Overview
Fire sprinkler systems are designed before they're priced, and the hydraulic calc is the line that proves the system works
Fire sprinkler installation is a regulated design-and-install trade. The customer is rarely choosing on price alone; the system has to be designed to a recognised standard (BS EN 12845, NFPA 13, AS 2118, or local equivalent), the hydraulic calculation has to prove the system delivers the required density at the worst-case head, and the pump and water supply have to be sized to match. A flat 'sprinkler system, $48,000' quote that doesn't show the design, the hydraulic calc, and the commissioning test isn't a quote that the building control officer can approve. The cheap quote that skips the design work is offering a system that won't actually put out the fire.
QuoteGenio gives sprinkler installers a quoting shape built for design-led work. Survey and risk assessment as the first line, system design and hydraulic calculation, pipework by metre with the spec named (steel, copper, CPVC), sprinkler heads by type and temperature rating, alarm valve and flow switch, water supply provision (tank, pump, town main), control panel, install labour by phase, commissioning test with witnessed activation, and the certification pack. Send via email or WhatsApp to the project manager or building control contact, take staged deposits at design and install, raise progress invoices, and the final invoice closes with the commissioning certificate filed against the building's fire safety register.
Who it is for
Who uses QuoteGenio
Built for every type of sprinkler installation and retrofit business.
The problem
The quoting problems every sprinkler installer faces
Sprinkler projects are priced by head, by metre, by hanger, and by alarm point. Hand-pricing every line on every revision burns your week.
Repricing every scope change
A spec change moves head counts and pipe runs. Redoing the spreadsheet for every RFI turns a one-hour task into a whole day.
Unclear pipe and hanger allowances
Clients push back on lump-sum pipework every time. Without a transparent per-metre line your margin gets argued down on every project.
Losing work to faster bidders
Main contractors want sprinkler prices on the same day they ask. If your quote takes 48 hours you are not on the shortlist.
The fix
QuoteGenio fixes that
A clean, fast quoting workflow designed around how sprinkler installers actually scope work. Per head, per metre, per alarm point.
The payoff
What you get with QuoteGenio
The everyday wins that add up across a year of quoting and invoicing.
Built for sprinkler work
Line items for heads, pipe, hangers, valves, flow switches, and alarm tie-ins. Structured the way sprinkler installers actually price a building.
SANS 10287 and BS-EN ready
Bake hazard class, density, and design code into your templates so every quote references the right standard for the building occupancy.
Works from the site walk
Measure pipe runs and head counts on-site, build the quote on your phone, and WhatsApp the PDF before you drive back to the yard.
Revisions in minutes
Duplicate a quote, update the head count, re-issue. When the consulting engineer changes the hazard class you stay ahead of the spec.
Built for your trade
Quoting calibrated to how fire sprinkler installers actually work
Pick your trade in Settings and the entire quote flow switches to fit. Line item presets, compliance fields, on-the-quote calculators, and per-m² / after-hours pricing all change to match your industry.
Trade-specific line items
Quick add picker pre-fills the common items your trade quotes. Skip the blank rows.
Brand-specific catalogues
Pylontech, Hikvision, Canadian Solar, Sunsynk and others pre-named. Pick the brand, the description writes itself.
Compliance fields built in
IOPSA, ECASA, PIRB, PSIRA, NHBRC, SAQCC. Set once. Every quote prints them under FROM.
Registration expiry alerts
Dashboard notification 60 days before your PSIRA, CoC or any dated registration lapses.
Per-m² / hour / day billing
Unit selector on every line item: m², hr, linear m, days. Stop doing the maths externally.
After-hours and emergency
1.5× and 2× multipliers as a one-tap toggle. Customer sees the breakdown on the quote.
Quote-flow calculators
Solar size, battery backup, cable run cost. Compute on the spot, drop straight onto the quote.
Staged payments
Deposit on acceptance + balance on completion as two separate amounts on the quote PDF.
Scope-of-work checklist
Structured Included / Not included lists. Client acceptance = signing the scope.
Site-survey mode
Log a location per line item: camera positions, fixtures by room, sensors by zone.
Regional rate hints
Pricing ranges per item per currency shown as you quote.
Free on every plan
All of the above included on the free plan. Premium is for capacity, not the trade tooling.
Why QuoteGenio
Why Fire Sprinkler Installers choose QuoteGenio
The tools that matter most when you are quoting on-site, under pressure, and between jobs.
Quote from your phone
Most Fire Sprinkler Installers build and send quotes directly from the job site. No laptop, no office, no delays.
Win more jobs, faster
The first professional quote a client receives usually wins. Respond in minutes, not hours.
Quote to invoice in one click
When the job is accepted, convert to an invoice instantly. No retyping, no double entry.
