How Much Does It Cost to Install Or Replace A Faucet?

Kitchen Faucet Installation Costs

The faucet type you choose is one of the most significant factors in calculating your installation cost. There are several types of kitchen sink faucets, or you can get a pot filler faucet that isn’t just limited to a kitchen sink.

Kitchen Sink

The most basic low-arc kitchen sink faucet can cost as little as $25, but you can spend more for features like pull-out or pull-down faucets, which have a detachable spray hose you can pull down or out, or a high-arc gooseneck faucet, which makes it easier to fill large pitchers. High-arc faucets (also called bar faucets) can range from $35 to$2,700, while pull-out faucets typically go for $35 to $1,800.

The higher-end items of these ranges reflect ultra-luxurious materials. You can anticipate paying on the lower end of the price range to replace a kitchen faucet.

Pot Filler

A pot filler costs between $100 and $2,000—typically no more than $250—and boasts a long arm that gives it a more extensive reach. Usually, homeowners install a pot filler between a kitchen sink and a stove, which allows it to swivel from the sink for dishes and hand-washing.

Bathroom Faucet Costs

Your total bathroom faucet replacement cost can vary, but if you’re merely replacing an existing faucet and don’t purchase high-luxury models, expect prices to be closer to thenational average. 

Bathroom Sink

A new bathroom sink faucet costs about $25 to $250, sometimes going up as high as $2,800. The price for installation or replacement can vary depending on the existing plumbing and connections. If any existing plumbing elements need to be swapped out, this will also add to both your materials and labor costs.

Bathtub

The price of a brand-new bathtub faucet can run from $35 to $3,700, with the price depending primarily on the style and materials used. The cost to replace or repair a bathtub faucet is anywhere from $25 to $1,000.

A shower faucet (including the showerhead) can range from $25 to $3,100, plus the installation cost. An overall shower installation cost averages $6,450.

Other Faucets

In addition to bathroom and kitchen faucets, you might need to budget for other faucets during home renovations. These include the outdoor hose bib and a utility or mud sink.

Outdoor Hose Bib

The cost to replace an outdoor hose bib (also called a spigot or outdoor faucet) ranges from $100 to $500 on average. You can select from a few different types of outdoor faucets, such as a yard hydrant, frost-free spigot, or outdoor kitchen sink faucet, for outdoor cooking. 

The type you choose will also impact the price. For example, the frost-free variety is relatively inexpensive, ranging from $15 to $40—a small fee to prevent damage from freezing conditions.

Utility or Mud Sink

Your laundry room or mudroom may also have a basic sink, costing about $25 to $230 to install a basic single-hole utility faucet or mud sink faucet. This is typically out of sight from guests and serves a basic cleaning purpose, meaning you can purchase inexpensive options and attempt the installation yourself.

Labor Cost to Install a Faucet

The average plumber costs approximately $45 to $200 per hour, depending on where you live. A basic sink installation or replacement takes just one to two hours, totaling around $45 to $400 for labor. More complex jobs might take up to seven or eight hours, bringing total labor costs up to $320 to $1,600.

Faucet Installation Cost Factors

Aside from labor, some of the biggest faucet installation cost factors include the style you choose, features you opt for, material prices, permits, and any additional or unexpected costs.

Style

For both bathroom and kitchen faucets, you can choose from various units, each of which has its own cost range. The table below showcases common kitchen faucet styles and their prices:

Home kitchen faucets are available in four general styles at different price points: 

• Single-handle: Equipped with a single handle, usually in a lever design, that controls the temperature by maneuvering the handle from left to right, as well as the water pressure (bottom to top)

• Dual-handle: Comes with separate handles dedicated to controlling hot and cold water, with the pressure dictated by how far you push the twist handle

• Pull-down: Styled with a faucet head you can pull away from the spout in a downward motion

• Pull-out: Similar to a pull-down except the head can be pulled out from the faucet’s spout and maneuvered in a full 360-degree range of motion

The prices in the table below reflect basic bathroom sink faucet styles.

