Plumbing Invoice Example: Annotated Template with Line Items

TL;DR: A plumbing invoice should list the service address, separate labor from parts, include your license number, and describe the work performed in enough detail for warranty purposes. Below is a fully annotated example.

Sample plumbing invoice

Payment Terms: Due upon receipt. Cash, check, or credit card accepted. Financing available for jobs over $1,000.

Notes: New water heater carries a 6-year manufacturer warranty. Installation warranty: 1 year on labor. Permit #PHX-2026-BP-04192 pulled and inspection scheduled for April 10. Old unit disposed per Maricopa County regulations.

Field-by-field breakdown

• From: Business name, license number (required in most states), address, email, and phone.
• To: Homeowner's name and billing address.
• Service address: Where the work was performed -- may differ from billing address for landlords or property managers.
• Work order: Internal reference that links to your dispatch or scheduling system.
• Service call fee: The diagnostic visit charge, often waived if the client approves the repair.
• Labor: Hours worked at your hourly rate, with a brief description of the work performed.
• Parts and materials: Each part on its own line with brand/model when relevant.
• Tax: Most states tax parts/materials but not labor. Arizona taxes parts; labor for real property improvements is generally exempt.
• Warranty and permit info: Include in notes for the customer's records.

Common line items for plumbers

Variations

• Flat-rate pricing: Many plumbers use a flat-rate book instead of hourly billing. The invoice shows a single price per repair type.
• Emergency / after-hours: Add a separate line for the after-hours surcharge (typically 1.5x-2x the standard rate).
• Commercial plumbing: Includes purchase order references, prevailing wage rates, and potentially certified payroll documentation.
• Warranty work: Note "No charge -- warranty repair" on the line item and reference the original invoice number.

Tips for plumbing invoicing

1. Always list your license number -- it is legally required in most states and builds client trust.
2. Separate parts from labor so clients can see exactly what they are paying for.
3. Include permit numbers on the invoice for any permitted work -- the homeowner needs this for their records.
4. Collect payment at completion for residential work. Net terms are more common for commercial accounts.

FAQ

Q: Do I charge sales tax on plumbing labor? A: In most states, labor for real property improvements is exempt. However, parts and materials are almost always taxable. Some states (like Hawaii) tax everything. Check your state.

Q: Should I include the cost of the parts I buy at wholesale? A: Standard practice is to mark up parts 20-50% over your wholesale cost. The invoice shows the retail price to the customer.

Q: How do I handle warranty claims? A: Create an invoice showing the repair at $0.00 with a note referencing the original invoice and warranty terms. This keeps your records clean.

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Create professional plumbing invoices with the InvoiceQuickly plumbing template.