Does it really cost half a grand to change a kitchen faucet?

[Zeze]

$250 parts (directly at mfg website) + $250/hr = $500

How do people manage it?

 

[sdifox]

Change it yourself. Who buys faucet from manufacturer?

Get one of these

Amazon.ca

 

[Zeze]

Change it yourself

I normally would. I did sooo much stuff around the house.

I just might.

 

[K1052]

This is easy to do yourself.

 

[IronWing]

Faucets are easy as long as the old fixtures and valves aren't sintered up. Since the old valves are always sintered up, faucets suck, but are still easy.

 

[sdifox]

I normally would. I did sooo much stuff around the house.

I just might.

Just stack some foam pads in front of the cabinet so you can lie down more comfortably and off you go. That tool I linked was a great invention.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Yea with that tool you can swap it out in 30 minutes if you're taking your time. It is kinda crazy how expensive faucets can be, at least at the b&m stores. They're pretty cheap on amazon but quality is questionable..

 

[nakedfrog]

Yes, of the household plumbing that one can do, this is one of the easiest things. I will say it's probably easier for shorter people than taller people, can be a real hassle positioning my arms under the sink sometimes.

 

[BoomerD]

Change it yourself. Who buys faucet from manufacturer?

Get one of these

Amazon.ca

I have the Ridgid version of that. Surprisingly, while it works for SOME connections, IMO, you also need a basin wrench.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-1-2-in-Quick-Release-Telescoping-Basin-Wrench-80-546-111/206830601

If you’re installing a faucet similar to this one-hole faucet:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/MOEN-Essie-Single-Handle-Pre-Rinse-Spring-Pulldown-Sprayer-Kitchen-Faucet-with-Power-Clean-in-Spot-Resist-Stainless-87814SRS/311774260

You’ll need one. The nut that holds the stem to the sink base is too big for the faucet tool.

If your faucet doesn’t come with some type of gasket between the faucet base and the sink top, be sure to silicone the faucet in place. Otherwise, water can get under it and into your cabinets…and, over time, the faucet can loosen, making things worse.

 

[Zeze]

Ya, did some youtubing. This is easy.

 

[sdifox]

Shrug, the one I have fits all the faucets I have installed. The metal piece can be flipped over for bigger nuts. I don't think I have ever ran into faucets that don't come with gasket.

 

[sdifox]

KOHLER Pull Down Sprayer Kitchen Faucet Easy-to-Clean Metal Vibrant Stainless | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for KOHLER Pull Down Sprayer Kitchen Faucet Easy-to-Clean Metal Vibrant Stainless at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

 

[MrSquished]

I remember like 20 years back my mom got quoted 250 labor to put in a kitchen faucet she bought. So I brought over my dremel, really my only tool besides the very basics, (since I'm not a big handyman, though I hold my own) and changed that thing for zero dollars. I would do again,and with the tools linked in this thread

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Here’s the question.
How much is a comfortable living in your area and how many $250 labor charge faucets does the installer have to do, also assume 2 hours in time due to the commute. How many hours per year do they need to work and remember that number is a perfect number with no down time or wasted time.

 

[Red Squirrel]

The part that sucks about faucets is you're working in such a cramped area to try to get all the connections in place between the sink and the wall while shoving yourself under the cabinet, after having to move everything out of it. It's not a fun job, but $500 does seem crazy steep.

You can buy a special wrench where it's curved 90 degrees so you can get up in there that makes the job easier.

 

[herm0016]

as a trades person, we pretty much don't do anything but reset a GFI or swap out a Breaker for less than 250 bucks labor. call it an hour job. you have an hour into transport also, time to make the invoice, time to do the book keeping, time you are not at a larger job, time stocking the truck and going to the supply house, 4 different kinds of insurance, licensing, continuing education hours, trade organization.....

If we pay a guy 30 an hour (which is low) he costs us around 90. plus the van, gas, car insurance, etc. Really you are paying about 125 an hour.

I have installed 3 or 4 kraus faucets, 2 sinks, a soap thing and a few other odds and ends and have been super happy with them.

Kraus | Build.com

Kraus offers great quality and exceptional value for Kitchen Sinks, Kitchen Faucets, Bathroom Faucets, and Bathroom Sinks. Shop our selection.

www.build.com

 

[BoomerD]

as a trades person, we pretty much don't do anything but reset a GFI or swap out a Breaker for less than 250 bucks labor. call it an hour job. you have an hour into transport also, time to make the invoice, time to do the book keeping, time you are not at a larger job, time stocking the truck and going to the supply house, 4 different kinds of insurance, licensing, continuing education hours, trade organization.....

If we pay a guy 30 an hour (which is low) he costs us around 90. plus the van, gas, car insurance, etc. Really you are paying about 125 an hour.

I have installed 3 or 4 kraus faucets, 2 sinks, a soap thing and a few other odds and ends and have been super happy with them.

