Faucet installation - and whether you need a plumber at all
Most faucet swaps are a genuine homeowner job. The ones that are not fail for the same reason every time: the shut-off valves under the sink.
What is faucet installation?
Replacing a faucet means shutting off the supply, disconnecting the old unit from underneath, dropping the new one through the deck holes, and reconnecting the supply lines. On a modern sink with working shut-off valves it is genuinely a homeowner job, usually under an hour, and the manufacturer's own instructions are the best guide you will find. It stops being a homeowner job the moment the shut-off valves under the sink refuse to close - which is far more common than the how-to videos suggest.
How faucet installation actually works
Check the shut-offs before buying anything
Close both angle stops under the sink and open the faucet. If water keeps running, the valves have failed and they are the actual job. Replacing an angle stop means shutting off the house main and, on older compression stops, cutting and refitting - which is where the plumber's time goes.
Watch forForcing a seized valve. Old multi-turn stops snap or start weeping at the packing nut, and a dry job turns wet with the main still on.
Match hole count, spread and deck configuration
Sinks are drilled for one, three or four holes at a standard spread, and faucets are sold for specific configurations. A single-hole faucet fits a three-hole sink with a deck plate; a widespread faucet does not fit a single-hole sink at all.
Watch forBuying the faucet before measuring. Hole spacing and the depth of the cabinet behind the basin are the two dimensions people skip.
Removal, and the part that is genuinely unpleasant
The old faucet comes out from underneath: supply lines off, mounting nuts released, unit lifted clear, old sealant cleaned off. On an old installation those nuts are corroded and reached lying on your back inside a cabinet. A basin wrench exists specifically for this.
Watch forCorroded nuts rounded off by the wrong tool. Once the flats are gone the options get destructive fast.
Set, connect, and test under pressure
The new faucet is bedded on its gasket or sealant, secured from below, and connected with new braided supply lines - reusing old ones is a false economy. The aerator comes off, water runs to flush debris, and every joint is checked dry-handed after ten minutes and again the next day.
Watch forOver-tightening compression fittings on supply lines. It deforms the seal and produces a slow weep that shows up as a swollen cabinet floor months later.
Aerators, operation check and under-sink dry-down
Hot and cold are verified, handles operate smoothly, spray functions work, and the cabinet base is dry after a sustained run. Supply stops are confirmed free and labeled if replaced.
Watch forA dry-looking joint that weeps after ten minutes of pressure. Leave the cabinet open long enough to catch slow leaks before you leave.
What does faucet installation cost?
A straightforward faucet swap is a short, low-priced visit in most markets - often quoted as a flat task rate rather than hourly. Replacing failed shut-off valves, modifying a stone countertop, or running new supply lines are separate line items and usually cost more than the faucet fitting itself.
See the full faucet installation cost guide - by material, size and region →
If the number is the problem, here are the ways people pay for it →
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When faucet installation is the wrong call
When saying yes is the wrong move:
- The faucet only drips. That is usually a worn cartridge or seat, and manufacturers ship replacements cheaply - often free under a lifetime warranty. Replacing the whole unit for a drip is the expensive way to fix a small part.
- The problem is low pressure at that one tap. Almost always a blocked aerator. Unscrew it, rinse the screen, refit - two minutes and no tools.
- You are replacing the sink or countertop within the year. Fit the faucet on the bench as part of that job. It is far easier and you pay for the labour once.
- The shut-off valves have failed and you are only budgeting for the faucet. The valves are the real job. Get them quoted before you commit, or you will be agreeing to an unplanned second item with the water already off.
- You want a finish that has to be ordered. Book the fitting after the unit is physically in your house - plumbers charge for a return visit when the box holds the wrong variant.
Types of faucet installation
| Option | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Single-hole faucet | One deck hole. Fits a three-hole sink with a deck plate, but not the reverse. |
| Centerset | Handles and spout on one base plate at a standard narrow spread. The common bathroom configuration. |
| Widespread | Separate spout and handles at a wider spread. Needs three correctly spaced holes. |
Can I do this myself?
Reasonable to DIY
- Swapping a like-for-like faucet on a sink whose shut-off valves close properly
- Replacing the braided supply lines at the same time - always do this, they are inexpensive
- Removing and cleaning a clogged aerator, which fixes a surprising share of "the new faucet has no pressure" complaints
Call a licensed pro
- The shut-off valves will not close, weep, or have no handle. This is the single most common reason a DIY faucet job becomes a call-out, and it means working on the live supply
- There are no shut-off valves under the sink at all - the supply is teed directly
- The countertop is stone, quartz or solid surface and a new hole has to be drilled
- The hole count or spread does not match and the sink or counter needs modifying
- You are adding a fixture where none existed, which means new supply and drain connections and often a permit
What to check when hiring for faucet installation
- Does the price include replacing the shut-off valves if they have failed? The most likely reason the final bill exceeds the quote on this job. Ask for the valve replacement price up front so it is not a doorstep decision.
- Am I supplying the faucet, and does that change the warranty you offer? Many plumbers warrant their labour but not a homeowner-supplied unit. Perfectly reasonable - just know which parts of the job are covered.
- Will you replace the supply lines as part of the job? They should be replaced every time. Braided lines are cheap and old ones are a common failure point behind a cabinet.
- Can you fit multiple fixtures in the same visit? The call-out is the expensive part of a small job. Batching two faucets, or a faucet and a toilet, is the cheapest way to buy this work.
- Will you test for dry joints after pressurising and again before leaving? Slow weeps under cabinets are how floors swell months later. A second look is cheap insurance.
- If the hole configuration is wrong, what is the change-order path? Better to know the exit before the old faucet is on the driveway.
Faucet Installation near you
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Sources
Sources last checked
- Drinking Water — Private WellsU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyRetrieved 2026-08-04Federal context for water quality and well-related plumbing decisions.
- Occupational Employment and Wages — Construction TradesU.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsRetrieved 2026-08-04Labor cost context for home-services trades nationally.
Sources for figures and claims on this page.
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