If you are a plumber in the UK, you already know that the quality of your work speaks for itself once you are on site. But before you ever pick up a wrench, your quote is doing the talking. A professional, well-structured plumbing quote can be the difference between winning a job and losing it to a competitor who simply presented their price better.
This guide provides a free plumber quote template you can use immediately, along with real-world examples and practical tips to help you write quotes that convert. Whether you are quoting for a boiler installation, a bathroom refit, or a simple repair, the principles are the same.
Why Your Plumbing Quote Matters
Most homeowners get at least three quotes before choosing a plumber. When they compare those quotes side by side, the one that is clear, detailed, and professional will almost always win — even if it is not the cheapest. A poorly written quote raises doubts about your competence, your reliability, and your attention to detail. A professional quote does the opposite.
Consider it from the customer's perspective. They are about to spend hundreds or thousands of pounds on plumbing work. They want to feel confident that the person they hire knows what they are doing. Your quote is the evidence they use to make that judgement.
What Every Plumber's Quote Must Include
Before we get to the template, let us cover the essential elements that every plumbing quote should contain.
Your Business Details
Include your full trading name, business address, phone number, email, and any relevant registration numbers. If you are Gas Safe registered, include your Gas Safe number prominently — this is a legal requirement for any gas work and it reassures the customer. If you are a member of CIPHE (Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering) or WaterSafe, include those too.
Customer Details
Include the customer's name, property address (where the work will be carried out), and contact details. This might seem obvious, but it personalises the quote and ensures there is no confusion about which property the quote relates to.
Quote Reference and Date
Assign a unique reference number to every quote you send. This makes it easy to track and reference later. Include the date the quote was issued and the date it expires (typically 30 days).
Detailed Scope of Work
This is the most important section. Describe exactly what work you will carry out, in plain English that the customer can understand. Be specific about what is included and what is not. For example, if you are quoting to install a new boiler, specify the make and model, where it will be positioned, whether the quote includes removing the old boiler, whether it includes a powerflush, and whether it includes any radiator upgrades.
Itemised Pricing
Break your costs down into labour and materials at a minimum. For larger jobs, itemise further. For a bathroom refit, you might have separate lines for strip-out and removal, first fix plumbing, second fix plumbing, sanitary ware supply and fit, tiling, and making good. Always show the subtotal, VAT (if applicable), and the total clearly. If you need help calculating healthy margins, try our profit margin calculator.
Timeline
State when you can start and how long the work will take. For a boiler swap, this might be "1 day on site." For a full bathroom refit, it might be "5 to 7 working days." Be realistic — it is always better to slightly over-estimate the duration and finish early.
Payment Terms
Specify when payment is due, what payment methods you accept, and whether a deposit is required. For smaller jobs (under 500 pounds), payment on completion is standard. For larger jobs, a deposit of 10-20% with the balance on completion is reasonable. Some plumbers use stage payments for very large projects.
Terms and Conditions
Include your warranty period (typically 12 months on labour), your insurance details, your cancellation policy, and what happens if the scope of work changes. Our guide on how to write terms and conditions covers this in detail.
Free Plumber Quote Template
Here is a template you can copy and adapt for your own plumbing business. Replace the placeholder text with your own details.
[Your Business Name]
[Address] | [Phone] | [Email]
Gas Safe Reg: [Number] | CIPHE Member: [Number]
PLUMBING QUOTATION
Quote Ref: PLQ-[Number]
Date: [Date] | Valid for: 30 days
Customer: [Name]
Property: [Address]
Scope of Work:
Supply and installation of [boiler make/model] combi boiler to replace existing [boiler type] in [location]. Work includes:
- Removal and disposal of existing boiler
- Installation of new boiler with all necessary pipework modifications
- System powerflush to clear debris from existing pipework
- Installation of new magnetic system filter
- Gas safety check and commissioning
- Registration with Gas Safe and manufacturer warranty
Excludes: Any radiator replacements or additions, electrical work, redecoration.
Pricing:
Boiler ([Make/Model]): [Price]
Magnetic filter: [Price]
Sundry materials (pipe, fittings, flue): [Price]
Powerflush: [Price]
Labour (1.5 days): [Price]
Subtotal: [Price]
VAT (20%): [Price]
Total: [Price]
Timeline: Work to commence [Date], estimated completion within [Number] working days.
Payment Terms: 20% deposit on acceptance, balance on completion. Bank transfer or card accepted.
This template covers the essentials, but you will want to customise it for each job. The key is consistency — every quote you send should follow the same professional format.
Skip the Template — Generate Quotes Automatically
QuoteSmith creates professional, branded plumbing quotes in minutes. Enter the job details and let AI write your scope, pricing, and terms.
