Start for free
Language: EN

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.

Updated:

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 Ireland

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

VAT
Standard rate 23 %, reduced rates 13.5 % and 9 %, 4.8 % for livestock, and 0 %. Since 1 July 2026 a 9 % rate applies to restaurants, catering, hot takeaway food and hairdressing, excluding alcohol and soft drinks.
VAT registration
Registration is required above €42,500 a year for services and above €85,000 for goods, if at least 90 % of turnover comes from goods. Saldiqo leaves VAT off your invoices while you are below the threshold and shows how much room is left.
What goes on an invoice
Registered businesses show their VAT number. Sole traders and partnerships providing services show their tax reference number, or their full name and address, on invoices and receipts of €7 or more (section 885 TCA). Companies show their name, CRO number and registered office, and directors’ details on letters, order forms and the website.
Invoice timing
Issue a VAT invoice within 15 days after the end of the month in which the supply took place.
E-invoicing
From 1 November 2028 every business must be able to receive e-invoices. Issuing is phased in: first for suppliers to large corporates, from November 2029 for businesses trading B2B within the EU, and from 1 July 2030 under the EU VAT in the Digital Age rules. A PDF does not count as an e-invoice, and the technical specifications are not yet published.
VAT returns
VAT3 returns are filed every two months through ROS, by the 19th of the following month, or the 23rd when you file online through ROS. Saldiqo does not file returns, your accountant or ROS does.
Record keeping
Keep records for 6 years, longer while a review is open.
Late payment
Interest on late business payments is the ECB main refinancing rate (2.40 % in the second half of 2026) plus 8 points, so 10.40 %, plus fixed compensation of €40, €70 or €100 depending on the amount owed.
Getting paid
IBAN and BIC are on every invoice, plus a SEPA QR code (EPC) for banking apps that can read it.

For plumbing and heating firms in Ireland

In construction, principal contractors withhold RCT from payments to subcontractors, and the VAT reverse charge can apply to subcontracted services. In Saldiqo you choose the tax type reverse charge.

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 Ireland have to charge VAT?

Once they are registered, yes. Registration is required from the sale that takes turnover over €42,500 a year for services or €85,000 for goods, where at least 90 % of turnover comes from goods. Below those limits Saldiqo leaves VAT off your invoices.

Do plumbing and heating firms in Ireland need e-invoicing?

Not yet. From 1 November 2028 every business must be able to receive e-invoices. The duty to issue them phases in from the same date for suppliers to large corporates and later for more businesses. PDF invoices do not count as e-invoices.

How long should plumbing and heating firms keep invoices?

Keep records for 6 years, longer while a review is open. 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.

Start for free

This page for other countries

Related niches

More industries

All industries

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