Plumbing repair cost guide
Faucet Replacement Cost: Kitchen, Bathroom, Labor, Parts, and When to Replace
Faucet replacement is usually a small plumbing job when the old faucet comes out cleanly and the shutoff valves work. The cost rises when fittings are corroded, access is tight, supply lines need replacement, the sink has unusual holes, or water damage is already present under the cabinet.
Part of the main guide
This article is part of the Plumbing Repair Cost Guide. For a broader estimate across faucet work, leaks, toilet repairs, drain issues, and fixture replacement, use the plumbing repair cost estimator.
Quick answer: how much does faucet replacement cost?
A basic faucet replacement usually costs about $180 to $450 when the new faucet fits the existing sink, the shutoff valves work, and no plumbing changes are needed. A kitchen faucet replacement often costs about $220 to $600 because pull-down sprayers, tight cabinet access, garbage disposals, and supply lines can add labor. A difficult replacement with corroded fittings, bad shutoff valves, damaged supply lines, or sink-hole changes can reach $600 to $1,200+.
| Faucet job | Typical planning range | Why the cost changes | DIY or plumber? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic bathroom faucet replacement | $180 to $450 | Simple access, standard faucet, working valves | DIY possible if parts match |
| Kitchen faucet replacement | $220 to $600 | Sprayer, disposal, tight cabinet, supply lines | Plumber or careful DIY |
| Widespread faucet replacement | $300 to $750 | More parts, more connections, more alignment work | Plumber recommended |
| Touchless faucet replacement | $350 to $900+ | Sensor, battery pack, power needs, extra setup | Plumber recommended |
| Faucet replacement with shutoff valve work | $350 to $900+ | Old valves leak or do not stop water | Plumber |
| Faucet replacement with cabinet or water damage | $600 to $1,200+ | Leak repair plus cabinet, drywall, or floor damage | Plumber plus repair work |
These are planning ranges, not quotes. Local labor rates, faucet type, access, old hardware, shutoff valves, supply lines, and hidden water damage can change the final cost.
Faucet replacement cost summary
Faucet replacement is usually cheaper than many plumbing repairs because the work is localized. The plumber removes the old faucet, connects the new faucet, checks the supply lines, tests for leaks, and confirms hot and cold water flow.
The job becomes more expensive when the old faucet is rusted in place, the mounting nuts are hard to reach, the shutoff valves do not close, the supply lines are brittle, or the sink opening does not match the new faucet. In older kitchens and bathrooms, the removal step is often what makes the job slower.
The biggest mistake is treating every faucet replacement as a simple swap. A clean replacement is simple. A corroded faucet under a sink with leaking shutoff valves and cabinet damage is a different job.
Compare related plumbing costs
Compare this page with pipe leak repair cost, shutoff valve replacement cost, garbage disposal repair cost, and DIY vs plumber repair cost.
1. Faucet replacement cost by type
Bathroom faucet replacement cost
Bathroom faucet replacement usually costs about $180 to $450 for a basic job. This assumes the new faucet fits the existing sink holes, the shutoff valves work, and the supply lines connect without major changes.
Bathroom faucets are often easier to replace than kitchen faucets because they are smaller and usually have fewer accessories. The cost rises when the faucet is widespread, the vanity is tight, the drain assembly is replaced, or the old parts are corroded.
Kitchen faucet replacement cost
Kitchen faucet replacement usually costs about $220 to $600. Kitchen faucets are often larger, heavier, and more complex than bathroom faucets. Pull-down sprayers, side sprayers, soap dispensers, garbage disposals, water filters, and tight under-sink access can add time.
If the leak is under the sink instead of inside the faucet body, compare this job with pipe leak repair cost. A faucet replacement may not solve a leaking supply line, trap, shutoff valve, or drain connection.
Widespread faucet replacement cost
A widespread faucet usually costs more than a single-hole or centerset faucet because it has separate handles and more connections under the sink. A reasonable planning range is $300 to $750, depending on access and faucet style.
Alignment matters with widespread faucets. The plumber may need more time to seat each part cleanly, tighten the connections evenly, and test for leaks around multiple points.
Touchless faucet replacement cost
Touchless faucet replacement often costs about $350 to $900+. These faucets may need a battery pack, sensor setup, control box, or power access. The faucet itself may also cost more than a basic manual fixture.
Touchless faucets can be useful, but they are not the simplest replacement choice. If the goal is low-cost repair, a standard single-handle or pull-down faucet is usually easier to budget.
Bathtub faucet replacement cost
Bathtub faucet replacement is usually more complicated than sink faucet replacement when the valve body, diverter, wall access, tile, or tub surround is involved. A visible tub spout replacement may be simple, but a valve replacement behind the wall can become a larger plumbing and surface repair.
