First: Does It Actually Need Replacing?
Not always. A dripping faucet often needs a new cartridge, not a new faucet. A shower that won't shut off all the way can be a worn part inside the valve. A running toilet almost always needs tank parts, not a new toilet.
If a repair will fix what's bothering you, I'll tell you, and you can decide from there.
Replacement makes sense when:
- The fixture is cracked or broken. Cracked porcelain can't be fixed.
- You're upgrading. A different style or finish, or something that works better for you. With toilets, that might mean one that uses fewer gallons per flush, a taller one that's easier to get up from, or an elongated bowl, which a lot of people find more comfortable than a round one.
- Repairs keep coming back. The same faucet or valve has needed fixing more than once.
- The parts aren't around anymore. Some older fixtures are hard or impossible to rebuild.
Your Fixture or Mine?
Both work, and I'll go over all the options with you. Here's the honest difference.
If you buy it, it'll cost you less. But if the fixture itself has a problem, that's on you and the manufacturer. I'll still come fix it, but it's a new service call, because I didn't sell you the part.
If I supply it, it costs more. I buy from a plumbing supply house, not a big-box store, and I'll steer you toward brands whose manufacturers warranty their parts for the life of the product.
Either way, fixture replacement usually runs $180–$600, depending on whether you supply the fixture or I do.
Buying your own? Measure before you buy:
- Toilets: Measure from the wall behind the toilet to the bolts at its base. That's the rough-in, and the new toilet has to match it.
- Shower trim: New trim has to be compatible with the valve already in the wall. Before you buy new handles, find out what brand that valve is, or send me a photo and I'll help you figure it out.
- Faucets: Count the holes in your sink or counter, and check how far apart they are, before you pick a new one.
What You're Paying For Is the Finish
Anybody can get a fixture to stop leaking. The difference is in what you see after.
A new toilet almost never has the same footprint as the old one. Pull the old one and there's usually a ring on the floor: grime, or flooring that never saw daylight. If I leave it, you'll see that outline around your new toilet for years. So I clean it before the new one goes down.
At the shower head, thread tape wrapped past the threads leaves a white fringe you'll notice every morning. I trim it back so all you see is clean chrome, black or whatever finish you picked.
And the before-and-after on an old, crusty shower valve swapped for new trim is honestly the most satisfying part of the job. I take before-and-after photos on every fixture job, so you'll see the difference too.
"He was on time and very thorough. Clean and professional work."
Full Shower Installs
If the whole shower needs to go, I do full shower installations too, not just new trim on an old valve. Tell me what's there now and what you have in mind.
Garbage Disposals
I repair, replace and install garbage disposals, including a first one in a kitchen that's never had one. If there's no outlet or power under the sink yet, that part needs an electrician; I'll tell you up front if that's the case.
Get the New Fixture Installed Like It Belongs There
Tell me what you're replacing, and the model if you've already picked one. I'll get back to you with a time and let you know what to expect.