I just researched this question myself, so I will try to help here. Each faucet has a different distance and the differences range to 30" or more. I found the best way to tell is find your faucet on a website, click on "more details" or whatever the similar label is on the website and open the tab marked "specifications." Look for the length of reach on the list of specs. If it is not there, open the installation drawings and look at the diagrams. Also, the measurement sometimes includes the part of the hose that stays inside the faucet neck, so subtract that if you need a specific measurement. I think there was one that was 56" and if I remember where I will post again.

We have both -- the 3/4 HP at the prep sink and a 1 HP for the main sink. DH has been traveling a lot and we've had some other challenges, so it hasn't been installed yet. Honestly, the 3/4 HP is all the power most folks would ever need and it's cheaper. It can grind up all the drain pipe can handle and then some. DH found that out the hard way -- stuffing artichokes down it once, and saying, "I love having such a great disposal -- I can put ANYTHING down it!" (I hear "JINX!" CUE the gurgle, gurgle.) The disposal was fine -- completely clear. Nothing in it. Until the water backed up intot he sink, The disposal chopped up that artichoke as fast as DH could shove it in -- but the drain pipe below couldn't handle it and got overwhelmed. That almost got really ugly, but we learned that Dawn Platinum Power Soak formula and , OxiClean with HOT water, patience and a plunger can eventually move the artichoke mountain. If it were me, I'd buy the 3/4 HP compact for less money and be happy. But DH wants more power. Even after learning that even the 3/4 HP could get him into trouble. It's a guy thing. Either one is likely to be all you need. Maybe more.

There's a huge range in price, as you say in sink faucets. Still, there are really good brands and buys at every price level. In theory, price should go up with the amount of brass and integral (meaning real finish not coated) metal used in a faucet. So the heavier the better. Most faucets have some plastic pieces. Certain brands carry a status premium -- Dornbracht, Waterworks. They are excellent quality but you pay plus for styling and name. I personally favor pull downs over side sprayers and pull outs (I have one of each) but that's very personal. As someone said, it's one less hole in the deck. But I'd suggest going to store and do a pull and touch and see what appeals. I have a pull out in our mudroom but found I don't care for the "heavy head". Pull downs tend to have smaller, lighter heads. Some pull downs have a switch to sprayer. There is the lock vs nonlock function on that to check. Some don't mind holding it down for the spray; others want to push the button and have it stay. Check which faucet silhouette appeals. (I pick the same shape over and over but not everyone will). Examine the hoses. On the mid-range and lower end faucets those pull outs will likely be a knit mesh reinforced with some metal. On higher end faucets they are all metal. Also be sure the length of the pull down will reach all around the sink. These can vary a bit. I also pull the specification sheets for every faucet from the mfgr website so I can see how it will work in the space behind the sink -- to see how it opens, how much clearance is needed, to be sure the spout swivel is ok and won't hit anything. That there's clearance for each aspect. A lot of people go for Deltas, Grohe and Kohler faucets. There are KWC fans on the high end plus several others including Rohl. Then there are brands like Chicago Faucet and one Sabjimata recommends (perhaps she'll weigh in here) that are said to be very sturdy and reliable. Someone linked a faucet quality assessment from a builder's website. I don't have it bookmarked but whoever does might link it. Basically it runs through a lot of brands and makes subjective judgments about them. I don't agree with all the categorization and judgments but it's all subjective anyway and there are a large number of brands reviewed so it's a useful place to check.

That's my main reason for preferring prerinse too.. I use the sprayer a LOT on our current cheapo pull-up sprayer and it's really wasteful to have to leave the water running and running rather than having it turn on only when I squeeze the sprayer trigger. Unfortunately, my wife has vetoed all pulldowns and is really really picky about prerinse types.. the Pegasus prerinse @ HD is the only one she's liked, but the reviews on that faucet have been horrible. I can definitely live with the single handle at this point if needed.. trying to find something a little more "organic-looking" that still has the prerinse style spray. The commercial ones with a shortened riser are definitely a possibility; our oversink cabinet is going to be 30" over the sinktop, with the top cabinets on each side 24" over the countertops.