Service Call Fee Benchmarks (2026)
- Low-cost regions: $79-$99
- Mid-market metros: $99-$129
- High-cost metros: $149-$199
- Emergency after-hours: +75-100%
Common Flat-Rate Pricing (2026)
| Task | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toilet replacement (customer-supplied) | $285 | $385 | $525 |
| Toilet replacement (full) | $485 | $685 | $895 |
| Kitchen faucet install | $285 | $385 | $525 |
| Garbage disposal install | $385 | $485 | $625 |
| Water heater replacement (40gal) | $1,485 | $1,985 | $2,685 |
| Tankless water heater | $3,985 | $5,485 | $7,485 |
| Drain clear (kitchen) | $185 | $285 | $385 |
| Drain clear w/ camera + jetting | $485 | $685 | $985 |
| Sump pump replacement | $685 | $985 | $1,385 |
| Sewer line replacement (linear ft) | $85/ft | $150/ft | $285/ft |
Moving From Hourly to Flat-Rate
Most successful plumbing shops moved to flat-rate. Reasons:
- Customers prefer the certainty
- Fast techs don't get punished
- Higher close rates with multi-option proposals
- Easier to manage and train
The transition takes 60-90 days. Build a pricebook from your last 12 months of jobs — categorize, set targets, and round to consistent price points.
Target Gross Margin
- Survival: 35-45%
- Healthy: 45-55%
- Top-tier: 55%+
Software That Helps
- Housecall Pro — built-in pricebook for plumbing
- ServiceTitan + Pricebook Pro for $1.5M+ shops
- Full plumbing software review