What a proper fixture installation includes
Swapping a faucet is not just swapping a faucet. On a typical installation we shut off and test the existing angle stops, and replace them when they are the old multi-turn chrome valves that seize or weep — because a shutoff that will not close is the reason a small leak becomes a flooded cabinet. Supply lines get replaced with braided stainless, not reused.
Toilets get a new wax or waxless seal, new closet bolts, and a check of the flange height relative to finished floor. A flange sitting below tile is the single most common cause of a toilet that rocks and eventually leaks at the base; we shim and use an extender ring rather than overtightening bolts against porcelain.
Disposals, dishwasher connections, and P-traps get proper alignment and slope rather than flexible corrugated tubing, which traps waste and clogs. Everything is run and tested under water before we leave, and the work area is left clean.
Cost, customer-supplied fixtures, and permits
Most faucet and fixture swaps run $225 to $400, and toilet replacements typically run $500 to $750, depending on fixture type and the condition of the existing connections. Corroded shutoffs, non-standard rough-in spacing, cast iron drain connections, or a vanity that must come out to reach the plumbing all add to that. You get a firm price before we start.
We install customer-supplied fixtures without complaint. Before the visit, send a photo of the fixture box and the underside of the existing sink, and we can usually tell you whether an adapter, a different rough-in, or a valve change will be needed. Our one-year workmanship warranty applies either way; on fixtures we supply, we also handle any manufacturer warranty claim for you.
Like-for-like replacement in the same location generally needs no permit in San Luis Obispo County. Moving a fixture, adding one, or altering supply and drain lines does, and we pull it. California also requires new fixtures to meet water-efficiency standards — 1.28 gallons per flush toilets, 1.8 GPM kitchen faucets, 1.2 GPM lavatory faucets — which matters if you are buying online from out of state.
Bundling fixtures and planning a remodel
Trip time is a real cost, so bundling saves money. Replacing a kitchen faucet, a disposal, two bathroom faucets, and a toilet in one visit costs noticeably less than four separate calls, and it lets us check the whole system while we are there — water pressure, water heater condition, angle stops, and any early signs of a supply-line problem.
For remodels, involve us before the tile goes in. Valve depth relative to finished wall thickness, drain location for a freestanding tub filler, and whether the existing supply can carry a multi-head shower are all decisions that are cheap before the walls close and expensive after.
We work with homeowners directly and as the plumbing sub for general contractors and designers on the Central Coast. Send the fixture schedule and we will flag anything that needs a rough-in change before your finish materials arrive.
