How Much Does It Cost to Install an Outdoor Spigot?
If you have a garden, lawn, pool, or any other type of outdoor space, you may want to add an outdoor water spigot to your home. An outdoor spigot gives you easy access to clean water for your outdoor living areas. Outdoor spigots come in many different styles and can be made of several materials. These factors, plus the different types of plumbing and wall materials your home has, impact the installation cost.
The national average cost of installing an outdoor spigot is $150 - $500, with the average homeowner paying around $200 for a new brass hose bib spigot installation with a dedicated shut-off valve. The cost may be as low as $100 for a basic spigot replacement. On the high end, the costs run as much as $1,000 for installing an outdoor shower. These costs do not include the price of permits, assuming any are required in your area.
Outdoor Spigot Costs
| Outdoor Spigot Installation Prices | |
|---|---|
| National average cost | $200 |
| Average range | $150 - $500 |
| Minimum cost | $100 |
| Maximum cost | $1,000 |
Outdoor Spigot Installation Cost by Project Range
Outdoor Faucet Prices by Type
Originally, the outdoor spigot was a simple offshoot of your plumbing with a twist handle to open and shut the valve. But today, a wide assortment of styles is available. Depending on your climate, the faucet’s location, and your specific needs, you can choose one of the following:
| Type | Average Costs (Material Only) |
|---|---|
| Ball Valve | $9 - $40 |
| Hose Bib | $9 - $40 |
| Frost-Free | $35 - $45 |
| Anti-Siphon | $35 - $60 |
| Yard Hydrant | $50 - $100 |
| Outdoor Shower | $50 - $1,000 |
Ball Valve Prices
A ball valve is the apparatus that controls the flow of water from the line through the spigot. The valve is spherical with a hole in the middle and controlled by a lever handle. When the handle aligns with the pipe, water flows through the hole. However, when you turn it perpendicular to the pipe, the hole rotates to face the inside wall of the pipe, and the flow of water stops. Ball valves generally perform well over time with few mechanical problems. They cost between $9 and $40 on average.
Hose Bib Cost
A hose bib has a threaded opening to allow the attachment of the threaded end of a water hose. Since most homeowners use hoses, this is the most popular design choice for an outdoor spigot. Furthermore, hose bibs are specially made to allow water to drain out, so if you detach the hose, water will not remain inside the fixture. This is an important consideration in freezing temperatures. Costs range from $9 to $40 on average.
Freeze-Proof Outdoor Faucet
If you need a freeze-proof outdoor faucet, what you are looking for is a frost-free spigot. These are insulated and made of materials that will not crack or split if the water inside freezes and expands. While most people simply turn off the water to their spigots in the colder months, there may be times when you still need to have access to outside water. If this is the case, a frost-free valve can be the answer. They cost between $35 and $45 each, depending on the style and brand.
Anti-Siphon Spigot
An anti-siphon device prevents dirty water from sitting in a hose from being sucked back into your clean water supply. As such, it is an essential part of an outdoor spigot assembly. An anti-siphon spigot consists of a flap that lets water flow out but not back into the pipes, which is why it is commonly referred to as a back-flow preventer. Costs range from $35 to $60 on average.
Yard Hydrant Spigot
A yard hydrant is a type of outdoor water spigot that is usually located at least 50 feet away from a home. It provides water from your own plumbing for use far out into the yard. This is a good choice for those with large gardens who want to water them easily without struggling with hoses to cover the distance. They are also useful for filling buckets for pets. They cost between $50 and $150 on average.
Outdoor Shower Cost
An outdoor shower is a specialized type of spigot that serves various practical needs. Outdoor showers range from simple cold-water setups to luxurious, enclosed, private oases with hot and cold running water. This type of outdoor faucet can be a great addition to homes with pools or near a beach. Prices start at $50 for a basic chrome shower kit to $1,000 for more elaborate setups, enclosure not included.
Cost to Install an Outdoor Water Spigot
Installation of an outdoor spigot is usually relatively straightforward. First, water is shut off to the area, then the pipe that will supply the spigot is cut. A “T” is installed there to direct water to the new spigot pipe. To reach outside the home, a hole is typically drilled through the foundation. If you are not adding a frost-free spigot, you will want an additional internal valve installed to allow you to shut off the water from inside. The entire process takes only an hour or two, from start to finish.
To keep costs down, most installations place the hose bib opposite of the indoor plumbing, such as a water heater. In finished basements, however, costs can quickly rise. Installing a water spigot could require going through walls and ceilings to access the waterline, and then hiring additional professionals to put the walls and ceilings back together once the plumber installs the spigot.
Most of the costs associated with the installation of an outdoor spigot are in the labor. The spigot itself costs $30 for a brass ball valve assembly, while additional parts cost an extra $30. Plumbers charge between $45 and $200 an hour, but for small jobs like this, you often find that they only charge a set one-time fee. The average cost of labor for this project is around $140, with an additional $60 in parts making the total average cost around $200.
Cost to Install a Frost-Free Hose Bib
The cost to install a frost-free hose bib may be slightly higher than the cost of installing a more standard outdoor spigot, depending on the valve chosen. The spigot costs $35 to $45 on average, with the cost of additional parts, installation, and hourly rate remaining the same. Labor is still around $140, with the cost for parts averaging around $75, making the total cost about $215.
