What plumbing shops need from invoicing software
Most plumbing invoices are small and urgent, and a few are big and slow. Software has to handle both.
The small ones are service calls: a clog, a leaking supply line, a running toilet. The goal is to invoice and collect before the plumber leaves. That means the price comes from the price book, the after-hours or trip charge applies automatically, and the customer can tap a card or pay from a text link on the spot.
The big ones are water heaters, repipes, sewer replacements and remodel rough-ins. Those need a deposit at approval, the balance at completion and sometimes financing. Permit fees may need to pass through at cost, depending on how you price. If the job ran into extra work, like a rotted subfloor under the toilet, the change should be approved and added to the invoice from the job record, not handwritten.
Warranty jobs need their own handling. When a water heater fails inside the manufacturer's tank warranty, the tank may be covered while labor, the expansion tank, new connectors and haul-away are not, depending on the warranty terms. The invoice should show the warranty tank at $0 so the customer sees what was covered, list what they owe, and keep the cost of the replacement unit on the job so your margin report stays honest. The same goes for your own workmanship callbacks: invoice them at $0 rather than not at all, so you can see how many you're doing.
Rentals and commercial accounts add a layer. The person who opened the door often isn't the person paying. Property managers want the unit address on every invoice, and commercial customers want PO numbers and net-30 terms. Unpaid commercial invoices can lead to lien questions, and lien deadlines and rules vary by state, so keep dates and approvals on the job record.
How the picks compare
Housecall Pro is the best all-round choice because the invoice comes from the price book and the starting card rate is lower. Jobber is the better collector: its follow-ups and autopay keep invoices from aging. ServiceTitan suits shops with a billing department, Workiz suits emergency shops that want revenue by lead source, and Joist is the cheap, simple tool for a solo plumber who doesn't need dispatch.
If you're deciding between the top two, look at your aging report. If most of your money arrives within a week, Housecall Pro's price book and lower starting card rate will save you more. If you regularly have thousands of dollars past 30 days, mostly from landlords and small commercial accounts, Jobber's automatic reminders and autopay will do more for cash flow than a fraction of a percent on card fees.
For other trades, our guide to invoicing software for contractors covers the picks across every trade we review.
What to look for before you sign
- Invoice an after-hours call in the trial, with the surcharge, a diagnostic credit and a card payment.
- Set up a landlord account with a tenant contact and confirm who gets which message.
- Check deposits on a water heater job, and confirm they're credited on the final invoice.
- Ask about payout timing and what instant payouts cost.
- Confirm what syncs to QuickBooks, including deposits, refunds and processing fees.
What it costs
Prices are as of October 2026, billed annually unless noted.
| Shop size |
Housecall Pro |
Jobber Connect |
Joist |
| 1 user |
Basic $59/mo |
$99/mo |
Basics $10/mo to Elite $32/mo, monthly |
| 5 users |
Essentials $149/mo |
$149/mo |
Not built for teams |
| 15 users |
MAX with 7 extra users, about $544/mo |
$299/mo |
Not built for teams |
ServiceTitan and Workiz are quote only. Card fees will outweigh the subscription for most shops: on $40,000 a month in card payments, Housecall Pro's starting rate of 2.59% is about $1,036 and Jobber's 2.9% is $1,160, before per-transaction fees.
