xamsx, which part of "you deserve what you got" did you not see? I fail to see where I asked for *any* advice on my Realtor. If and when I want that kind of advice (and I have read lots of past threads on this forum), I'll ask for it. In the meantime, perhaps we could stick with what I *did* ask for help on. Thanks, graywings. If they were just cheap and outdated, I might throw some towels on and call it good, but these are loose (I took two down today that were barely clinging to the wall), dented, and stained. Yuck. I'm really pleased with what I've done thus far. Just a few perk ups are making a huge difference in the feel of the house. There's some "heavy lifting" type clean up work that I'll find someone to do, since I don't have time, but otherwise I am an updating master! :D I'm doing the blinds (amazing difference), towel bars/tp holders, etc., lighting, switch plate covers (just new almond ones, I'd have to change out switches and outlets themselves to change to white), new medicine cabs (cracked, stained ones are so not enticing), front door handle (if it fits the existing door), shower curtains, knobs (dang, those are more work than I thought -- I did all of four today), and taking out the tchotchkes for sure. A few other things, can't remember them all now! Not going to add any WTs (valances, etc.), just taking down some bits of leftover hardware from previous curtains, patching and painting. A good clean up and it will show sooo much better. I don't think it will all be done but I'll take new pictures tomorrow when most of it is done.

I am a self employed Plumbing & Heating contractor, and I could care less what faucet or fixture my customers want me to install. However, I will express an opinion, and leave it at that, as it's their money not mine. rule #1 customer is always right ; ) The reason I express an opinion is because I deal with customers who have no clue as to "what" they are buying, but because it looks so nice, it must be good. 99.9% of my customers who ran out and bought a faucet that's hard to get parts for, gets ticked off when you tell them they have to "wait" for the company to ship them the parts if it's under warranty. If it's not under warranty...things get really interesting then, and I'll hear "well don't you have that part on your truck? " lol "No I don't have that part on my truck, because if it sits on my truck for 6 months, it has the possibility of getting damaged". None of you here have the slightest clue what Grohe or Kohler parts cost if it's not under warranty. I think the phrase "sticker shock" applies in this instance, then you have to add labor on top of it. To be brutally honest, I insist on the customer buying their own fixtures and faucets because... 1. They get what they want 2. If something goes wrong with it, it's on THEM to run around town trying to find parts or replace. I no longer waste time, money, or gas trying to locate these parts, because in the end there is an argument if I spend an hour plus looking for these parts, and I expect to get paid for my time, while I'm away from your home looking for this stuff. 3. If you the consumer insists on buying these fixtures and faucets yourself to save a few bucks, then you MUST be willing to accept the downfalls that come with that. Don't expect your Plumber to do these things for free, because you certainly wouldn't if the roles were reversed. The bottom line is, there isn't a faucet out there that is THAT much harder to install. They all have the same basic concept and if it's that hard for your Plumber, then maybe he isn't really a craftsman.

So this is a really loaded question: Like asking if there's a difference between price/quality for cars. Many mainline faucet companies make very good mid-priced faucets that are good quality, durable, stylish and available at big box stores. You can certainly spend significantly more money and get higher-end design, materials, etc. However, it's not necessary to do that to get a durable faucet. Whether spending additional money for solid brass, high end design, etc. is worth it is a personal decision -- same as it is with appliances. Here's the thing that I've said before: The price of faucets is out of line with what they are. I can buy a good quality dishwasher, with stainless steel inside and out, that will ACTUALLY WASH THE DISHES, not just look at them, for $500-800. We are making kitchens into crazy expensive spaces with stone countertops, high end appliances, super expensive cabinets, etc. And if you have that kind of money... fine. But don't get bullied into thinking that you have to spend $1,000 on kitchen faucets or a buy a Wolf range to have a nice and well designed kitchen.

Hello there. I would like to offer my thoughts for what it may be worth. For the record, I do not own the Nicoli faucet personally. From my experience, often some subtle differences can make a big difference on product longevity. Two products may appear similar but possess different technologies, are made of different materials (in part), and may even include certain fittings in the box another product does not, thus, driving up its price. That being said, speaking only regarding the technologies of these two products, the "Trinsic" line has "Diamond Seal Technology". I would wager that is most likely the culprit for the price difference. From my research this technology consists of two separate technologies, the "Innoflex PEX supply line" and a "diamond embedded ceramic seal". The main benefits of which, to summarize, are simpler/quicker installation and a product that has allegedly twice the longevity of others.. To put this simply, you are paying more for a product that can be installed quicker and easier and one that you may not know if it actually lasts twice as long as other faucets unless, 1. It lasts double as long as others which may be a 30 year wait (I have $40 builder special faucets still going 15 years and counting), or 2. If you buy the cheaper faucet and it needs replacing earlier then it should because of a defect/break etc. Essentially, either way you look at it, you have quite a poor assurance of what your spending almost $100 more for. On another note, worst case scenario, both products have the same "Limited Lifetime Warranty" so if the cheaper product breaks early, you can rely on the warranty possibly for a replacement. At that point it comes down to wasting your time for re-installation which ironically is also the case now should you return and re-install the other product.