If access requires opening drywall or tile, compare the plumbing work with drywall hole repair cost or bathroom repair cost.
Outdoor faucet replacement cost
Outdoor faucet or hose bib replacement can range from a simple fixture swap to a larger pipe repair. The cost depends on access, wall penetration, freeze damage, pipe condition, and whether an interior shutoff valve is present.
A leaking outdoor faucet can sometimes point to a pipe issue inside the wall. If water appears indoors near the exterior wall, also compare pipe leak repair cost.
2. Faucet labor vs parts cost
Faucet replacement cost has two parts: the faucet itself and the labor to remove the old faucet and install the new one. The faucet price can vary widely, but labor often controls the job when access is tight or old fittings are difficult to remove.
| Cost item | Typical role | Why it affects price |
|---|---|---|
| New faucet | Main fixture cost | Brand, finish, style, sensor, sprayer, or faucet type |
| Labor | Removal, installation, testing | Access, corrosion, cabinet space, number of connections |
| Supply lines | Connect faucet to shutoff valves | Old lines may need replacement during install |
| Shutoff valves | Stop water during repair | Bad valves can turn a faucet job into valve work |
| Drain assembly | Bathroom sink drain and pop-up connection | Often replaced with bathroom faucet updates |
| Deck plate or hole cover | Covers unused sink holes | Needed when faucet hole pattern changes |
| Water filter or dispenser | Kitchen add-on | Adds parts, fittings, and under-sink connections |
If you are buying the faucet yourself, confirm the sink hole count, faucet spread, mounting type, supply connection size, and clearance under the sink before purchase.
3. Faucet replacement cost by room
The room matters because access, water damage risk, and connected repairs are different in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and outdoor areas.
| Location | Typical planning range | Main cost driver | Related guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom sink | $180 to $450 | Vanity access, drain assembly, faucet spread | Bathroom repair cost |
| Kitchen sink | $220 to $600 | Sprayer, disposal, filter, tight cabinet | Kitchen repair cost |
| Laundry sink | $200 to $550 | Utility faucet, old valves, exposed piping | Laundry room repair cost |
| Bathtub or shower | $350 to $1,200+ | Wall access, valve body, diverter, tile or surround | Shower valve repair cost |
| Outdoor hose bib | $180 to $700+ | Wall penetration, freeze damage, pipe access | Pipe leak repair cost |
Kitchen and bathroom faucet jobs are the most common. Bathtub, shower, and outdoor faucet work can become more complicated because the pipe or valve may be behind a wall.
Use the estimator before calling
For a quick planning range, open the plumbing repair cost estimator. Select plumbing, choose the closest fixture or leak repair type, adjust urgency, and compare the result with the faucet job described here.
4. What raises faucet replacement cost?
Faucet replacement gets expensive when the job stops being a simple fixture swap. Most cost increases come from old hardware, access problems, or connected plumbing issues.
Corroded mounting nuts
Old faucets can be difficult to remove because the mounting nuts are rusted, stuck, or located in a tight area behind the sink basin. Removal can take longer than installation.
Bad shutoff valves
The faucet cannot be replaced safely if the water cannot be shut off at the sink. If the shutoff valves leak, spin, or fail to close, the plumber may need to replace them first. Compare this with shutoff valve replacement cost.
Old supply lines
Supply lines often get replaced during faucet work, especially if they are stiff, corroded, leaking, or the wrong length for the new faucet. This is usually a small add-on but helps reduce leak risk.
Different faucet hole pattern
A new faucet must match the sink or countertop layout. A single-hole faucet, centerset faucet, widespread faucet, bridge faucet, and wall-mounted faucet do not install the same way.
Water damage under the sink
If the old faucet leaked for a long time, the cabinet base, vanity, drywall, floor, or trim may already be damaged. In that case, the faucet replacement is only one part of the repair.
Extra accessories
Pull-down sprayers, soap dispensers, filtration systems, instant hot water dispensers, touchless controls, and side sprayers can add connections and testing time.
5. Faucet repair vs replacement cost
Repair may be enough when the faucet has one small issue, such as a loose handle, worn cartridge, leaking aerator, or simple supply connection. Replacement makes more sense when the faucet is old, leaking from multiple points, corroded, hard to operate, or not worth rebuilding.
| Situation | Repair may make sense | Replacement may make sense |
|---|---|---|
| Dripping faucet | Cartridge, washer, or seal is easy to replace | Old faucet has multiple worn parts |
| Loose handle | Handle screw or cartridge issue is minor | Hardware is stripped, corroded, or unavailable |
| Leak under sink | Supply line or fitting is the source | Faucet body or connection is failing |
| Weak flow | Aerator or cartridge is clogged | Old faucet is corroded internally |
| Outdated faucet | Repair if budget is tight | Replacement improves function and reliability |
If the repair quote is close to the replacement quote, replacement is often the cleaner choice. This is especially true when the faucet is old and the plumber already has to disconnect supply lines.
