By Stephanie Mickelson | Published Sep 13, 2023 11:53 AM
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Kitchen faucets see a lot of use. With this in mind, it’s important for a homeowner to choose the right kitchen faucet, whether it’s a new or replacement faucet. Luckily, the project costs between $161 and $364 with a national average of $260, according to Angi and HomeAdvisor, putting it at the lower end of home improvement project costs, especially among kitchen remodeling costs. However, high-end finishes and extra features can make the final cost much higher than the average. Other factors, such as installing new plumbing, can also affect the final cost.
Kitchen faucet installation costs depend on a number of factors—it’s not as easy to choose a faucet as one might think. To choose the right faucet, homeowners will want to consider the faucet style, neck type, brand, material and finish, and cost of labor. The homeowner’s geographic location can also factor into the final cost.
The kitchen faucet price ranges from $70 to $900, but faucets can cost as little as $30 and as much as the homeowner is willing to pay—sometimes more than $2,400 depending on the brand, features, and finish. Choosing the right faucet style will depend on the needs of those living in the home and using the faucet. Features such as a pull-down spout, a faucet extender, or a soap dispenser can make the faucet easier to use, while other features, such as the finish and number of handles, will be influenced by individual style choices.
The neck type of the kitchen faucet replacement will depend on the needs of the homeowner. Some kitchen faucet spouts run horizontally from the neck, which can allow the faucets to reach farther into the sink, even more so if they have a pull-out spout. Other styles have a high-arc, or gooseneck, shape that allows for more room for filling pots or giving the sink a good scrub. These faucets can come with a pull-down spout. The neck type can affect the price, with faucets ranging from $40 to $2,000 depending on the neck type and other factors.
The faucet brand can impact the cost to install a kitchen faucet as well. Not only is there a cost difference between brands, but there’s also a wide range of costs within each brand that depends on the faucet style, finish, added features, number of handles, and more. Some of the best kitchen faucet brands include American Standard, Delta, Kohler, Moen, and Pfister.
The material that a faucet is made from, typically brass or stainless steel, along with the finish that creates the final look of the faucet impacts the final faucet installation cost. Chrome is typically the most inexpensive finish and is standard in many homes for its low maintenance needs. Faucets finished with chrome can cost as little as $40. A copper faucet can add some more character, with the price, around $180, reflecting its uniqueness. High-end finishes, such as brass and nickel, can cost upwards of $1,200, making them a statement piece in addition to offering a functional role.
With any home improvement project, labor will need to be factored into the final cost. Handy homeowners may find it easy to learn how to install a faucet and complete the project themselves to save money. But DIY installation may require a homeowner to purchase a few supplies, like plumber’s putty and a basin wrench, which will decrease the overall savings. If the installation will be completed by a professional, homeowners can expect to pay between $260 and $480 for kitchen faucet installation.
The cost to install a kitchen faucet can vary depending on the geographic location of the project. The actual cost will depend heavily on the costs at the local hardware store. Here are a few major cities in the U.S. and the average cost range to install a new or replacement faucet.
In addition to the faucet style, material, finish, labor, and geographic location, there are other factors that impact the average cost to install a faucet. These include the location of the faucet in the home, plumbing permits, old faucet removal, sink and garbage disposal installation, and any add-ons that make the faucet more functional.
Where the faucet is actually installed can have a sizable impact on the final cost depending on the location of the original plumbing. Standard faucets are deck-mounted, meaning they are installed on the counter or on the sink itself. Typically, this is where plumbing goes, so replacing a kitchen faucet shouldn’t mean doing any extra plumbing; the cost will be between $300 and $800. To install a wall-mounted faucet, the plumbing needs to run behind the wall and can increase the cost to between $500 and $1,500. If the original faucet was wall-mounted, faucet replacement costs will be comparable to those for a deck-mounted faucet. If new plumbing is needed, it can significantly increase the cost.
