How to Invoice as a Plumber: Step-by-Step Guide

A practical guide to plumber invoices: the 3 fields you need, when to require a 30% deposit, why Net 14 is industry standard, and the licensing notes that matter.

Avg invoice
$485
Net terms
14 days
Deposit
30%
Line items
3
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1. What every plumber invoice must include

A compliant plumber invoice has eight parts: your business name and contact info, a unique invoice number, issue date, payment due date, the customer's name and address, an itemized list of work, the total amount due, and accepted payment methods. If you're collecting sales tax, that line is required too.

2. Set your line items

Most plumbers structure invoices around these 3 categories:

  • Service call fee — billed by flat at a ~$95 default.
  • Labor — billed by hour at a ~$110 default.
  • Materials — billed by itemized.

3. Set payment terms

The standard for plumbers is Net 14 — payment due within 14 days of the invoice date. Most plumbers also require a 30% deposit upfront before starting work. Spell out late-fee terms (most states cap monthly late fees around 1.5%) and accepted payment methods on the invoice itself.

4. Licensing & legal disclosures

State-licensed in most states. Master plumber license typically required for self-employment.

5. Send and follow up

Send the invoice the same day work is completed (or upon milestone for larger projects). Use software that tracks opens and lets the customer pay by card or bank transfer in one click — the average plumber-class invoice gets paid 2× faster when the customer can pay online without leaving their inbox.

Average invoice
$485
Standard terms
Net 14
Typical deposit
30%
BLS code
47-2152

State-by-state plumber invoicing guides

State rules differ on sales tax, statutory late fees, and contractor disclosure requirements. Pick your state for a guide tuned to local law.

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