Pricing guide
Typical Fire Sprinkler Installers job pricing
A rough guide to what sprinkler installers charge for common scopes. Pricing varies with hazard class (light, ordinary group 1-3, high hazard), building height, pipe material, and whether the system is wet, dry, or pre-action. Use these as a reference when you build your own rate card.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Sprinkler design (small building, ordinary hazard) | R19,832 - R62,803 |
| Pendant sprinkler head (supply & install) | R1,074 - R2,314 |
| Sidewall sprinkler head (supply & install) | R1,157 - R2,562 |
| Pipework (galvanised steel, supply & install) | R529 - R1,240 |
| Flow switch and tamper switch (installed) | R5,289 - R11,238 |
| Alarm panel integration | R14,048 - R39,665 |
| Wet riser install (4 storey) | R140,480 - R363,594 |
Pricing converted from USD to ZAR at indicative rates. Rates vary significantly by country, region, currency, and market.
Call-out fees
A site survey for sprinkler pricing should be a paid line item. Most installers charge R1,240 to R2,479 for a standard daytime survey of a small site, and 1.5x to 2x for after-hours or occupied industrial work. Show it on the quote so the client sees the measurement time is real work.
Hourly vs fixed pricing
Use hourly pricing (R1,240 to R1,983 per hour) for design work, surveys, and unknown-scope retrofits. Use fixed pricing per head and per metre of pipe for clear new-build scopes where the drawings are final. Combine both on retrofits with a provisional sum for hidden pipework.
See it in action
Example quote breakdown
Here is what a clean, itemised sprinkler retrofit quote looks like. Design, heads, pipework, switches, integration, and commissioning are all priced separately. Transparent quotes win retrofit work because the consulting engineer can tick off every SANS 10287 requirement line by line.
Try it yourself
Job size
Region
Sample quote
Wet pipe sprinkler retrofit, 400m² retail unit
Design and hydraulic calculation (SANS 10287)
Pendant sprinkler heads (supply & install)
Galvanised pipework (supply & install)
Flow switch and tamper switch (riser)
Alarm panel tie-in and commissioning
Hydrostatic test and handover certificate
| Description | Qty | Rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and hydraulic calculation (SANS 10287) | 1 | R27,270 | R27,270 |
| Pendant sprinkler heads (supply & install) | 38 | R1,570 | R59,662 |
| Galvanised pipework (supply & install) | 145 | R859 / m | R124,614 |
| Flow switch and tamper switch (riser) | 1 | R8,594 | R8,594 |
| Alarm panel tie-in and commissioning | 1 | R21,155 | R21,155 |
| Hydrostatic test and handover certificate | 1 | R10,743 | R10,743 |
| Subtotal | R252,037 | ||
| Tax (10%) | R25,204 | ||
| Total incl. tax | R277,240 | ||
Totals recalculate as you change the controls above. Tax rate inferred from the sample quote.
Items often forgotten
The hydrostatic test, the flushing and chlorination of new pipework, the signed-off as-built drawings, the flow switch wiring back to the fire panel, and the handover commissioning visit. Add these to your standard sprinkler template so you stop eating them on every job.
Peer snapshot
How Fire Sprinkler Installers actually use QuoteGenio
Indicative activity for Fire Sprinkler Installers on the platform. Use it as a benchmark for how often to quote and how fast to respond.
35
Quotes sent per month
43%
Average quote acceptance
3 min
Median time to send quote
R277,240
Typical quote value
Figures are indicative platform averages for this trade segment.
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Avoid these
Common quoting mistakes
We talk to a lot of sprinkler installers. The same scoping gaps come up again and again. Fixing these protects your margin, keeps consulting engineers happy, and avoids the painful argument at handover.
Mistake: Quoting pipework as a lump sum
Better: Price pipework per metre by diameter. Clients and consulting engineers can sanity check it, and if the scope changes you just adjust the metres. Lump-sum pipework invites arguments on every revision.
Mistake: Ignoring hazard class in the quote
Better: State the hazard class (OH1, OH2, OH3, HH) on the quote. It drives density, head spacing, and pipe size. If the class changes later, you have evidence the old price no longer applies.
Mistake: No line for flushing and hydrostatic test
Better: Flushing, chlorination on potable supplies, and the hydrostatic test are mandatory and chargeable. Always list them as their own lines so you do not lose a day of labour for free.
Mistake: Excluding alarm tie-in by accident
Better: State on the quote whether the flow switch wiring to the fire panel is included or excluded. A confused scope here gets argued over on every commissioning day.
Mistake: No allowance for hanger upgrades
Better: Existing structure often cannot take sprinkler pipe weight without new hangers or steelwork. Add a provisional sum for hanger upgrades on retrofits so you have a named budget for it.
Mistake: Forgetting the commissioning visit
Better: The final commissioning and flow test visit is a separate trip with a witness present. List it as its own line with an hour allocation so you do not absorb the travel and standing time.
Mistake: Short quote validity on imported heads
Better: Viking, Tyco, and Reliable heads are dollar or euro priced. Set a 14 day validity (QuoteGenio adds it to the PDF) so you do not honour an old price after an exchange rate move.
