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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 Malta

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

VAT
Rates 18 %, 12 %, 7 % and 5 %. Malta has no zero rate in law. Exports, EU supplies, food and medicines are exempt with credit, which lets you reclaim input VAT. Exempt without credit does not.
Article 11 small undertakings
With up to €35,000 of domestic turnover a year you can be exempt under Article 11. The status ends on the day the limit is passed, and you still register with the VAT department. Saldiqo adds the exemption note and leaves VAT off.
Tax invoice or fiscal receipt
A tax invoice is issued only when the customer gives you a VAT number. Otherwise a fiscal receipt from an approved system is required. Saldiqo writes invoices. It is not a fiscal receipt system, and a Saldiqo PDF does not replace a fiscal receipt.
Invoice timing
Issue the invoice by the 15th of the following month, or when payment arrives if that comes first. Simplified invoices are allowed up to €100.
E-invoicing
There is no mandate. Public bodies accept e-invoices through Peppol (EN 16931). The tax authority plans e-invoicing and real-time reporting but has set no dates, and EU rules apply from 1 July 2030.
VAT returns
Returns are due by the 15th day of the second month after the period, with 7 extra days when you file and pay electronically. Article 11 businesses file a yearly declaration by 15 February. Saldiqo does not file returns.
Record keeping
VAT records for 6 years, income tax records for 9 years and company records for 10 years. Plan for 10 years.
Late payment
Interest on late business payments is 10.40 %, plus €40 compensation between businesses.
Languages
Use Saldiqo in English or Maltese and send invoices in either language.

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 Malta have to charge VAT?

If you are registered under Article 10, yes. Small undertakings under Article 11 with domestic turnover of up to €35,000 a year are exempt from charging VAT, but the status ends on the day the limit is passed.

Do plumbing and heating firms in Malta need a fiscal receipt?

Sales to consumers need a fiscal receipt from an approved fiscal receipt system, and Article 11 businesses use one for all sales. Saldiqo is not such a system. It covers tax invoices to customers who give you their VAT number.

How long should plumbing and heating firms keep invoices?

VAT records for 6 years, income tax records for 9 years and company records for 10 years, so plan for 10 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.