Installing an outdoor water faucet costs $300 on average, but prices may go from $200 to $600 depending on the type and style of the faucet.
Having a professional install a typical outdoor faucet costs $300 on average, but can range from $200 to $600. If you’re looking to install something as luxurious as an outdoor shower, the cost will be on the higher end, while replacing a hose bib is a low-cost project. Here’s what you need to consider when determining what you’ll pay for your new outdoor faucet.
The cost of a new outdoor faucet varies widely by style. A traditional spigot can cost just $100 to install, while a new outdoor shower might cost you up to $4,000. Here are some examples of outdoor faucet styles and how much you can expect to pay to have each installed by a professional.
| Faucet Style | Cost |
|---|---|
| Ball valve | $100 – $200 |
| Hose bib | $100 – $200 |
| Frost-free faucet | $150 – $500 |
| Anti-siphon spigot | $200 – $500 |
| Yard hydrant | $500 – $3,000 |
| Outdoor sink | $200 – $1,000 |
| Outdoor shower | $1,000 – $4,000 |
A ball valve is the simplest of spigot types. It features a handle that you turn to open the flow of water and then reverse to shut it off. It typically costs $100 to $200 for materials and professional installation when you choose this option.
A hose bib is a simple and common spigot style. It has a knob that you rotate counter-clockwise to start the flow of water and then rotate clockwise to stop it. The cost for professionally installing a hose bib is $100 to $200.
True to their name, frost-free faucets are a good idea if you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures. These spigots are insulated and designed to drain water so that the fixture won’t crack or split when it’s really cold.
The most important part of installing a frost-free hydrant is ensuring that it is pitched down towards the outside. If it is back-pitched towards the inside of the building, it will hold water inside, leaving it susceptible to freezing and subsequently bursting. The copper tubing used for these hydrants is typically thinner than the piping found inside your home, and thus, it is far more likely to burst if it is subjected to freezing temperatures with water trapped inside it. Depending on the type and brand you choose, expect to pay $150 to $500 to have a pro install it.
Anti-siphon spigots are made with one-way valves to prevent dirty water from mixing with your freshwater. They’re a smart choice if you plan to leave a garden hose connected to your faucet, as a drop in water pressure can suck up contaminated water that may have settled in your hose. You’ll pay $200 to $500 for this style.
Unlike traditional faucets that protrude from the side of your house, a yard hydrant is a type of spigot that extends from a waterline underground and stands at about knee or hip height. It features a handle at the top that you lift to start the flow of water and lower to stop it.
They’re ideal in situations where you need lots of water, so they’re often found on farms and in the backyards of serious gardeners. Because these types of outdoor faucets require more work to install, you can expect to pay a professional $500 to $3,000 or more, depending on the style and how far from the house you place it.
Outdoor sinks range from plastic tubs to porcelain fixtures that don’t look much different than what you’d find indoors. They’re a convenient addition to your outdoor space if you often work outside or just want a way to clean up before heading indoors. For an outdoor sink, you’ll pay $200 to $1,000, mostly dependent on the type of sink you choose.
Outdoor showers can be quite convenient if you work outdoors, have kids who love to play in the mud, or you just like to rinse before or after jumping in the pool.
The sky’s the limit when deciding on a style and setup while building your outdoor shower: You can choose a simple presentation with just a plain showerhead over a concrete pad, or you can go all out with an outdoor shower space that rivals the one you have indoors. Depending on your tastes and how much effort it takes to achieve your desired result, you’ll pay $1,000 to $4,000 for an outdoor shower.
It’s not just the faucet you have to budget for. Some other factors that go into the total cost of your outdoor spigot include permits, materials, and labor costs.
| Factor | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Permits | $50 – $100 |
| Materials | $10 – $900 |
| Labor | $45 – $65 per hour |
| Water line | $50 – $150 per linear foot |
| Hose | $5 – $200 |
| Isolation valve | $400 – $600 |
Depending on local regulations, you may need a permit to install a new outdoor spigot. For simple jobs, you can expect to pay $50 to $100 for the permit and subsequent inspection. For more complex projects, especially those that require trenching or construction within the home, you might pay up to $1,500 in permitting and planning fees.
The cost of a traditional spigot is fairly low. Both simple ball valve and hose bib materials typically cost $10 to $40. If you want to upgrade to a frost-free faucet, expect to pay $35 to $45, while anti-siphon spigots run $35 to $60.
