Plan on roughly $100 to $350 in labor to put in a faucet you supply, about $200 to $600 with the faucet included, and about $150 to $950 for a garbage disposal depending on whether it replaces an old one. Those are guide figures from published cost pages. For disposal problems that are not about price, the garbage disposal repair page covers jams, leaks and tripped breakers.
How much is labor for a new kitchen or bathroom faucet?
Published guides put labor alone at about $100 to $250 for a bathroom faucet with $150 to $350 for a kitchen model, and the total with a new faucet at roughly $200 to $600. Allow roughly 60 to 120 minutes for a plain swap, longer when old shutoff valves seize or the sink has several holes.
What shifts the price:
- Who buys the faucet. A basic fixture costs well under $100, a pull-down kitchen model several times that, and a touchless model more again.
- The shutoff valves. Corroded stops turn up often in bungalows built before the 1950s. If they will not close, the plumber replaces them first, which adds a part and half an hour.
- Sink type. A granite or quartz counter with a tight cabinet below slows the job.
- Extras. A smart faucet may need an outlet beneath the sink, which can mean an electrician.
California limits flow from new fixtures, with bathroom faucets generally held near 1.2 gallons a minute and kitchen faucets near 1.8, so some imported models cannot be sold here. Have the plumber check that your pick meets state rules.
What does garbage disposal installation cost?
Guides cite about $150 to $950 overall, with many homeowners paying between $300 and $600, plus a labor-only bill of about $150 to $350 when one unit simply replaces another. First-time installs cost more, often $500 to $1,500 or higher, because the drain, a switch and an outlet may all need work.
The rest of the picture:
| Job | Guide range |
|---|---|
| Replace an existing disposal, labor only | about $150 to $350 |
| Replace, unit and labor | about $300 to $600 |
| First-time install, new switch and wiring | about $500 to $1,500 or more |
| Disposal unit alone | about $75 to $300 |
Which disposal options change the price?
Horsepower, brand, feed type and wiring all matter. An entry-level one-third horsepower model, such as the budget units in the Badger line, costs far less than a three-quarter horsepower unit from a premium line. A continuous-feed unit uses a wall switch, a batch-feed model runs from a stopper, and a plug-in cord or a hardwired connection decides whether an outlet is needed.
Specific things people ask about:
- Moen and other brand sets. Brand names affect the part price, not the labor, as long as the mounting ring matches the sink.
- GE and similar models. Most mount with the same three-bolt collar. The plumber checks the discharge height against your trap.
- Single sink versus double. One bowl with one drain is quickest. Two bowls need a continuous waste tee before the trap, which adds parts.
- Air-activated button. A countertop button replaces a wall switch and needs a hole in the counter, so it only suits a spot where drilling is possible.
- Hardwired connections. Wiring the unit directly is electrical work. If there is no outlet or switch yet, ask whether an electrician is included in the price.
- Gasket and mounting parts. A worn gasket is cheap, but if it leaks because the sink flange is cracked the sink may need resealing first.
The disposal installation guide follows the job step by step, and anyone thinking of a do-it-yourself swap should read its safety notes first.
What about shower repair and installation costs?
A shower fix ranges from a cartridge swap behind the handle to opening a wall for a corroded valve, so published prices vary widely and a single guide number would mislead. The plumber needs to see the valve type and the wall before pricing. Replacing only a showerhead is a short, inexpensive job.
Shower work is where hidden problems surface. A faucet-handle drip may be a worn cartridge, while a steady stain on the ceiling below suggests a leak behind the wall. The shower leak page explains what to watch before you call. Show the plumber any stains, since moisture damage changes the scope and the price.
Does Long Beach want a permit for a faucet or disposal?
Usually not for these two. The city's own permit FAQ says replacing a residential garbage disposal needs no plumbing permit, and its code exempts faucet and trap repairs. Confirm a full faucet replacement with the Permit Center if unsure. New water supply or drain lines, gas piping beyond a short run, and water heater replacement are different and do need permits.
That matters for price. A faucet or disposal swap should not include a permit fee, while a remodel that moves the sink, adds a dishwasher line or reroutes drain pipe may. Compare against our broader plumber cost overview when a quote mixes several jobs.
What should a good fixture quote spell out?
Ask for a written breakdown of labor, parts, shutoff valves, disposal of the old fixture and any electrical work. Be wary of a low figure that leaves out supply lines, a trap kit or a mounting ring, since those items appear later as add-ons. A fair quote also states whether it assumes the fixture is supplied by you.
Useful questions:
- Is the faucet included, or do I buy it?
- Are new supply lines and shutoff valves in the price?
- Who handles wiring for a disposal?
- Is there a service call fee that applies if I accept?
Pricing starts with the quote form, and the main page shows what else we arrange.
Common questions
Is replacing a disposal cheaper than a first install?
Yes, by a wide margin. Swapping one unit for another often costs $150 to $350 in labor because the sink, drain and power are already in place. A first install adds a drain fitting, a switch and an outlet, which pushes the total toward $500 to $1,500 or higher, per the published guides.
How long will the work take?
Budget 60 to 120 minutes for a faucet, similar for a disposal swap, and half a day at most for a first-time disposal with new wiring and drains. Seized shutoff valves or a cramped cabinet add time, so request a time estimate before work begins.
Is a do-it-yourself faucet swap realistic?
In most homes, yes. The city exempts faucet repairs from permits, and a standard swap needs a basin wrench and new supply lines. Call a plumber if the shutoff valves will not close, the sink is stone, or you see corrosion, since a broken valve turns a cheap job into a flood.
Do plumbers install the faucet I bought myself?
Most will, and labor-only pricing assumes it. Mention the model beforehand so the plumber can check the mounting holes and supply line length. Some plumbers add a small fee for customer-supplied fixtures, and they may decline to warranty parts they did not provide, so ask when you book.
References
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