The cost of repairing a leaky faucet depends on the type of faucet and the part that needs to be replaced.
Repairing a leaky shower or bathroom sink faucet typically costs less than your bathtub, kitchen, or outdoor faucets.
Faucet parts can be fairly inexpensive, but unless you're an experienced DIYer, you should hire a plumber to get the job done properly.
Expect to pay about $45 to $200 per hour for labor, which is often the largest cost factor for this project.
Leaky faucets can lead to costly water damage—not to mention, lots of wasted water—so it’s best to repair them as soon as you notice a problem. Fortunately, leaky faucet repairs are some of the most inexpensive home repairs that you can do, especially if you make the repair yourself. You could spend as little as $60 or up to $400 for larger fixes, but most homeowners spend $270. Use this guide to budget for a leaky faucet repair, which breaks down common costs by factors like replacement parts, and whether or not you hire a plumber to help.
Leaky Faucet Repair Cost Breakdown
Several factors affect the cost to repair a leaky faucet, including the faucet’s type, and the replacement parts you need. Whether or not you hire a plumber to make the repair will also affect your costs.
From one homeowner to another
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The type of faucet you need to repair can affect your costs. For instance, bathtub faucets usually cost the most to repair since they often involve more and larger components than, say, outdoor faucets, which are typically the most affordable.
Faucet Type
Average Cost
Bathroom sink
$60 – $200
Kitchen sink
$100 – $250
Bathtub
$60 – $400
Outdoor
$100 – $300
Shower faucet
$75 – $200
Plumbing Repair 101
Parts
Repairing a leaky faucet often involves replacing a faulty part, such as the valve seat or the O-ring. These parts have different prices, so the one you need to replace can affect your overall costs.
Faucet Part
Cost
O-ring
$1 – $5
Rubber washer
$2 – $5
Cartridge
$10 – $100
Valve seat
$5 – $10
Ceramic disk
$20 – $50
Stem
$10 – $50
Hose
$15 – $50
Gaskets and seals
$2 – $10
Labor
If you hire a pro to repair your leaky faucet, you should factor labor costs into your overall budget. Hourly rates for plumbers usually cost between $45 and $200 per hour. But if you need emergency services immediately or after business hours, your costs might be higher.
DIY Leaky Faucet Repairs vs. Hiring a Pro
Performing a leaky faucet repair yourself can save you from spending the $45 to $200 per hour that it costs to hire a local plumber. Instead, you’d only need to pay for the cost of any needed replacement parts, and the tools required to make the repairs–if you don’t have them already. Since most faucet parts are relatively inexpensive, you can save quite a bit of money by tackling this project on your own, especially if you already have the tools. Many repairs can be completed with just a screwdriver and/or a wrench.
Cost of Common Leaky Faucet Repair Add-Ons
If you hire a plumber to repair your leaky faucet, you can potentially save some money by having them make other repairs while they’re already there–saving them an additional trip. Common plumbing repair costs include:
Leaky faucet repairs don’t typically cost as much as many other home repairs, but there are still some ways that you can potentially save money on this project, including:
Getting at least three estimates from reputable plumbers.
Repairing the leaky faucet yourself.
Borrowing any tools you don’t own.
Planning the repair within normal business hours.
Shopping around for the best price on replacement parts.
The cost of a new faucet heavily depends on the faucet’s type, brand, and style. Kitchen and bathroom faucets cost between $170 and $360, on average, but can reach $500or more for high-end materials and designs. Meanwhile, outdoor faucets cost between $100 and $300 to replace.
Signs of a leaky faucet include dripping water, unusual noises, and irregular water flow coming from the faucet. Discoloration or water stains around the sink or countertop can also indicate a leak, as can higher than usual water bills and wet areas under and around the sink’s base.
It usually takes between 30 minutes and one hour to repair a leaky faucet, but if you hire a plumber, they’ll often charge for one hour minimum. However, this time period is entirely dependent on the type of repair you need. Some complex repairs can take several hours to complete.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a leaky faucet that’s dripping at a rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year. This is one reason why it’s important to fix a leaky faucet sooner rather than later.
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