How much does it cost to install a kitchen faucet?

Reviewed by Cristina Miguelez remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

The kitchen faucet plays an important and integral role in every kitchen design. The faucet allows you to wash dishes, fill pots, bathe pets and small children, or get a glass of water. Faucets for the kitchen come in many styles, sizes, and finishes. They also have several functions and installation types, so there is a range of costs associated with the installation.

The national average range for installing a kitchen faucet is $300 to $800, with most people paying around $500 for an installed monobloc stainless steel faucet with a pull-down sprayer and touchless operation. This project’s low cost is $200 for a chrome single-lever faucet installed with no spray. The high cost is $2,000 for an antiqued copper gantry-style faucet fully installed with deck extensions.

Kitchen Faucet Installation Cost

Kitchen Faucet Cost by Type

You can expect to spend between $40 and $4,000 on the faucet alone based on the type that you choose. Faucets are more than just functional. They also have a visual component. You should consider many things when choosing a faucet. Some impact style, while others affect how the faucet and sink function. When selecting a faucet, consider your needs and the space’s appearance. Faucets come in many configurations, from monobloc, or a single-hole drilling in the counter, to widespread layouts or having three holes drilled in the counter. Each has costs and attributes to consider.

In the kitchen, single-hole or single-handle faucets are not as common as they are in bathrooms. They offer an affordable option, however. Pull-out/down faucets provide a built-in sprayer that can be removed from the neck to rinse or fill pans or handle other tasks. Widespread faucets often have a more spread-out design, with handles installed about 8 inches apart with a faucet in the middle. Specialty features increase your cost, as in the case of the cost to install a pot filler, which is significantly more expensive than a standard faucet. Gantry faucets offer a more professional operation. Bridge faucets are all about style with their elegant, connected faucet and handles. The table below shows the average cost of each type for materials only.

Kitchen Faucet Price by Type of Neck

When purchasing a kitchen faucet by neck type, you will spend between $40 and $2,000. Your faucet’s spout can have a few shapes. In general, your faucet has a standard spout if you opt for a pull-out faucet. This means that it comes straight out at a 45-degree angle. If you’re dealing with a shallow sink or one with a window behind it and do not want to block the view, a standard neck kitchen faucet will be fine. If you choose a gooseneck faucet, your spout goes much higher before curving downward. This faucet may have a pull-down sprayer, as well. Finally, you may opt for a Victorian spout if you have an antique, Victorian, or farmhouse kitchen. This spout starts perfectly straight and then bends up in one or two curves before ending in a gentle gooseneck. All spouts can usually swivel and do not affect your kitchen’s function. The differences are primarily aesthetic. In the table below, you’ll see the average cost of each type for materials only.

Kitchen Faucet Price by Surface Material

For materials, you will spend between $40 and $2,000 on your new kitchen faucet based on the type of material you choose. Your kitchen faucet may have a body made of plastic, brass, or steel. The surface could be colored, covered, or plated with a range of other materials and colors. Some of these, such as chrome, have universal thicknesses and appearances regardless of the manufacturer. Others may be called by a different name, such as nickel or bronze, but are a painted or sprayed-on finish that may cover plastic or metal. The faucet’s finish and color impact the final cost.

Plastic kitchen faucets are usually coated in a chrome plating to give them a shiny metal appearance. Materials like nickel and zinc are usually plated or powder-coated onto the faucet to create the final finished look. Stainless steel is one of the most common finishes that you will find because it is affordable and durable. For a more stylish or vintage look, some people choose brass faucets or even upgrade to copper. In the table below, you will see the average costs of each material.

New Kitchen Faucet Cost by Type of Finish Application

Applying the finish coat impacts your costs, with materials ranging from $45 to $2,000. The finish application refers to how the coating is applied to the faucet. This can be done in two ways, through electroplating or powder coating. Electroplating is when the faucet is dipped into molten metal with a current applied to cause the metal to adhere to the faucet. Powder coating refers to a sprayed-on finish and is commonly used on plastic faucets or for satin finishes.

In addition to the finish application, faucets may have a PVD or physical vapor deposition placed over the metal. This protects the material of the faucet and ensures that rust, buildup, and other elements do not impact the quality of the material. Bleach is the only exception. It can still damage faucets if used improperly. Chrome faucets do not usually get PVD coating because their finish is already corrosion-resistant.

