Plumbing Estimating & Bidding Software
Plumbing estimates hinge on fixture counts and what's behind the wall. Rough-in and finish are effectively two jobs with different crews, different timing, and different risk — and the cost of getting the rough wrong is tearing something out. Pro Spec IQ separates those inputs so the bid reflects the actual sequence.
What Pro Spec IQ tracks on a plumbing bid
Beyond material, labor, and equipment, plumbing bids get inputs specific to the trade:
Fixture Points
pointsNumber of plumbing fixture connection points
Pipe Footage
linear ftTotal linear feet of pipe
Drain Points
drainsNumber of drain connections
Water Heaters
unitsNumber of water heaters to install
Gas Lines
linesNumber of gas lines to run
Starting markups for plumbing
10%
Overhead
16%
Profit
5%
Contingency
These are editable defaults, not fixed rates. Set them per bid to match your own cost structure and the risk on the job.
What drives cost on plumbing work
- Fixture count and type, which sets both material cost and trim labor
- Pipe footage by material — copper, PEX, and cast iron price and install very differently
- Water heater or boiler scope, including venting and any gas work
- Drain, waste, and vent complexity, especially on remodels with existing stacks
- Excavation or slab work required to reach existing lines
Where these estimates go wrong
- Bidding a remodel rough-in before anyone has opened a wall
- Missing the second mobilization between rough-in and trim
- Underpricing DWV on older buildings where the existing stack doesn't meet current code
- Omitting the cost of pulling and passing a pressure test
Plumbing estimating questions
How do you estimate a plumbing job?
Count fixtures, measure pipe runs by material, and separate rough-in from finish. Price material from those counts, apply labor hours to each phase, then add equipment, permits, and testing. Overhead, profit, and contingency go on the subtotal. Pro Spec IQ keeps rough-in and trim as distinct inputs so both mobilizations get priced.
What markup do plumbing contractors use?
There's no single correct number — it depends on your overhead structure and the risk in the job. Pro Spec IQ defaults plumbing bids to 10% overhead, 18% profit, and 5% contingency, all editable per bid.
Does it handle service work as well as new construction?
Yes. Service calls tend to be labor-heavy with light material, and new construction is the reverse. Because material, labor hours, and labor rate are separate inputs, the same estimator handles both without forcing you into one shape.
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