Sending a professional quote is one of the most powerful things you can do to win more plumbing jobs, but most plumbers either skip it, scribble a price on a piece of paper, or send an email with a single number.
That's leaving money on the table. Customers who receive a clear, itemised quote with your business name, scope of work, and payment terms are significantly more likely to say yes, and to trust you enough to pay on time.
In this guide you'll get a free plumber quote template you can download and use today, plus a breakdown of what to include, how to price common jobs in the UK, and how to send quotes professionally without any admin faff.
Free download
Plumber Quote Template (PDF)
Professional layout. Includes labour, materials, VAT, and terms. Ready to fill in and send.
What should a plumbing quote include?
A good plumbing quote is clear, professional, and gives the customer everything they need to say yes. Here's what every quote should include:
- Your business name, address, phone number, and email
- Your Gas Safe registration number (if applicable)
- Customer name and address
- A unique quote reference number (makes follow-ups easier)
- Date the quote was issued and the date it expires (typically 30 days)
- A clear description of the work to be done: what's included and what isn't
- Itemised costs: labour (hours × day rate) and materials separately
- VAT amount (if you're VAT registered)
- Total price including VAT
- Payment terms: deposit required, when the balance is due
- Notes on any assumptions (e.g. 'price assumes no concealed pipework')
- Your signature or acceptance method
UK plumbing prices in 2026: what to charge
One of the most common questions from plumbers is: am I charging the right amount?Here's a breakdown of typical UK plumbing job prices in 2026:
Standard hourly and day rates
The average plumber day rate in the UK is £200–£300 per day (8 hours). Hourly rates range from £40–£80/hour depending on location and specialism:
- London and South East: £60–£100/hour
- Midlands and North: £40–£65/hour
- Scotland and Wales: £35–£60/hour
Emergency/out-of-hours callouts typically attract a premium of 50–100% on top of your standard rate. Always quote this separately so customers aren't surprised.
Common job prices
| Job type | Low | High | Avg (UK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiler service | £80 | £120 | £95 |
| Blocked drain (simple) | £60 | £150 | £90 |
| Leaking tap repair | £50 | £100 | £70 |
| Toilet replacement | £150 | £300 | £200 |
| New bathroom installation | £1,500 | £5,000 | £2,800 |
| Central heating installation | £2,500 | £5,500 | £3,500 |
| Boiler replacement | £1,800 | £3,500 | £2,400 |
Prices are estimates for UK mainland, 2026. Rates vary by region. London typically 20-30% higher.
Should you charge for the initial quote visit?
This is a legitimate debate. Most plumbers offer free quotes for straightforward jobs. For complex work (full bathroom installs, central heating, etc.), charging a £50–£100 survey fee (refundable if you win the job) is increasingly common and filters out tyre-kickers. If you decide to charge, mention it upfront and explain the value.
How to write a winning plumbing quote
The difference between a quote that wins the job and one that doesn't usually isn't price. It's trust and professionalism. Here's how to give yourself the best chance:
1. Send it the same day
Speed signals reliability. If a customer is getting three quotes and yours arrives first, you're already ahead. Aim to send your quote within 24 hours of the site visit, ideally the same evening. Tradespal lets you build and send quotes from your phone on the way home.
2. Be specific about what's included
"Install new bathroom: £2,800" is a weak quote. "Supply and install new close-coupled toilet, basin and mixer tap, P-trap waste, and isolating valves. Includes all pipework adjustments within 300mm of existing connections. Tiling and decoration not included." is a quote that wins jobs. Specificity builds confidence.
3. Break out labour and materials
Itemising your quote shows you're not hiding anything in a lump sum. Customers can see what they're paying for, and it makes upsells easier ("I can also replace that 30-year-old stopcock for an extra £40 while I'm there").
4. Give a validity date
Material prices change. Labour rates change. A quote without an expiry date can come back to haunt you six months later when a customer asks you to honour it. 30 days is standard.
5. Ask for a deposit
For any job over £500, requesting a 20–30% deposit is completely normal and protects you if the customer cancels or ghosts you. State this clearly in the quote. Most customers expect it.
6. Follow up
If you haven't heard back in 3–5 days, send a quick follow-up message. A simple "Just checking you received the quote. Happy to answer any questions" wins a surprising number of jobs that would otherwise have gone quiet.
Sending quotes digitally vs paper
Paper quotes and email attachments are increasingly a disadvantage. Customers expect to be able to view, accept, and pay from their phone. Digital quotes:
- Get opened faster (push notification vs letter sitting on a doormat)
- Let customers accept with a single tap
- Allow e-signatures (legally binding, no printing required)
- Convert to invoices instantly, reducing admin time
- Tell you when the customer has viewed the quote
Tradespal sends a professional quote link that customers open on any device. They can review it, sign it, and you get notified the moment they do. No chasing. Try it free →
Free download
Plumber Quote Template (PDF)
Professional layout. Includes labour, materials, VAT, and terms. Ready to fill in and send.
Frequently asked questions
Is a verbal quote legally binding in the UK?
A verbal quote can be legally binding in the UK, but it's almost impossible to enforce without written evidence. Always follow up any verbal discussion with a written quote. It protects both you and the customer. A signed written quote is much harder to dispute.
Do I need to be VAT registered to send a quote?
No. If you're below the VAT threshold (£90,000 turnover in 2026), you don't charge VAT. Your quote should show your total price with a note that it excludes VAT. Once you register, you must clearly show the VAT amount and your VAT registration number on all quotes and invoices.
How long should a plumbing quote be valid for?
30 days is standard practice. For complex jobs where you're sourcing materials, you may want to shorten this to 14 days if prices are volatile. Always include a validity date. It creates urgency and protects you from price changes.
Can I charge for a quote visit?
Yes, especially for complex jobs. Many experienced plumbers charge a survey fee of £50–£100, refundable on booking. It filters out time-wasters and signals professionalism. Always mention this before the visit. Don't surprise customers with a charge they weren't expecting.
What's the difference between a quote and an estimate?
A quote is a fixed price for specified work: if you quote £400, you should charge £400 barring agreed variations. An estimate is an approximate cost that may change. In practice many tradespeople use the terms interchangeably, but legally they're different. Be clear about which you're providing.
Do I need to include my Gas Safe number on a plumbing quote?
You must have a Gas Safe registration to carry out gas work in the UK. It's good practice to include your Gas Safe number on quotes and invoices for gas-related work. It builds trust and is sometimes required by landlords and letting agents.