Faucet replacement labor costs depend on how much plumbing work needs to be done. If the new faucet is being installed where the old faucet was, then it can cut down on plumbing costs. If the new faucet requires new plumbing, then the homeowner will also want to look into whether any permits are needed and add in the cost, which can be between $50 and $500 depending on the scope of the work and local requirements.
To reduce the cost to install a kitchen faucet, homeowners can sometimes remove the existing kitchen faucet before the plumber arrives, saving them on some labor costs. Plumbers charge between $45 and $200 per hour, so any time homeowners can save by tackling the old kitchen faucet removal themselves will cut the total cost of the kitchen faucet installation.
Installing a new sink along with a new kitchen faucet can drive up the cost, especially if the sink is being installed where there wasn’t one before. For example, homeowners budgeting for kitchen island costs may pay more to install a faucet in an island sink than those installing a faucet in an existing sink. Likewise, the cost to replace a kitchen sink will depend on whether the homeowner wants to install the sink in a new location or in a preexisting location. A basic sink installation or replacement sink ranges from $45 to $400, while the installation of a sink in a new location or a more complex installation can cost between $320 and $1,600.
To make food disposal easier, many homeowners choose to install a garbage disposal along with their kitchen sink and faucet. Garbage disposal installation costs between $300 and $600. If it’s installed at the same time as the sink and the faucet, it may cut down on labor costs because they’re all being done at the same time rather than in separate service calls.
Another factor in determining the cost of a kitchen sink is the add-ons that go with the faucet.
Features such as a soap dispenser or an adjustable angle faucet will add to the total cost but may be worth it for the convenience they offer.
Kitchen faucets come in a range of different styles. Deciding on the type of faucet will dictate the final cost. Options include dual-handle or single-handle, pull-down or pull-out, touch or touchless, and pot filler. The final decision will depend on the homeowner’s needs and the intended use of the faucet. Pot filler faucets are great for home cooks, pull-down faucets make doing dishes and cleaning the sink much easier, and touch or touchless faucets can be more sanitary and convenient.
A bridge faucet has two handles that can be adjusted to control water temperature. The handles are connected by a horizontal pipe spanning the two. Bridge kitchen faucets are available in a variety of options and can include a pull-out or pull-down spout. They typically cost between $400 and $700.
A pot filler is a faucet that’s installed above the stove and has an adjustable arm that folds toward the wall to keep the faucet out of the way when it’s not in use. This style of faucet adds convenience to the kitchen for those who frequently fill pots of water and don’t want to lug them from the faucet to the stove. Installing a new pot filler means factoring in the added cost of plumbing, while replacing an existing pot filler costs between $150 and $500.
Pull-down faucets are integrated with gooseneck faucets that allow the wand enough room to pull down from, rather than pull out from, the faucet. A high-arc style gooseneck faucet is handy for homeowners who need to wash large pots and pans or just want more room in their sink to work. This style also makes it easier to fill large pots, and the wand helps the water reach areas it wouldn’t otherwise reach. The cost for a pull-down faucet ranges from $175 to $500.
A pull-out faucet has a lower neck than a pull-down faucet and includes a spray wand that pulls out from, rather than down from, the faucet. This is a good choice if there isn’t much headroom above the faucet because of cabinets or a window that the homeowner wants to leave unobstructed. Pull-out faucets cost between $175 and $500.
A single-handle faucet is a streamlined design that requires only one handle to control the temperature of the water and turn the faucet on and off. This type of faucet typically costs between $150 and $350 depending on other factors such as the finish and the brand.
For added convenience, some kitchen faucets are available with touchless operation, allowing the user to turn them on by waving a hand in front of a motion sensor. This can be especially useful if the user has dirty hands from handling chicken or other food or digging in the garden. The cost of a touchless faucet can range in price from $400 to $700.
Kitchen faucets see a lot of use and can wear out over time. Besides simply wanting a change, homeowners select a new kitchen faucet for a variety of reasons. If the kitchen is being remodeled, the faucet is leaking, there is decreased water flow or rust present, or if the design is outdated, it might be time to start choosing the faucet’s replacement.