Kraus | Build.com

Kraus offers great quality and exceptional value for Kitchen Sinks, Kitchen Faucets, Bathroom Faucets, and Bathroom Sinks. Shop our selection.

www.build.com

Those look good...and prices are comparable to Home Depot/Lowes.

 

[Red Squirrel]

as a trades person, we pretty much don't do anything but reset a GFI or swap out a Breaker for less than 250 bucks labor. call it an hour job. you have an hour into transport also, time to make the invoice, time to do the book keeping, time you are not at a larger job, time stocking the truck and going to the supply house, 4 different kinds of insurance, licensing, continuing education hours, trade organization.....

If we pay a guy 30 an hour (which is low) he costs us around 90. plus the van, gas, car insurance, etc. Really you are paying about 125 an hour.

I have installed 3 or 4 kraus faucets, 2 sinks, a soap thing and a few other odds and ends and have been super happy with them.

Kraus | Build.com

Kraus offers great quality and exceptional value for Kitchen Sinks, Kitchen Faucets, Bathroom Faucets, and Bathroom Sinks. Shop our selection.

www.build.com

Yeah that's the thing there is still time and labour involved in simply rolling out the truck to the location. Especially if it's an emergency call out off hours. At my job if someone wants work done after hours (telecom) it's $400 minimum just to roll out the truck. So often it's a problem at their end too. The people who call in the troubles are not even on site.

 

[herm0016]

Those look good...and prices are comparable to Home Depot/Lowes.

compared to the $200 dollar ones at depot these are way way higher quality, better finish and more metal parts. I don't think any part you touch on the ones i have installed in plastic. the bases and rings have all been metal as well.

 

[Zeze]

I have the Ridgid version of that. Surprisingly, while it works for SOME connections, IMO, you also need a basin wrench.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-1-2-in-Quick-Release-Telescoping-Basin-Wrench-80-546-111/206830601

If you’re installing a faucet similar to this one-hole faucet:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/MOEN-Essie-Single-Handle-Pre-Rinse-Spring-Pulldown-Sprayer-Kitchen-Faucet-with-Power-Clean-in-Spot-Resist-Stainless-87814SRS/311774260

You’ll need one. The nut that holds the stem to the sink base is too big for the faucet tool.

If your faucet doesn’t come with some type of gasket between the faucet base and the sink top, be sure to silicone the faucet in place. Otherwise, water can get under it and into your cabinets…and, over time, the faucet can loosen, making things worse.

Will buy that wrench too tomorrow thanks.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

compared to the $200 dollar ones at depot these are way way higher quality, better finish and more metal parts. I don't think any part you touch on the ones i have installed in plastic. the bases and rings have all been metal as well.

Gotta remember these, I’ve been churning thru kitchen sink faucets. Seems impossible to get a well made one unless you go into the ludicrous cost range and even then I am not certain.

 

[snoopy7548]

as a trades person, we pretty much don't do anything but reset a GFI or swap out a Breaker for less than 250 bucks labor. call it an hour job. you have an hour into transport also, time to make the invoice, time to do the book keeping, time you are not at a larger job, time stocking the truck and going to the supply house, 4 different kinds of insurance, licensing, continuing education hours, trade organization.....

If we pay a guy 30 an hour (which is low) he costs us around 90. plus the van, gas, car insurance, etc. Really you are paying about 125 an hour.

I have installed 3 or 4 kraus faucets, 2 sinks, a soap thing and a few other odds and ends and have been super happy with them.

Kraus | Build.com

Kraus offers great quality and exceptional value for Kitchen Sinks, Kitchen Faucets, Bathroom Faucets, and Bathroom Sinks. Shop our selection.

www.build.com

Kraus is good. I bought/installed this one almost six years ago and I haven't had any issues with it.

Amazon.com

 

[sdifox]

Moen is putting out plastic shower set...

MOEN Brecklyn Posi-Temp® Tub/Shower

Buy MOEN Brecklyn Posi-Temp® Tub/Shower @ $298.00 | You can find all your Kitchen and Baths inquiries in Taps Depot

tapsdepot.ca

 

[Zeze]

compared to the $200 dollar ones at depot these are way way higher quality, better finish and more metal parts. I don't think any part you touch on the ones i have installed in plastic. the bases and rings have all been metal as well.

You convinced me to order from there after wife approves the model design.

 

[Charmonium]

Faucets are easy as long as the old fixtures and valves aren't sintered up. Since the old valves are always sintered up, faucets suck, but are still easy.

That's going in my collection of 'famous last words.'

For reasons that shall never be known, the guy that built this place decided that the bathroom faucet needed to mortared in place.

Unfortunately, I had no clue about this and couldn't figure out what was holding it in place. I finally had resort to brute force and bust it off.

I did NOT use mortar for the replacement.