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Accounting and invoicing for plumbing and heating firms

Bathroom refurbishment, heating replacement, burst pipes and maintenance contracts: plumbing and heating firms have big jobs with a high material share and many small call-outs. Saldiqo handles stage invoices for large jobs, creates maintenance invoices on schedule and bundles wholesaler receipts per site.

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What comes up for plumbing and heating firms

Big jobs with a lot of material

A bathroom or heating system costs five figures, a large part of it material. Stage invoices secure the pre-financing.

Emergencies and small jobs

Burst pipe, blockage, dripping tap: many small call-outs with hours and material, often paid on the day.

Servicing and heating checks

Fixed yearly dates for boiler servicing make firms predictable, provided they are billed on time.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Stage invoices for big jobsQuote, stage invoice on ordering material, final invoice after acceptance.
  • Call-out with time and materialRecord time, add items and write the invoice on site.
  • Maintenance contracts as recurring invoicesSaldiqo creates yearly servicing on a fixed date.
  • Cost centre per siteAssign material and time to a site and see the result per job.

Typical invoice lines

Examples that often appear on invoices in this industry. You set the prices yourself.

  • Complete bathroom refurbishment, stage 2 of 3
  • Heating replacement including commissioning
  • Emergency call-out, weekend surcharge
  • Boiler servicing, yearly
  • Material as per delivery note
  • Disposal of the old system

Tax and invoicing in the UK

What applies to invoices in the UK, in short. As of October 2026.

VAT
Standard rate 20 %, reduced rate 5 % and zero rate 0 %. Saldiqo calculates each invoice line with the rate you pick.
VAT registration
You must register once your taxable turnover passes £90,000 over any 12 months, or you expect to pass it within the next 30 days. You can deregister below £88,000. Until you are registered, your invoices show no VAT, and Saldiqo adds up your 12-month turnover for you.
What goes on an invoice
If you are VAT registered: your VAT number, the tax point, unit prices and the VAT total in pounds. A limited company shows its registered name on every invoice, and its company number, registered office and part of the UK on letters, order forms and the website.
E-invoicing
There is no mandate today. From April 2029 e-invoicing is planned for all B2B and B2G sales that carry VAT, through Peppol. The exact date and standard are not yet in law, and the government’s roadmap follows with the Budget on 28 October 2026.
VAT returns
VAT returns go to HMRC through Making Tax Digital, usually quarterly, due one month and seven days after the period. Saldiqo shows sales and VAT per rate and exports CSV. It does not submit to HMRC, and for Making Tax Digital you need software recognised by HMRC.
Record keeping
Keep VAT records for 6 years.
Late payment
Statutory interest on late business payments is the Bank Rate (3.75 % in the second half of 2026) plus 8 points, so 11.75 %. On top comes fixed compensation of £40, £70 or £100, depending on the amount owed (under £1,000, from £1,000, from £10,000). Consumers have no statutory interest.
Getting paid
Your sort code and account number are on every invoice. Customers pay by Faster Payments or Bacs, and banks check the account name with Confirmation of Payee. There is no QR standard in the UK.

For plumbing and heating firms in the UK

For many construction services to VAT registered customers the domestic reverse charge applies. In Saldiqo you choose the tax type reverse charge. Which rule applies to a job, you clear with your accountant.

Frequently asked questions

How do I bill a heating replacement with material?

With a quote, stage invoices on ordering and delivery and a final invoice that deducts the stages.

Can I bill maintenance contracts automatically?

Yes. A recurring invoice creates the invoice on a fixed date, yearly or monthly.

Do plumbing and heating firms in the UK have to charge VAT?

Only once they are VAT registered. Registration is required when taxable turnover passes £90,000 over any 12 months, or is expected to within the next 30 days. Below that you may register voluntarily. If you are not registered, you must not show VAT on your invoices.

Do plumbing and heating firms in the UK need e-invoicing?

Not today. A mandate for B2B and B2G sales with VAT is planned from April 2029, and the details were still open as of October 2026. You can keep sending PDF invoices for now.

How long should plumbing and heating firms keep invoices?

Keep VAT records for 6 years. You can store receipts digitally in Saldiqo. The legal duty to keep records stays with you.

Try Saldiqo for free

Write invoices, match payments, collect receipts and send reminders: free and without a trial period.

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As of October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice, without guarantee. For your case ask your tax adviser.