Overview
Plumbing work has two quoting modes, and both belong on a proper quote
Most plumbers run two parallel quoting modes. Emergency call-outs are time and materials: an after-hours rate, a call-out fee that covers the drive, parts at retail plus a margin, and labour from the moment the van leaves. Scheduled work like a geyser swap, a bathroom rough-in, or a leak repair is closer to a fixed-price quote. The customer wants certainty, you want protection against scope creep. Mixing the two on a single rate card is how plumbers lose money on every emergency that turns into a half-day.
QuoteGenio supports both modes from the same workflow. Quote a fixed bathroom install with labour days, materials at supplier price, and a 10 percent contingency for hidden pipework. Quote an emergency with a call-out, a per-hour rate that triggers after the first 30 minutes, and consumables as a separate line. Send via WhatsApp from the customer's house, take a deposit on accepted installs, and convert the same record to an invoice when the job is signed off. The two-rate structure stops being a spreadsheet exercise.
Who it is for
Who uses QuoteGenio
Built for every type of plumbing and water services business.
The problem
The quoting headaches every plumber knows
Quoting is one of the most time-consuming parts of running a plumbing business. It doesn't have to be.
Quoting takes too long
Writing up quotes after a call-out eats into your evening, time you'd rather spend on the tools or at home.
Unprofessional presentation
Hand-written or plain text quotes make you look less reliable than the competitor who shows up with a polished PDF.
Slow responses lose jobs
Clients compare multiple plumbers. If your quote takes a day, they've already accepted someone else's.
The fix
QuoteGenio makes it simple
A faster, cleaner workflow built around how plumbers actually work. On the road, on-site, and on the phone.
The payoff
What you get with QuoteGenio
The everyday wins that add up across a year of quoting and invoicing.
Built for plumbers
Line items for labour, materials, call-out fees, and VAT. Everything a plumbing quote needs, nothing it doesn't.
Works from your phone
Create and send a quote while you're still at the job. No laptop needed. Just your phone.
Quote in under 2 minutes
A structured workflow that gets you from blank page to sent quote before your next call-out.
Track payments easily
Know which invoices are outstanding and follow up with one tap. No spreadsheet required.
Built for your trade
Quoting calibrated to how plumbers 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 Plumbers choose QuoteGenio
The tools that matter most when you are quoting on-site, under pressure, and between jobs.
Quote from your phone
Most Plumbers 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 Plumbers job pricing
A rough guide to what South African plumbers charge for common jobs. Pricing varies by region, after-hours timing, and whether the job is residential or commercial. Use these as a sanity check when building your own rates, not as fixed numbers.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Standard call-out (first hour) | R1,240 - R2,479 |
| Drain unblock (kitchen or basin) | R1,983 - R4,628 |
| Tap or faucet replacement (labour only) | R1,240 - R2,644 |
| Toilet flush mechanism repair | R1,818 - R3,966 |
| Burst pipe repair (accessible) | R2,975 - R9,090 |
| Water heater replacement (40 gal, electric) | R15,701 - R36,359 |
| Full bathroom re-plumb | R46,276 - R140,480 |
Pricing converted from USD to ZAR at indicative rates. Rates vary significantly by country, region, currency, and market.
Call-out fees
A call-out fee covers your time to drive out and diagnose. Most plumbers charge R1,240 to R2,479 for a standard daytime call-out, and 1.5x to 2x that for after-hours. Build it into every quote as a separate line so clients see you value your time on the road, not just on the tools.
Hourly vs fixed pricing
Use hourly pricing (typically R1,240 to R1,983 per hour) for diagnostic or unknown-scope work. Use fixed pricing for clear jobs like geyser swaps, tap installs, and routine plumbing. Mix both on the same quote if it suits the job.
See it in action
Example quote breakdown
Here's what a clean, itemised quote for a typical geyser replacement looks like. Notice how every cost is visible: labour, parts, compliance items, and disposal. Transparent quotes win jobs because they kill objections before the client has to ask.
Try it yourself
Job size
Region
Sample quote
Water heater replacement, 40 gal electric
Call-out fee
40 gal electric water heater (mid-range)
Expansion tank, drip pan, PRV
Labour (remove old unit, install new, test)
Haul-away and disposal of old unit
| Description | Qty | Rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Call-out fee | 1 | R1,570 | R1,570 |
| 40 gal electric water heater (mid-range) | 1 | R10,247 | R10,247 |
| Expansion tank, drip pan, PRV | 1 | R2,066 | R2,066 |
| Labour (remove old unit, install new, test) | 4 | R1,405 / hr | R5,619 |
| Haul-away and disposal of old unit | 1 | R744 | R744 |
| Subtotal | R20,246 | ||
| Tax (10%) | R2,025 | ||
| Total incl. tax | R22,270 | ||
Totals recalculate as you change the controls above. Tax rate inferred from the sample quote.
Items often forgotten
Disposal of the old unit, drip tray, vacuum breaker, pressure relief valve, isolation valve, and the trip back if a part isn't available on the van. Add these as standard lines on your template so you stop absorbing them out of your margin.
Peer snapshot
How Plumbers actually use QuoteGenio
Indicative activity for Plumbers on the platform. Use it as a benchmark for how often to quote and how fast to respond.
14
Quotes sent per month
50%
Average quote acceptance
2 min
Median time to send quote
R22,270
Typical quote value
Figures are indicative platform averages for this trade segment.
