Faucet installation cost

Replacing a faucet is one of the most common plumbing jobs. The price depends mostly on the faucet you choose and what the plumber finds under the sink.

Typical costs

What raises the price

• Corroded or seized connections on an old faucet, which take longer to remove.
• Worn shutoff valves that should be replaced while the plumber is there.
• Hole count changes. Going from three holes to a single-handle faucet may need a deck plate; the reverse may need drilling.
• Extras such as pull-down sprayers, filtration faucets, pot fillers or touchless models.
• Tight access in small vanities or cabinets.

Kitchen vs bathroom

Kitchen faucets often cost a bit more to install because of sprayers, heavier bodies and connections to disposals or dishwashers. Bathroom faucets include a drain assembly that is often replaced at the same time.

DIY or pro?

Many homeowners install faucets themselves with basic tools. Hire a plumber if the shutoff valves do not close, the old faucet is seized, or you are also moving plumbing. Bundle small jobs into one visit to save on the service call; see our plumber cost per hour guide.

Ways to save

• Buy a faucet that matches your sink's hole count.
• Replace supply lines with braided stainless ones during the swap.
• Schedule during regular hours instead of evenings or weekends.

Cost by faucet type

What a pro should include

• Removing and disposing of the old faucet
• Installing the new faucet and connecting the supply lines
• Checking the shut-off valves and replacing them if they fail
• Reconnecting the sprayer, disposal or dishwasher as needed
• Testing for leaks, and flushing the lines to clear debris

Signs you need a new faucet, not a repair

A single drip can often be fixed with a new cartridge or washer for much less. Replacement makes sense when the faucet is corroded, parts are no longer available, the base leaks into the cabinet, or you are remodeling anyway. Worn cartridges in hard water areas are a common reason faucets drip; the fix may be a cartridge rather than a new faucet.

Questions to ask before hiring

• Is the price flat, or hourly with a minimum?
• Does it include new supply lines, and replacing the shut-off valves if they fail?
• Will you haul away the old faucet?
• Is the labor guaranteed if a connection leaks later?
• Can you also check the other sinks or the toilet while you are here?

Supplying your own faucet usually works, but some plumbers do not warranty customer-supplied fixtures. Buy from a brand with parts available in the U.S., so replacement cartridges are easy to find later. Many major brands offer long warranties on their faucets, which is worth checking before you buy.