.
Landlords, property managers, and insurers often need to match the invoice to a specific unit or claim.
Customers dispute lump sums more often than itemized charges, and itemizing supports your markup and hours.
Warranty claims and future repairs depend on knowing exactly what was installed, such as the water heater model or faucet cartridge.
Water heaters, repipes, and sewer work often need permits. A record helps with home sales and insurance.
These are the charges customers question most, so showing them clearly prevents pushback.
It sets expectations and limits disputes about leaks or failures that appear later.
Residential service work is usually due on completion, often collected by card on site or by a payment link sent right after. Larger jobs commonly take a deposit of 25-50% to cover materials and permits, with a progress payment at rough-in and the balance after final inspection. Commercial and contractor accounts are typically net 15 to net 30, and builders may pay on a draw schedule. Late fees of 1-2% per month are common, but check your state's rules and put the fee in writing on the estimate or invoice. Many plumbers accept cards, checks, and ACH, and add a small card-fee policy only where local law allows.
Residential service calls are easiest to collect on the spot while the customer sees the finished work. Send the invoice from your phone before you pull out of the driveway.
Tubs, specialty faucets, tankless units, and custom fixtures can be hard to return. Collect a deposit or the full part cost before ordering.
Your trip charge covers your time and truck. Tell the customer up front that it applies whether or not they approve the work, and put it on the invoice.
Hidden rotted pipes, galvanized lines, or code upgrades behind a wall often change the scope. Get a signed or texted approval and add the extra work as a separate line item.
Attach or note material costs per job so your markup is consistent and you can justify charges if challenged. It also makes tax time simpler.
Both work. Flat-rate pricing is common for repeatable tasks like toilet installs and drain clearing because customers know the cost before you start. Hourly with a trip fee suits unpredictable troubleshooting. Whatever you choose, tell the customer before work begins.
Many plumbers mark up parts 15-50%, with higher percentages on small items like fittings and lower percentages on expensive items like water heaters. The markup covers sourcing, handling, warranty risk, and the time spent getting the part.
Most plumbers cover travel with a trip charge or service call fee, sometimes with extra mileage for jobs outside the normal service area. List it as its own line so it is clear.
Send a written reminder referencing the invoice and agreed terms, then follow up by phone. Depending on your state, you may be able to file a mechanic's lien on real property, but deadlines and notice rules vary, so check local requirements or ask an attorney.
It depends on the state. Some tax materials only, some tax labor and materials, and some treat repair and new construction differently. Check with your state revenue department or an accountant.
Send a Plumber estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Plumber estimate template