How Much Does Faucet Repair or Replacement Cost?

If your faucet won't stop dripping or the handle finally gave out, here's the short answer: most faucet repairs cost between $70 and $300, while a full faucet replacement typically runs $150 to $600 including labor and a mid-range fixture. The national average to repair a dripping faucet is about $169, and a kitchen faucet replacement averages around $262. Simple fixes like a worn washer or cartridge sit at the low end; anything involving a wall-mounted fixture, corroded valves, or hidden pipe damage climbs higher.

That range is wide because "faucet work" covers everything from a five-minute washer swap to opening a tiled shower wall. Below, TruFlo Plumbing breaks down exactly what drives the price, when repair beats replacement, and what Texas homeowners should realistically budget in 2026 — so you can make a smart call before you pick up the phone.

Faucet repair cost: what you'll actually pay

For a straightforward drip or leak, repair is almost always the cheaper route. Faucet repairs typically range from $70 to $300, with licensed plumbers charging $65 to $150 for the initial service call to diagnose the problem. Where you land depends mostly on the faucet's location and how its valve is built.

• Bathroom sink faucets — the simplest and cheapest to fix. Average repair costs run $65 to $200, and a pro can usually finish in an hour or less.
• Kitchen faucets — slightly more complex because they have more moving parts. Repairs typically run $100 to $250.
• Tub and shower faucets — the priciest, because the valve is often embedded in a wall. These jobs can take two to three hours to complete, which raises the labor total.
• Outdoor faucets (hose bibs) — usually quick and inexpensive, with basic repairs running $100 to $250.

The parts themselves are cheap — that's the surprising part. A worn cartridge costs $30 to $70, and a rubber washer costs less than $5. You're really paying for labor. Plumber labor nationally ranges from $75 to $150 per hour, and a typical repair takes 0.5 to 2 hours. A fast cartridge swap might be 30 minutes; a stubborn shower valve can eat two hours.

Faucet replacement cost: repair's not always worth it

When a faucet is old, corroded, or damaged beyond a simple fix, replacement makes more sense. Here's how the costs break down by location, based on 2026 industry data:

• Bathroom faucet: $130 to $350 for labor only, or $230 to $680 with the faucet, materials, and installation.
• Kitchen faucet: $162 to $364 on average, with an average of $262 — and labor makes up most of the bill.
• Bathtub/shower faucet: $150 to $400 for labor only, or $300 to $750 all-in, since the valve often sits behind tile.
• Outdoor faucet: $50 to $150 for labor and materials for a basic swap.

The fixture price varies enormously. Faucet prices alone average $100 to $350, but a basic chrome model can start around $40 while a bronze or brass finish can run up to $750. If you want quality that lasts, it's worth investing in a faucet with all-brass internal construction and ceramic valves to delay future repairs.

Watch for wall-mounted and hidden-damage surprises

The biggest budget shocks come from complications behind the wall. Wall-mounted faucets and jobs that require rerunning pipes, repairing drywall, or removing asbestos can add up to $3,000 to your total. If your plumber finds water damage from a leaking pipe during the swap, that needs immediate attention too. This is exactly why an honest, experienced plumber inspects before quoting — and why a suspiciously low estimate can turn into a much larger bill. If you suspect the problem runs deeper than the fixture, our guide on the cost to fix a broken pipe in a wall is worth a read.

Repair or replace? How to decide

A reasonable rule of thumb: repair if the faucet is relatively new and the issue is minor; replace if it's old and problems keep stacking up. Repair usually makes more sense if the faucet is under five years old with minor issues like drips, loose handles, or mineral buildup. On the other hand, any faucet that's 15+ years old, rusty, or has problems like leaking, weak flow, or a broken sprayer generally needs replacing.

Consider replacement when:

• Replacement parts are expensive or hard to find for your model.
• You've owned the faucet more than 10 years.
• You're dealing with multiple issues at once — leaks, corrosion, and low flow.

Don't ignore a "small" drip, either. Leaky faucets waste about 10,000 gallons of water a year in the average home, and repairing them can save homeowners up to 10% on their water bills. A $150 repair today is cheap insurance against a bigger water bill — and a bigger plumbing headache — tomorrow.

Should you DIY it?