Other types of outdoor faucets options include yard hydrants, outdoor sinks, and outdoor showers. Yard hydrants cost $50 to $150 and are a good option for those who need access to lots of water, such as gardeners. Outdoor sinks can help you keep dirt out of the house by giving you an opportunity to wash up outside. Depending on the style you choose, you can expect to pay $100 to $900.
Outdoor showers are popular with people who work outdoors or like to rinse off before getting into or out of the pool. There are many outdoor shower configurations, from basic faucets over concrete pads to outdoor spaces outfitted with walls, tile, towel racks, and other luxuries. Depending on the style you choose, expect to pay $50 to $1,000 for materials.
For most outdoor faucet installations, the majority of what you pay goes toward labor costs. Many installers assess a trip fee and then a flat fee for their work. It typically takes 60 to 90 minutes to install a faucet; however, if your job is more complex, it will take longer and cost more.
For example, if you install a faucet far away from the house, labor costs will rack up for the necessary trenching and water line installation. When you factor in this type of time and effort, the total cost of labor alone can add up to $3,000 or more.
A plumber typically charges $45 to $65 per hour, though you might pay as much as $300 per hour, depending on your location and the difficulty of the job.
Unless you’re replacing an existing outdoor faucet, part of the installation usually involves directing a new water line from your main water line to the location of the faucet. How much this costs depends on how long the new piping is and how difficult it is to run the pipes through the space (digging trenches and running pipes through walls and ceilings are going to be costly). On average, installing water lines costs $50 to $150 per linear foot.
This is one of the reasons a free-standing yard hydrant on a large property is more expensive to install. The pros often have to dig long trenches to accommodate the underground water lines.
Your outdoor faucet doesn’t need a hose on it, but attaching one allows you to more easily complete tasks like watering flower beds or rinsing off your car. Hose prices depend on the quality of the material and the length you need. A basic 6-foot vinyl hose might only set you back $5, while a high-quality, retractable rubber hose measuring 100 feet and featuring a multi-pattern nozzle could cost over $200.
In the case of an outdoor shower, it is advisable to have a means to isolate and drain the water lines from inside the house. Once the unit is isolated and the drains are opened, remove the control cartridge/stem from the shower valve itself. This will prevent damage to the control and freezing or bursting of the valve body. Removing the showerhead can also save you from having to replace it if water is trapped inside and subsequently freezes when outdoor temperatures drop. Installing a new valve costs an average of $500.
With the installation of a new outdoor faucet or the replacement of a broken/defective unit, I always recommend the installation of isolation valves inside the home. Regardless of whether you opt for standard or frost-free units, they should be isolated and left open during the colder months when they're not in use.
While professionals may charge $200 to $500 to install a new outdoor faucet, a majority of that cost goes toward time and labor. Depending on the type of faucet you choose, material costs for a typical spigot may only be $10 to $60, which means you’ll save $190 to $440 if you change an outdoor faucet yourself.
The thought of saving up to 95% on the cost of this project may be exciting, but if you don’t have plumbing experience, it’s a better idea to leave this type of job to the pros. Honestly, even if you have basic plumbing experience, having a professional do the work can save you a lot of trouble and give you the highest-quality results.
When things go wrong with a plumbing project, they can go very wrong. A minor inconvenience might be breaking a water pipe; a major one would be somehow causing a flood. If soldering copper pipes is required, there is also always the risk of fire. Considering the relatively low cost of hiring a local plumbing expert, it’s best to let the pros handle this one.
Frost-free faucets are a smart idea if you live in a region that sees freezing temperatures. These specially designed faucets are typically insulated and feature a shut-off within the house. When temperatures drop, you’ll close the outdoor spigot so that freezing water doesn’t sit in the fixture and cause it to split or crack during cold weather.
That pesky faucet leak can have a few different causes, most of which are standard wear and tear that occurs over time, but that doesn’t make it any less annoying, especially when the energy bill hits:
Old washer: A deteriorated washer or gasket is the most common cause of a leak. Luckily, it’s easy and affordable to fix.
Old packing nut: There’s a chance the packing nut (located beneath the handle) is loose and simply needs tightening, or it has been worn down, stripped, and needs to be replaced.
Freezing temperatures: The water sitting in your spigot over winter can freeze, expand, and lead to damage and leaks.
High water pressure: High water pressure is hard on pipes over time and can cause cracks and leaks, too.