6. DIY vs plumber for faucet replacement
Faucet replacement can be a reasonable DIY job when the faucet is standard, the shutoff valves work, the sink is easy to access, and the new faucet matches the existing holes. It becomes a plumber job when the valves are old, the fittings are stuck, or the leak source is unclear.
| Faucet task | DIY difficulty | Risk level | Better choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple bathroom faucet swap | Low to medium | Medium if valves are old | DIY possible |
| Kitchen faucet with pull-down sprayer | Medium | Medium | DIY or plumber |
| Widespread faucet | Medium to high | Medium to high | Plumber recommended |
| Touchless faucet | Medium to high | Medium | Plumber recommended |
| Bad shutoff valves | High | High | Plumber |
| Leak source unclear | High | High | Plumber |
| Wall-mounted faucet | High | High | Plumber |
The safest DIY rule is simple: do not start unless the shutoff valves close fully and you can see all the connections. If water cannot be stopped at the fixture, use DIY vs plumber repair cost before continuing.
7. Hidden costs during faucet replacement
Faucet replacement can expose problems that were not obvious before the old faucet was removed. These hidden costs are common in older sinks, bathrooms, kitchens, and rental units.
- Old shutoff valves do not close fully.
- Supply lines are brittle, too short, or leaking.
- Old faucet nuts are rusted in place.
- Sink holes do not match the new faucet.
- Countertop or sink surface has staining under the old faucet.
- Drain assembly leaks after being disturbed.
- Cabinet base is swollen from a long-term leak.
- Garbage disposal or sink plumbing blocks access.
- Water filter or sprayer lines need re-routing.
If a faucet leak has damaged the cabinet or wall, compare the job with water-damaged drywall repair cost and kitchen repair cost.
8. Kitchen faucet replacement: what changes the price?
Kitchen faucet replacement often costs more than bathroom faucet replacement because the cabinet area is crowded. The plumber may need to work around a garbage disposal, dishwasher line, drain trap, water filter, pull-down sprayer hose, or soap dispenser.
A simple kitchen faucet replacement is usually straightforward when the new faucet matches the old setup. The job becomes slower if the old faucet is rusted, the sink is deep, the mounting hardware is hard to reach, or extra accessories need to be removed and reconnected.
| Kitchen faucet factor | Cost impact | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pull-down sprayer | Medium | Hose, weight, and clearance must be set correctly |
| Garbage disposal nearby | Medium | Reduces working space under the sink |
| Water filter line | Medium | Extra connection and leak testing |
| Touchless faucet | Medium to high | Sensor, power, battery pack, or control box |
| Rusty old faucet | High | Removal may take longer than installation |
| Bad shutoff valves | High | Water must be controlled before faucet work |
9. Bathroom faucet replacement: what changes the price?
Bathroom faucet replacement is often simpler, but it still depends on the vanity, faucet style, drain assembly, and condition of the old parts. A small vanity can be harder to work inside than a larger cabinet because there is less room for tools.
Many bathroom faucet replacements also include the pop-up drain assembly. If the drain leaks after replacement, the job may include drain adjustment, seal replacement, or trap work.
| Bathroom faucet factor | Cost impact | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Centerset faucet | Low to medium | Common and usually simple |
| Single-hole faucet | Low to medium | Fewer connections if sink matches |
| Widespread faucet | Medium to high | Separate handles and more under-sink connections |
| Pop-up drain replacement | Medium | Extra fitting, seal, and leak test |
| Tight vanity access | Medium | Less room to remove old hardware |
| Old valve or supply leak | High | Can turn into added plumbing repair |
10. Faucet leak damage: when replacement is not the only cost
A faucet replacement may stop the source of the leak, but it does not automatically fix the surfaces already damaged by water. This is common under kitchen sinks, bathroom vanities, and laundry sinks.
| Visible damage | Possible added repair | Related guide |
|---|---|---|
| Swollen cabinet base | Cabinet base repair or replacement | Kitchen repair cost |
| Wet vanity floor | Bathroom cabinet or floor repair | Bathroom repair cost |
| Wet wall behind sink | Drywall patch, drying, paint | Water-damaged drywall repair cost |
| Paint bubbling near sink | Primer, stain blocking, repainting | Paint touch-up cost |
| Leak below upper bathroom | Ceiling drywall and paint | Ceiling drywall repair cost |
If the cabinet or wall is still wet, the plumbing problem should be solved first. Surface repair comes after the leak is stopped and the area is dry enough to repair.
11. What to check before buying a replacement faucet
Many faucet replacement problems happen before installation. The wrong faucet can create extra work, extra parts, or a return trip. Check the sink and cabinet before buying.
