Faucet Installation Cost: How Much to Install or Replace a Faucet

Whether you're upgrading an old faucet or replacing a leaking one, knowing what to budget helps you decide between DIY and hiring a plumber. Here's a complete breakdown of faucet installation costs across every scenario.

Average Faucet Installation Costs

Faucet Type	Plumber Labor	Total (Labor + Faucet)
Bathroom sink faucet	$100–$200	$150–$450
Kitchen faucet	$150–$350	$250–$750
Bathtub/shower faucet	$200–$500	$300–$900
Outdoor spigot/hose bib	$100–$300	$150–$400
Utility sink faucet	$100–$200	$150–$350

Labor alone (without faucet): $100–$350 depending on complexity, access, and local labor rates. Most plumbers charge a flat fee for standard faucet swaps, not hourly.

What's Included in the Plumber's Price

A standard faucet replacement by a plumber typically includes:

• Shutting off the water supply
• Removing the old faucet
• Installing the new faucet (you provide the unit)
• Connecting supply lines and checking for leaks
• Testing operation

What's not included unless specified:

• The faucet itself (plumber typically installs what you supply)
• Supply line replacement (add $20–$50 if old braided lines are corroded)
• Shutoff valve replacement if existing valves are seized (add $75–$200)
• Drain assembly on bathroom sinks (pop-up drain, add $50–$100)

Cost by Faucet Type

Bathroom Sink Faucet: $100–$200 Labor

Standard bathroom faucet replacement is the easiest job. A plumber with good access can swap a center-set or widespread bathroom faucet in 30–60 minutes.

Complexity adds cost:

• Vessel sink faucets with deck mounting: same price
• Widespread 8-inch faucets with three-hole installation: same or slightly more
• Difficult access (pedestal sink with cramped space): +$50–$75

Kitchen Faucet: $150–$350 Labor

Kitchen faucets take longer because:

• Most have a pull-out or pull-down sprayer requiring additional connection
• Under-sink access is tight with garbage disposal, pipes, and dishwasher lines in the way
• Supply lines often need replacement
• Many modern kitchen faucets have electronic sensors or multiple spray settings requiring extra setup

Budget $150–$200 for a simple swap, $250–$350 for a premium faucet with sprayer and complex connections.

Bathtub/Shower Valve: $200–$500 Labor

This is a bigger job because:

• Access typically requires opening the wall or working through an access panel
• Shower valves have hot/cold mixing valves, pressure-balancing cartridges, and trim
• Some require soldering or press-fit connections

For a simple cartridge or trim replacement (not touching the valve body): $150–$250. For a full valve replacement or new rough-in: $300–$600+.

Outdoor Hose Bib: $100–$300 Labor

Simple outdoor spigot replacement is straightforward if access is good. Costs go up if:

• The existing pipe connection is soldered copper (requires cutting and sweating a new connection)
• You're adding a frost-free sillcock to replace a standard bib (highly recommended in freeze climates)
• There's no existing shutoff for the outdoor line (add an indoor shutoff while you're at it: +$75–$150)

DIY vs. Hiring a Plumber

When DIY Makes Sense

Replacing a faucet is one of the most beginner-friendly plumbing jobs. If:

• The shutoff valves work properly
• There are no corroded connections
• The new faucet has the same hole configuration as the old one

...then a handy homeowner can swap a bathroom or kitchen faucet in 1–2 hours with basic tools (basin wrench, adjustable wrench, bucket).

DIY total cost: $30–$150 in materials (faucet + supply lines + plumber's tape)

When to Call a Plumber

• The shutoff valves under the sink are seized or leaking (don't force them — call)
• The supply lines are old corrugated steel or show corrosion
• The existing faucet has unusual connections or in-wall shut-offs
• You're installing a faucet in a new hole location (requires drilling porcelain or granite)
• Shower valve replacement — almost always professional territory due to wall access

Faucet Cost: What to Budget for the Unit

Labor is just part of the total. Budget these ranges for the faucet itself:

Faucet Type	Budget	Mid-Range	Premium
Bathroom sink	$30–$80	$100–$250	$300–$800
Kitchen	$50–$100	$150–$400	$500–$2,000
Shower/tub	$40–$100	$150–$400	$500–$2,500
Outdoor spigot	$15–$40	$50–$100	$100–$250

Top brands by price tier:

• Budget: Moen (entry line), Delta Foundations
• Mid-range: Moen (main line), Delta, Kohler, American Standard
• Premium: Kohler Purist, Brizo, Rohl, Newport Brass

Factors That Affect Installation Cost

Location: Labor rates vary significantly — a $150 job in rural Mississippi may cost $300 in San Francisco. Get local quotes.

Access: Faucets under a farmhouse sink have great access. Faucets on a pedestal sink or between a cabinet door frame cost more due to cramped conditions.

Condition of existing plumbing: Old homes often have corroded supply line connections, galvanized shutoff valves that won't close, or non-standard pipe sizes. Plumbers can't always predict these until they're under the sink.

Emergency vs. scheduled: After-hours emergency rates are typically 1.5–2x standard rates. If the faucet is dripping but not flooding, schedule during business hours.

Getting the Best Price

1. Buy the faucet yourself: Many plumbers charge retail markup on fixtures they supply. Buy from a home center or online and have the plumber install it.
2. Bundle work: If you have other plumbing tasks, combining them (faucet + shutoff valves + supply lines) often results in a lower effective hourly rate than two separate visits.
3. Get 3 quotes: Faucet installation pricing varies widely. A quick search on RateYourPlumber.com lets you compare local licensed plumbers.
4. Check the warranty: Good plumbers guarantee their labor for at least 1 year. Ask before hiring.