If you are concerned about corrosion and reactivity and frequently clean with bleach, consider a chrome faucet. If you are concerned about bacteria but do not want to clean with bleach, consider a brass or copper faucet because these materials are naturally antimicrobial. In the table below, you will see the average costs of kitchen faucets based on their finish application. Keep in mind these prices are for materials only. Labor incurs an additional cost.

Kitchen Faucet Price by Finish

You will spend between $45 and $2,000 on the faucet you choose for your kitchen based on its finish or appearance. Nearly every metal finish also comes in a range of finish textures. These range from polished, which is the least expensive, to antiqued, which is often the most expensive. Polished is the only finish that reflects light. Satin, brushed, and antiqued finishes are textured and matte. A metal finish with an additional PVD finish affects costs, so a polished copper faucet may cost more than brushed nickel.

The finish is proprietary. Where one company may say their finish is brushed, another may have an identical finish called satin. A third company may have brushed and satin, which are two distinct finishes. Because of this, try to purchase matching accessories from the same manufacturer if you choose a finish other than polished. This includes lights, cabinet knobs, pulls, soap dispensers, and towel rails. Mixing and matching may result in several finishes with the same name but do not match side-by-side. Below is a general cost range for each of the finishes.

Kitchen Faucet Installation Cost by Brand

The cost of a kitchen faucet based on brand ranges from $40 to $4,000, with many options. You can choose your kitchen faucet in many ways. Sometimes, it is by appearance, while other times, the brand. Some brands make a range of options, including matching accessories for a cohesive look. Every brand has proprietary finishes, sizes, and styles to consider. For the most affordable option without sacrificing style, choose top brands like Delta and Moen. Those who need a cheap, reliable faucet will want to look at American Standard or Kingston Brass.

Pfister offers a great range of pro-grade and budget-friendly faucet options with prices for almost every shopper. Kohler faucets are designed to have features and function. They may cost a bit more, but they are still affordable in the mid-range of the prices for different brands. For those who want top-of-the-line fixtures, brands like Watermark and KWC offer premium faucets with premium pricing. In the table below, you’ll see the average cost of materials for each brand of faucet.

Labor Cost to Install a Kitchen Faucet

The average labor rate for installing a faucet is $90 to $270. Most people pay around $180 for the labor. Kitchen faucets can be installed by a plumber in one to three hours. Plumbers typically charge between $45 and $200 an hour, with an average of $90 an hour. A new faucet installation of a single-hole faucet takes about an hour. If you need to rough plumb, run a line, or have a complex faucet installation, it may take up to three hours.

If you choose to add a pot filler faucet, you can expect to spend $200 to $1,200, which includes $340 to $500 for installation labor and between $70 and $140 to run a water line to the back of the cooktop if one is not already in place. The area will need to be roughed in and tiled, and then the pot filler will be installed. The entire project takes three to four hours but may take longer for complex installations or if there is a need for extensive plumbing upgrades.

Kitchen Faucet Installation Cost by Location

You will spend between $300 and $1,500 to install a kitchen faucet based on location. Kitchen faucets are generally installed in two locations. A deck-mounted faucet is installed in your countertop or sink. It may be located in the center or to one side. D-shaped sink bowls work best with the faucet on a corner, while larger sinks may need it in the middle. Deck-mounted faucets are the most common since plumbing usually comes up from the floor. However, some homeowners like the look of a wall-mounted faucet.

Wall-mounted faucets are installed in the wall directly behind your sink. They extend from the wall and into the sink. Some have a jointed spout to allow additional reach into a larger sink, while others have a fixed and straight spout. In general, deck-mounted faucets are easier and less expensive to install. This is particularly true when retrofitting a new sink, countertop, and faucet where one used to be. Wall installations are more challenging, even in a replacement. The wall must be opened and roughed for the faucet, and then the wall is closed and finished, and the faucet can be installed. This makes the cost of a wall-mounted faucet more expensive than a deck-mounted one. The table below shows a breakdown of each type and its costs for installation and materials.

