Pricing plumbing variations correctly is crucial to ensuring you don’t lose money or overcharge and scare off clients. Variations happen frequently, whether due to design changes, unforeseen site conditions, or client requests. If you don’t price them right, they can eat into your profit—or worse, leave you covering costs out of pocket.
Here’s how to price plumbing variations accurately and fairly. 👇
🔹 What Are Plumbing Variations?
A variation is any work that is added, removed, or changed from the original plumbing contract. These changes can happen due to:
✔ Client requests – The builder or developer wants to upgrade or modify plumbing work.
✔ Design modifications – Engineering changes require re-routing or extra fixtures.
✔ Site conditions – Unexpected issues like hard rock excavation, existing service clashes, or access restrictions.
✔ Regulatory requirements – Compliance changes that weren’t in the original scope.
📌 Example:
The builder originally planned for a standard hot water system, but now they want a heat pump system. That’s a variation because it involves different materials, labor, and installation methods.
🔹 How to Price Plumbing Variations Properly
1️⃣ Get Variation Requests in Writing 📄
Never proceed with a variation based on a verbal agreement. Always ask the builder or client to confirm in writing via email, formal notice, or site instructions.
✔ This protects you from disputes later on.
✔ It ensures the builder acknowledges the cost impact before you do the work.
✔ Some builders try to delay variation approvals—don’t proceed without one!
💡 Key Tip:
If the builder says, “Just do it, we’ll sort it out later,” reply with:
📝 “Can you confirm the variation request and approval in writing before we proceed?”
2️⃣ Break Down Costs Clearly 💲
When pricing a variation, break it into three key components:
🔹 Materials – Additional pipes, valves, fittings, fixtures, or specialized equipment.
🔹 Labor – Extra hours or trades required to complete the change.
🔹 Plant & Equipment – Any additional machines, access equipment, or tools needed.
📌 Example:
A variation for relocating a water main might require:
✔ Extra 10m of pipe 💰
✔ Half a day’s labor for 2 plumbers ⏳
✔ Hiring a mini-excavator 🚜
Always itemize these costs so the builder understands where the price comes from.
3️⃣ Apply the Right Margin & Overheads 📊
Many plumbers forget to add overheads and margins to variations. If you only charge for materials and labor at cost, you’re not making a profit!
✔ Include your overheads – Insurance, admin time, vehicle costs, and business expenses.
✔ Add a fair profit margin – Typically 15–30% depending on job complexity.
💡 Key Tip:
Your variation pricing should match the profit margin in your original quote. If you priced the main job at a 20% margin, don’t do variations at 10%.
4️⃣ Factor in Delays & Disruptions ⏳
Variations often slow down other work, requiring extra project management, delays, and scheduling adjustments. If a variation:
✔ Causes downtime while waiting for new materials 🚚
✔ Requires rework or demolition of already completed sections 🏗
✔ Pushes your team into overtime or weekend work ⏰
👉 Charge for the time lost! Builders may not like it, but your time has value.
📌 Example:
If a variation means you need to send plumbers back later, charge a mobilization fee to cover the additional travel and setup time.
5️⃣ Include Access & Compliance Costs 🚧
Certain variations require specialized access equipment or additional compliance work.
✔ Elevated Work Platform (EWP) hire for high-rise variations.
✔ Traffic control if working near roads.
✔ Additional inspections or certifications for regulated installations.
💡 Key Tip:
Always check if a variation affects compliance. If extra documentation or sign-offs are needed, factor in those costs too.
6️⃣ Get Approval Before Doing the Work ✅
Never start a variation without written approval. Builders often try to push variations onto subbies and dispute them later.
✔ Send a formal variation quote before proceeding.
✔ Get the builder to approve in writing (email, signed form, site instruction).
✔ If the builder won’t approve, don’t do the work.
📌 Example:
“Per our discussion, the variation to relocate the sewer stack will cost $4,500 + GST. Please confirm approval before we proceed.”
7️⃣ Track Variations & Keep Records 📝
Keep a detailed record of every variation, including:
✔ The original request (email, drawing markups, verbal instruction).
✔ Photos before, during, and after the variation.
✔ Time logs showing extra labor.
✔ Material invoices and delivery receipts.
💡 Key Tip:
Some builders delay variation payments or dispute costs later. A proper paper trail ensures you get paid what you’re owed.
🔹 Common Mistakes When Pricing Variations 🚨
❌ Doing variations without approval – Builders may refuse to pay.
❌ Underestimating costs – Missing key expenses leads to losses.
❌ Forgetting to add margins – You need profit on variations too!
❌ Skipping overheads – Admin time, travel, and setup all cost money.
❌ Not tracking variations properly – Poor documentation = no payment.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Pricing plumbing variations correctly protects your profit and ensures fair compensation for extra work. Always:
✔ Get written approval before proceeding.
✔ Break down material, labor, and equipment costs.
✔ Include overheads, margins, and delays.
✔ Account for compliance, access, and extra admin time.
✔ Keep proper records to avoid payment disputes.
👉 Need help pricing plumbing variations accurately? SNZ Plumbing Estimating can provide detailed variation breakdowns to ensure you never lose money on extra work! Get in touch today. 🚰📊