cost to replace kitchen faucet

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 18, 2022

How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Kitchen Sink Faucet?

Sections: Overview | Product Costs | Installation Cost | DIY or Pro

Overview of Kitchen Faucet Replacement

While it doesn’t seem like much of an update, replacing the old faucet in your kitchen sink is one of those small home improvements that can make a big difference in the look and appearance of the room. With features available on new faucets today, it can also have a positive effect on the time you spend washing dishes at the kitchen sink.

This Costimate deals with the most commonly used plumbing fixture in your home, the kitchen sink faucet. We’ll help you understand about the features in a new faucet that will affect kitchen faucet prices at major retailers like Home Depot or Lowes, as well as existing variables like your sink style that could have an impact on the faucet installation cost, whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a pro to replace the faucet. Like all of our cost estimates on this site, we’ll also show you what other cost comparison sites are reporting for average faucet replacement costs, and include a section where homeowners like yourself have shared their own costs for the same project in their kitchen.

Faucet and Supplies Cost Details

Kitchen Faucet Price Factors

When replacing your old kitchen faucet, you’ll have a lot more choices than you did a few years ago. Many of the new features also come at a price, which will affect the cost of your new kitchen faucet. The first thing to consider is whether or not you want a single handle, or standard, 2 handle faucet. You may be limited based on the kitchen sink, so do your homework ahead of shopping.

• Touch, Touchless, or Traditional Handles – You can turn on the water to your faucet with either the traditional method of turning a knob, or choosing touch or touchless application.
• Integrated or Separate Sprayer – Many faucets today come with a retractable spray hose nozzle that is also the spout. It stores the hose inside the faucet neck when not in use.
• Single Lever or Dual Handle – In many cases, the cost difference from a single handle or multi-handle faucet is insignificant. However, some of the newer styles feature a handle that mounts to the side of the faucet, which can be more costly.
• Design and Finish – The design and finish of your faucet will likely have the highest impact on the retail cost of a new kitchen faucet. Whether its a modern European design, or the new faucet has a brushed nickel finish can add up quickly over traditional chrome or stainless steel models.
• Height of Filler Neck – Gone are the days when you had to tilt your larger pots sideways under the faucet neck. New designs allow for a higher arc, letting you place 18-24 inch tall pots and pans under the water flow.

For the new kitchen faucet itself, an estimated cost in the ranges below will give you a good idea of what to expect.

• $25 – $50 | No frills, single or double handle stainless faucet, with a detached sprayer.
• $50 – $150 | In this price range, you’ll find taller necks, integrated sprayers and other useful features.
• $150 – $400 | These are considered the high-end of kitchen sink faucets. You’ll find many stylish designs, with all the features above as well as multiple types of sprayer settings, hands-free faucets and automatic shut off.
• $400 and Up | The higher cost faucets include all features above, and at this point, you’re really just paying a premium for custom designed faucets with higher quality finishes and appearance to match any kitchen decor.
  
  

Cost of Installation Supplies

In addition to the faucet, you’ll likely need a few supplies to complete the kitchen faucet installation. The cost of these items can vary slightly based on quality of the products purchased, and/or needed. I change the supply lines to my faucets every time the faucet is replaced.

• $15 – $50 | New water supply lines.
• $5 – $10 | Small tub of Plumbers putty to seat the new faucet and assure no leaks between sink and faucet.
• $5 – $10 | Miscellaneous supplies like pipe sealing tape, etc.
  
  

Permits, Inspection, and Installation Costs

Unless you alter the actual plumbing coming in under your sink, no permits or inspections are required to replace a kitchen faucet.

Kitchen Faucet Installation Labor Costs

You’ll want a Handyman or Plumber to install your new kitchen faucet for you. This will assure that you’re no dealing with a flooded kitchen or leak behind your sink that can cause future damage. While some will charge a flat-fee to handle the installation, most will charge by the hour if you provide your own kitchen faucet. If paying by the hour, you will be charged cumulatively for both.

• $85 – $250 – Estimated Flat Rate Faucet Installation Cost.
• $45 – $80 per-hour | Handyman Hourly Rate.
• $60 – $90 per-hour | Licensed and Insured Plumber.
• $40 – $75 per-hour | Plumbers Apprentice and Helper.

New Faucet Installation Time

Replacing a kitchen faucet takes a skilled installer roughly 1.5 – 3 hours, depending on the type of sink, condition and age of plumbing in your home. If you have a garbage disposal under there, it will probably take longer also.

• 1-2 hours | Simple replacement of nearly exact unit.
• 2 – 3 hours | Most common installation time for a replacement kitchen faucet.
• 3-5 hours | Difficult installation, where the existing faucet is hard to remove, or current plumbing needs updates in order to support the new faucet.

Note: If you have granite or another stone type countertop in your kitchen, you must assure you purchase the correct type of faucet, to match the holes in the existing counter surface.

DIY or Hire a Pro

Replacing your own faucet is actually not too hard of a project for a handy homeowner. With the right tools in hand, a bit of OCD to be sure you connect everything correctly, and a lot of patience… you can install your own faucet in the same time as a Pro would do it.

To get an idea of the job, check out this walkthrough (with pictures) at DIYNetwork.

• Requires working on your back under the sink for an extended time.
• Spend the money and buy the tools to make faucet removal easier. A long-handle basin wrench will save you a lot of time versus trying to remove the lock nuts with channel lock pliers.
• Test your connections thoroughly! The last thing you want is a dripping water valve or supply line under the sink, creating a perfect environment for bugs and mold. (And another 30 minutes on your back under the sink!)

I have replaced several faucets and aside from the very tight workspace under the sink, it’s not a hard project. I consider myself a 8/10 on the Handyman scale, and I would replace my own kitchen faucet again if needed.

Time saving tip – If you call out a Plumber or anyone else to replace your faucet, clean out under your sink, and I mean everything under the sink, before they arrive. If they’re charging by the hour, even if they have to stand and watch you clean it out for 15 minutes, the clock is still ticking.

Installed Costs from Around the Web

Fortunately, there is a lot of information on kitchen faucet installation cost on the web. We’ve shared several of the most places for you to compare estimated costs.