Start quoting Plumber jobs like this, free
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Avoid these
Common quoting mistakes
We talk to a lot of plumbers. The same pricing and quoting mistakes come up again and again. Fixing these will protect your margin and speed up how fast clients say yes.
Mistake: Forgetting the call-out fee
Better: Build a fixed call-out into every quote template. Your first hour on the road is still paid time.
Mistake: Quoting labour as one lump sum
Better: Itemise labour by hours. Clients accept a clear hourly line faster than a vague 'labour: R2,975'.
Mistake: Leaving VAT off until the client asks
Better: Always show VAT as a line on the quote. Surprise VAT at invoice stage kills trust.
Mistake: Not specifying the part brand
Better: Write 'Kwikot 150L' instead of 'geyser'. Protects you when the client later compares to a cheaper brand.
Mistake: Skipping disposal and compliance items
Better: Old geyser removal, drip trays, and vacuum breakers are real costs. List them so you're not absorbing them.
Mistake: Verbal emergency quotes
Better: Even after-hours jobs need a written quote before you start. WhatsApp a quick quote from your phone before you open the toolbox.
Mistake: No expiry on the quote
Better: Set a 14 or 30 day validity. Copper and brass prices move, and you don't want to honour a three-month-old quote at a loss.
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 plumbing jobs
Diagnose before you quote on anything that is not a clear like-for-like swap. A blocked drain, a weeping pipe in a wall, or an intermittent leak all need eyes on the site before you commit to a fixed price. For known scopes like a geyser swap or a tap install, you can quote over WhatsApp from photos and measurements; for diagnostic work, quote the first hour as a call-out and fault-find, then re-quote the repair in writing once the cause is visible.
Itemise the call-out, labour, parts, and disposal as separate lines, and always specify the part brand. 'Kwikot 150L' or 'Cobra mixer' reads as professional trade; 'geyser' or 'tap' reads as vague and invites the client to compare you against a cheaper brand. Break labour out by hours rather than a lump sum, list disposal fees for old units, and include compliance items (vacuum breaker, PRV, drip tray) on every geyser quote so you are not absorbing them silently on the install day.
Set a 14 to 30 day validity on every quote and publish your after-hours rate on the document. Copper, brass, and imported fittings price-move often enough that an open-ended quote exposes you. An after-hours or weekend call-out is typically 1.5x to 2x standard; put it in the quote terms so there is no friction at invoice stage when a Saturday emergency comes in. For jobs above about $ 550 ask for a 40 to 50 percent deposit on materials before you start.
Send the written quote before you leave the site, even on emergency jobs. WhatsApp a quote from your phone in 60 seconds before you open the toolbox at 2am; an emergency is still not a free pass to work without acceptance. Homeowners routinely ask three plumbers and book whichever one sends a clear, itemised quote first. Follow up on unanswered quotes after two days with a short message; it is the single cheapest conversion lift in the plumbing trade.
FAQ
Common questions from plumbers
Everything you need to know before getting started.
Yes. QuoteGenio lets you add any line item: labour, materials, call-out fees, VAT, or custom charges. Structure your quote exactly the way you invoice.
Yes. Once your quote is ready, share it as a link directly via WhatsApp. Your client gets a professional branded document instantly.
Each line item has its own description, quantity, and price. You can add as many line items as you need and group them however makes sense for the job.
Yes. Every quote has a unique public link. Your client can open it on their phone and accept it online. No signup required.
Yes. Convert any accepted quote into an invoice with one click. All the line items carry over, so there's no double entry.
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.
If you are VAT registered, yes. The call-out fee is a supply of services and attracts VAT the same as your labour. Show it as its own line and apply VAT to the subtotal. If you are under the VAT threshold, you don't charge VAT on anything, but state clearly on the quote that prices are VAT exempt.
Most plumbers charge a higher call-out (often 1.5x to 2x standard) plus a premium hourly rate. Build an 'after-hours call-out' template in QuoteGenio so you can send a written quote in 60 seconds before you pick up the tools, even at 2am.
For diagnostic work (blocked drains, hidden leaks) quote an hourly rate with an estimated range so the client has a ceiling. For known scopes (geyser swap, tap install) quote fixed. Being honest about which is which earns repeat work.
14 to 30 days is standard. Material prices (especially copper, brass, and imported fittings) move enough that an open-ended quote exposes you. QuoteGenio lets you set an expiry date that appears on the PDF.
Still have questions? We would rather answer them now than after you have signed up.
Pricing benchmark
What do plumbers charge in 2026?
Hourly rates by region, common job prices, a worked sample quote, and the FAQs customers actually ask. The complete pricing reference for plumbers.
Typical hourly
$80-$200/hr
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Reviews
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Real feedback from people who quote for a living.
"Everything is in one place now. Quotes, invoices, and payments. I do not have to chase paperwork anymore, which saves me a lot of time."
Liam Smith
Builder · New York City
"Steel fabrication quotes are technical. Clients appreciate when line items are clear and VAT is shown properly. Feels more like dealing with a real business."
Matthias Schulz
Steel Fabricator · Hamburg
"Simple, fast, and easy to use. I can create and send quotes in minutes without overcomplicating things."
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Freelancer · Glasgow
Guides
Guides for Plumbers
Practical advice to help you quote better, get paid faster, and grow your business.
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