How Much Does Bathtub Faucet Installation Cost? [2025 Data]

Planning on upgrading your bathroom hardware? Bathtub faucet installation costs $550 on average, but it depends on the type of faucet, brand, materials, and labor required for the project. You could spend as little as $300 installing a basic faucet or more than $2,000 installing a luxury faucet with added features. This guide will help you break down the costs to set a realistic budget.

Bathtub Faucet Installation Cost Factors

Bathroom faucet installation is often a small part of a larger bathroom model. The cost depends on several factors since there are faucet options that suit a range of budgets. Here are some details that impact the price.

Different types of bathtub faucets come at different price points. Those that are larger, more decorative or ornate, or require more components for installation cost more than standard tub faucets.

• Wall mount: Wall-mounted faucets cost $70–$800. This type of faucet attaches to the wall of the bathtub, and the piping is hidden inside the wall.

• Tub wall mount: Tub wall-mounted faucets cost $90–$950. These faucets attach to the wall of your tub using predrilled holes on the inside of one of the tub’s walls.

• Tub deck mount: A deck-mounted faucet costs about $100–$1,000, depending on the model. This kind of faucet attaches directly to the bathtub's rim using predrilled holes.

• Freestanding: Freestanding (or floor-mounted) bathtub faucets cost $150–$2,200, but you’ll pay more for luxury models. This type of bathtub faucet is used for a freestanding (or standalone) tub that doesn’t have predrilled holes. It’s mounted on the floor and has exposed piping that extends up and over the tub.

Materials

Higher-end materials will increase the price of your bathtub faucet. Chrome is largely considered the most affordable, but stainless steel or bronze are great middle-of-the-road options. Mid-range options don’t differ much by price, but specialty faucet finishes cost the most.

Brand

Aside from the type of faucet, the brand has the largest impact on price. High-end brands like Kohler, Moen, or Delta cost significantly more than other brands on the market. The best way to keep prices down is to research specific models and strike a balance between durability and price.

Features

Basic faucets without all the bells and whistles go for $50 to $350. Once you start adding features, like sprayers or adjustable streams, the cost could rise. Touchless handles, operated by a sensor, tend to remain affordable as long as you get a standard model. Keep an eye on the features while you shop, and get ready to compare costs. Extra features can include:

• LED lighting

• Touchless handles

• Adjustable stream

• Handheld sprayer

• Shower diverter

Labor

Labor costs are a significant part of the job. Most plumbers who install faucets charge $45 to $200 per hour, and the average labor cost is between $100 and $400. However, if you choose a wall-mounted or freestanding faucet that requires additional plumbing inside the floor or wall, it could cost $600 to $700—not including the cost of the faucet.

Location

Bathtub faucet installation costs more in areas with a high cost of living, such as New York City or Los Angeles. You’ll find more affordable prices outside major cities and in lower-cost-of-living areas. That said, if your area has a shortage of plumbers, you will end up paying more for the job since demand increases prices.

Replacement vs. New Installation

It costs less to replace a bathtub faucet than it does to install a brand-new faucet. As long as you buy a similar model, you can pop a replacement into the existing plumbing. Installing a new faucet requires a significant amount of extra plumbing work if it’s not already roughed in prior to your bathtub installation. You’ll pay $400 to $2,200 to relocate plumbing lines alone. 

Additional Prep and Repairs

The more plumbing work required, the more you’ll pay. Installing a bathtub faucet requires some level of prep and plumbing repair—whether it’s fixing a leaky connection, replacing broken valves, or solving low water pressure. Your contractor may need to drill holes in your bathtub for your faucet if the manufacturer didn’t drill them. Additional costs could include:

• Pipe replacement cost: $400–$2,200

• Bathroom leak repair cost: $150–$600

• Shower valve replacement cost: $150–$550

• Clogged drain repair: $150–$500

• Water damage repair costs: $500–$11,000

Bathtub Faucet Ongoing Costs

Bathtub faucets don’t come with many ongoing costs. The long-term cost depends on how much you use your tub and local water prices. Beyond that, you’ll need to clean and repair your faucet as needed. 

