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Sample plumbing estimate

Sewer line replacement estimate example

Big dig, big number, and the thing customers remember is the yard. Say what you put back and what you do not.

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What the plumber typed

"replace main sewer line house to city tap, approx 45 ft, 4in sdr35, open trench, new 2 way cleanout, backfill and rough grade, permit incl, no landscaping"

What the customer got
Mike's Plumbing LLC
Proposal #2474 · September 13, 2026
Prepared for Maria Lopez
Scope of work
• Replace the main sewer line from the house to the city tap, about 45 feet, 4-inch SDR 35.
• Open trench excavation.
• New two-way cleanout at the house.
• Backfill and rough grade the trench.
• Permit and inspection included.
• Landscaping, sod, and concrete repair are not included.
Total
$7,800
Timeline
2 days
Payment
50% upfront, 50% on completion
Warranty: 5 years on the new line and workmanship · Deposit at signing: $3,900
Type your full name to accept this proposal. This is a legally binding electronic signature.
Full name
Accept and pay $3,900 deposit

Example figures for a typical sewer line replacement job. Not a quote. Every line on the estimate came from the notes above. Nothing was added.

What to spell out on a sewer line replacement bid

  • The length and the method. Open trench and pipe burst are different prices.
  • That the yard is left rough graded, not landscaped.
  • What happens if the city tap or the connection under the slab is bad.
  • Call for a utility locate before digging and say it on the bid.

Water heater and repipe work often needs a permit. Say on the bid who pulls it and whether the fee is in your price.

The parts of this estimate

  • Scope of work. 6 lines, one thing each, in the order the work happens. What is not included is on the list too.
  • One price. $7,800. Not a formula, not a range. The scope explains the number.
  • Timeline. 2 days. Including dry time, cure time, or permit time, so the customer plans around it.
  • Payment terms. 50% upfront, 50% on completion. The $3,900 deposit is paid by card when they sign.
  • Warranty. 5 years on the new line and workmanship.
  • A way to accept. The customer types their name and signs with a finger on their phone. Legally binding under the E-SIGN Act, and recorded with the date, time, and the exact estimate they agreed to.

Questions plumbers ask about this bid

Should I offer pipe bursting as an option?

If you do it, put it on the same bid as a second package. The customer picks without a second visit.

How much deposit on a sewer job?

Half is standard. Pipe, fittings, and the excavator rental are real money before you start.

Is this a real quote?

No. The numbers are example figures for a typical job so you can see how a complete estimate reads. Your price is yours.

Can my customer sign this on their phone?

Yes. An estimate sent from BidWriter Pro opens as a link. The customer reads it, types their name, signs with a finger, and pays the deposit by card. You get an alert when they open it and when they sign.

Write your own sewer line replacement estimate

Type the job the way you would text it. It comes out like the one above, in about five seconds. No account needed.

Only what you type goes on the estimate. Nothing gets added.
No account needed to try it.

30 days free, then $29 a month. No card to start. Plumbing estimate template · BidWriter Pro for plumbers

More plumbing estimate examples

Guides: what to include in an estimate · how to price a job · how to follow up · how much deposit to ask for · the warranty line

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