Who This Is For

• Junior estimators & apprentices moving into the office
• PMs/owners who review plumbing bids
• Service contractors quoting tenant improvements
• GCs who need to understand plumbing cost drivers

You Will Be Able To

• Read plumbing plans/specs and build a clean takeoff
• Apply labor units, crew factors, and installation difficulty
• Price materials, fixtures, equipment, and rough-in assemblies
• Layer OH/contingency/profit to hit a target margin
• Produce a professional, client-ready proposal

Quick Start

1. Open Module 1 and download the Takeoff Template.
2. Practice a DWV takeoff in Module 3 (use the sample plan set).
3. Price materials & labor in Modules 4–5; add OH/Profit in Module 6.
4. Export a client-ready proposal and sit the Final Test.

What You’ll Build

• Complete takeoff workbook (DWV, water, gas, storm)
• Fixture schedule & unit count matrix
• Crew plan & productivity sheet
• Bid proposal with inclusions/exclusions & alternates

Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Module 4

Module 5

Module 6

Module 7

Module 8

Module 9

🧾 Plumbing Takeoff Template (CSV)

Columns for DWV, water, gas, storm. Import to Excel/Sheets.

System,Area,Item,Size/Type,Qty,Unit,Notes
DWV,Level 1,Sanitary Main,4" PVC,180,LF,Slope 1/8" per ft
Domestic Cold,North Wing,Type L Copper,1",240,LF,Insulated
Domestic Hot,Core,Riser,1-1/4",4,EA,With valves
Gas,Roof,RTU Connection,1",3,EA,CSST or Sch 40
Storm,Exterior,Area Drain,6" SDR,120,LF,Trenched
Fixtures,Restrooms,Water Closet,,18,EA,Flushometer
Fixtures,Breakroom,Sink,,3,EA,With trap primer

📄 OSHA Plumbing Safety Checklist (Text)

Paste into your safety app or print for toolbox talks.

PPE verified (gloves, eye/face, hearing) — Y/N
Confined space permit verified — Y/N
Hot work permit (if soldering) — Y/N
Ladder/Scaffold inspection complete — Y/N
Lockout/Tagout for equipment — Y/N
Pressure testing plan reviewed — Y/N
Chemical/SDS available (primer/cement) — Y/N

💰 Equipment Cost Calculator (CSV)

Weekly/daily rental, delivery, fuel—rolls up to a total.

Equipment,Rate Type,Rate,Qty,Days,Delivery/Fuel,Total
Threader,Daily,85,1,5,40,465
Core Drill,Daily,120,1,3,0,360
Lift (19'),Weekly,325,1,2,150,800
Vac Pump,Daily,65,1,2,0,130

📃 Plumbing Bid Proposal (HTML Snippet)

Drop into a Code Block; print to PDF.

<h2 style="margin:0;color:#001F3F;">Scope of Work — Plumbing</h2>
<ul style="line-height:1.7">
  <li>Furnish/install DWV, domestic water, gas per plans/specs</li>
  <li>Fixtures per schedule incl. carriers/trim</li>
  <li>Insulation, valves, supports, seismic as required</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="color:#001F3F;">Clarifications/Exclusions</h3>
<ul style="line-height:1.7">
  <li>Excludes utility fees; includes permits only if noted</li>
  <li>Price valid 30 days; subject to material escalation</li>
</ul>

FAQ

Do I need software? No—templates work in Excel/Sheets. Module 7 covers digital tools if you want to upgrade.

Union vs non-union? We price labor units and apply burden factors; you can swap your rates in Module 5.

Commercial vs residential? Modules include both; fixture units & risers for commercial, fast TI workflows for residential/service.

👷 About Your Instructor

Taught by Stacey F. Johnson, Owner of S.F. Johnson Enterprises, LLC — a nationally trusted firm with 15+ years helping contractors learn, grow, and win bids through accurate estimating and business training.

sfjohnsonconsulting.com