How much does it cost to install an outdoor spigot?

Reviewed by Adam Graham remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

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.

On average, the cost for installing an outdoor spigot runs from $150 to $500, although the average cost to U.S. homeowners is about $200 for a new brass hose bib spigot and shut-off valve installation. For basic spigot replacement, homeowners may pay as little as $100. 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 Price

Outdoor Faucet Prices by Type

Outdoor faucet prices range from $9 to $1,000, depending on the type of unit. 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:

Ball Valve

It costs between $9 and $40 for a ball valve spigot. 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 is 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.

Hose Bib

Hose bibs cost between $9 and $40. 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.

Freeze-Proof Outdoor Faucet

Expect to spend between $35 and $45 per freeze-proof outdoor faucet, depending on the style and brand in question. 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.

Anti-Siphon Spigot

You should plan to spend between $35 and $60 for an anti-siphon spigot. An anti-siphon device prevents dirty water 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.

Yard Hydrant Spigot

Yard hydrant spigots run between $50 and $150. 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.

Outdoor Shower

Expect to pay $50 for a basic chrome shower kit, all the way up to $1,000 for more elaborate setups, enclosure not included. 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.

Outdoor Sink

You should expect to pay between $150 and $1,000 for an outdoor sink, depending on the size and style. Outdoor sinks can be considered a type of spigot that serves many purposes. Like all outdoor spigots, they require a dedicated water line. Outdoor sinks can function as cleaning stations for produce from a home garden or even be part of a luxurious outdoor kitchen. Outdoor sinks can have one basin, two, or even three and can be made from materials ranging from plastic to ceramic, stainless steel, and even copper.

Cost to Install Outdoor Water Spigot

Most of the cost to install an outdoor faucet is in labor. The spigot/faucet itself costs between $9 to $40 for a hose bib assembly with an average price of $30, while additional parts cost an extra $130. Plumbers charge between $45 and $200 an hour. For small jobs like this, you often find that they only charge a set one-time fee. The average labor cost for this project is around $140, with an additional $160 in parts, making the total average cost to install an outdoor spigot with a dedicated shut-off valve around $300.

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.

Install Frost-Free Hose Bib

The spigot costs $35 to $45, with the cost of additional parts, installation, and the hourly rate remains the same. Labor is still around $140, with the cost for parts averaging around $175, making the total cost to install a new frost-free unit about $355. The cost of installing a frost-free hose bib may be slightly higher than installing a more standard outdoor spigot, depending on the valve chosen.

Install Yard Hydrant

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

For a typical outdoor faucet, the replacement cost is between $50 and $100, but it typically costs around $75. 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. 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

Water hoses vary widely in price, ranging from $4 to $300. While you do not have to attach a hose to your outdoor water spigot/hose bib combination, it helps with running water to exactly the places you need it. 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.

Outdoor Faucet Repair Cost

Depending on the type, the cost to repair an outdoor faucet ranges from $50 to $300, with the typical repair costing about $155. Some of the most common outdoor faucet repairs include leaks, hose bib replacement, and replacing burst pipes. Regular maintenance helps avoid the need for faucet repair, including removing hoses and cleaning the threads on the spigot. Preventative steps, such as draining and covering outdoor faucets during the winter, helps prevent damage from freezing temperatures.

How Do You Keep Outdoor Faucets from Freezing?​

Repairs due to freezing can cost an additional $150, depending on the extent of the damage to the faucet and attached water pipe. 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. 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 to drain the remaining water. Remove hoses, if any, and store them indoors until the spring.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Installing a Water Line

You can expect to pay around $3,750 to install a new water line from your home to the yard hydrant. Adding a new water line allows you to use fresh water from your outdoor spigot without the hassle of running very long water hoses. This can include watering a flower or vegetable garden and applies to many other needs. It is important to verify the distance of the yard hydrant from the house and the closest water line within the home so that the plumber can tie into it. In some locations, you may need more than 10 feet of piping to connect to the existing water lines.

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.
• Number of spigots. 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. You’ll pay under $100 to replace a gasket due to overtightening. 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.
• 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.
• DIY. If you have a little basic knowledge of plumbing and time, you can save money by doing basic work on your own. However, make sure that you turn off the water before doing any work.