$500 faucet repair explained: when its fair, whats included, step-by-step fixes, pricing options, and paperwork tips to reduce callbacks and win trust.
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Seen a $500 faucet repair on a work order and thought, “That’s steep for a drip”? You’re not alone. The truth: a $500 faucet repair can be perfectly reasonable once you factor access, parts availability, seized shutoffs, and warranty risk. In this guide, we’ll break down when $500 fits, how to diagnose and fix common tap (faucet) faults, and how to price, communicate, and document the repair so your client understands the value and you protect your margin. We’ll also show simple ways to tighten up your paperwork with Donizo so you spend more time on the wrench and less on admin.
Quick Answer: A $500 faucet repair typically covers a service call, 1–2 hours of labour, OEM parts (cartridge/valve), replacing failing shutoffs or supply lines, testing, and a written warranty. It’s justified by access issues, corrosion, premium brands, or after-hours work. Always provide a clear scope, options, and photos.
Homeowners see a drip and expect a quick tighten. You find a seized cartridge, dead shutoffs, tarnished finish, and a cramped vanity with a waste disposer in the way. Now the “ten-minute fix” is a full mini-project.
Price the job around a defined scope: arrive, isolate, diagnose, repair/replace parts, reassemble, test, tidy, and warranty. Be explicit about variables that add time: access, corrosion, OEM parts sourcing, after-hours attendance.
Many contractors find that once shutoffs fail and a cartridge is stuck, the job reliably hits $400–$550. Communicate that early.
CTA: Use Donizo’s Voice to Proposal to capture the scope in minutes on-site, then Send Proposal as a branded PDF with e-sign so you can start work faster.
Identify brand/model. Many mixers have a logo on the cap; measure cartridge length (e.g., 40 mm) if unknown.
Remove handle cap, loosen set screw (often 2.5 mm hex), lift handle.
Photograph each layer: handle, dome, retaining nut, cartridge. Photos speed reassembly.
If the retaining nut is stuck, apply penetrating oil and wait 2–3 minutes; use a correctly sized socket to avoid rounding.
Outcome: A clean, documented repair that stands up to scrutiny and reduces callbacks.
CTA: Convert the accepted proposal to an invoice in one click with Donizo’s Invoice Management, and track payment without chasing separate spreadsheets.
A single-handle ceramic tap leaking at the spout. Shutoffs don’t close; handle set screw is rounded; cartridge is stuck. You replace two shutoffs, two braided lines, and the OEM 40 mm cartridge. Total time: 2.2 hours; parts: $120. With travel and warranty risk, a $500 invoice is entirely reasonable.
Presenting options reduces pushback and helps clients self-select value.
| Scenario | Parts | Labour Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cartridge swap only | Cartridge $40–$120 | 30–60 min | Easy access, working shutoffs |
| Add 2 shutoffs | +$40–$120 | +30–45 min | Drain and re-pressurise |
| Add 2 supply lines | +$20–$40 | +10–15 min | Prevents future leaks |
| Stuck retaining nut | — | +10–15 min | Penetrant, correct socket |
Many contractors offer 90 days on labour for repairs; some extend to 12 months when replacing shutoffs and lines (fewer variables). Make sure manufacturer parts warranties are clear and noted on the proposal.
CTA: Use Donizo’s templates (Ascension/Autopilot plans) to standardise “Good/Better/Best” options and reduce quoting time by 10–15 minutes per call-out.
On Donizo’s Free plan, you can send unlimited proposals with voice/text/image input and E‑signature; PDFs export with a watermark. Paid plans remove the watermark and add custom branding, templates, analytics, and priority support. See proposal examples.
Store photos with your proposal so any warranty call is a two-minute check, not a 20-minute debate. If you maintain a knowledge base, link this job to your internal “Tap Repair Standard” for faster onboarding. Learn more about invoicing.
Yes—when the job includes proper diagnosis, an OEM cartridge, replacing failed shutoffs and supply lines, and thorough testing. Access issues, corrosion, premium brands, and after-hours attendance commonly push a simple fix into the $400–$550 range. Always itemise what’s included so the client sees the value.
A straightforward cartridge swap with working shutoffs can take 30–60 minutes. If shutoffs are seized, supply lines are brittle, or the cartridge is stuck, plan for 1.5–3.0 hours including testing and cleanup. Wall-mounted or widespread taps often add 20–40 minutes due to access and alignment.
If the tap is less than 10 years old, branded, and parts are available, repair is often best. Replace when finishes are failing, the body is cracked, the brand is obscure with no parts, or the client wants a style upgrade. If labour exceeds 2–3 hours and the faucet is dated, discuss replacement.
If shutoffs don’t hold or they weep, yes—replace both. It adds roughly 30–45 minutes and $40–$120 in parts but prevents future leaks and makes future maintenance easy. Replacing supply lines at the same time is smart, low-cost insurance against callbacks.
Commonly, contractors offer 90 days on labour for repairs and pass through manufacturer part warranties. If you refresh shutoffs and supply lines and use OEM cartridges, offering up to 12 months on labour is realistic because you’ve controlled the variables.
A $500 faucet repair isn’t about a ten-cent washer—it’s the service call, 1–3 hours of skilled labour, quality parts, safe isolation, thorough testing, and standing behind the work. Price by scope, offer options, and document with photos. Next step: capture the job with Donizo’s Voice to Proposal, send a branded PDF for E‑signature, and convert to an invoice in one click. Reduce back-and-forth, get approval faster, and move on to the next call confidently.
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