Should a plumber charge for the call-out separately or include it in the labour rate?
Charge it separately and put it on its own line. Bundling the call-out into a higher hourly rate makes short visits look expensive and long visits look cheap: both confuse customers. A flat call-out ($75–$200 depending on region) plus a clearly stated hourly labour rate is the format every customer recognises and the format that produces the fewest disputes. If your trip is unusually long (over 30 minutes), bill mileage as a separate line too.
How much should plumbers mark up parts and materials?
A 20–40% markup is standard for residential service work and covers your time at the supply house, holding common stock on the truck, and waste/return costs. Always disclose the markup in your quote or contract: customers don't mind paying it when they see it coming, but feel cheated when they discover it after the fact. On the invoice, list each part at its delivered price (with the markup baked in); you don't need to show the wholesale cost.
What payment terms work for plumbing invoices?
Net 7 for residential work, Net 14–30 for property managers and small businesses, Net 30 for commercial accounts and contractors who pay on draw schedules. For large jobs over $1,500, take a 30–50% deposit upfront. Add a late-fee clause (1.5% per month) and a clear payment method: it helps to accept bank transfer, card, or cash. Inbill's hosted public link shows the customer your payment details and can be forwarded to a spouse without needing an account.
Do plumbers need to charge sales tax, VAT or GST on labour?
It depends entirely on jurisdiction. In most US states, plumbing labour on residential repair is taxable; labour on capital improvements (a new bathroom rough-in, a re-pipe) is often exempt. Parts are usually taxable everywhere. In some states (NJ, NY, CT) the rules split between repair vs improvement and you need to track carefully. Register with your state department of revenue, read the contractor-specific guidance, and add a tax line in Inbill only on the categories you're required to collect. Outside the US the tax is usually VAT or GST, not sales tax. In the UK, the EU, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan and many other countries you add it only once you are registered for it, at the rate your tax office sets for that service. Check with your tax office or an accountant: this page is general information, not tax advice.
How should plumbers handle emergency / after-hours invoicing?
Use a separate, clearly-named "after-hours premium" or "emergency call-out" line at 1.5–2x your standard call-out fee, plus a higher hourly rate for the labour itself. Tell the customer the rate BEFORE you leave the house: text or call confirms the number. Surprise emergency rates on an invoice are a frequent cause of payment disputes in trade work. A two-line text ("I can be there in 45 minutes; the after-hours call-out is $250 plus $150/hour") protects everyone.