If the faucet is leaking, it may be a simple kitchen faucet repair job—the O-ring, seat washer, or other internal components may need to be replaced. But if the leak is persistent and the homeowner suspects the faucet is past repair, it’s probably time to replace the kitchen faucet altogether. Leaking faucets can waste water, and the sound of dripping water all day can be a nuisance, so it’s best to replace the faucet as soon as possible.
If the homeowner notices decreased water flow, it could be a sign that the kitchen faucet needs to be replaced. In some cases, the faucet simply has a clogged aerator or blocked or broken cartridge. If this is the case, it may be a simple fix that requires unclogging the clogged component. If that doesn’t work, then it might be time to call in a plumber to see if there is a larger issue or to have the kitchen faucet replaced.
If the faucet is old and rusting, there isn’t really a good fix for it, and it’s probably a sign that it’s time to replace the faucet with a new, rust-free version.
Kitchen faucet replacement is often part of a larger remodel, especially if the faucet is outdated or has an inconvenient design. Including a new faucet in the cost of a kitchen remodel can help homeowners stay on budget, and it’s easy to work into the overall project. Plus, one of the best kitchen remodeling companies can offer recommendations for the best type of faucet. If the homeowner isn’t remodeling but just wants to update the kitchen, replacing the old kitchen faucet with one that fits modern design goals is a good way to give the kitchen a quick, budget-friendly makeover.
Replacing a kitchen faucet can be a simple job that may take an experienced DIYer only an hour or two. And with minimal tool requirements, faucet replacement is a good candidate for a DIY job especially if the new faucet will fit into the existing holes from the old one. However, if the new faucet is a pot filler or a different style with plumbing and countertop holes different from the ones required for the original faucet, then this may be a job better done by an experienced plumber. Plumbers come equipped with all of the right tools and know-how and can complete the job quickly. If it’s a case where the plumbing needs to be rerouted or added, then it’s definitely a job for a professional.
If the homeowner decides to tackle the project, they’ll want to be sure to look out for signs that the faucet isn’t installed properly, namely any leaks after the installation is complete. If the water isn’t flowing as it should or something just doesn’t seem right, it’s a good idea for the homeowner to call a plumber to avoid any lasting water damage.
The average cost to install a faucet isn’t overly expensive, but it never hurts to save a few bucks. There are several ways homeowners can save on the cost to install a kitchen faucet.
Making sure to hire a highly qualified and high-quality plumber is essential to a successful kitchen faucet installation. Asking some questions can help make homeowners comfortable with the process and vet potential plumbers to make sure homeowners are working with one who will do a good job.
Because kitchen faucets see so much use, panic can occur when one begins to leak or stops working. Replacing a faucet quickly can help get the day back on track and keep the household running smoothly. When the time comes to replace a kitchen faucet, there are some questions that typically come up.
Yes, a plumber will come to your home and install a new faucet. But if it is a matter of simply replacing the existing faucet, it’s possible for you to do the job yourself. If the replacement project is more complicated and requires rerouting the plumbing, fixing the plumbing, or cutting new holes in the countertop, it’s probably best left to the professionals.
It can be more expensive to install a wall-mounted rather than a deck-mounted faucet if there isn’t a wall-mounted faucet already installed. Installing a wall-mounted faucet may require running plumbing to the area, removing part of the wall, installing the plumbing, and then repairing and finishing the wall before actually installing the faucet. The holes and plumbing for a deck-mounted faucet are often already in place.
The disadvantage of a wall-mounted faucet is that it can be more difficult to install than a standard deck-mounted faucet. In many homes, a deck-mounted faucet comes standard and the plumbing is installed accordingly. For a wall-mounted faucet to be installed, the plumbing will have to be run behind the wall, and the wall will need to be removed and then repaired in order to do this.
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