Maintenance plan guide · Plumbing
Plumbing maintenance plans: what to include and how to price them
A plumbing maintenance plan is a yearly agreement where you inspect the home's plumbing, service the water heater and catch small leaks before they turn into water damage. Plumbing is often a distress purchase, so a plan turns a one-off emergency customer into someone who calls you first every time.
Also called: plumbing maintenance plan · home plumbing check-up · service agreement
Free calculator
Price a plumbing plan from your own numbers
Opens with 1 visit a year filled in. Change it to match what you'll offer.
Open the plan calculator →Why customers sign up
- →Water damage is the thing they're really afraid of.
- →They want a plumber they already trust when something goes wrong.
- →Water heaters and shut-off valves get ignored until they fail.
Typical inclusions
A starting checklist. Include only what you can deliver every time, and follow manufacturer guidance and local rules.
Water heater
- Flush the tank to clear sediment (tank models)
- Test the temperature and pressure relief valve
- Check the anode rod on tank models (replacement priced separately)
- Descale tankless units where needed
- Check venting and gas connections
Whole-home check
- Test main and fixture shut-off valves
- Check water pressure
- Look for leaks at fixtures, under sinks and at visible supply lines
- Inspect washing machine, dishwasher and toilet supply hoses
- Check toilets for running or rocking
- Run drains and note slow ones
- Test the sump pump (if there is one)
Paperwork
- Written report with photos and anything to plan for
- Equipment ages noted (water heater, softener, pumps)
Member perks that cost you little
- +Priority scheduling for leaks and no-water calls
- +A set member price or discount on repairs
- +Waived or reduced trip fee
- +Annual reminder to book the visit
Spell these out in writing
- !That drain clearing beyond a basic check isn't included (or is, at a stated level)
- !Whether a sewer camera inspection is included or an add-on
- !Parts and anode rods are extra unless stated
- !Backflow testing: only where you're qualified and the local water authority requires it
Packaging
A good / better / best layout for plumbing
An example structure, not a recommendation. Price each tier in the calculator: the full breakdown lets you edit tier prices and visits.
good
Annual check + water heater flush
better
Annual check, member repair pricing, waived trip fee
best
Adds a second visit, sewer camera check or softener service
How to price it
- 01Time a full check on a typical home and use that for your cost per visit.
- 02Include the water heater flush time; it's usually the longest task.
- 03Price separate add-ons (extra water heater, softener, sewer camera) rather than packing them into the base price.
Visits per year: A yearly whole-home check is a common setup. Use 2 if you include a separate water heater or backflow visit.
Run your plumbing numbers →Scheduling the visits
Plumbing has less seasonality than HVAC, so you can spread plan visits through the year. Fill quieter weeks first and tie freeze-prep checks to late fall in cold areas.
Common mistakes
- ✕Calling it "free repairs" when you only mean a discount
- ✕Not limiting how many emergency call-outs the plan covers
- ✕Inspecting but not leaving a written report, so the customer can't see the value
Plan agreement checklist
Whatever the trade, put these in the customer's agreement. Have your own adviser review the wording.
- ☐Exactly what each visit includes, and how many visits a year
- ☐What isn't included (parts, repairs, materials) and how those are priced
- ☐The price, how it's billed (monthly or yearly) and what happens if a payment fails
- ☐The term, whether it renews automatically, and how the customer is reminded before it does
- ☐How to cancel, and what happens to visits already used or not yet used
- ☐Any member discount, written as a clear rule rather than "discounts on everything"
- ☐How you book visits, and what happens if the customer can't give access
Plumbing plan questions
Should a plumbing plan include emergency call-outs?+
If you include them, cap them (for example, priority booking and a waived trip fee rather than free labour). Uncapped emergency cover is closer to insurance than a maintenance plan and can be hard to price.
Can I include backflow testing?+
Only if your techs hold the testing certification your local water authority requires. Rules vary by area, so check locally before you put it in the plan.
Can I run a maintenance plan in Jobber today?+
You can set up recurring jobs and visits in Jobber for each member. Our free membership audit can also read a Jobber visits export to spot repeat clients. Check Jobber's own help centre for its current features.
What if my plan renews automatically?+
Tell customers clearly when they sign up, remind them before it renews, and make cancelling easy. Some US states have rules about automatic renewals, so check the rules where you work. This is general information, not legal advice.
How many customers will join?+
We don't publish a typical sign-up rate because we haven't found a source we trust. Start with your own numbers, such as how many customers rebook each year, and test a low, middle and high rate in the calculator.
General information
This guide is general information to help you design a plan. It isn't legal, financial or professional advice. Licensing, contract and consumer rules vary by state and city, so check them where you work.