The Best Plumbing Apps to Streamline your Business (with Reviews)

iOS and Android, free

Created by the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE), the Plumbing Engineering & Design Tables App is perhaps the most comprehensive plumbing system sizing tool available. It offers equations, pipe sizing data, and background information.

Plus, you have access to applicable data and information from the major plumbing codes and standards used throughout the U.S., including the International Plumbing Code (IPC), Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), and National Standard Plumbing Code. The app is a handy mobile-version of the classic 2,500 page handbook, with a simple, searchable design and interactive built-in calculators.

iOS ($24.99) or Android ($32.99)

Next up is the Pipe Trades Pro calculator: a mobile-friendly (and cost-effective) version of the original calculator from Calculated Industries. This app includes pipe calculations and built-in pipe data, so you can save time when cutting, welding, and placing pipe.

Pipe Trades Pro calculates pipe layouts and design problems, including rolling offsets, parallel pip cutbacks, weight/volume conversions, flow rates, pressures, and more.

Other options include: Plumbing Formulator

iOS, Android, and desktop, starting at $19/month

Voted #1 most popular and affordable field-service software, Jobber lets you run your entire plumbing business from a phone or tablet.

Think of field service management software as every app you need to manage your business, from getting new work orders to tracking client info (CRM), scheduling, invoicing, and getting paid, all in one convenient place.

In a nutshell, using Jobber’s field service management software let’s you:

• Make appointment bookings easy
• Schedule jobs in a drag-and-drop calendar
• Track client information (CRM)
• Route jobs using GPS tracking
• Automate client emails and follow-up
• Create estimates and invoices
• Attach detailed photos and notes to jobs and client accounts
• Collect payments and track who owes you money
• Integrate with your accounting software
• Make your small plumbing business look bigger and more professional, so you’ll attract and retain more clients

iOS, Android, and desktop, starting at $13/month

It doesn’t matter if you’re a plumbing contractor in residential, commercial, new construction, or remodeling. Quickbooks is a vital workflow management tool for your accounting, bookkeeping, and reporting needs. Use it to access invoices, expenses, and reports from your desktop, phone or tablet. Of course, there is a tradeoff between features and complexity here. Luckily, QuickBooks integrates with a host of other software, including Jobber, and free support is available to help you get set up right.

iOS and Android (free apps with purchase of device)

The FleetSharp app is a companion to the FleetSharp GPS tracking system. The easy-to-use app lets you locate and monitor your fleet vehicles, track and reduce mileage, and increase driver safety by sending mobile alerts for unsafe driving behavior or excessive idling.

Other options include: MileIQ

iOS, Android, and desktop, starting at $19/month

Electronic payments help you collect money quickly on and off the job site. It’s the fastest, most flexible, and easiest way to get paid. Jobber Payments allows you to accept credit cards at a job-site. You can also allow clients to pay online through your Client Hub when you send them an invoice. Vault client credit cards to easily charge them again down the line with their approval.

Jobber Payments’ rates are some of the lowest in the game, going as low as 2.7% + $0.30 per transaction on Unlimited plans.

Other options include: Square, Stripe

iOS, starting at $45 per month

Positive online reviews are the cheapest, most reliable, and most effective way to grow your plumbing business. Successful plumbers we spoke with indicated that reviews and referrals account for at least 90% of their customer base! Plus, 52% of consumers would be deterred from using a small home service business if they had poor online ratings. Review automation software makes gathering those reviews as simple as possible and gives your clients a great experience so they’ll be happy to do it.

Both NiceJob and Broadly offer review automation features that integrate with field service software such as Jobber to help your streamline workflows.

Other options include: Broadly

Mobile-friendly software, free trial

ResponsiBid is a powerful automation tool for creating proposals and instantly following-up with customers so no more deals fall through the cracks. Use ResponsiBid to create job estimates, allow clients to select job times that work for them, and send them intelligent follow-ups via personalized emails and text messages. ResponsiBid syncs seamlessly with Jobber, Zapier, and Google Calendar for seamless selling.

Mobile-friendly software with a free basic plan

MailChimp is one of the most popular marketing automation solutions for small businesses. Features include email automation, newsletter automation, and email address segmentation. Design beautiful, branded emails and send targeted messages to prospects and existing clients. Make strategic marketing decisions based on specific event triggers such as recurring work, seasonal sales, special offers, or service agreement updates.

If you’re looking to take your plumbing business’ email marketing to the next level, MailChimp is a sleek yet beginner-friendly option to dip your toes into.

Other options include: SendJim

iOS and Android, free

We know you didn’t become a plumber because of your love of colour pallets and graphic design. But in a visual world, having eye-catching logos, flyers, business cards, and social media images is a MUST. Canva lets you easily create simple designs you can use in your email campaigns or social media to announce new services, special offers, or just keep your clients up-to-date on your company. They also have a complete library of plumbing stock photos and plumbing business card templates to inspire you. Best of all, it’s free.

In addition to apps that help you do your job, there are a ton of great apps and resources specifically for plumbers that will help you learn, grow, and develop your craft.

While not all of these are mobile apps, all of them are accessible from your tablet or smartphone browser, so you can catch up on the latest industry trends between jobs.

• National Kitchen & Bath Association Planning Guidelines: The NKBA Guidelines is an essential collection of illustrations and planning suggestions for professional kitchen and bathroom designers.
• Plumbing Dictionary: A comprehensive glossary of the common plumbing terms and abbreviations.
• Plumbingforums.com: Plumbing Forums is exactly what it sounds like: an active, engaged forum with threads for just about anything plumbing-related you can think of.
• r/Plumbing: Reddit’s plumbing has over 31,000 users and is a fantastic place to find real answers to real plumbing questions — not to mention tool recommendations, plumbing fails, and the odd plumbing meme.
• PHCC: Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association: The PHCC is dedicated to education, advocacy, and advancing the plumbing industry as a whole. They offer a ton of free and members-only resources for every aspect of running your business, including career resources, management tips and HR policies, and important industry updates.
• The Plumbing Info: We’re fans of The Plumbing Info’s approach to making plumbing more accessible both to consumers and professional contractors. The site includes a mix of resources, how-tos, news, and a directory to connect plumbers with potential clients.
• Jobber Academy: Jobber Academy publishes free downloadable resources, exclusive interviews, and how-to guides to grow and manage your business—just like this plumbing apps list! Check out some of our other plumbing resources, like how to start a plumbing business, how to close more sales, and this formula for pricing a plumbing job.

With this extensive list of apps, there’s no reason you can’t turn your smartphone into a full-time assistant to help you manage and grow your plumbing business.

Any favourite plumbing apps we missed? Tell us what they are and why you can’t live without them in the comments section below.