How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Tap in the UK?
A straightforward tap replacement will often cost around £90–£180 in labour. The final price depends mainly on the type of tap, access, isolation valves, old fittings and whether the new tap connects neatly to the existing pipework.
For a standard kitchen or bathroom tap replacement, a useful labour guide is around £90–£180. A simple swap may take around 1–2 hours, while awkward access, seized fittings, missing isolation valves or extra pipework can push the cost higher.
Tap replacement cost guide
These figures are a practical guide to common tap jobs. They are not fixed national prices; labour rates and the condition of the existing plumbing will vary from property to property.
| Tap job | Typical labour guide | What can affect the price? |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen mixer tap replacement | £90–£180 | Access below the sink, isolation valves, seized fixings, existing pipe connections and whether the replacement tap suits the current setup. |
| Bathroom basin tap replacement | £90–£160 | Usually fairly straightforward, although pedestal basins and restricted access can make the job slower. |
| Bath tap replacement | £140–£260 | Bath taps can be much harder to reach, particularly where there is a fixed or tiled bath panel. |
| Dripping tap repair | £70–£120 | The price depends on whether the fault is a washer, cartridge or another replaceable part, and whether that part is readily available. |
| Tap replacement without working isolation valves | £120–£240+ | The water may need to be shut off elsewhere, drained down or new isolation valves fitted before the tap can be changed. |
| Boiling-water or filtered tap | £180–£350+ | These systems can involve filters, tanks, power supplies and extra connections inside the cupboard. |
Prices above are labour guides only. Tap cost, additional parts and any extra plumbing work are separate unless included in a specific quote.
What makes one tap replacement cost more than another?
Fitting the new tap is often the simple part. The price usually rises when the job takes longer, access is difficult or the plumber has to deal with older fittings and pipework. The main factors are missing isolation valves, poor access, corroded or seized fittings, where you live and whether the job is an emergency.
Lack of isolation valves
If there are no working local isolation valves beneath the sink or basin, shutting the water off can take longer and additional plumbing work may be needed. As a guide, this can add roughly £50–£100 to the labour cost depending on the property and what is required.
Poor access & corroded fittings
Taps tucked behind deep pedestal basins or hidden beneath built-in bath panels take longer to reach. If the old nuts are rusted, corroded or seized solid, extra time may be needed to cut or carefully remove them. An awkward replacement like this can move toward £150–£200+ in labour.
Your location
Labour rates vary across the UK. Homeowners in London and parts of the South East can commonly pay around 20%–50% more than customers in lower-cost regions or smaller towns, so local rates matter when comparing quotes.
Emergency or out-of-hours bookings
If a tap fails suddenly and needs an emergency plumber, the cost can rise quickly. Typical emergency call-out charges can be around £60–£150, with out-of-hours labour sometimes reaching £80–£120+ per hour.
Is it worth repairing a dripping tap?
Sometimes it is. A good-quality tap with a simple washer or cartridge fault may be worth repairing. An older tap that is loose, corroded or difficult to find parts for can be better replaced.
Repair may make sense when:
Replacement may make more sense when:
What is normally involved in replacing a tap?
A straightforward tap change normally means isolating the water, removing the old tap, checking the existing connections, fitting the replacement and testing everything before the job is finished.
Remove the old tap
The old tap, fixings and connections are removed carefully, with access and the condition of the existing fittings checked as work progresses.
Fit the replacement
The new tap is positioned, tightened and connected so it sits securely and works with the existing sink, basin and pipework.
Turn on and test
The water is restored and the connections are checked for leaks, movement and normal operation before the job is signed off.
Tap replacement in Corsham, Chippenham & Melksham
This page is a UK cost guide. Handyy's actual tap replacement service is focused locally around Corsham, Chippenham and Melksham, including kitchen mixer taps, bathroom taps and straightforward tap repairs.
Handyy Tap Replacement Service
See the local service page for the types of taps Handyy fits, how photo quotes work, and coverage around Corsham, Chippenham and Melksham.
View Tap ReplacementWhy people end up replacing a tap
Dripping tap
A constant drip can come from worn washers, cartridges or internal parts. Repair may be possible, but age and parts availability matter.
Loose tap
A tap that moves around can put strain on seals, flexible hoses, worktops and the fittings underneath.
Stiff or seized handles
Older taps can become difficult to turn, particularly where internal components are worn or affected by limescale.
Leak below the sink
Water around the tap connections or flexible hoses can damage cabinets and flooring if it is left unresolved.
Old or dated tap
Sometimes nothing has failed: replacing the tap is simply a quick way to update a kitchen, utility room, cloakroom or bathroom.
Poor previous installation
Loose fixings, badly aligned taps and unsuitable connections can all lead to movement, leaks or an untidy finish.
Tap replacement cost FAQs
How much does it cost to replace a kitchen tap?
A straightforward kitchen mixer tap replacement will often fall around £90–£180 in labour, although access, isolation valves and seized fittings can change the final price.
How long does it take to replace a tap?
A simple tap replacement may take around 1–2 hours. Restricted access, old fittings or additional plumbing work can make it longer.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a dripping tap?
Repair can be cheaper when the tap is in good condition and the required part is easy to source. For an old or worn tap, replacement can be better value than repeatedly repairing it.
How much can missing isolation valves add to a tap replacement?
If there are no working local isolation valves, shutting off the water or adding valves can take extra time. As a broad guide, this may add around £50–£100 depending on the property and the work required.
Why can poor access or corroded tap fittings make replacement more expensive?
Deep pedestal basins, built-in bath panels and tight cupboards can make taps difficult to reach. Rusted, corroded or seized tap nuts may also need extra time to cut or remove safely, which can push an awkward replacement toward £150–£200+ in labour.
Does where I live affect the cost of replacing a tap?
Yes. Labour rates vary by region. London and parts of the South East are often more expensive than smaller towns or lower-cost regions, so local quotes can differ even for the same type of tap.
How much does an emergency tap repair cost?
Emergency and out-of-hours work normally costs more than a planned visit. Call-out charges can be around £60–£150, with emergency hourly rates sometimes around £80–£120+ depending on the plumber and time of day.
Can I buy my own replacement tap?
Yes. Customer-supplied taps are common. It is worth checking that the new tap suits the sink or basin, available space, water pressure and existing connections before buying.
Do boiling-water taps cost more to install?
Usually, yes. Boiling-water and filtered systems can involve extra equipment, filters, tanks, power and more connections inside the cupboard.