Plumbing Pricing Calculator
Price a plumbing job as a flat rate from your time, parts, travel and overhead, plus your margin. The calculator gives the job price, the price per fixture and what you earn per labour hour, so a flat rate quote is based on your real costs.
| Labour cost | $105 |
| Overhead | $79 |
| Total job cost | $604 |
| Price to quote | $929 |
| Profit | $325 |
| Markup on cost | 53.8% |
| Price per fixture | $464.42 |
| Revenue per labour hour | $310 |
Before sales tax, GST or HST. Works in any currency: the $ is just a label. Example numbers only: replace them with your own costs.
What to count in a plumbing price
- Time on the job plus travel, parts runs and cleanup
- Fixtures, valves, fittings, supply lines and sealants at your cost
- Disposal of old fixtures and travel
- Overhead such as insurance, licensing, vehicle stock and software
- Your margin after all costs
Worked example
With one person for 3 hours at $35 an hour, $380 in parts and fittings, $40 in travel and disposal, 15% overhead and a 35% margin, the job costs $604 and the price comes to $929. That is $464.42 per fixture for 2 fixtures, $325 profit, and a 53.8% markup on cost.
Margin is not markup
Margin is profit as a share of the price; markup is profit as a share of your cost. A 30% margin needs a 42.9% markup, because the profit is measured against a smaller number. Mixing the two up can leave a busy season with less money than you planned. This calculator asks for the margin you want and shows the matching markup.
The Plumbing Estimate & Job Costing workbook (C$19.00, Excel, also opens in Google Sheets) keeps your rates in one price book, builds a printable client quote, and tracks what each job really cost and made, so your next price is based on your own numbers.
Questions
HOW DO I BUILD A FLAT RATE PRICE BOOK?
Run the calculator once for each common task, such as a toilet swap or a water heater, and keep the results as your flat rates. Review them when parts prices change.
WHAT ABOUT EMERGENCY CALLS?
Run it with the after hours wage you pay and any call out cost so the emergency rate covers them.
This calculator is a planning tool, not financial or tax advice. Check the results against your own records before you rely on them.