Cost to Remove and Replace a Kitchen Faucet

The cost to remove and replace a faucet runs between $180 and $270 in labor, for a total cost range of $400 to $900, depending on the faucet type. If this is a replacement, the first step in the installation is removing existing faucets. That involves shutting off the water and loosening the nuts holding the faucet in place before disconnecting the supply lines. Then, the nuts are removed from below, and the old faucet is pulled out from above. This process is usually simple and may only take a few minutes, so there will not be much additional labor. However, you may also need to install new lines for the faucet, which costs $90 to $180.

The new faucet is installed in the reverse order. The new pieces are put in from the top and tightened beneath the counter. The supply lines are connected, and everything is tightened before the water is reconnected and tested. The entire process takes about two hours from start to finish, assuming all the pieces are in good shape. The process takes longer if there is rust or corrosion or if you need to replace some parts.

Cost to Install a Kitchen Sink and Faucet

A new kitchen sink costs between $200 and $1,000 to install. Combined with the cost of a new faucet, this brings your total to $500 to $1,800 for both items installed. It is common to have a new sink and faucet installed together, particularly when installing a new countertop. If you have a new counter put in, it is common for the sink to be installed by the countertop installer. The plumber comes the next day to hook up the sink and install the faucet.

Cost to Install a Kitchen Sink Faucet and Garbage Disposal

The cost to install a garbage disposal is $300 to $600, for a total installation cost of $750 to $2,200 for all three items to be installed at the same time. These costs include the material and labor. A garbage disposal is often installed at the same time as a new sink and faucet. They will all be hooked up by the plumber, even if a countertop installer took care of the sink installation.

Kitchen Faucet Maintenance

The maintenance for your kitchen faucet varies depending on its finish. Chrome, plastic, and stainless steel can generally be cleaned with anything. Other finishes require pH-neutral or special cleaners designed for that metal. PVD (physical vapor deposition) finish makes it easier to keep clean and eliminates hard-water build-up and corrosion. However, this means you must avoid using bleach. Always ask the manufacturer of your faucet for cleaning information.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Soap Dispenser

You can purchase an in-counter soap dispenser that matches most faucets, costing $20 to $50. Homeowners can install these if a hole is pre-drilled. Otherwise, you might have to contact a plumber and have them perform the installation. It screws into place through a hole in the counter beside the faucet.

Adjustable Angle

These faucets have starting costs of between $300 and $500. You may want to select a faucet with an adjustable angle if you use your sink for multiple functions. Adjustable faucets move the spout at its end so that the water can enter the sink from different directions.

Built-In Water Filter

These have starting costs of around $100 to $200 and require a plumber to install them. If you have poor water quality, install a water filter in your sink. This can be done in a few ways. You can have a separate spout for cold filtered water or have your main faucet filtered.

Hot Water Dispenser

If you drink a lot of tea or other hot beverages, you may want to add an instant hot dispenser, which costs around $200 to $500. This is a small faucet that delivers near-boiling water instantly. They can frequently be coordinated with your faucet’s color, style, and finish.

Faucet Extenders

Your faucet may need extenders, which cost between $25 and $50. to fit if you have a very thick countertop. Faucet extenders attach the faucet to an oversized countertop and can be added to most faucets.

Swivel Faucet

If you choose a swivel faucet, you may spend an extra $100 to $250 on the faucet. Swivel kitchen faucets are designed to move to reach all areas of the sink, offering a widespread area of coverage even without a sprayer or pull-down unit.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Lifespan. Most kitchen faucets last 7 to 10 years. However, hard water can decrease this lifespan. Some people will have faucets that last longer, while others may replace them sooner due to excessive use or a change in style.
• Faucet size. If you replace the faucet without replacing the sink or countertop, ensure the new faucet fits the current holes. In some cases, plates may be available to cover the holes you do not use. Single-hole faucets usually extend 12 to 18 inches and reach 12 to 18 inches in height. Other faucets may be taller or extend further, so you’ll want to make sure they fit your sink.
• Plumbing code. Most states have plumbing codes. If your plumber finds your setup is not to code, they may need to update it before they can install your new faucet.
• Water supply. Water supply lines carry water from the valves to your faucet. Sometimes, these need to be replaced or rearranged when installing a new faucet.
• Water-saving. Water-saving and eco-friendly faucets are available. They use considerably less water per minute than conventional faucets and have about the same purchase and installation costs.
• Adjustable spray. Most faucets with a pull-down or pull-out spout include a button for adjustable spray. This is no additional charge and can make cleaning in the sink easier.