Sales Toolkit for Plumbing Contractors: Win Work From Builders and GCs
Plumbing contractors win work from builders and general contractors by reaching them before the plumbing package is awarded, sending a bid that is easy to compare and following up as the build moves. The window runs from about 20% of the way through the build to about 45%, with the last realistic approach at about 55%. Builtie, a sales automation platform for construction trades, counted 49,275 plumbing projects inside that window across 25 markets on October 9, 2026 and finds each builder's decision maker; this toolkit has the timing, copyable bid and follow-up templates, and where the work is.
The same four steps, whether the buyer is a builder, a designer, an owner or a company you want to acquire.
How plumbing contractors win work from builders and GCs
- Find the projects early, on building permits: most private plumbing work is awarded by the builder or general contractor without a public bid.
- Call inside the window: from about 20% of the way through the build to about 45%, with the last realistic approach at about 55%.
- Reach the person who buys plumbing work. The builder or general contractor awards plumbing, usually alongside the mechanical package; on custom homes the owner and designer often choose the fixtures while the builder picks the plumber.
- Send a bid that is easy to compare: scope, price and validity, exclusions, allowances and a schedule tied to the build.
- Follow up when the build moves, not on a timer, and ask for the builder's next project when this one is decided.
When plumbing work gets picked
Builtie times plumbing work from about 20% of the way through the build to about 45%, with the last realistic approach at about 55%. That is when the structure is up and the mechanical, electrical and plumbing packages are awarded.
Tap a stage. The highlighted stage is where plumbing is typically awarded.
The window is a share of the build, so its dates depend on how long the build runs. Builtie's own estimate sets the build length from the declared construction value on the permit; in weeks after construction starts:
| Declared value | Window opens | Window closes | Last realistic approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250k to $1M (7-month build) | week 6 | week 14 | week 17 |
| $1M to $5M (13-month build) | week 11 | week 25 | week 31 |
| $5M to $25M (20-month build) | week 17 | week 39 | week 48 |
| $25M to $100M (30-month build) | week 26 | week 59 | week 72 |
Check one project: the award window calculator takes a trade and a stage (or months since the permit was issued) and says whether plumbing work is before, inside or past its window.
Bid cover note template
Send this with the price. It answers the questions an estimator asks before comparing bids: what is in, what is out, what is an allowance, and when you can start. Replace everything in [brackets].
Subject: [Project address]: Plumbing price from [Your company] Hi [First name], Attached is our plumbing price for [project address], based on [drawings / specification, revision and date]. Scope: drainage, water supply and fixture installation per plumbing drawings [sheets]. Price: $[amount] [plus tax], valid until [date]. Excludes: fixture supply unless listed; municipal connection fees; trenching outside the building line. Allowances: fixtures at $[amount]; [number] extra rough-ins at $[rate] each. Schedule: Plumbing work is usually decided between about 20% and 45% of the build. We can hold [crew / production slot] for [weeks or dates] if we hear back by [date], and will confirm again when the underground work is done and the rough-in start is set. Why us: [show rough-in timing against framing, fixture and water-heater lead times, and the drainage and backflow work the inspector will check]. One question: [the one thing that would change the price, such as a spec choice or a phasing date]. [Your name] [Company] | [phone] | [email]
Three-touch follow-up and a LinkedIn note
Three emails, each tied to the project rather than to a calendar: the first a few days after the bid, the second when the underground work is done and the rough-in start is set, the third before the window closes at about 55% of the build. The LinkedIn note is for the estimator or project manager you have not met.
Subject: Re: [Project address]: plumbing price Hi [First name], Checking the plumbing price for [project address] reached you and reads clearly. If anything in the scope or the exclusions does not match your other bids, tell me and I will line it up so you are comparing like for like. [Your name] | [phone]
Subject: [Project address]: plumbing schedule Hi [First name], I see [project address] is moving: the underground work is done and the rough-in start is set. That is usually when plumbing work gets decided. We are still holding [crew / production slot] for [dates]. Can I get 10 minutes this week to confirm the scope, or is there a revision I should price? [Your name] | [phone]
Subject: [Project address]: releasing our plumbing slot Hi [First name], We will release the [crew / production slot] we held for [project address] on [date] unless you need it. If plumbing work has been awarded, no problem: what is your next project, and when does it go out to price? [Your name] | [phone]
Hi [First name], saw [Company] has [project address] in the works. We do plumbing work for builders and GCs in [city] and price to your schedule. Worth a look before plumbing work is awarded? [Your name]
Where plumbing projects are open now
| Market | State or province | Projects in the award window |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | New York | 23,037 |
| Austin | Texas | 8,085 |
| Miami-Dade | Florida | 4,575 |
| Los Angeles | California | 2,824 |
| Calgary | Alberta | 2,447 |
| Nashville | Tennessee | 1,569 |
| Toronto | Ontario | 1,427 |
| Chicago | Illinois | 1,283 |
49,275 plumbing projects were inside the award window across 25 markets in the United States and Canada on October 9, 2026: 19,894 new buildings and 29,381 renovations or alterations. Every market: plumbing leads by city.
More for plumbing contractors
- Sales automation for plumbing contractors
- How to find clients for plumbing contractors
- How to find plumbing projects
- How to get more plumbing jobs
- New construction projects for plumbing contractors
- CRM for plumbing contractors: what to track
- Plumbing construction leads by city
- The award window calculator
- Construction sales email templates
- Sales toolkits for every trade
Plans
Builtie's Starter plan is $79 per seat per month (CAD) for 20 projects; Growth is $99 for 50 projects and adds the LinkedIn and email outreach you run yourself. Opening a project spends one credit, and the decision makers, emails, phones and AI call script inside it are included. Your monthly credits reset at each renewal, and extra credit packs are valid for 30 days. The free trial runs 7 days with 10 projects. Custom, where Builtie's team runs the outreach for you, starts from CAD $1,500 a month on top of a Growth seat.
Frequently asked questions
How do plumbing contractors win work from builders and general contractors?
By finding projects early on building permits, reaching the builder or general contractor while the plumbing package is still open (from about 20% of the way through the build to about 45%, with the last realistic approach at about 55%), sending a bid that states scope, exclusions, allowances and schedule, and following up as the build moves.
When is plumbing work awarded on a new building?
Builtie times plumbing work from about 20% of the way through the build to about 45%, with the last realistic approach at about 55%. The builder or general contractor awards plumbing, usually alongside the mechanical package; on custom homes the owner and designer often choose the fixtures while the builder picks the plumber.
What should a plumbing bid cover note include?
The drawings and revision it is based on, the scope (drainage, water supply and fixture installation per plumbing drawings [sheets]), the price and how long it holds, what it excludes, the allowances, and a schedule tied to when plumbing work is decided.
How should I follow up on a plumbing bid?
Three touches tied to the project: a few days after sending, when the underground work is done and the rough-in start is set, and before the window closes at about 55% of the build. If the package is gone, ask for the builder's next project.
Is Builtie a CRM?
No. A CRM stores the contacts and deals you already have. Builtie is sales automation: it finds the projects from building permits, times each one to your trade's award window, finds the decision maker and runs the LinkedIn and email outreach. Most customers keep their CRM or job-management tool for the work they win.
What does Builtie cost?
Starter is $79 per seat per month (CAD) for 20 projects; Growth is $99 for 50 projects and adds LinkedIn and email outreach. There is a 7-day free trial with 10 projects.