DIY or hire · Decision
Should you replace your own faucet?
By Ken Hoven · Updated April 2026
Our verdict
DIY recommended
One of the highest DIY savings in plumbing. Most of the job is working upside-down in a cabinet.
- Risk
- Low risk
- Permit
- Usually not required
- Time
- 1 hr (DIY)
- Savings
- ~$120
The reasoning
Faucet replacement is the platonic DIY-plumbing task. The connections are standardized, the consequences of a small mistake are visible (a slow drip under the sink), and no specialized tools are needed beyond a basin wrench. The hardest part is the physical position — you're on your back in a cramped cabinet with a flashlight balanced on your chest, reaching up to connect supply lines you can barely see. Budget 45 minutes if you've done it before, 90 minutes the first time. Most homeowner horror stories involve not shutting off the supply valves completely — if yours are old quarter-turn valves, test them before starting.
Honest cost comparison
| DIY | Hired | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | $80–$300 | $200–$500 |
| What's included | Faucet $60–$250 + supply lines | Labor $130–$250 plus faucet |
If you DIY
Shut off both supply valves under the sink. Test that water stops by turning the faucet on. Disconnect the supply lines (bucket under the connections). From above, remove any decorative caps and unscrew the faucet handles. From below, use a basin wrench to reach the mounting nuts. Lift the old faucet out. Clean the sink surface. Install the new faucet per instructions — typically one or three holes, with a deck plate if downsizing. Connect new braided-stainless supply lines (always use new lines, never reuse). Turn water on slowly and check for leaks. Tighten anything that drips.
Tools needed
- basin wrench
- adjustable wrench
- bucket
- towel
- flashlight
If you hire it out
A plumber or handyman quote of $200–$400 for the install (faucet supplied by you) is fair. If a trip charge + minimum visit adds up to $250 for a 30-minute job, that's normal. If it's over $500 with no specific reason, get another quote.
Permit & code
Not required.
Frequently asked
- Do I need to replace the supply lines?
- Yes — always use new braided-stainless lines. Reusing old lines is the source of most post-install leaks.
- Three-hole vs one-hole?
- Measure the existing holes. One-hole faucets can usually cover three with a deck plate; three-hole faucets don't fit in one-hole sinks without drilling.
- What if the shutoff valve is leaking or won't close?
- Stop and replace the shutoff valve first. This is still DIY-able but turns a 1-hour job into a 2-hour job and requires shutting off the main water supply.
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