Repair a kitchen tap.

Kitchen tap repair in the UK typically costs £60–£200 for routine fixes — dripping, low pressure, stiff handles. Replacement of the entire tap runs £100–£350 including labour and a mid-range mixer tap. Most jobs take 30-90 minutes for an experienced plumber.

The choice between repair and replace depends on tap age, brand, and fault. Quality branded taps (Bristan, GROHE, Hansgrohe) are usually worth repairing; budget supermarket-brand taps reach end-of-life faster and replacement is often cheaper than repair.

Typical UK kitchen tap costs

Common kitchen tap problems

• Dripping spout — worn washer (traditional) or worn cartridge (mixer). Cheapest fix.
• Leak from base of tap — failed o-ring, common after years of use. £70-£140 fix.
• Stiff handle — limescale or worn cartridge. Cleaning or replacement.
• Low water pressure from spout — limescale-blocked aerator. £5 part, often DIY.
• Pull-out spray won't retract — kinked hose or failed retraction weight. £90-£200.
• Hot water not flowing — air lock in pipe, blocked filter, or failed cartridge.
• Tap wobbles on the worktop — fixing nut underneath has loosened. Easy DIY fix.
• Hot/cold not separating — failed mixer cartridge.

Brand-specific considerations

• Bristan — UK mainstream, parts widely available 10+ years. Reliable.
• GROHE / Hansgrohe — premium German brands, parts available decades, repair almost always worthwhile.
• Franke / Carron Phoenix — kitchen specialists. Good parts availability for branded products.
• Mira — primarily showers but quality kitchen tap range. Parts available.
• Supermarket brands (Wickes own brand, B&Q value) — often have proprietary fittings; replacement parts may not be available beyond 3-5 years post-discontinuation.
• Cheap import (no brand) — almost never repairable. Replace.

Things people often miss

• Aerator descale before calling a plumber — a £5 white vinegar soak overnight removes most low-pressure complaints. Try this first.
• Brand stamp identification — the brand is usually stamped on the tap body. Photograph it before ordering parts; saves return trips.
• Cartridge sizing varies — even within the same brand, cartridge sizes differ. Take the old one to the merchant for matching.
• Water hardness affects taps — south-east England (London, Kent, Essex) hard water shortens tap lifespan by 30-50%. Water softener saves replacement frequency.
• Flexible hose wear — flexible hoses have a 10-15 year design life; check for bulges, kinks, or rust marks. Failed hoses can flood a kitchen overnight.
• VAT exemption for disabled users — accessible taps for disabled users are VAT-free. Worth asking the plumber to apply if eligible.

Frequently asked questions

Want a local pro to handle this? A plumber will diagnose, source the right parts, and fit cleanly. For branded taps, the brand's service line is sometimes cheaper for under-warranty issues. WaterSafe-approved plumbers ensure regulatory compliance.