Free plumbing estimate template

A fill-in estimate for plumbing service calls and fixture jobs: toilets, faucets, water heaters, disposals, shutoff valves, and drain clearing, with your pricing basis written on it. Type it in on this page, then print it or save it as a PDF to send. The gray hints in each line are only suggestions and don't print.

Nothing leaves your device. Everything you type into the estimate stays in this browser tab. It isn't uploaded, saved, or sent anywhere, so refreshing or closing the page clears it. Save as PDF before you close it.

What a plumbing estimate should spell out

"Fix the leak under the sink" can turn into a new valve, a new trap, or a section of old pipe. Writing down how you price, what each line covers, and what happens when you find more keeps the job and the bill from turning into an argument. A few habits help:

• State your pricing basis. Say on the estimate whether the job is flat rate (a set price per task), time and materials (your hourly rate plus parts), or a mix. If you charge a service call or trip fee, put it on its own line and say what it covers (for example the trip and the diagnosis) and whether it's credited toward the job if the customer goes ahead.
• One line per fixture or task. Replace a toilet, replace a kitchen faucet, replace a disposal, replace a shutoff valve, clear a drain: each gets its own line, so the customer can see what each costs and drop one without a re-quote. For drain clearing, say which drain and how you'll clear it.
• Water heaters: tank or tankless, and like for like or not. Write the type and size coming out and going in. Switching from a tank to a tankless unit (or the other way) is a different job from a like-for-like swap, so price it on its own line.
• Check local code on water heaters. Code requirements for water heater installs (for example expansion tanks, venting, or other parts) vary by place. Check your local code and the manufacturer's install instructions before you quote, and put anything the install needs on its own line instead of finding it on the day.
• Parts and materials, and who supplies the fixtures. Put parts and materials on their own line, or say they're included in each flat price. Say whether you supply the fixture or the customer does. If the customer supplies it, say what you cover: for example, your installation, but not the fixture itself, missing or wrong parts, or an extra trip if it doesn't fit. If the customer asks for water-efficient fixtures, the EPA's WaterSense label marks toilets, faucets, showerheads, and other products certified to use less water.
• Access: walls, ceilings, and crawlspaces are stop and price. If reaching a pipe means opening a wall or ceiling, or working in a crawlspace, say you'll stop, show the customer, and price it before going on. Say plainly whether patching and drywall repair afterward is included or not included.
• Old pipe, corroded valves, and code upgrades: stop and price. A corroded shutoff valve that won't close, old pipe that breaks when you touch it, or a part that has to be brought up to current code can change the job. Say you'll stop and price that work as a change before doing it.
• Haul-away of old fixtures. Say whether you'll take away the old toilet, water heater, or disposal, and put any haul-away or disposal charge on its own line.
• Permits and inspection. Say who pulls the permit, if one is needed, and who schedules the inspection. Put the permit and inspection fee on its own line.
• Gas line work. Work on gas lines is often restricted to licensed professionals. Check your local rules before you quote it, and if you do it, give it its own line. This page doesn't give instructions for gas work.
• Emergency and after-hours rate. If you charge a different rate for nights, weekends, holidays, or emergency calls, write that rate on its own line so it isn't a surprise on the invoice.
• Warranty: parts vs. workmanship. Parts and fixtures carry the manufacturer's warranty, on their terms. Your workmanship terms cover your installation. Keep them separate on the estimate, and write your own workmanship terms (what's covered, for how long, and what isn't). Don't promise coverage you don't control.
• Valid-until date, deposit, and payment terms. How long the price holds (part prices can change), any deposit to schedule or to order a fixture, when the balance is due, and how you take payment, including your own payment link if you use one. See how to ask for a deposit for wording.

For the longer walk-through (scope wording, exclusions, change orders, sign-off), see how to write a contractor estimate.

This is a general template, not legal advice. Many places require a licensed plumber, and a permit, for some plumbing work. Rules vary by state and city, so check yours before you quote.

Your estimate

Job done? Use the free printable invoice template to bill for it. Need a plain version without plumbing hints? Use the general estimate template. Fixing other things on the same visit? Use the handyman estimate template. Patching a wall or ceiling you opened to reach a pipe? Use the drywall estimate template.

Doing this from your phone

Pencilslip is in development: it will build plumbing estimates like this from your phone, with job photos and your own payment links. Want to hear when it's ready?

We'll send you a confirmation email soon. After you confirm, we'll email you only about Pencilslip's launch and founding access. Unsubscribe anytime with one click. See our privacy policy.

Want to try it now? The early app preview already works in your phone's browser: estimates, invoices, job photos, your own payment link, and a PDF you can send. No account needed. It saves only on this device, so download a backup from Settings now and then.