The shutoff valve is the real variable
Under every sink are two angle stops — the small valves feeding hot and cold. On a faucet swap the pro closes them, disconnects, installs the new faucet, and reopens them. That is the whole job when the stops work.
Old multi-turn compression stops often seize in place, or worse, close but then will not seal and start weeping once reopened. When that happens the fix is replacing the stop itself, which means shutting off water to the whole house and either compression-fitting or soldering a new valve on.
A competent pro checks the stops before quoting a firm price and will tell you up front that replacing them may add to the job. Modern quarter-turn ball stops are the correct replacement and rarely fail again.
Buying the faucet: what actually matters
Count the holes in your sink or countertop first. A single-hole faucet will not cover a three-hole sink without a deck plate, and a widespread faucet needs holes at a specific spread — typically 8 inches, though 4-inch centerset is the other common standard.
Beyond fit, the meaningful quality differences are the cartridge and the finish. A ceramic disc cartridge from a major brand with a lifetime warranty is worth the premium — it is the part that eventually drips. Physical vapor deposition finishes resist wear far better than plated ones. Solid brass bodies outlast zinc.
Also check the flow rate. Federal maximum is 2.2 gallons per minute for kitchen faucets and 1.5 for lavatory; some states are stricter. WaterSense-labeled models meet the tighter standards without a noticeable performance loss.
What a good install includes
New braided stainless supply lines every time — the old ones are a decade of fatigue away from a flood, and they cost a few dollars. New plumber's putty or the manufacturer's gasket at the deck. The faucet pulled down tight so it does not rock in use.
Then the part people skip: run both sides for several minutes, remove and flush the aerator to clear debris knocked loose during the work, and check every connection dry with a paper towel after the water has been on under pressure. A drip that shows up two days later was visible on day one to anyone who checked properly.
Signs you need this work
- A faucet that drips from the spout even when fully closed
- Water pooling around the base of the faucet on the sink deck
- A damp or swollen cabinet floor underneath the sink
- A handle that has become stiff, loose, or will not hold temperature
- Visible corrosion, pitting, or flaking finish on the faucet body
- Low flow from one faucet while the rest of the house is normal
- A sprayer or pull-down hose that no longer retracts or has split
Cost by property type
| Property | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment / condo | $140 – $690 | Building shutoffs may be required if the unit stops are seized, which means coordinating with management and possibly scheduling around other units. |
| Small home (under 1,500 sq ft) | $145 – $730 | Standard single-hole or three-hole deck-mount installations, near the low end. |
| Midsize home (1,500–2,500 sq ft) | $150 – $750 | The baseline for this estimate — a kitchen or bath faucet with functional stops. |
| Large home (2,500+ sq ft) | $170 – $850 | Multiple bathrooms mean multiple faucets, and doing them in one visit is much cheaper per fixture than separate calls. High-end fixtures may need special tools. |
| Older home (pre-1978) | $175 – $870 | Galvanized supply piping, seized compression stops, and non-standard hole spacing are all common and can double the labor. Budget for replacing the angle stops. |
| Rental / turnover unit | $130 – $650 | Standard mid-grade fixtures installed across several units at once bring the per-unit cost down significantly. |
| Small commercial / office | $180 – $900 | Commercial faucets often use different mounting and may be required to meet specific flow-rate or accessibility standards. |
Ranges assume national-average handyman labor rates ($60–$100/hr) and mid-grade materials.
Cost by state
| State | Typical range | |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $145 – $705 | |
| Alaska | $165 – $795 | |
| Arizona | $150 – $735 | |
| Arkansas | $140 – $690 | |
| California | $165 – $825 | |
| Colorado | $155 – $765 | |
| Connecticut | $160 – $780 | |
| Delaware | $150 – $735 | |
| Florida | $150 – $750 | |
| Georgia | $145 – $720 | |
| Hawaii | $170 – $825 | |
| Idaho | $145 – $720 | |
| Illinois | $155 – $765 | |
| Indiana | $145 – $705 | |
| Iowa | $140 – $705 | |
| Kansas | $140 – $705 | |
| Kentucky | $140 – $705 | |
| Louisiana | $145 – $720 | |
| Maine | $150 – $735 | |
| Maryland | $160 – $780 | |
| Massachusetts | $165 – $810 | |
| Michigan | $145 – $735 | Find a handyman in Michigan |
| Minnesota | $150 – $750 | |
| Mississippi | $140 – $690 | |
| Missouri | $145 – $705 | |
| Montana | $145 – $720 | |
| Nebraska | $140 – $705 | |
| Nevada | $155 – $765 | |
| New Hampshire | $155 – $750 | |
| New Jersey | $165 – $795 | |
| New Mexico | $145 – $720 | |
| New York | $165 – $810 | |
| North Carolina | $145 – $735 | |
| North Dakota | $145 – $705 | |
| Ohio | $145 – $720 | Find a handyman in Ohio |
| Oklahoma | $140 – $705 | |
| Oregon | $155 – $765 | |
| Pennsylvania | $150 – $750 | |
| Rhode Island | $155 – $765 | |
| South Carolina | $145 – $720 | |
| South Dakota | $140 – $705 | |
| Tennessee | $145 – $720 | |
| Texas | $150 – $750 | |
| Utah | $150 – $735 | |
| Vermont | $150 – $735 | |
| Virginia | $150 – $750 | |
| Washington | $160 – $795 | |
| Washington DC | $170 – $825 | |
| West Virginia | $140 – $690 | |
| Wisconsin | $145 – $735 | |
| Wyoming | $145 – $705 |
State ranges reflect typical independent handyman labor rates for a midsize home.
Common questions
How much does it cost to have a faucet installed?
Labor typically runs $150 to $350 for a straightforward swap. Add the faucet itself — $80 for a basic model up to $500 or more for a premium kitchen unit — plus $50 to $150 per shutoff valve if the old stops need replacing.
Should I replace the shutoff valves at the same time?
If they are old multi-turn compression stops, yes. The incremental labor while the pro is already under the sink is small, and a seized stop turns a future ten-minute repair into a whole-house shutoff.
Can a handyman replace a faucet, or do I need a plumber?
A fixture swap is within handyman scope in most states, since it does not alter the supply or drain system. Replacing supply piping, moving drain lines, or anything requiring a permit generally needs a licensed plumber.
How long should a faucet last?
A quality faucet lasts 15 to 20 years. Cartridges may need replacing once or twice in that span, which is a cheap repair. Budget faucets with plastic internals often start dripping within five.
Related project cost guides
Sources and further reading
Primary sources behind this page. Federal safety, emissions and consumer-protection references — worth reading before you authorize any repair.
- EPA WaterSense Federal efficiency standards and flow-rate labeling for faucets, showerheads, and toilets.
- IAPMO Uniform Plumbing Code Model plumbing code governing traps, venting, and fixture connections in many states.
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