Most people searching this are pricing two jobs: a new faucet, and a garbage disposal under the same sink. Nationally, one published guide puts a disposal install at roughly $138 to $272, most often near $194. A faucet is harder: the guides we read give no dependable single figure, so the sections below show how the price gets built. Our jobs begin with a written quote from Del Amo Plumbing, and every figure on this page is only a guide.
What is a realistic price to have a faucet fitted?
There is no reliable single national figure, so work from the plumber's labor. Hourly rates vary widely by company and by time of day, so this page prints none. A faucet swap on existing shutoffs is often one to two hours of work, plus the faucet itself. Only a written quote, given after the plumber sees your sink, gives a real number.
What decides where in that spread you land:
- The faucet you bought. A basic single-handle bathroom model drops in. A wall-mount, a pull-down kitchen faucet with a sprayer, or a touchless unit costs more to fit.
- Shutoff valves. If the stops under the sink are stuck or corroded, the plumber replaces them first, which adds time and parts.
- Sink holes and layout. Three-hole to one-hole conversions, or a thick stone countertop, need extra care.
- Supply lines and drain. Worn braided hoses cost little to renew while the faucet is already off. A corroded drain trap adds work.
If the real problem is a drip, mending may beat replacing, since a worn cartridge or washer is a small part. What to try yourself first is in fixing a leaky sink faucet.
How much is a disposal installed?
One national guide, citing Thumbtack data, puts disposal installation labor at $138 to $272, with a full range of about $74 to $453 and a common figure near $194. The disposal unit is extra and starts around $80 to $200. Jobs that need new wiring or plumbing changes climb toward the top of that range.
Here is the range laid out so you can compare quotes.
| Item | National guide range |
|---|---|
| Garbage disposal installation (labor and basic hookup) | about $138 to $272 |
| Full spread seen in guides | about $74 to $453 |
| Disposal unit itself | starts around $80 to $200 |
Prices also move with the hour of the day and the access under your sink, which is why the written quote matters more than any average. These are national guides, not Torrance quotes. Local prices can differ from national averages, so read the bottom of each range with caution until a plumber has seen your sink.
Which models change the price, such as Badger, Moen or GE?
The brand matters less than the horsepower, the mounting kit and whether the cabinet already has power. Entry units such as the InSinkErator Badger line, along with Moen and GE models, usually sit at the cheaper end, and bigger motors with sound insulation cost more. The installation labor is similar across brands: mount, connect the drain, connect the dishwasher line, test.
What actually changes the install quote:
- Existing electrical. A hardwired unit needs a junction box and a safe connection. A plug-in model wants a socket in the cabinet. If there is no outlet or switch, an electrician may be needed, and that cost is separate.
- Dishwasher knockout. Inside a new disposal's dishwasher inlet sits a plug that must be knocked out; leave it and the dishwasher cannot drain.
- Mounting. Some manufacturers use a different flange system, so replacing an old unit can mean new hardware.
- Air switch or wall switch. A countertop air button calls for a drilled hole and a tube.
- Single versus double sink. A second basin often needs a continuous waste fitting.
For repair rather than replacement, see our guide on garbage disposal repair in Torrance.
What else might a plumber charge for in a fixture job?
Extras are where a low phone quote grows. Common add-ons: new shutoff valves, supply hoses, a new drain trap, permits where the work changes pipes, hauling away the old fixture, and a service call fee that is separate from labor. Shower repairs add their own lines, such as a diverter or a drain snake.
Not every fixture job needs a permit, but moving or adding pipes does. Torrance says its plumbing permit covers pipes, fixtures, water heaters and sewer work, and that applications go through Building and Safety online. A simple faucet swap on existing connections is generally maintenance, but ask the plumber, and call the city on (310) 618-5910 if you are unsure.
If your repair is a shower rather than a sink, our page on plumbers for a shower leak covers what a visit looks like and where those costs come from.
How do I weigh one quote against another?
Ask every plumber to price the same scope in writing: the faucet or disposal supplied by whom, the shutoff valves, the supply lines, the haul-away, the permit if one applies, and the total. Then compare totals, not hourly rates. A low hourly rate with a long job costs more than a clear flat price. Check the CSLB license number on each quote.
Things worth asking:
- Is the call-out fee included or added?
- Who supplies the fixture and what is the warranty from that supplier?
- What happens if the shutoffs under the sink fail when touched?
- How long does the visit take, and is the area left clean?
A dripping faucet also wastes water, so repair is not just about cost. A drip is not free either. For scale, EPA's WaterSense program counts a drip every second as over 3,000 gallons annually, and typical home leaks as upward of 9,300. That is another reason to fix a drip promptly rather than wait. The plumber cost guide for Torrance gives more on typical visit pricing.
Common questions
How long does installing a faucet or disposal take?
Plan one to two hours for a faucet swap if the stops cooperate. A disposal replacement often takes about an hour, and a first-time install longer if wiring or a drain change is needed. Stuck valves, a new countertop hole or a repaired drain add time. A time estimate belongs on the written quote.
Which questions protect me from a surprise bill?
Get the contractor license number, then a written quote itemizing labor and materials. Settle who supplies the fixture, whether stops and hoses are included, and what the call-out charge buys. Ask what happens, and what it adds, if a stuck valve or rotten pipe turns up. Clear answers up front save arguments later.
Should I be at home while it is done?
Yes. Let the plumber in, show the shutoffs beneath the sink, and inspect the result before anyone leaves. Empty the cabinet beforehand. A trusted relative can stand in if you cannot attend. Mention pets and alarm codes when you book.
Can I buy the faucet or disposal myself?
Usually yes, and many people do. Check that the plumber will install customer-supplied products and ask whether that changes the labor warranty. Buy a faucet that fits your sink's hole count, and a disposal with the horsepower that suits your household. A plumber can recommend a size, but they cannot fix a product that arrives defective.
Is a leaking faucet worth repairing or replacing?
Repair first if the faucet is in good shape: a worn cartridge, washer or O-ring is cheap to renew. Swap it out when the body has corroded, parts are discontinued, or you simply want a new look. A written quote can price both routes side by side.
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