Quotcha

Plumber

Plumber Quote Check (Australia)

Got a plumber's quote? Upload it and we'll break it down: hot water systems, drainage, pipe materials, tempering valves, licence detail and the key exclusions to confirm before you sign.

No accusations — just clarity. We highlight what's fair, what's unclear, and what to confirm.

Hot water + drainage + repairs
Upload PDF or photo
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We don't contact your plumber

What We Check

Every Detail in Your Plumbing Quote

Licence Details

State plumbing licence number + gasfitting endorsement (if gas work). ABN presence and format.

Drainage Scope

Stormwater vs sewer, pipe diameters, gradient, inspection openings, council connection.

Pipe Materials

Copper, PEX, PVC, HDPE — material grade and brand suited to the application.

Excavation Exclusions

Trench depth, rock removal, asbestos cement pipe handling, traffic control if road works.

Hot Water Model

Brand, capacity in litres, electric/gas/heat pump/solar, energy rating.

Tempering Valve

AS3500-mandated valve mixing hot + cold to deliver max 50°C to bathroom outlets.

Reinstatement

Patching tiles, paving, concrete, paint after pipe access work.

Warranty Terms

Workmanship warranty (1–6 years typical) + manufacturer warranty on hot water unit.

Exclusions

Lifting carpet, removing fixtures, after-hours premiums, council fees passed through.

Labour Detail

Hours/day rate, number of plumbers, weekend/emergency premiums.

Hourly Rate

Stated or inferred rate compared to typical Australian ranges.

Red-Flag Patterns

Lump sums, "additional materials TBC", no licence number, no scope detail.

Common Red Flags

What We Flag in Plumbing Quotes

No plumbing licence number listed

Hot water model not specified (brand, capacity, energy type)

Tempering valve missing on bathroom hot water work

Excavation depth/scope quoted as lump sum

No reinstatement scope (patching/paint/tile after access)

Drainage gradient not specified (regulatory minimum applies)

Pipe material not specified (copper vs PEX cost differs)

No allowance for asbestos cement (AC) drain pipes in older homes

Gas work without gasfitter endorsement on the licence

No warranty period specified on workmanship

Quote Checklist

What a Fair Plumbing Quote Includes

Hot Water Replacement

  • Brand + model + capacity (litres)
  • Energy type (electric, gas, heat pump, solar)
  • Tempering valve included (AS3500)
  • Old unit removal + disposal
  • New isolation valves + drain valve
  • Cold + hot water connections
  • Electrical / gas connection or coordination
  • Plumbing licence + gasfitting endorsement
  • Manufacturer + workmanship warranty

Drainage / Pipe Repair

  • Pipe material + diameter (e.g. 100mm PVC)
  • Trench depth + length in metres
  • Excavation method + access (machine vs hand)
  • Reinstatement (concrete, tiles, paint, lawn)
  • Council connection or inspection fees
  • Asbestos cement pipe handling (if applicable)
  • Inspection openings (IOs) per AS3500
  • Plumbing licence number
  • Workmanship warranty

How It Works

Three Steps to Clarity

01

Upload Your Quote

Snap a photo, upload the PDF, or paste the text. We accept any plumbing quote — hot water, drainage, bathroom, gas.

02

Audit Breakdown

Our AI checks materials, scope, AS3500 compliance, tempering valves, licence detail and red flags against Australian market data.

03

Get Questions + Recommendations

Receive targeted questions for your plumber and specific improvements for a clearer, fairer quote.

Common Services

Plumbing Services We Audit

Hot Water Replacement

Electric, gas, heat pump, solar. $1,500–$5,500 installed depending on type.

Bathroom Plumbing

New fixtures, vanity, shower mixer, toilet, drainage, waterproofing coordination.

Drain Clearing & CCTV

Hydro-jet, mechanical augers, CCTV inspection. $250–$650 typical first attendance.

Storm/Sewer Repair

Excavation, pipe replacement, council connection, reinstatement. Lump sums hide variation risk.

Pipe Replacement

Copper repipes, PEX retrofits, polybutylene replacement in older homes.

Tap & Fixture Repairs

Cartridge swaps, leak repair, mixer replacement, washer changes.

Emergency Callouts

24/7 burst pipes, blockages, no hot water. After-hours rates apply ($180–$320 callout).

Gas Fitting

Gas appliance install, line extensions, certificate of compliance. Requires gasfitter endorsement.

Rainwater & Greywater

Tank install, pump connection, first-flush diverters, council compliance.

Sample Report

What Your Audit Report Looks Like

Market Position Gauge

See how your quote compares to Australian market averages.

Business Details Detected

ABN, licence number, gasfitter endorsement — what we found and what's missing.

Line Item Extraction

Every item pulled from the quote with category, quantity, and price.

Questions to Ask

Targeted questions to put to your plumber before paying a deposit.

Recommended Improvements

What a clearer, more professional version of this quote looks like.

Red Flags & Concerns

Anything that looks unusual, vague, or worth double-checking.

Preview shown is an example format.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the audit free?

Yes. The plumbing quote audit tool is completely free.

How much does a hot water system replacement cost?

A standard electric or gas hot water system replacement typically costs $1,500–$3,500 installed. Heat pump systems range from $3,000–$5,500. Solar hot water can be $4,000–$7,000+. Prices vary by state, system type and accessibility.

Do I need a licensed plumber?

Yes. All plumbing work in Australia must be performed by a licensed plumber. Each state has its own licensing body. Gasfitting work requires an additional endorsement on the licence.

What is a tempering valve?

A tempering valve mixes hot and cold water to deliver water to bathroom outlets at a safe maximum 50°C, preventing scalding. It's mandatory under AS3500 for new and replacement hot water systems serving bathrooms.

What is AS3500?

AS3500 is the National Plumbing and Drainage Code. It sets the standards plumbers must meet for water supply, sanitary plumbing and drainage, stormwater drainage, and heated water services across Australia.

Why are emergency plumber callouts so expensive?

After-hours and weekend callouts typically run $180–$320 in addition to the hourly rate, which often shifts to a 1.5–2× premium. Quotes should clearly itemise the callout fee, the standard hourly rate, and the after-hours rate.

Do you contact the plumber?

No. We never contact your plumber. You choose what to ask and when.

Is my data private?

Yes. Your quote data is processed securely and is not shared with third parties or contractors.