Plumbing quote
Plumbing quote example for a hot water system replacement
A plumbing quote should separate the product from the labour, say what is removed and what certificate is issued, and tell the customer how long they will be without water. This example from a Central Coast plumber replaces a failed electric storage unit with a 270 litre heat pump for $4,640 including GST, with two small extras the customer can add.
The quote, page by page
Every page as the client sees it and as it prints, pricing table included.
The pricing, line by line
- Heat pump hot water unit, 270 litres
- 1 × $3,450.00
- Removal of the old unit
- 1 × $180.00
- Installation and connection
- 1 × $890.00
- Compliance and paperwork
- 1 × $120.00
- Off peak timer (optional)
- 1 × $160.00
- Isolation valve replacement (optional)
- 1 × $140.00
- Tax
- $421.82
- Total
- $4,640.00
- Deposit due on acceptance
- $1,856.00
Section by section
- Title and quote details
- Reference, date, a 14 day expiry and the customer, under a letterhead with the plumbing licence number.
- Scope
- Why the old unit is replaced, where the new one goes, the tempering valve and six hours without hot water, then four inclusions and a note on heat pumps.
- Investment
- The unit, removal, installation and compliance, with an off peak timer and an isolation valve as options, GST included.
- Terms
- A 40% deposit for the unit, electrical work quoted separately, a 12 month workmanship warranty and validity.
- Next steps and acceptance
- Accept online with a signature, then the installation is booked.
What makes a plumbing quote easy to accept
Hot water quotes are usually written in a hurry, because the customer has no hot water. The quote that wins is the one the customer can understand at a glance and trust without a second opinion. This one opens with a plain diagnosis: the tank has failed and cannot be repaired. It says exactly what replaces it and where, names the safety parts, and promises the certificate of compliance. It prices the product apart from the work, so the customer can see what a different brand would change. And it gives a time without water, which is what the household needs to plan the day.
How the price is built
The 270 litre heat pump unit is $3,450, removal and disposal of the old unit $180, installation with the tempering valve and condensate drain $890, and compliance and paperwork $120, a total of $4,640 including GST. The quote is set to tax inclusive because the customer is a household; the summary shows the GST share. The off peak timer at $160 and the isolation valve at $140 are optional and marked as suggestions; with both, the total is $4,940. The 40% deposit is higher than for an electrical job because the unit is most of the cost and has to be ordered before installation.
How to adapt this quote
Put the diagnosis in the first line of the scope: what failed and whether it can be repaired. Price the unit separately so you can offer a second option if the customer asks. Name the compliance certificate your state requires and include it in the price. Say whether other trades are needed; a heat pump in a new position may need an electrician, and clause 2 makes that clear. If there is a rebate or incentive available for heat pumps in your area, check the current rules before mentioning it, because they change often and the customer will hold you to it.
What makes this quote work
Product and labour are apart
The unit is $3,450 and the work to remove the old one, install and certify the new one is three lines totalling $1,190. A customer comparing quotes can see whether a cheaper quote is a cheaper unit or less work.
It says what a day without hot water looks like
The scope says the unit goes in the same position beside the laundry and the household will be without hot water for about six hours. That is the practical question behind every hot water quote, answered before it is asked.
The tempering valve is named
The installation line and the scope both name the tempering valve set to 50 degrees at the taps, and testing it is in the inclusions. It is a safety requirement for bathroom hot water, and naming it shows the plumber is quoting the whole job.
Questions people ask
What should a plumbing quote include?
What is wrong and what will be done, the product and its size, removal of the old one, installation details including safety valves, the certificate you will issue, how long the water will be off, optional extras, GST, payment terms, warranty and validity. This example covers each on three A4 pages.
How much does it cost to replace a hot water system?
It depends on the type and size of unit and the installation. This example quotes $4,640 including GST to replace a failed 250 litre electric unit with a 270 litre heat pump in the same position, including removal, a tempering valve and the compliance certificate. A like for like electric unit would cost less upfront.
Does a plumber have to give a certificate of compliance?
In New South Wales a licensed plumber must lodge a certificate of compliance for most plumbing work and give a copy to the customer, and other states have similar rules. This quote includes the certificate in a $120 compliance line and lists it in the inclusions, so the customer knows to expect it.
Why does a plumber ask for a deposit on a hot water system?
Because the unit is most of the cost and must be ordered before the job. This quote asks for 40% on acceptance, issued as an invoice with a card pay link, and invoices the balance on completion. The deposit protects the plumber if the customer changes their mind after the unit arrives.
Are plumbing quote prices fixed?
A quote is a fixed price for the work described, unlike an estimate. This one says what is included and that any electrical work needed for a new position is quoted separately. If the job turns out to be different from what was quoted, the plumber should explain and agree any change before doing it.
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