Mistake: No follow-up after sending the quote
Better: Most quotes that don't close, don't close because nobody followed up. Send a polite check-in 48 hours after the quote lands, and a second nudge at day 7. Two of every three accepted quotes get there because someone followed up.
Step by step
How to quote sprinkler installs
Survey the site before you price a head. Measure pipe runs by diameter, count heads by type (pendant, sidewall, ESFR K25 or K28 for warehouses), and confirm hazard class in writing: OH1, OH2, OH3, or high hazard. Note system type (wet, dry, pre-action, or deluge), check pump room and tank space, and flag retrofits where existing structure may not carry sprinkler pipe without hanger upgrades. Record ceiling void access, asbestos risk in older buildings, and whether the tenant is occupied (that drives after-hours work). Photograph the proposed riser location and confirm the alarm panel tie-in point.
Itemise design, heads, pipework, valves, and commissioning on separate lines. Price pipework per metre by diameter instead of a lump sum so consulting engineers and clients can sanity check and you can adjust cleanly when scope changes. State hazard class on the quote because it drives density, head spacing, and pipe size. List pendant and sidewall heads separately with make and K-factor named. Flushing, chlorination on potable supplies, and the hydrostatic test are chargeable and deserve their own lines. On retrofits add a provisional sum for hanger upgrades, a contingency for hidden pipework, and name whether flow switch wiring to the fire panel is included. Always list the final commissioning visit with witness present as its own line.
Set a 14 day validity because Viking, Tyco, and Reliable heads are dollar or euro priced and the exchange rate moves daily. For projects over $ 10,000 take a 30 to 40 percent deposit to cover pipe, heads, and valve orders. State on the quote which code the design follows (SANS 10287, BS-EN 12845, NFPA 13, or FM Global) because insurers and multinational occupiers specify different ones, and it drives tank and pump sizing. Add a named retention release at end of defects liability. For warehouse ESFR work state the maximum storage height the design supports, because any later change to racking invalidates protection and needs a re-quote.
Turnaround matters. Main contractors want sprinkler prices on the same day they ask, and a 48 hour delay drops you off the shortlist. Build the quote on your phone at the site walk, send the branded PDF as a WhatsApp link before you drive back to the yard, and follow up within two days. When the consulting engineer changes hazard class, duplicate the quote in QuoteGenio, update head count and pipe metres, and re-issue with a clear version number. Split larger jobs into design, supply, install, and commissioning phases so progress invoices match the work signed off rather than one lump-sum claim at handover.
FAQ
Common questions from sprinkler installers
Everything you need to know before getting started.
Yes. QuoteGenio lets you add as many line items as you need with their own quantity and rate. Price heads per unit, pipework per metre, and alarm integration as a lump sum all on the same quote.
Yes. Once the quote is built, share it as a link via WhatsApp. The main contractor or facilities manager opens a professional branded PDF on their phone instantly.
Duplicate the existing quote, update the head count and pipe metres, and issue a new version. The client gets the updated PDF with a clear version number so everyone knows which scope is live.
Yes. Every quote has a unique public link with a time-stamped accept button. No account, no app, no paperwork scanning.
Yes. Use line items or section headings to split the scope into phases. Then invoice against each phase as it completes so your progress claims match the original quote.
Yes. The free plan gives you 5 quotes and 2 invoices per month with no credit card required. Upgrade to Premium for unlimited quotes, invoices, statements, and reports.
Wet systems are cheaper per head because they use standard pipework and a single riser. Dry systems need an air compressor, a dry valve, and galvanised pipe throughout, which typically adds 20 to 35 percent on hardware plus the pressurisation kit. Pre-action systems add detection wiring on top of that. Price each system type from its own template so you do not accidentally apply wet-system rates to a dry project.
SANS 10287 is the South African sprinkler code, BS-EN 12845 is the European equivalent, and NFPA 13 is the US version. Most local insurers accept SANS 10287 but some multinational occupiers insist on BS-EN or FM Global. State clearly on the quote which code the design complies with. It affects head spacing, density, water supply duration, and therefore tank and pump sizing.
Depends on scope. If you are the principal fire contractor on a turnkey install, include the tank and pump set with named make, model, and duty. If the mechanical contractor is supplying them, exclude them clearly on the quote with a note that you pick up from the pump discharge flange and take responsibility from there on.
Early Suppression Fast Response sprinklers are high flow, high pressure, and require specific K-factor heads (typically K25 or K28) with limited obstructions. Price the design separately because the hydraulic calc is heavier than ordinary hazard. State the maximum storage height the design supports, because any change to racking or commodity class after install invalidates the protection.
Still have questions? We would rather answer them now than after you have signed up.
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Guides
Guides for Fire Sprinkler Installers
Practical advice to help you quote better, get paid faster, and grow your business.
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