Plumber · Quotes and invoices
Quote software for plumbers
Emergency call-outs, bathrooms, water heaters: prepare a clear quote on site and have it signed online, so the client says yes before you leave.
A sample plumber quote
| Service | Qty | Unit price excl. VAT | Total excl. VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removal of the old water heater | 1 flat rate | €90.00 | €90.00 |
| Supply of a 200 L electric water heater | 1 unit | €420.00 | €420.00 |
| Installation, connections and safety valve assembly | 3 h | €55.00 | €165.00 |
| Removal and recycling of the old unit | 1 flat rate | €40.00 | €40.00 |
VAT 10%: €71.50
Total incl. VAT: €786.50
Example for guidance only: prices and VAT rates vary depending on your region, suppliers and the job.
How to prepare a plumber quote
For a plumbing quote, break the job down into separate items: removal of existing equipment, supplies, installation and connections, waste disposal. For each supply, state the reference, quantity and unit price: water heater, safety valve assembly, fittings, hoses, pressure reducer if needed. Price labor by the hour when the duration may vary, and keep flat rates for tasks you know well. Add travel costs if you charge them. Also plan for common surprises: a seized shut-off valve, corroded piping, a non-compliant drain. It is better to list them as priced options on the quote than to renegotiate the price once on site.
In France, a quote is mandatory for troubleshooting, repair or maintenance work over €150 including VAT. Below that amount, it is still recommended. It must include the date, validity period, your contact details and SIRET number, the client's details, a breakdown of the services, the VAT rate, and totals excluding and including VAT. If your trade requires French ten-year liability insurance (décennale), state the insurer and geographic coverage. Under French rules, the 10% VAT rate applies, subject to conditions, to improvement or maintenance work in a home completed more than two years ago. Otherwise, the rate is 20%. Finally, describe the existing setup you observed: the unit being replaced, its location, the condition of the installation.
On site, you prepare the quote from your phone. You can also ask Zély, the AI Assistant, to draft it from your description. You review and adjust it before sending. The client can sign online before you even leave. Once the job is done, the quote turns into an invoice in one click, with no retyping. The client can pay by card, and automatic reminders take care of unpaid invoices. Clients and their documents are kept in one place: you can easily find the unit installed at each home and the job date, for example when you come back for maintenance.
What Ecomely does for plumbers
- Fill in quotes from your phone, with your saved services and prices.
- Clients sign online from a simple link.
- Turn a quote into an invoice in one click, with card payment and reminders.
- Clients, documents and emails all in one place.
Trade vocabulary
- Safety valve assembly (groupe de sécurité)
- Mandatory valve on a water heater's cold water inlet.
- Trap (siphon)
- Bent fitting that holds water to block odors from the drain.
- PEX fitting (raccord PER)
- Flexible plastic pipe for water supply, quick to install.
- Thermostatic mixer tap
- Faucet that keeps the set temperature, even when pressure varies.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a quote for an emergency leak repair?
In France, a quote is mandatory for troubleshooting or repair work over €150 including VAT. Below that, it is still advisable, as it avoids disputes over the price. In an emergency, prepare a short quote with the essential items and have it signed online before starting. The client knows what they are agreeing to, and you have a clear record.
Which VAT rate applies when replacing a water heater for a private client?
In France, the 10% rate applies, subject to conditions, to improvement or maintenance work carried out in a home completed more than two years ago. For a newer home or business premises, the rate is 20%. Some energy-renovation equipment may qualify for the 5.5% rate, subject to conditions. Check the home's situation with the client before drawing up the quote.
I am a micro-entrepreneur. How should I show VAT on my quotes?
If you benefit from the French VAT exemption scheme (franchise en base de TVA), you do not charge VAT. Your quotes and invoices must then carry the statement “TVA non applicable, art. 293 B du CGI” (VAT not applicable, under article 293 B of the French Tax Code). Amounts are shown excluding tax, and the total due equals the pre-tax amount. The other mandatory details stay the same, including your SIRET number and the breakdown of services.
What should I do if I discover an unexpected problem during the job?
Stop before starting any unplanned work and explain the situation to the client: damaged piping, a valve to replace, a drain to redo. Draw up an additional quote detailing supplies, labor and price. With Ecomely, you prepare it on site and the client signs it online. You then continue the work with their written approval.
The rules mentioned on this page (VAT, required quote details, insurance) are those that apply in France.