Yard Hydrant Installation Cost
Installing a yard hydrant includes the cost of tools, materials, special equipment like pipe cutters, and labor. Taking all these things into account, the average price ranges from $640 to $1,050. If an underground water supply line already exists, such as a line for a sprinkler system, then the cost of installing a yard hydrant will be at the lower end of the range. However, if a completely new water line is needed, the procedure is a bit more complicated, which means the cost of the installation will be higher.
Another factor that affects the price is the distance the yard hydrant is from your home, with the typical distance being around 50 feet. Installation takes about 4 hours, but it might require a full day for a new water line, especially if it is an outdoor shower with walls. A frost-proof hydrant is recommended because the water drains out of it so that it will not freeze inside the pipes. The price of a frost-proof yard hydrant starts at around $50, rising to $400 for the best brands and models.
Outdoor Faucet Replacement Cost
After winter turns into spring, many homeowners find themselves in the unenviable position of having to replace their outdoor water spigot. This is due to damage from water left in the pipes that froze and caused them to burst. For a typical outdoor faucet, the replacement cost is between $50 and $100, but it typically costs around $75. The main difference between installing a new faucet and replacing it is that a replacement does not involve cutting into a water line and adding a new line. Because there are fewer parts and labor involved, the process can be done in minutes.
Water Hose Cost
While you do not have to attach a hose to your outdoor water spigot/hose bib combination, a hose helps with running water to exactly the places you need it. Water hoses vary widely in price, ranging from $4 to $300. The price depends on the material and length. The least expensive water hoses are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and are about 6 feet in length. Expensive water hoses are made of high-quality rubber, encased in a retractable reel box, and can be over 80 feet in length.
How Do You Keep Outdoor Faucets from Freezing?
If you are not installing a frost-free faucet and live in an area where the spigot may freeze, you need to take steps to prevent damage. As the water inside the spigot or pipes freezes, it naturally expands as it turns to ice. Depending on how quickly this happens, it can cause the pipe or spigot to split and be completely ruined. Repairs can cost an additional $150, depending on where the split occurs.
To prevent this, make sure that the spigot is drained before freezing temperatures arrive. First, shut the valve that supplies water to the spigot, then open the tap so that the remaining water drains out. Remove hoses, if any, and store them indoors until the spring.
Outdoor Faucet Repair Cost
Depending on the type, the cost to repair an outdoor faucet can be anywhere from $50 to $300, with the typical repair costing about $155. Typical repairs to outdoor faucets include fixing leaks, replacing the hose bib, and repairing burst pipes.
Enhancement and Improvement Costs
Installing a Water Line
If you are running pipes to a yard hydrant or need 6 feet or longer to reach your desired spigot location, you need to have a new water line put in. This costs around $2,250 on average to run 6 feet of copper pipe.
Additional Considerations and Costs
- Maintenance. Outdoor spigots need little maintenance beyond draining them before winter. Occasionally, they may become difficult to turn, but applying a small amount of lubricant to the tap handle helps it operate more smoothly.
- Amount of spigots installed. If you install more than one outdoor spigot, it can spare you from having to run a hose from one end of the yard to the other.
- Crawl Space. If you have a crawl space below your home or an unfinished basement, this makes the labor much less, saving money on costs.
- Walls. If your plumber needs to run pipes through finished walls or ceilings, your costs will be higher because you will also need to hire a contractor to complete the finish work afterward.
- Tightening. Never over-tighten the spigot tap. This wears out the gasket and leads to drips. If this occurs, the gasket needs replacing, in most cases, for under $100.
- Permit. Local regulations might require a permit to install a new water spigot and mandate the diameter of the pipe. Ask a local plumbing inspector or check library.municode.com to find the rules that apply to your municipality.
FAQs
- How much does it cost to replace an outdoor spigot?
Replacing an existing spigot is a simple job and costs less than $100 on average.
- How do you raise an outdoor spigot?
Changing an outdoor spigot to a new height means T-ing off your pipe inside the house and installing a new longer pipe. Then, drill a new hole, run the pipe, and reinstall the spigot.
- What diameter is a water spigot?
Like most plumbing, spigots can be found in ½ and ¾-inch sizes.
- How do I know what size outdoor replacement faucet I need?
The spigot you see outside of your wall is part of a longer pipe that usually measures between 8 to 16 inches. This pipe is secured to your waterline via a threaded connection. When the spigot pipe is disconnected from the waterline, you can measure its length. The replacement spigot must have the same length and diameter as the original.
- Do I need to cover an outside faucet?
The need to do this largely depends on the weather. An outdoor faucet is an exposed pipe that might contain water, which can expand and cause the pipe to burst in freezing temperatures. Therefore, when the temperature is 20°F or below (about -7°C), you need to cover your outdoor water spigot. Even if your outdoor spigot is freeze-proof, professionals advise covering it as a precaution to ensure the pipes are protected.
How much does it cost to install an outdoor spigot in my city?
Cost to install an outdoor spigot varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.
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