How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Leaky Faucet?

Average Costs to Repair a Dripping Faucet

Dripping Faucet Repair Part Prices

The good news is the parts needed to fix common faucet problems are usually inexpensive. Drippy faucets are commonly caused by:

• Worn O-rings: These rubber rings form a seal and can be picked up individually for about $2 or $10–$15 for a pack.

• Corrosion or mineral buildup on valve seats: These can be cleaned for free.

• Worn-out or misplaced washers: Pick up replacements for $1–$2.

• Faulty faucet cartridges: These cost $30–$70.

• Worn-out valve stems: Replace these for $10–$30.

If you’re fixing a faucet, it might make sense to buy a pack that includes the replacement seat valves and washers for your faucet. If you’re not sure where the leak is, you might want to play it safe and replace the faucet cartridge or valve stem along with all the rubber pieces.

​​Most faucet repairs require the same amount of labor and faucet disassembly, so it's often more cost-effective to replace all of the internal parts if you're replacing one. And it's usually less expensive to purchase a total repair kit than to purchase parts separately and dedicate an hour or so of labor to fixing the faucet.

Dripping Faucet Repair Costs

A plumber’s typical rate is $50 to $150 per hour. A faucet repair is usually a quick job for a pro and shouldn’t take more than an hour. Most plumbers charge a minimum of a 1-hour visit for labor.

Dripping Faucet Repair Costs by Type

Faucet repair costs depend on the type of faucet you have and where it’s located. For example, some pros consider single-handle faucets easier to service because everything is typically contained in a single cartridge and a couple of o-rings.

Kitchen Faucet

You may pay about $250 for a professional’s time and the parts to fix a basic kitchen faucet. Or expect to pay $100 to $250 to have a new faucet professionally installed if the leak can’t be fixed. New faucets start around $50, but you could pay up to $400.

The cost of repairing a kitchen faucet will depend on the model you have and the problem. They generally use ball-type faucets with more moving parts than most bathroom faucets. This means more places to check for damages or leaks and more moving parts, making it more difficult to identify the cause of the problem. Touchless models or those with pull-down sprayers might also cost more because they have more parts that can wear out or break.

You might be better off replacing your kitchen faucet than repairing it if:

• It’s more than 10 years old.

• It leaks from both the handle and the spout.

• The faucet is extremely corroded.

• Replacement parts are difficult to find.

Bathroom Sink Faucet

The most common cause of bathroom faucet leaks is worn rubber parts, which you can purchase for less than $10. A plumber could also fix the problem in about an hour at a typical hourly rate of $50 to $150.

If you can't fix the issue, a new bathroom sink faucet starts at around $50 but can increase depending on the design and special features. For example, touchless faucets cost about $300. A professional can install a basic faucet in about an hour.

Compared to a kitchen faucet, bathroom faucets usually have fewer moving parts that can wear out or break, making repairs quicker and less expensive. Replacement parts for a bathroom faucet are usually only a couple of dollars.

Bathroom Shower or Tub Faucet

You can pick up a pack of replacement parts for your brand of faucet for less than $10 at most hardware stores or a new cartridge for your faucet model for about $20 to $50. Again, the culprit here is often worn rubber parts or valve seats.

A professional can repair a shower or tub faucet for you in about 2 to 3 hours. If they can't fix it, replacement models start at around $50. Since shower and tub plumbing is in a wall instead of a cabinet, it can be more challenging to access than a sink faucet.

Costs to Repair a Faucet Yourself

Replacing worn O-rings and washers to fix a leaky faucet is a relatively simple job that’ll only cost $1 to $2 for new parts and about an hour of your time.

First, you’ll need to identify the faucet you have and call the manufacturer or go to a hardware store to get replacement parts. Instructions should be in the package. You might also need a screwdriver, wrench, a bucket to catch water, and a towel to clean up any mess.

Jeff states, "I like to advise customers to look into common repair parts for their new faucets and invest in them for future use, as parts can become hard to source as manufacturers update cartridges and discontinue the old ones. If you purchase an expensive faucet (anywhere from $500 to $1,000) and can get a repair kit for less than $100, do it. It's a shame to replace an otherwise perfectly operable faucet because the manufacturer discontinues the parts to fix it."

DIY vs. Hire a Plumbing Professional

For $10, you can pick up replacement parts at a hardware store. You might be able to save on the cost of a plumbing house call since faucet repairs can be an easy DIY job that takes about an hour.

However, hiring a professional plumber gives you peace of mind that the job will be done correctly. Plus, they might notice other plumbing issues that can be costly to fix later. Hiring a pro adds labor fees to the project total since the average fee for a plumber near you costs $50 to $150 per hour. Calling a local handyperson is also an option, but only licensed plumbers are qualified to modify the actual plumbing.

FAQs

How much water does a leaking faucet waste?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that household leaks waste 1 trillion gallons of water every year. One drippy faucet can use 10,000 gallons of water per year. Fixing a leaky faucet might pay for itself since the repair could save you 10% off your water bill.

How much does a new faucet cost?

A new bathroom faucet costs around $50 and can go up to about $300 for a more modern model like a touchless type, while a new shower and tub faucet starts at around $50. On the other hand, a kitchen faucet costs around $50 to $400.