Eagle InvoicePlumbers quote template
Plumbing quotes live and die on the call-out fee. Clients accept a call-out when it's written down up front; they argue about it when it appears as a surprise on the invoice. Put it at the top of every quote.
What a plumber quote should include
- Call-out fee stated separately, including what it covers (e.g. first 30 minutes on site)
- Fixed price per job where possible, or an hourly rate with a realistic hour estimate
- Parts and materials listed separately from labour, with any markup made clear
- After-hours or emergency rates called out if the job might trigger them
- Compliance certificate where required (in Victoria, plumbing work of $750+ needs one)
- What's excluded — e.g. repairing walls or tiles after access
- Your ABN, licence number, GST treatment, and quote validity period
Sample line items
| Line item | Unit | Typical range* |
|---|---|---|
| Call-out fee (includes first 30 minutes) | per visit | $80–$120 |
| Labour after call-out period | per hour | $90–$150 |
| Tap or mixer replacement — supply + install | per fixture | $180–$350 |
| Blocked drain — electric eel or jetting | per job | $250–$450 |
| Hot water unit — supply + install | per job | $1,800–$3,200 |
*Illustrative ranges only — every market and job is different, so set rates that work for your business. Eagle Invoice lets you save your own line items and reuse them on every quote.
Quoting tips from the field
- State the call-out fee on the quote even when the job is small — it sets the expectation before you knock on the door.
- Quote 'supply and install' as one line with the part named. If the client wants a cheaper tap, that's their choice to make before work starts.
- Add a line for what happens if the job opens up into something bigger (e.g. corroded pipe behind the wall): 'Additional work quoted and approved before proceeding.'
- Note who pays for access damage. Cutting into a tiled wall to reach a pipe is part of the job; re-tiling usually isn't.
Common questions
Do plumbers charge GST on quotes?
If you're registered for GST, show the ex-GST amount, the 10% GST, and the total separately — clients trust a quote they can follow. Once the job is done, the invoice for anything over $82.50 (incl. GST) must be a proper tax invoice showing your ABN.
When does plumbing work need a compliance certificate?
Rules vary by state. In Victoria, a licensed plumber must issue a compliance certificate for most work valued at $750 or more, and for specific work like gasfitting regardless of value. Mentioning the certificate in your quote signals you're licensed and doing it properly.
Should I quote hourly or fixed price for plumbing?
Fixed price wins more residential jobs because the client knows the total before saying yes. Keep hourly rates for genuinely open-ended fault-finding, and even then cap the hours you'll spend before checking in.