How to Bid (and Win) More Plumbing Jobs: A Practical Guide for Subcontractors

If you’re a plumbing subcontractor trying to grow your business, bidding smarter is the name of the game. Whether you’re outfitting high-rise condos or retrofitting small commercial spaces, winning more jobs starts with the right tools, the right strategy, and the right partner.

PlanHub is trusted by over 50,000 verified general contractors nationwide and adds more than 3,000 new, funded commercial construction projects every month. Whether you’re looking for local opportunities or expanding into new regions, there’s always something to bid on.

In this guide, we’ll walk through every step of the commercial plumbing bid process, with expert tips and practical insights to help you grow your business—and how PlanHub supports you at every turn.

What is Construction Plumbing?

Construction plumbing is the installation and connection of water, gas, and waste systems in new or renovated buildings. Plumbing contractors are responsible for ensuring proper water supply, drainage, and fixture installations in compliance with local codes. From bathrooms to mechanical rooms, plumbing subcontractors play a key role in overall building functionality.

When Should You Bid on a Plumbing Job?

Bidding the right job is just as important as bidding well. Before diving into the numbers, ask yourself:

1. Does this project align with my crew’s experience and current workload?
2. Can I complete the work within the required timeline?
3. Is the job within my service area?
4. Do the financials (materials, labor, overhead) make sense for my business?

If you’re stretched too thin or unfamiliar with the project scope, it might be worth passing, or padding your bid to accommodate the learning curve. PlanHub makes this easier by helping you filter projects by location, project type, and scope so you only pursue the right fit.

With a growing list of new projects added daily and a verified GC network, PlanHub makes it simple to keep your pipeline full.

Step-by-Step: How to Bid a Plumbing Project

1. Choose the Right Project

Targeting the right jobs saves time and improves win rates. Use your team’s skills, past project data, and geographical coverage to zero in on ideal opportunities. PlanHub’s project filtering tools help match you with relevant jobs based on location and trade with real-time visibility into project funding status and deadlines.

2. Review Bid Documents

You’ll often receive an Invitation to Bid (ITB), Request for Proposal (RFP), or similar documents. These outline project scope, plans, and technical specs. With PlanHub, you can preview, download, and manage all relevant files in one place—and even invite collaborators for review.

3. Perform a Quantity Takeoff

This step involves listing every pipe, fixture, valve, and fitting you’ll need, so accuracy is critical. PlanHub’s embedded Takeoff tool lets you measure directly on drawings and automatically generate material lists—no more juggling PDFs and spreadsheets.

4. Get Quotes from Suppliers

Reach out to your preferred suppliers for pricing early. PlanHub’s network and messaging tools make it easy to discover and connect with suppliers in your area. Just be aware that some suppliers may delay pricing to prevent bid shopping, so act fast.

5. Estimate Labor

Use historical data or labor guides to estimate how long each task will take. Multiply by your fully burdened labor rate (wages, taxes, benefits) to get your total labor cost. PlanHub helps you keep past project data organized for better forecasting.

6. Add Overhead and Profit

Overhead includes all the costs to run your business—insurance, rent, admin, marketing. Estimate it as a percentage of total costs. Then add your target profit margin. If you’re unsure of your overhead, consult with a CPA or business advisor.

7. Write Your Proposal

Your total bid = materials + labor + overhead + profit. Organize this clearly and professionally in your proposal. PlanHub’s Bid Builder helps structure your bid consistently so you can respond faster and more accurately.

8. Review Your Proposal

Have someone else proof your math, check takeoffs, and verify scope. Compare your bid to similar past jobs for consistency. A small mistake here could cost you the job—or worse, your profit.

PlanHub’s Bid Board helps you track all your submitted bids, proposal versions, and follow-up tasks so nothing falls through the cracks.

9. Submit Your Proposal

Send your bid via PlanHub directly to the general contractor. You may be asked to qualify your bid by clarifying scope and exclusions. Stay responsive and transparent to keep yourself in the running.

Finding the Right Jobs Faster

To build a successful plumbing business, you need a steady stream of quality opportunities. PlanHub helps you:

• Discover hard-to-find, funded commercial projects in your region
• Filter jobs by trade, size, and location
• Use built-in Takeoff, Estimation, and BidBuilder tools
• Manage every stage of the bid lifecycle with BidBoard
• Collaborate with suppliers and team members, all in one place

Ready to Grow Your Plumbing Business?

Thousands of plumbing subcontractors use PlanHub to win more jobs, reduce estimating time, and keep their pipelines full.

Request a demo or start your free trial today.