• Knob: One of the most common handle types 

• Lever: Another common handle type

• Cross: Provides a more contemporary design profile

• Push button:Involves more complex installation processes so that labor costs may increase 

• Joystick: Usea a single-handle fixture for hot and cold running water

Features

In addition to style, special features might include a built-in filtration system, lighting, or touchless technology, adding anywhere from $100 to $1,200 to your total price.

Material Prices

The finishing material of a faucet can affect the final cost, from $40 for a basic chrome faucet to $180 for a basic copper faucet. Faucets for most residential needs come in a variety of finishes, such as stainless steel, brushed nickel, copper, chrome, black, gold, and bronze. These finishes are laid over the underlying material, which is usually brass or stainless steel. Some manufacturers also offer products made of zinc alloy. 

Permits

In most cases, replacing an existing faucet in the same location won’t require a permit. However, if you’re relocating an existing fixture, installing a new line, or doing any other work that involves moving your plumbing from one place to another, it may be deemed a remodel and require a licensed contractor to pull the appropriate permits. This could add anywhere from $50 to $500 to your total cost.

Additional or Unexpected Costs

A basic faucet installation or replacement can be inexpensive, but a larger kitchen or bathroom remodel costs more and requires several licensed contractors, meaning you’ll need to hire electricians, plumbers, and other handypeople. If replacing an entire vanity or countertop, you may need to factor in sink installation costs rather than just the faucet.

Although it’s unlikely that your faucet replacement or installation work will reveal previously undisclosed water damage, it’s not unheard of. If your plumber discovers the existence of water damage from a leaking pipe, you’ll want to repair it immediately. Repairing a leaky faucet costs approximately $200 to $330.

Average Faucet Installation Cost by Location

The following are average prices to install or replace a new faucet across the U.S., including labor and the unit. High-end faucet designs or styles may add to these prices.

DIY Faucet Installation vs. Hiring a Pro

A basic faucet replacement for a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, tub/shower, hose bib, or utility room can be a good candidate for a DIY renovation project if you have the essential tools and plumbing skills. However, projects that might take licensed plumbers one to two hours can quickly become half-day projects for homeowners without the expertise.

If the faucet installation is new or part of a larger renovation—or if you’re not comfortable with basic plumbing tasks—get a few quotes from plumbers near you to see if you have room in your budget for a professional installation. Labor costs are between $45 and $400 for most faucet installations.

Cost to Replace a Faucet Yourself

If you intend to install a faucet yourself to save on labor costs, plan to spend two to four hours on a basic installation. You’ll also need several tools; if you don’t own them already, you’ll need to purchase or rent them. The table below shows the tools needed for a faucet installation and their average prices.

FAQs

How long will it take me to replace a faucet?

If you have basic DIY home improvement skills, you should be able to complete a simple faucet replacement within two to four hours. For more complex or brand-new installations, you may need about seven to eight hours from start to finish. This includes prepping the area where you’re working to prevent water damage, removing the old faucet, and installing new supply lines and the new faucet itself.

Can I hire a handyperson to install a faucet?

A handyperson near you can probably handle the job if you're merely replacing an existing faucet. If any aspects of the job require modifying or working with pipes or other elements of your home's plumbing system, hire a licensed plumber to take over.

Do you need plumber’s putty to install a faucet?

You may need plumber’s putty to install a faucet, but it isn’t always required. Some faucets may come with a rubber or plastic gasket that removes the need for plumber’s putty. However, using it is always a good, safe bet.

Do I need a licensed plumber to install a kitchen faucet? 

Installing a new kitchen faucet can be more complicated than replacing an existing faucet, especially if you need to install new pipes and drains. In that case, it’s wise to hire a licensed plumber. For more basic faucet replacements, hire a handyperson or attempt a DIY installation if appropriate.

How long does a faucet last?

A kitchen or bathroom faucet can last 15 to 20 years, depending on the quality of the faucet you purchase. Proper installation in the first place is key to longevity, so if you want your faucet to last longer, it's a good idea to hire a plumber for installation.