Step-by-step DIY bathroom faucet guide with tools, steps, fixes, and pro tips. Replace a faucet in 60–90 minutes with clean, leak-free results.
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A DIY bathroom faucet swap is a fast, clean upgrade. Most jobs take 60–90 minutes with basic tools. In this guide, you’ll learn what to buy, how to install, and how to fix common leaks. We keep it simple and straight. This DIY bathroom faucet walkthrough covers planning, tools, step-by-step install, and pro tricks to avoid call-backs. You’ll finish with a tight, drip-free faucet and a clean vanity.
You can replace a bathroom faucet in 60–90 minutes with a basin wrench, plumber’s putty or silicone, and 3/8-inch supply lines. Shut off water, remove the old set, clean the deck, set the new faucet, connect lines, install the pop-up drain, and test. Hand-tight plus a quarter turn is usually enough.
Choosing the right faucet saves time. Check your sink holes first. Most bathroom sinks are 4-inch centerset or 8-inch widespread. Some are single-hole.
Look under the sink. Make sure you have shutoff valves. Angle stops should be 3/8-inch compression. If stops are stuck, plan extra time. Have two 3/8-inch faucet supply lines ready, usually 12–20 inches long.
Water lines often connect to 1/2-inch NPSM faucet tails or 3/8-inch compression. Most modern bathroom faucets use 3/8-inch connections. Confirm before you buy.
Pro tip: If the old drain is pitted or the rod is frozen, replace the drain with the new pop-up that comes in the box.
Have everything on hand. This avoids runs to the store.
Materials in the box:
Safety:
Follow these numbered steps. Keep it simple and clean.
Shut Off and Prep
Disconnect Supply Lines (5–10 minutes)
Remove the Old Drain (10–15 minutes)
Remove the Old Faucet (10–20 minutes)
Set the New Faucet (5–10 minutes)
Install the New Drain (15–20 minutes)
Connect Supply Lines (5–10 minutes)
Small issues eat time. Here’s how to solve them quickly.
Supply Drip at Compression Nut
Drain Flange Leak at Sink
Deck Leak Around Faucet Base
Weak Flow After Install
Pop-Up Won’t Seal
Corroded or Frozen Nuts
Call a pro if you have any of these:
Typical pro timing: 45–75 minutes for a straight swap, 90–120 minutes if valves or drains need extra work. Many contractors quote a flat rate for a faucet and pop-up install. Parts like 3/8-inch lines, new stops, or a new P-trap are often add-ons. If you’re also looking to streamline professional proposals, our guide on creating professional proposals becomes much easier when your scope is clear and itemized.
Small faucet swaps are high-volume, low-margin. Time counts.
To turn calls into booked jobs faster, capture details with tools like Donizo. You can record scope by voice, auto-generate a branded proposal, send it for e-signature, and convert to an invoice in one click. This reduces back-and-forth and keeps cash flow tight.
If you also need help with pricing strategies for small service calls, our breakdown of pricing strategies for service work pairs well with this guide. And when you’re ready to bill, check out advice on invoice templates that save time.
Use plumber’s putty under the drain flange. It seals well and is serviceable later. Use silicone only around the faucet base if the gasket is thin or the sink is uneven. Avoid silicone on the drain flange.
Most bathroom faucets use 3/8-inch compression supply lines. Length is usually 12–20 inches. Check your angle stops and faucet tails before buying.
For compression fittings, go hand-tight plus a quarter turn. Stop if it resists hard. Overtightening can crush ferrules or crack porcelain.
Most straight swaps take 60–90 minutes. Add time if valves are stuck, the drain is corroded, or access is tight.
Use Teflon tape only on threaded NPT connections, like some male stop threads. Do not use it on 3/8-inch compression fittings.
A clean, leak-free faucet swap comes down to good prep, straight fittings, and careful testing. Measure the sink, have 3/8-inch lines ready, seal the drain with putty, and test each joint with paper towels. For pros, packaging faucet swaps and sending fast proposals with platforms such as Donizo helps you sell and deliver more small jobs without extra admin.
Next steps:
Do these, and your installs will be quick, clean, and callback-free.
Reconnect the Trap and Align (5 minutes)
Turn On and Test (10–15 minutes)
Final Adjustments (5 minutes)