Drain Cleaning—Pro Experience
This article walks you through everything you need to know about completing a flat-rate drain cleaning job—from arriving on site to closing out and getting paid.
Watch the overview or continue below for the step by step help.
Starting the Job
The job start screen works almost the same as before. Even though we've moved to flat rates, we still track time—this helps keep catalog pricing accurate since prices are based on average completion times.
⚠️ Important: You must select your flat-rate services and get approval before beginning any work. |
Ready / En Route screen for a Drain Cleaning flat-rate job
Diagnosing & Selecting Services
1. Job Details & Issues
Once you reach the job site, you'll see the Job Request Details screen. Each job may have one or multiple issues. Issues are tied to problem categories (like Plumbing / Main Line) that are set automatically by Lula's AI.
You'll need to open each issue individually to select the services needed to complete the work. All of this must happen before any work begins.
Job Request Details—an issue marked “Needs Details”
2. Issue Details & Diagnosis
When you open an issue, you'll need to:
• Write a diagnosis—describe what you found and why the work needs to be done. The more detail, the better. This helps prevent kickbacks. A diagnosis should include what, why, where, and who caused it (when applicable).
• Add before photos—upload photos of the issue before starting any work.
• Tap “Add Services”—to select the work needed.
All of this information is collected upfront to keep the job moving smoothly.
Issue detail—diagnosis, before photos, and the Add Services button
3. Adding Services
On the Select Services screen, choose the flat-rate service(s) needed to resolve the issue. You can select:
• Multiple repair services for a single issue, or
• One replacement service
Each service displays its name and flat-rate payout. The $75 service fee is separate and applied once per visit—it is not included in the service price shown here.
Stack as many services as needed to cover the full scope of work. The services total updates as you add them. Once you've selected everything, tap “Save Services.”
If you can't find the service you're looking for, tap “Browse All Services” to view the full catalog.
You are expected to complete everything included in the scope of the service.
Select Services—flat-rate options with payouts and a running total
4. Custom Services
If you've searched the full catalog and truly can't find a matching flat-rate service, you can add a custom service. This acts as a quote.
⚠️ Note: Only use a custom service if a flat-rate option doesn't exist. If a flat-rate service does exist for the work, our team may update it to keep pricing consistent. |
Adding a custom service as a quote
Unable to Complete a Service
If you get on-site and realize you can't complete a service, tap “Unable to Complete” on the issue details page. This lets our team know that a different Pro may be needed, or that no further action is required.
Getting Approval
Every flat-rate job requires approval before work begins. Once you've selected all services for every issue, tap “Get Approval.”
• If the total is below the NTE—you'll receive automatic approval to proceed.
• If the total exceeds the NTE—you'll receive an alert that it needs to be submitted for on-site approval.
Once you submit for approval, a 20-minute timer will start. The customer has 20 minutes to approve the quote. If the time expires before the quote is approved, you will close the job and receive payment for the service fee. Once the quote is approved, you will get another work order for the approved work (and yes, you'll receive another service fee).
Ready for Approval—submit the quote with Get Approval
Approval Received
Once approved, the job details screen will show Approved and your confirmed services with payouts. Tap “Start Job”—you're cleared to begin work.
Approved status with confirmed services and the Start Job button
Work in Progress
Once you tap Start Job, the timer begins and your active issues are displayed. Complete all approved services before closing out.
Job in progress—timer running, ready to Close Job
Closing the Job
The job closing flow is nearly the same as before—the main difference is how the pricing summary looks. You'll see your full payout broken down by service fee, individual services, and total job payout.
To close out:
1. Complete the job info—add detailed service notes and after photos.
2. Rate the resident (private to Lula—not shared with the resident).
3. Tap “Process Payment” to close the job and confirm your payout.
📌 After-hours & emergency jobs: If your job was completed after hours or flagged as an emergency, you'll automatically receive an additional $75 on top of your $75 service fee. You don't need to add anything manually—it's applied for you. |
Close The Job—service notes, after photos, and Process Payment
Related Articles
• Requesting an NTE Increase in the Lula App
• About Flat Rate Pricing
• Service Level Agreement (SLA) & Workmanship Warranty