Faucet Repair Cost: How Much Plumbers Charge in 2026

A leaking faucet dripping once per second wastes about 3,000 gallons per year according to the EPA — and it only gets worse as the underlying issue progresses. Most faucet repairs are straightforward, but knowing what to expect prevents sticker shock when the plumber hands you the bill. Here's a complete cost breakdown.

Average Faucet Repair Costs

Repair Type	DIY Cost	Plumber Cost
Cartridge replacement	$10–$30	$75–$200
O-ring or washer replacement	$2–$10	$65–$150
Valve seat repair or replacement	$5–$20	$75–$200
Ball valve repair (ball faucet)	$15–$40	$100–$225
Ceramic disc replacement	$10–$30	$75–$200
Handle replacement	$15–$50	$75–$150
Faucet stem replacement	$5–$20	$65–$150
Full faucet replacement	$50–$400 (faucet)	$150–$500 total

Most plumbers charge a service call fee of $75–$150 that's applied toward the repair if you proceed. Standard faucet repairs typically fall in the $100–$200 total range.

What Type of Faucet Do You Have?

Identifying the faucet type determines what parts fail and how they're repaired:

Ball faucet: Single-handle that rotates over a ball mechanism (common on kitchen sinks). Leaks from worn ball, seats, springs, or O-rings. Repair kits: $15–$30.

Cartridge faucet: Single or double-handle with a cartridge that controls hot/cold mixing and flow. Leaks from worn cartridge. Replace the cartridge: $10–$40 for the part. Most common in Moen, Price Pfister, and Kohler single-handle faucets.

Ceramic disc faucet: Single-handle that moves a ceramic disc plate. Very durable — discs crack but rarely need complete replacement. Cleaning or replacing the ceramic disc: $10–$30 for the part.

Compression faucet (two-handle, older): Hot and cold handles each have a stem with a rubber washer that compresses against a seat to stop flow. Common in older homes. Leaks from worn washer or seat. Washer and seat: $2–$20.

By Leak Location: What It Means and What It Costs

Dripping from the Spout

Water drips from the spout even when the faucet is off. This means the internal valve component isn't sealing — worn cartridge, worn washer, damaged ball valve, or cracked ceramic disc.

Plumber cost: $75–$200. This is the most common faucet repair — usually a cartridge swap or washer replacement. A plumber can typically do this in 30–60 minutes.

Leak Around the Base of the Handle

Water pools around the base of the handle when the faucet is in use — often a single-handle kitchen faucet. This is typically worn O-rings on the faucet body.

Plumber cost: $65–$150. O-ring replacement is quick but may require faucet disassembly.

Leak Under the Sink at the Supply Line

Dripping from the supply line connections under the sink isn't really a "faucet repair" — it's a supply line or shutoff valve issue.

Plumber cost: $75–$150 for supply line replacement ($15–$30 for braided supply lines). If the shutoff valve itself is leaking at the stem, add $75–$200 for valve replacement.

Leak at the Faucet Base (Where It Meets the Sink Deck)

Water leaks between the faucet base and the sink deck surface. Usually a failed deck gasket or worn putty seal.

Plumber cost: $75–$150 — the faucet may need to be partially removed and resealed.

Loose or Wobbly Handle

Handle turns but doesn't operate properly, or is loose. Usually a worn handle set screw or failed cartridge stem.

Plumber cost: $65–$150.

Service Call Fee: The Biggest Cost Factor

For most residential faucet repairs, the service call fee is the dominant cost. A plumber charges $75–$150 just to drive to your home and diagnose the problem — separate from parts and labor.

Many plumbers apply this fee toward the repair if you proceed. If the repair is simple (15 minutes + $5 part), you're essentially paying $80–$160 all-in for a repair that would cost $12 in parts if you DIY'd it.

This is why faucet repair is the most popular DIY plumbing job. The tasks are within the reach of most homeowners, the parts are cheap and available at any hardware store, and the savings vs. hiring a plumber are significant.

When DIY Is Smart for Faucet Repair

Good candidates for DIY:

• Cartridge replacement in a Moen, Delta, or Kohler faucet (find a YouTube video for your exact model — parts are brand-specific and well-documented)
• Washer and seat replacement in compression faucets
• O-ring replacement for handle leaks
• Handle tightening and set screw adjustment

When to call a plumber:

• The shutoff valve under the sink won't close (don't force a corroded valve — call)
• The valve seat is damaged (not just the washer) — requires a seat grinder or seat replacement, specialty tool
• It's a shower or tub faucet (in-wall valves are more complex)
• The faucet body is cracked or corroded — replacement, not repair

Is Repair or Replacement Better?

Repair makes sense when:

• The faucet is less than 10–15 years old
• It's a quality brand (Moen, Delta, Kohler) with readily available parts
• The repair is a standard cartridge or washer swap
• You're keeping the existing kitchen or bathroom aesthetic

Replacement makes sense when:

• Repair cost approaches 50% of a new faucet's price
• The faucet is old, parts are discontinued, or it's a no-name brand
• You want to upgrade the finish or style
• The faucet body is corroded or cracked

Budget faucets (under $50) are often not worth repairing. Mid-range and premium faucets ($100–$400+) almost always are — the parts cost a fraction of replacement.

Getting the Best Price on Faucet Repair

1. Try DIY first. Faucet repair is one of the friendliest DIY plumbing tasks. A YouTube search for your exact faucet model + "repair" or "cartridge replacement" usually returns step-by-step instructions.

2. If hiring a plumber, bundle work. A faucet repair + shutoff valve replacement + supply line swap together often costs less than two separate service calls.

3. Supply the part yourself. Call the faucet manufacturer's customer service line first — many brands (Moen, Delta, Kohler) will ship replacement cartridges for free under their lifetime warranty, even on older faucets.

4. Get a flat-rate quote. Ask for a total price for the job, not an hourly rate, so you know what you're committing to.

A dripping faucet that's wasting 3,000 gallons per year is adding $30–$90 to your annual water bill depending on your rates. Fix it now — it pays for itself faster than you might think.