Residential plumbing systems can be broken down into major categories based on functionality. The plumbing flat rate price book inside Flat Rate Plus Online is organized by these same categories, so pricing a job means finding the right category first, then the specific task.
A residential plumbing system typically consists of the following major components:
- Water Supply: This includes the main water supply line, shutoff valves, and a pressure regulator. The main shutoff is usually located where the line enters the home, and every homeowner should know where it is before an emergency, not during one.
- Fixtures: These are the devices used to dispense water and remove wastewater, such as sinks, toilets, showers, bathtubs, and laundry facilities. Each fixture type has its own supply line, shutoff, and drain connection, which is why fixture replacement tasks are priced separately by fixture type.
- Drainage System: This includes the sewer main, branch drain lines, and vents. Vents matter as much as drains. Without proper venting, drains can gurgle, slow down, or siphon water out of the traps.
- Traps: These are U-shaped pipes located beneath fixtures that prevent sewer gases from entering the home. A dry trap (common in rarely-used fixtures) is one of the most frequent causes of sewer smell complaints, and it’s often a five-minute fix.
- Water Heater: This provides hot water for the home, and can be a tank-style or tankless model. Tank-style units typically need more frequent maintenance and have a shorter lifespan, while tankless units cost more upfront but take up less space and heat water on demand.
- Sump Pump: This pump is installed in the basement or crawl space, and helps to prevent water damage by removing excess water from around the foundation. A failed sump pump during a heavy rain is one of the most common emergency calls in the trade.
- Backflow Prevention Devices: These devices prevent contaminated water from flowing back into the main water supply. Many municipalities require backflow testing annually, which is worth building into a maintenance price book as a recurring task.
- Pipes: The pipes used in a residential plumbing system can be made of copper, PVC, or PEX, and are used to transport water and wastewater throughout the home. Copper is still common for supply lines in older homes, while PEX has become the standard for new installations due to its flexibility and lower cost.
- Faucets and Valves: These devices control the flow of water to and from fixtures and appliances. Worn valves are a common source of the running-water sounds homeowners can’t identify, often the actual issue instead of a suspected leak.
- Septic Tank and Drain Field: If the home is not connected to a public sewer system, it may have its own septic system, consisting of a tank and a drain field that treats and disperses wastewater. Septic systems need their own separate task categories, since pricing and service intervals differ significantly from public sewer connections.
Why are Lavatory Repairs Separate from Other Plumbing Systems?
Lavatory (bathroom) systems are typically separated from kitchen, bar, and laundry systems. This is because the diameter of lavatory drain piping is generally 1.25” where the others are 1.5”.
Price It Right, Every Time
Knowing these components is the easy part, pricing the labor and parts for each one consistently is where most shops lose money. The plumbing price book inside Flat Rate Plus Online already has these categories built in, ready to use or customize for your crew.
See it live with a free demo or start pricing today with a Forever Free account.
About the Author, James R. Leichter
James is a successful entrepreneur and master mechanic widely referred to as Mr. HVAC. His accomplishments include being the CEO and founder of Aptora, the President of RA Tax and Accounting, the founder of MrHVAC.com, and a partner with Pro-American Investments. He is also the creator of Flat Rate Plus Online, which is hosted on this website.
James is well known for his burning passion to help contractors and it shows in his unique speaking style. His articles have been widely published by the industry’s most popular magazines. His videos have had over one million views. James has hosted management workshops all around the United States and has conducted onsite consulting with hundreds of contractors.