Although many kitchen faucets boast a reasonable price tag (around $150 to $300), some models feature steep prices. In some cases, pricing for these kitchen faucets climbs to a lofty price well above several thousand dollars. So, why are they so expensive?
After all, many expensive faucets feature the same (or similar) materials as the good-quality options, so what is causing the excessive price tags? It’s a combination of things, including design and functionality, so pricing can vary drastically. Ready to learn more? Stick around to find out.
Why Are Some Faucets So Much More Expensive Than Others?
As you browse for the perfect kitchen faucet, you’ll probably notice a wide array of price tags, with some seeming exorbitant. In some cases, a kitchen faucet can cost well over $1,000. These faucets are classified as luxury faucets, as they usually feature high-quality components, design perks, and other features that add to the cost.
These faucets are usually more expensive than generic faucets because of their components, design, and functionality. Of course, you may pay more for a tap simply because of the brand name, but those are the three most common culprits behind steep price tags.
There are several dozen faucets on the market with price tags that exceed several thousand dollars, with some climbing over $10,000. As we researched the options, we noticed that these faucets usually boast an antique design not standard in the market today. For example, a traditional Waterstone wheel faucet costs upward of $7,000, but it’s rare to find this particular design.
Factors That Determine The Cost Of A Kitchen Faucet
Although a range of factors can affect the final cost of a kitchen faucet, three primary sectors affect the price. These factors include functionality, composition, and design.
Functionality
A kitchen faucet’s functionality impacts the price tag number, as certain features are more expensive than others. For example, a kitchen faucet with the typical manual function usually costs less. They don’t have the bells and whistles found in touch or touchless faucets, so they tend to be less expensive.
On the other hand, faucets with technology features usually cost much more than manual faucets. These faucets include touch, touchless, and voice-controlled faucets, which have various sensors and other tech features to support the extra functions. Most of these faucets can operate manually using a manual bypass feature, but the additional options make them more expensive.
Composition
Like most products, kitchen faucets with cheaper components are usually cheaper than those with higher-quality parts. Most kitchen faucets are made with brass and stainless steel parts, although some feature primarily plastic pieces.
Those with plastic internal components usually don’t hold up as well as their metal comrades, so they tend to be more affordable.
In addition to the internal parts, the faucet’s finish can make a difference in cost. Pricier finishes usually include pewter, gold, nickel, and brass, as these options often hold up well and are resistant to flaking and tarnishing.
Design
Although many brands offer kitchen faucets with similar designs, the exact design you choose can make a difference in how much you pay. For the most part, more generic designs cost less than those with extra features.
For example, a regular kitchen faucet with a fixed spout is usually less expensive than one with a pull-out or pull-down faucet. This primarily stems from the extra components required for the docking mechanism. Or, this same faucet is usually less expensive than the popular professional-style faucets. The professional design may feature a high arc, pull-down spout, and coiled springs around the arc, so they’re usually pricier.
How Much Do Kitchen Faucets Usually Cost?
On average, kitchen faucets cost between $30 and $200. Some models cost more than $1,000, but these models are considered luxury faucets. For a decent, well-designed faucet with good-quality components, you can expect to pay between $70 and $200.
Kitchen faucets that cost around $30 usually feature cheap components, so they rarely last longer than five to eight years. Of course, there might be some exceptions, but this tends to be the general rule.
How Much Should I Spend On A Kitchen Faucet?
The amount of money you should spend on a kitchen faucet depends on what you’re looking for in a tap. For example, if you need a temporary replacement faucet, you probably don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a fancy faucet. For this particular scenario, a cheaper tap will probably work.
However, if you want a faucet that will last decades, a cheap one won’t cut it. So, in this case, you’ll probably want to buy something that falls into the good-to-great quality range. It doesn’t necessarily need fancy bells and whistles, like touchless or voice-controlled sensors. Keep an eye out for faucets with excellent reviews and strong warranties, as these are usually the best option.
Or, let’s say you want a faucet with fancy features, like voice-activated water flow or stunning modern designs. In this case, you might need to spend closer to $500, as these faucets are usually on the pricier end of the spectrum.
You can find faucets that far surpass the $1,000 mark, but in most cases, you pay for the design or brand name.
Ultimately, you should allocate enough funds for your faucet to cover the features you want. You don’t have to spend more than a few hundred dollars to get an excellent faucet with durable components.
Is It Worth Buying An Expensive Kitchen Faucet?
As mentioned, there are quite a few faucets on the market that blaze past the $1,000 mark. So, are they worth their exorbitant price tag? Unfortunately, we can’t answer this question, as the answer varies based on your preferences and opinions.
For example, let’s say you find a faucet featuring a design you can’t find anywhere else. Although it boasts a several-thousand-dollar price tag, you would love to have it in your kitchen. In this case, we say go for it (if you can swing the price tag)! After all, it’s your house, so pick what works best for you.
However, if you don’t want fancy features, you don’t need to spend excessive amounts on a faucet. There are plenty of beautiful, well-made faucets on the market at reasonable prices. So, it comes down to your preferences and opinion. If you love the look of a unique, traditional wheel faucet, you’ll probably need to pay thousands to buy it, but if you want a minimalistic, standard tap, you can expect to pay less than a few hundred dollars.
What To Look For In A Kitchen Faucet
As you sift through your options, it’s essential to consider a few factors. Some faucets are better than others, so it doesn’t hurt to compare your options based on a few sectors, including:
- Warranty: The best faucet brands offer excellent warranties, so keep an eye out for faucets with superior coverage. Industry-leading brands usually offer coverage extending to manufacturing and workmanship defects, as well as leak and drip guarantees. If the product fails in one of these areas, the brand usually replaces the broken part and, in some cases, the entire faucet.
- Brand reputation: Some brands have better reputations than others, so pay attention to the general consensus surrounding the faucet. If homeowners and professionals have nothing good to say about the company, it’s usually best to steer clear of that brand. The best companies strive toward a good reputation by offering excellent customer service, warranties, etc.
- Customer reviews: Many folks skim through a few customer reviews before buying a product or service. So, as you search for a suitable faucet for your kitchen, pay attention to buyer reviews. It’s usually best to steer clear of products with primarily negative reviews, as you might not have the best experience with that product.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Long Should A Kitchen Faucet Last?
On average, a good quality kitchen faucet lasts between 15 and 20 years, although some may last longer with proper care and maintenance. Cheaper faucets with plastic components usually last no more than five to eight years, even with routine care.
In some cases, you can prolong the life of the faucet by replacing parts. For example, if the cartridge fails, it might be covered under warranty. So, you can file a claim with the brand (if it offers coverage), and they’ll send you a replacement part at no charge.
Does My Kitchen Faucet Need To Match The Sink?
Although matching your kitchen faucet to your sink can create a cohesive look, you don’t necessarily need to match them. Mixing finishes can create a dynamic appearance, but be careful as to which colors you mix.
Generally speaking, it’s best to mix warm tones with other warm finishes (gold, brass, bronze, etc.). If you use cool finishes for your faucet with other cold finishes (stainless steel, nickel, chrome, etc.). Black and white finishes match with either color palette, so you can combine them with any finish.