Understanding Plumbing Estimates: What’s Included and How to Read Them

A plumbing estimate should provide a detailed account of the work to be done, with a description of the specific services and tasks to be performed. It should itemize the costs for materials and labor, detailing each expense down to the penny. It should state the total—along with any taxes or fees that might apply. It should also clarify any warranties or guarantees that come along with the "service." In terms of what would make the project "go," it should lay out the timeline, mentioning when work would commence and when it would conclude. It should cover payment terms and conditions—anything from cash up front to "tests of faith." And it should also convey, as clearly as possible, why the client should choose this particular company, for these particular tasks, at this particular time.

Understanding plumbing drawings requires an interpretation of the components represented in the plans—symbols (the shorthand of the plumbing world), as well as notations and the layout of the plan itself. From the standpoint of symbols, plumbing plans typically impress a legend showing the various symbols and their meanings. Like the drawings themselves, this legend can be arranged in an orderly manner or can be more cryptic and disorderly, depending on the drafter. Next is the plan itself, which shows both the plumbing and its relationship to the remainder of the structure. Here again, the quality of the plan can be either good or poor, depending on the drafter. What we want to extract from the plan can be summed up in the word "assembly," with the next step being the cross-referencing of the plan and legend with the plumbing specifications. In summary, then, assembly is what we want to visualize, or interpret, when we look at plumbing drawings.

Plumbing plans tend to be pretty straightforward. They depict, in as much detail as required, the plumbing system in a structure, and they do this visually with several key components. These drawings show not only the locations of each plumbing fixture but a whole lot of crazy-looking (but absolutely necessary) piping that connects them and gets the water where it needs to go. Plotting out exactly where all that stuff is going to live tends to be pretty important plumbing-wise because any kind of deviation from the plan might cause some serious problems later on, just as any kind of mistake in the plan itself might. These crazy-looking drawings are also absolutely necessary because plumbers obviously need something to work from that shows where everything is going to live and function.

Plumbing cost calculation begins with a detailed breakdown of the work planned. The estimate includes the costs for materials, labor, and overhead. You list all necessary materials for the job: pipes, fittings, fixtures, and various other supplies. You use quotes from suppliers to determine the correct amount for each item, researching as necessary to get accurate figures. You estimate labor costs by projecting the total time for the job and multiplying by the plumbers' hourly rate. You also consider the complexity of the work, which can influence the rate, and the experience level of the plumbers doing the job. For overhead, you figure in expenses like transportation, insurance, licenses, permits, and any fees for subs you've had to hire to complete the project. And then you add in a nice chunk of markup to ensure the job is profitable and the price competitive.

Plumbers usually mark up their rates anywhere from 25% to 50%. This can vary based on where you are, what kind of job you're having done, and what kind of materials are involved. Marking up their rates helps plumbers cover the costs of doing business, make a profit, and pay for any unexpected expenses that crop up during a project.

To estimate plumbing work accurately, one must take several factors into account. The first is project scope, which determines the nature and number of plumbing tasks (like installation, replacement, or repair) that any given project entails. Then, a list of materials needed must be compiled. This list should be very detailed; the estimator must consider everything that might be needed to complete the job, down to the type and quality of the materials used and the number of each item (like pipes, fittings, and valves) required to do the job. Next, labor cost must be determined. This entails figuring out how long the job will take (which is very much dependent on the kind of project it is and how complex or simple the plumbing tasks involved are) and determining the rate of pay. Overhead cost must also be figured in. This is a cost category that plumbing estimators often don't think about, but it's vital. The cost of permits, transportation to and from the job site, and any tools (or special equipment) that might need to be rented must be considered. Finally, no estimate is complete without an allowance for contingencies or unexpected expenses that might crop up during the job.

Plumbers can charge a range of hourly rates, depending on a number of factors, like where they work, their level of expertise, and how complicated the job is. Most often, our nation's plumbers ask for $45 to $200 per hour. Yet, in big cities, or for certain kinds of specialized plumbing, the rate can go up—sometimes quite a bit. Some plumbers prefer to quote a flat rate for specific jobs instead of sticking to an hourly charge. In any case, if you need to hire a plumber, be sure to ask for an estimate that details all potential charges before the work starts.

Profit margins for plumbing that are considered good usually lie between 20% and 40%. Such margins allow for covering the costs of materials, labor, overhead, and other expenses. If plumbing businesses consistently achieve margins within this range, they can both service and grow their operations.

Estimating plumbing costs entails the determination of the expected expenses linked to the plumbing job. This means figuring out what kinds of materials, labor, and other resources will be necessary for completing the job and putting a price tag on each of those elements. Estimating is done mostly by hand, using a 10-key calculator and various kinds of pencils, and of course, good old graph paper. Some estimators (probably not the ones with a 10-key calculator who work in estimating hell) use AutoCAD to do takeoffs from the blueprints. Several kinds of computer software also can be used for “assisted estimating.”

A plumber's hourly rate in California can differ greatly depending on the factors of location, experience, and job complexity. On average, you'd shell out about $45 to $200 per hour. Yet in urban centers or for more advanced plumbing services, rates creep up to the upper end of that range. So when you seek out a number of job quotes to land on a price, consider what's fair for both you and your tradesperson.