- How many holes are in the sink or countertop?
- What is the faucet spread: single-hole, centerset, or widespread?
- Is there a side sprayer, soap dispenser, or water filter?
- Do the shutoff valves close fully?
- Are the supply lines flexible, old, corroded, or leaking?
- Is there enough room under the sink for the new faucet hardware?
- Does the faucet include a deck plate if you need to cover holes?
- Does the bathroom faucet include a compatible drain assembly?
- Is the old faucet rusted, loose, leaking, or hard to remove?
If you are not sure, take clear photos under the sink, above the sink, and around the shutoff valves before calling a plumber or buying parts.
12. Example faucet replacement scenarios
Example 1: Simple bathroom faucet replacement
The homeowner replaces an old centerset bathroom faucet with a similar model. The shutoff valves work, the sink holes match, and no leaks are present under the vanity. A reasonable planning range is $180 to $450.
Example 2: Kitchen faucet with pull-down sprayer
The kitchen faucet has a pull-down sprayer and sits above a crowded cabinet with a garbage disposal. The old faucet comes out normally, but the plumber needs extra time for the sprayer hose and leak testing. A reasonable planning range is $220 to $600.
Example 3: Faucet replacement with bad shutoff valves
The faucet is simple, but the shutoff valves do not close fully. The plumber must replace the valves before the faucet work can be done safely. A reasonable planning range is $350 to $900+, depending on valve access and parts.
Example 4: Old faucet leaking into cabinet
The faucet replacement stops the leak, but the cabinet base is swollen and the wall behind the sink is damp. The faucet work may be only one part of the total repair. Compare with kitchen repair cost and water-damaged drywall repair cost.
Example 5: Touchless kitchen faucet upgrade
A touchless faucet upgrade may need extra setup for the sensor, control box, battery pack, and under-sink clearance. A reasonable planning range is $350 to $900+, especially if supply lines or accessories are changed at the same time.
13. Common mistakes that increase faucet replacement cost
Buying a faucet that does not match the sink holes
A faucet that does not match the existing sink or countertop can require a deck plate, extra parts, drilling, or a different faucet. Always check the hole pattern first.
Ignoring old shutoff valves
If the valves do not close, the water cannot be controlled at the fixture. This can turn a simple faucet job into a valve replacement.
Reusing old supply lines without checking them
Old supply lines may leak after being disturbed. Replacing them during faucet work is often a low-cost way to reduce risk.
Assuming a faucet leak is always the faucet
Water under a sink can come from the faucet body, supply line, shutoff valve, drain trap, garbage disposal, dishwasher line, or pipe connection. Confirm the source before replacing the faucet.
Closing the cabinet before testing
After replacement, run hot and cold water, check the sprayer, test the drain, and inspect under the sink for slow leaks.
FAQ
How much does it cost to replace a faucet?
A basic faucet replacement usually costs about $180 to $450. Kitchen faucets, widespread faucets, touchless faucets, bad shutoff valves, and difficult access can raise the cost.
How much does kitchen faucet replacement cost?
Kitchen faucet replacement often costs about $220 to $600. The cost rises with pull-down sprayers, touchless models, water filters, garbage disposal access, corroded parts, or old supply lines.
How much does bathroom faucet replacement cost?
Bathroom faucet replacement usually costs about $180 to $450 for a basic job. Widespread faucets, tight vanities, drain assembly work, and bad shutoff valves can increase the price.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a faucet?
Repair may be cheaper when one cartridge, washer, handle, or seal is the problem. Replacement may make more sense when the faucet is old, corroded, leaking from multiple points, or not worth rebuilding.
Can I replace a faucet myself?
You may be able to replace a standard faucet yourself if the shutoff valves work, the new faucet matches the sink, and all connections are visible. Call a plumber if valves leak, fittings are stuck, or the leak source is unclear.
Why does faucet replacement cost more than the faucet itself?
Labor includes removing the old faucet, working in tight cabinet space, connecting supply lines, checking valves, installing the new faucet, and testing for leaks. The fixture price is only one part of the job.
Do I need new supply lines with a faucet replacement?
Not always, but old or stiff supply lines are often replaced during faucet work. This can reduce the risk of leaks after the new faucet is installed.
What if the shutoff valve does not work?
If the shutoff valve does not close fully, the plumber may need to repair or replace it before replacing the faucet. This can add cost but makes the repair safer.
Does faucet replacement include fixing cabinet damage?
Usually no. Faucet replacement stops the fixture problem. Cabinet, drywall, flooring, trim, or paint damage from an old leak may be a separate repair.
Cost references
HomeRepairCalc uses conservative planning ranges and compares them with public cost references. Final prices vary by location, faucet type, fixture condition, access, local labor rates, and repair scope.