Some tasks are genuinely homeowner-friendly. Cleaning the aerator, tightening a loose connection, or swapping a compression washer are low-risk and cost almost nothing. But most faucet work carries real downside if you get it wrong. Mistakes like improper cartridge installation or incorrect supply line connections can cause water damage costing $3,500 to $10,000 or more — making a $150 to $300 professional repair cheap insurance by comparison.

There's also the matter of your warranty and your skill set. A reputable plumber provides a warranty for their work, carries insurance, and can complete the job safely and efficiently. And when the job involves altering water supply lines or a shower valve behind the wall, you should stick to licensed plumbing contractors rather than a handyperson. If you're weighing DIY across other common plumbing problems, our take on clogged drain solutions and when to call a pro follows the same logic.

Why TruFlo Plumbing is the smart choice for Texas homeowners

You could roll the dice on a big-directory quote or an unlicensed handyman — but faucet work is exactly the kind of "small" job that turns expensive when it's done wrong. That's where TruFlo Plumbing comes in. We're a licensed, insured residential plumbing company with more than 15 years of experience serving Texas homeowners, and fixture repair and installation — faucets, toilets, and showers — is core to what we do every day.

Here's why homeowners choose us for faucet repair and replacement:

• Honest, upfront pricing. We inspect before we quote, so you know whether you need a $150 repair or a full replacement — no surprise upsells.
• Licensed and insured. Your home, your pipes, and your warranty are protected by real credentials, not a "guy who does plumbing."
• 24/7 emergency service. A dripping faucet can wait for business hours; a spraying supply line under the sink can't. When water's involved, timing matters — knowing where your main shut-off valve is can prevent costly water damage before help arrives. We're available around the clock either way.
• Workmanship you can trust. A properly installed faucet gives you a leak-free start and preserves your manufacturer's warranty.

If your faucet issue turns out to be part of a bigger plumbing picture, we handle that too — from leak detection to pipe repair. Homeowners weighing larger projects often find our guides on repair vs. replace pipes and toilet installation costs in Texas helpful for budgeting.

How to keep faucet costs down

• Act early. Small repairs are much cheaper than major fixes — fix leaks and drips as soon as you spot them.
• Buy a retrofit-compatible faucet. Choosing a model that fits your existing sink holes and plumbing avoids drilling and extra labor.
• Schedule during business hours. After-hours emergency rates are typically 1.5 to 2x standard rates, so if it's only dripping, book a regular appointment.
• Bundle jobs. If two bathroom faucets need work, doing them in one visit often earns a discount.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to fix a leaky faucet?

Most leaky faucet repairs cost between $70 and $300, with a national average around $169. A bathroom sink faucet is cheapest at roughly $65 to $200, while a kitchen faucet runs $100 to $250 and a tub or shower faucet costs more because the valve is often behind a wall. The parts themselves — a washer or cartridge — are only a few dollars to $70; you're mostly paying for labor.

Is it cheaper to repair or replace a faucet?

Repair is usually cheaper if the faucet is under about five years old and the problem is minor, like a drip or loose handle. Replacement makes more sense once a faucet is 10 to 15 years old, corroded, or having multiple issues at once, since repeated repairs add up. A plumber can tell you quickly which route saves you money after a short inspection.

How long does a faucet installation take?

A straightforward faucet swap with good access and matching connections usually takes a professional one to two hours. Jobs that require drilling new holes, replacing corroded supply lines, or opening a tiled wall for a shower valve can take considerably longer. Buying a faucet that fits your existing setup is the best way to keep the job — and the labor cost — short.

Can I install a faucet myself to save money?

You can handle very simple tasks like cleaning the aerator or tightening a connection, and a basic replacement is doable if the water lines stay untouched. However, improper installation can cause leaks and water damage costing thousands, and it may void your faucet's warranty. For anything involving supply line changes or a shower valve, hiring a licensed plumber is the safer and often cheaper choice in the long run.

Why is my faucet quote higher than the online average?

Online averages usually assume ideal conditions and easy access. Your quote can be higher if you have corroded shutoff valves, non-standard pipe sizes, a wall-mounted or pedestal-sink faucet, or hidden damage a plumber only finds once they're under the sink. Local labor rates and whether the call is an after-hours emergency also affect the final number.

Ready to stop that drip for good? Whether you need a quick washer swap, a full faucet replacement, or a same-day emergency fix, TruFlo Plumbing delivers licensed, insured, honestly priced service backed by 15+ years of Texas experience. Reach out today for a straightforward quote — and get your faucet working right the first time.