Try QuoteSmith FreeExample Plumber Quotes for Common Jobs
To give you a practical reference, here are example scope-of-work descriptions for the most common plumbing jobs UK plumbers quote for.
Boiler Installation (Combi Swap)
Supply and installation of a Worcester Bosch Greenstar 8000 Life 30kW combi boiler to replace the existing wall-hung combi in the kitchen. Includes removal and disposal of the old unit, all necessary pipework modifications, a full system powerflush, installation of a magnetic system filter, gas safety check, commissioning, and registration with Gas Safe and the manufacturer. Labour: 1.5 days. Materials supplied by us. Excludes radiator upgrades, thermostatic radiator valves, and any electrical work.
Bathroom Refit (Plumbing Only)
Strip-out of existing bathroom suite including bath, basin, WC, and associated pipework. First fix plumbing to accommodate new layout as agreed on site. Supply and second fix installation of customer-supplied bathroom suite (bath, basin, WC, shower valve and riser kit). Connection to existing hot and cold supplies and waste. Testing and commissioning. Labour: 3 days. Excludes tiling, decorating, electrical work, and floor coverings.
Central Heating Repair
Diagnosis and repair of the reported heating fault at [address]. Based on our assessment, the issue is a faulty three-port motorised valve on the primary circuit. We will supply and fit a replacement Honeywell V4073A motorised valve, drain down and refill the system with inhibitor, and test all zones for correct operation. Labour: half day. Excludes any additional faults discovered during the repair.
Why a Template Is Good — But Software Is Better
A template is a great starting point. It gives you a consistent structure and ensures you do not forget any essential elements. But templates have limitations. You still need to type everything out manually, you need to format it yourself, and you need to remember to update your template when your terms or pricing change.
This is where quoting software like QuoteSmith comes in. Instead of filling in a template, you enter the job details — the type of work, the materials, the timeline — and the AI generates a complete, professionally formatted quote for you. It writes the scope of work in clear, professional language, calculates the pricing, and produces a branded PDF you can send to the customer immediately.
For plumbers who quote multiple jobs a week, the time saving is significant. Instead of spending 30 to 60 minutes writing each quote, you can produce one in under five minutes. That speed means you can respond to customer enquiries faster, which directly increases your chances of winning the work. You can also see examples of QuoteSmith proposals to see the quality of output.
Tips for Writing Plumbing Quotes That Win Work
Be Specific About Materials
Do not just write "new boiler" — specify the make, model, and output. Customers research products online and they want to know exactly what they are getting. Specifying materials also protects you if there is a dispute later.
State Your Qualifications
Plumbing is one of the trades where qualifications matter enormously to customers. Your Gas Safe registration, CIPHE membership, manufacturer accreditations (such as Worcester Bosch Accredited Installer) — these are powerful trust signals. Include them prominently on every quote.
Include Warranty Information
Tell the customer what warranty they get. For a boiler installation, this typically includes the manufacturer's warranty (5 to 12 years depending on the model) plus your own labour warranty (usually 12 months). Warranty information gives the customer confidence and can be a deciding factor when comparing quotes.
Send It Quickly
Aim to send your quote within 24 hours of visiting the job. The faster you respond, the more likely you are to win the work. If you need to check material prices or supplier availability, do it the same day and get the quote out that evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a plumber's quote include?
A plumber's quote should include your business details (name, address, Gas Safe or CIPHE registration number), the customer's details, a clear description of the work to be carried out, an itemised breakdown of labour and materials costs, the total price including VAT if applicable, an estimated timeline, payment terms, and your terms and conditions including warranty information.
Is a plumbing quote legally binding?
Yes, once a customer accepts a quote, it generally forms a legally binding contract under UK law. This means you are committed to carrying out the specified work at the quoted price. This is different from an estimate, which is an approximation and can change. For this reason, it is important to be accurate in your quotes and to include clear terms about what happens if the scope of work changes.
How much should a plumber charge per hour in the UK?
In 2026, most UK plumbers charge between 40 and 80 pounds per hour depending on location and experience. Plumbers in London and the South East typically charge 60 to 80 pounds per hour, while rates in the Midlands and North are usually 40 to 60 pounds per hour. Emergency call-outs and out-of-hours work typically command a premium of 50% to 100% on top of standard rates. Use our hourly rate calculator to work out what you should be charging.
Should I charge a call-out fee as a plumber?
Many plumbers charge a call-out fee of 50 to 100 pounds to cover their time travelling to and assessing a job. This is standard practice and most customers expect it. Some plumbers waive the call-out fee if the customer proceeds with the work. Whether you charge a call-out fee is a business decision, but it helps filter out time-wasters and ensures you are compensated for your time even if the customer decides not to proceed.
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