Maintenance

You can clean your faucet using products you already have underneath your kitchen sink. A standard bathroom cleaner ($10 to $25) will work. However, don’t use bleach on every fixture because it can damage brass, chrome, and copper. 

Repairs

Your faucet can eventually wear down with use and require repairs. The cost to fix a leaky faucet is $100 to $400, with the cost of most plumbing repairs hovering around $365.

Why You Should Hire a Faucet Installation Pro

Hiring a local plumber costs more upfront, but you benefit from proper plumbing techniques, leak prevention, and efficient water flow setup. Pros bring the right tools—such as pipe wrenches, sealants, and specialized plumbing equipment—and the experience needed to install a bathtub faucet without damaging your plumbing or bathroom finishes.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a bathtub faucet installation pro:

• Pros know how to install bathtub faucets efficiently while avoiding damage to existing plumbing, tiles, or surrounding fixtures, ensuring a proper and leak-free connection.

• They handle the installation in accordance with local plumbing codes, which can be complex and vary by region. A pro ensures your faucet is compliant, preventing potential legal or safety issues.

• Hiring a pro reduces the risk of leaks, low water pressure, or misaligned fixtures that could cause water damage or costly repairs later.

• Many contractors can bundle services such as replacing valves, updating plumbing, or installing complementary fixtures, helping streamline the entire project.

If you want to DIY parts of the project

• Clear the area around the bathtub of any toiletries, mats, or furniture to provide easy access for the professional installer.

• Shut off the water supply and drain the faucet lines before the pro arrives, if you’re comfortable doing so, to save time during installation.

• Remove the old faucet yourself if you’re confident, but take care to avoid damaging the plumbing or surrounding finishes.

Cost of Common Bathtub Faucet Add-Ons

Unless you’re just swapping out the hardware, your tub faucet installation may include additional projects or upgrades, which will raise the cost of your project.

New Bathtub

If you’re installing a bathtub alongside your new faucet, you’ll spend anywhere from $2,000 to $9,400. Common upgrades include swapping out a standard alcove tub for a higher-end soaking tub or a jetted tub with added features.

New Shower

Some homeowners choose to convert a standard bathtub into a tub-shower combo. Alongside the tub faucet installation, you’ll also need to install the shower. Remodeling your bathroom to add a tub-shower combo could cost anywhere from $600 to $10,000 (including the cost of the faucet), depending on whether you need additional plumbing. 

Shower Diverter

If you have a tub-shower combo but don’t choose a tub faucet with a built-in diverter, you may need to install a shower diverter. The cost to replace a shower valve is between $150 and $550, but it could cost as much as $1,750 if you need to open up the wall and make serious plumbing changes.

Handheld Sprayer 

Many tub faucets come with a handheld sprayer attached. If not, you can purchase a handheld sprayer for around $50. Some of these screw right into the tub spout, but if you need one that requires extra plumbing or is mounted on your tub wall, labor costs will be higher.

Water Softener

If you live in an area with hard water, you can install a water softener system alongside your tub spout installation. Depending on the size and type, water softener systems cost about $200 to $6,000.

Ways to Save on Bathtub Faucet Installation

The average bathroom remodel costs around $11,300. That’s no small chunk of change. Luckily, you can slash your budget for a bathtub faucet installation with a few careful tips:

• Choose a basic faucet in a wallet-friendly material: The best way to save money on a tub faucet installation is to choose a basic faucet in an affordable material. Standard chrome will cost the least. Avoid highly ornate faucets and added features because they’ll add to your costs.

• Skip designer brands: There are many different faucet manufacturers, which means you have choices. Avoid costly designer brands and go for a reliable mid-range brand.

• Look for a sale: Faucets go on sale whether a brand is discontinuing a model or a retailer is having a seasonal sale. Browse different retailers before making your purchase.

• Choose a faucet that’s compatible with your existing plumbing: If you’re replacing your existing tub faucet, installing a model that fits into your existing plumbing will save you on labor costs.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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