changing out a bathroom faucet yourself:how hard?

[HOGFAN]

I am thinking of doing this myself since plumbers charge an arm and a leg to do it($150/each for install)
How hard is it to do yourself? I know it will take longer and DH might learn some new words.

 

[Magic Mom]

I've changed bathroom sink faucets, and it wasn't hard at all.

 

[chris1gill]

Another easy to do here, our problem was caulking the vanity that we were also replacing, we did a sloppy job, apparently there was a better tool we could have used (oh well, next time), but the faucet was a piece of cake, as long as your pipes aren't rusty or anything like that

 

[Papa Deuce]

How about a tub faucet? How hard is that?

 

[Ichabadi]

I've done the bathroom faucets and the hardest part by far was removing the old unit. I'm not the strongest girl and I had to use all my might (while using every swear word I know and making up a few new ones) to get the old faucets out.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

Bathroom sink faucet is not too bad, one of these:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=19558-943-03811&lpage=none
can be a BIG help.
Shower/Tub faucet can be very difficult depending on the access. If it's just leaking a bit I would check to see if you could get replacement washers/cartrideges etc before I thought about replacing it.

 

[wardfamily1]

I do all my own plumbing-as long as nothing needs to be soldered. Just pay attention to how the old one came off so you put the new one on the same way.

Give it a shot, if for some reason you can't do it, THEN call the plumber. Just remember to turn the water off at the main before you start and you should be OK.

 

[golfgal]

It isn't hard at all but it is an uncomfortable job laying in the cupboard trying to change out the thing. Just don't forget the plumbers tape on the screw threads.

 

[skuttle]

We changed all of the sink faucets when we moved into our house. Wasn't hard at all. Hardest part was fitting in cabinet to change them out (one was really small!).

The tub/shower faucets are much harder. There are different kinds and we learned that some don't work with our set up without having to cut pipe and resolder it. The shower head, and faucet wasn't the hard part...it was the actual handle to turn the water off and on that gave us problems. We did end up figuring out which brand worked with what we already have in the wall...after that it wasn't too hard.

 

[sherry]

I agree with the above posters. My only extra suggestion is to get a plumber's wrench for the connecting bolts. It makes it so much easier. The one I purchased was around $10.

 

[SandraVB79]

I do all my own plumbing-as long as nothing needs to be soldered. Just pay attention to how the old one came off so you put the new one on the same way.

Give it a shot, if for some reason you can't do it, THEN call the plumber. Just remember to turn the water off at the main before you start and you should be OK.

That's pretty much what I would do: try it myself first, then call professional.
Of course, I'm a lucky girl with a dad who knows how to fix all these things!

 

[Imzadi]

I've done the bathroom faucets and the hardest part by far was removing the old unit. I'm not the strongest girl and I had to use all my might (while using every swear word I know and making up a few new ones) to get the old faucets out.

Yes, I think this will be my biggest problem. I want desperately to replace an extremely ancient bathroom faucets that still have separate cold & hot water faucets. They do not mix together in the middle to create warm water. But with the hardware so old, I don't think I will have the strength to remove it.

 

[Jestocost]

It's not all that hard, but unless it's a pedestal sink where access is easy, you will have to cram yourself into some tight spots and into some odd positions. I also strongly recommend obtaining a basin wrench; otherwise it could be really a pain.

Tub faucets shouldn't be too hard if you can get to them, but that can require going through a wall or under the tub unit unless there's an access panel.

 

[parrothead365]

I would give it a shot. But remmember your not really plumbing until you reach for the chain saw

 

[NeverlandClub23]

My Mom changed hers this past weekend and I was SO impressed. My Mom is in her mid-50's and hardly knew what a screwdriver looks like. My Dad didn't think she could do it so he didn't help and she did it all by herself in a few hours. No leaks so far! It's really pretty too. The faucet looks like a well spout (I think that's what they're called, like the kind you used to pump). I'm very proud of her. Although now she's gotten cocky. She wants to tile the floor!

Oh and hers was separate hot and cold faucets that are now one.