Plumbing Invoice Example: Annotated Template with Line Items
See a complete plumbing invoice example with annotated fields, sample line items, and explanations of what to include and why.
Sample plumbing invoice
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| From | Reliable Plumbing Services, License #PL-29847, 1540 Industrial Way, Phoenix, AZ 85009, office@reliableplumbingaz.com, (602) 555-0174 |
| To | Sandra and Mike Torres, 4215 E Cactus Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85032 |
| Invoice # | RPS-6284 |
| Invoice Date | April 3, 2026 |
| Due Date | Due upon receipt |
| Service Address | 4215 E Cactus Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85032 |
| Work Order | WO-2026-0419 |
| # | Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service call -- diagnostic and inspection fee | 1 | $89.00 | $89.00 |
| 2 | Labor -- water heater replacement (tank removal, new install, testing) | 3 hrs | $125.00/hr | $375.00 |
| 3 | 50-gallon gas water heater (Rheem ProTerra XE50) | 1 | $1,180.00 | $1,180.00 |
| 4 | Flexible water supply lines (3/4") | 2 | $18.50 | $37.00 |
| 5 | Gas flex connector and shut-off valve | 1 | $42.00 | $42.00 |
| 6 | Haul-away and disposal of old water heater | 1 | $75.00 | $75.00 |
| Subtotal | $1,798.00 |
| Sales Tax on Parts (8.6%) | $108.63 |
| Total Due | $1,906.63 |
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
| Line Item | Typical Rate Range |
|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic fee | $50 -- $150 |
| Labor (per hour) | $75 -- $200 |
| Water heater replacement (unit + install) | $1,200 -- $3,500 |
| Drain cleaning / snaking | $150 -- $400 |
| Toilet replacement (unit + install) | $300 -- $800 |
| Pipe repair / leak fix | $200 -- $1,000 |
| Faucet installation | $150 -- $400 |
| Sewer line camera inspection | $200 -- $500 |
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
- Always list your license number -- it is legally required in most states and builds client trust.
- Separate parts from labor so clients can see exactly what they are paying for.
- Include permit numbers on the invoice for any permitted work -- the homeowner needs this for their records.
- 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.
Create professional plumbing invoices with the InvoiceQuickly plumbing template.
Practitioners writing for practitioners. Our editorial team includes invoicing, AP, tax, and small-business operations specialists with combined 50+ years of hands-on experience.
Free Invoice Checklist
Download our 15-point invoice checklist to make sure every invoice you send is complete, professional, and tax-compliant.
Free PDF, no spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Related guides
Accounting Invoice Example: Annotated Template with Line Items
See a complete accounting invoice example with annotated fields, sample line items, and explanations of what to include and why.
Catering Invoice Example: Annotated Template with Line Items
See a complete catering invoice example with annotated fields, sample line items, and explanations of what to include and why.
Cleaning Service Invoice Example: Annotated Template with Line Items
See a complete cleaning service invoice example with annotated fields, sample line items, and explanations of what to include and why.
Construction Invoice Example: Annotated Template with Line Items
See a complete construction invoice example with annotated fields, sample line items, and explanations of what to include and why.
Get invoicing tips that actually help
Join 5,000+ freelancers and small business owners. One email per week with practical invoicing advice, tax tips, and product updates.
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.