widespread faucet

tn1978

14 years ago

We are building a new house and decided on using 8" widespread faucets in the master bath instead of the builder standard 4". We were told that there is an additional $125 per faucet for the installation. Standard 4" faucet has no additional charge. Does this seem right? The holes will be pre drilled, so I don't see the additional labor, but I am not a plumber.

thanks in advance

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Comments (11)

kitch_n_kat
14 years ago
It's a charge completely unrelated with the effort or skills required to install a 4" or 8" spread. As you suspect, the charge is a means for the builder to nickle and dime you for a choice perceived to be an upgrade.
bobb_2010
14 years ago
4/8" are standard. There is nothing more to do than *perhaps* use two slightly longer connection hoses. Total cost: $4 bux extra. Doesn't require more labor. Watch ur wallet with this guy.
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monicakm_gw
14 years ago
Hope you can work with this guy to get the cost down. I think it makes SUCH a huge (good) difference in appearance. I couldn't think of what the upcost would be for installation but since I'm not a plumber, I couldn't answer. Good luck!
Monica
aries61
14 years ago
Usually a one piece faucet is installed in a standard 4". Could part of the cost be for the faucet itself? I remodeled many years ago and went with 8" widespread faucets and at that time the faucets were higher priced.

You should ask how much is labor and the faucet amount.
busybee3
14 years ago
we built our current house with a large national builder and their policy was to add on ridiculous upcharges on any upgrades including faucets... we upgraded a few things and i learned that should we ever deal with this type of builder again, we would get the very basics included with the build and then put in what we really want(from larger choice)after we closed...
tn1978
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the feedback.
We are actually having a custom home built on our lot. We went with a more expensive "upscale" builder to hopefully avoid this type of nickel and dime type stuff. Every previous home we have seen from this builder had 8" faucents in the master bath, so it is not an uncommon "upgrade". The faucets themselves are $100 more per, the additional installation is above that. So to upgrade 3 faucets it's costing us 675 dollars. We would be willing to get the standard, and upgrade later, but we would not only need to buy the new faucets, but also new vanity tops and pedestal sink.

thanks again for the feedback
busybee3
14 years ago
that would really irk me!!! the 2 other houses we had built were by custom builders and we had no issues with the builder accomodating our choices...they all have their own poicies i guess. i would definitely raise a stink about it tho!!
tn1978
Original Author
14 years ago
I questioned the builder on this topic. His response was the 4" faucet is a single unit that is pre-assembled. The 8" faucet needs to be assembled and the installation is more time consuming. Being a person that bills customers for my livelihood, I can respect that. The issue I have is paying $125 per faucet. I don't see the value. I am guessing this "upgrade" comes up quite often, and they got us. If we stick with the 4" faucet, an upgrade is not simply replacing the fixture, it is replacing our tops as well and they know that.
advertguy2
14 years ago
I was going to chime in and say that the 4" are a single unit and widespread is essentially 3 units that all need aligning, tightening etc... Not a huge deal as a DIYer, but I'm sure it'll take the plumber 20 or 30 minutes more. So say $50 to $60 for him and then add the 100% markup for the builder to account for his profit as well as any possible problems with getting people back in because the handles aren't perfectly aligned etc.. I wouldn't think it was too unreasonable once you consider what is involved.
pricklypearcactus
14 years ago
I just purchased an 8" widespread Moen faucet. The widespread faucet also required the purchase of a valve that goes under the counter. (Extra cost for the part was $67.) I'm not certain if this is something all 8" widespread faucets require or not, but if so, maybe the installation of this valve takes additional work and the builder is charging for something like this?
baxter01
14 years ago
Not all 8" faucets need a separate valve. This is why I didn't go with Moen when I remodeled. If you are at all handy you can put in the faucets yourself. It is not a hard job and would save you $125 per sink. You could probably even have someone come do it for less than that. He should give you a rebate for not having to install faucets that you could apply toward it.