Choosing the Perfect Kitchen Faucet

A Comprehensive Guide For Builders, Contractors And Designers

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1. Why Choosing The Right Kitchen Faucet Matters

The kitchen is the heart of a home, and at the center of it all sits the kitchen faucet. As builders, you need a faucet that is cost effective, easy to source and easy to install. Meanwhile, your client wants something beautiful, durable, and highly functional while they prep meals, gather with friends, and make memories.

3 Ways The Right Faucet Can Grow Your Project Profits

1.1 Create Amazing Client Experiences By Enhancing Functionality

The right faucet makes the kitchen more efficient. That makes your client’s lives easier, which means they’re happier in the home. Which means they pay higher prices, leave better testimonials, and recommend your services to more friends and family. Of course, more functional features can raise the cost, and you do need to stay within your project budget. Balancing cost with client experience is all about your client’s lifestyle. Which features would have the biggest bang for buck? We’ll look into specific features and how they support different lifestyles in chapter 3.

1.2 Grow Your Brand Reputation With Elegant, Cutting Edge Design

1.3 Improve Profitability With Long Lasting And Easy To Install Appliances

At the end of the day, the faucet boosts your long term profitability on the project. An easy to install faucet means plumbers and contractors can install it fast, with minimal fuss and errors. A durable faucet means less accidental damage from leaks and corrosion, less maintenance needs, and fewer replacements. Certain types of faucets (e.g. 2 handle faucets) can still be used even while waiting for repairs. This makes them a great choice for managed apartments as it reduces urgent maintenance calls. Bonus points if you get lifetime warranty - so you and the new property owner can both get additional peace of mind.

So now you see why choosing the right faucet is important. Next, let’s look at the 5 main types of faucets and decide which is right for you.

2. Checklist: The Perfect Kitchen Faucet

Kitchen faucets aren’t a big-ticket item, but the perfect one can pull a kitchen together and bring huge returns to your build. But it’s easy to get overwhelmed because there are thousands of similar, yet different faucets to choose from. This checklist will help you narrow down your search.

2.1. Start with the Right Type of Faucet

2.1.1 Project Compliance Requirements

Project requirements are a good place to start your search. Does your project specify ADA or other compliance requirements? What about water efficiency requirements or energy efficiency ratings? Will you have a single basin sink or multiple basins? Multiple basins means your faucet will need to be able to swivel or rotate to reach both basins. Eliminating any faucet that does not fit specs early on can save you a lot of time in research, and reduce the need for back and forth with the architects and build team.

2.1.2 Profitability Goals

Your specs may list a maximum price per faucet. Many wholesalers offer volume discounts, so we suggest you look at the total budget for faucets. High end faucets that may seem out of reach, can be within your budget if you buy them in bulk.

2.1.3 The Resident’s Lifestyle

The best kitchen faucet for your build is the one that suits the needs and lifestyle of the people who will be living in the home. For example, elderly and/or disabled residents would probably love faucets that are easy to use. In this case, you might consider ADA compliant faucets even if your project doesn’t specify the need. On the other hand, families with children might need durable finishes and safety controls to prevent burns. And if you’re building in arid climates, or places with water shortages, many clients would love faucets with water saving features.

2.1.4 Design and Style

A beautiful kitchen really comes together when all its elements follow the same design aesthetic to create a cohesive look.

And that includes the faucet:

• Sleek and minimal for futuristic looking kitchens.
• Bold and heavy for that rustic farmhouse feel.
• Ornate and elegant for traditional maximalism.

Notes from the interior designer or architect can be a great jumping-off point in finding a faucet everyone is happy with. With a narrow focus on faucets that suit their vision, you can save valuable time and find a faucet to satisfy everyone faster. We’ll look at the various pros and cons of each faucet type in chapter 3.

2.2. Narrow Down the Specs You Need

So you know what your faucet needs to look like. But how will it fit?

2.2.1 Mounting Options

Broadly speaking, you can mount faucets on the basin itself, on the counter next to the basin, or on the wall. Which you choose depends on functionality and design.

2.2.2 Sink Compatibility

Start with clearance limitations and counter space to make sure your faucet will fit. If you choose a deck mounted faucet, you’ll need one that matches the configuration of your sink. Most faucets need one or two holes, but some may even need four holes to install. Most sinks come with pre-cut holes for your faucet. Most countertops can be adjusted to suit your selected faucet, but adjusting a sink is probably too expensive to be worth it for your project. We’ll explore configurations in more detail in Chapter 4.

2.2.3 Spout Height and Reach

2.2.4 Usability and Features

What features does your faucet need? How many handles? Is a pull out sprayer worth the cost? We’ll look into all the pros and cons of the most popular faucet features in Chapter 3 and Chapter 4

2.3 Brand & Model

So you know what type of faucet you need and how it will fit. How do you narrow down a model or brand? Here are a few general considerations, and you can head to Chapter 8 for more details about how to find a reputable brand and distributor.

2.3.1 Installation and Maintenance

Since project profitability is the most important thing, we recommend prioritizing faucets that are easier for your build team to install.

The longer each faucet takes to install, the more it eats into your labor budget, especially on multi-unit projects. Some faucets - especially those with advanced features - may take specialized knowledge or equipment to install. You’d like to make clients happy of course, but installation can end up being more expensive than you expected. Besides, maintenance and upkeep will impact how happy your buyer is with their faucet–and their entire kitchen–in the long run. Higher end faucets - particularly those with lifetime warranty - may feel expensive upfront, but can save on maintenance costs in the long run.

2.3.2 Inventory and Delivery Options

When you’re on a deadline, every delay is a potential disaster. Your faucets need to get to the build site on time, packed in a way that’s easy for the build team to manage. Then there’s delivery costs too. Hardware like faucets can be heavy, meaning shipping can be expensive. That’s why, for builders, it’s worth choosing a brand that offers guaranteed inventory and fast delivery. Some distributors may also offer flat rates or discounts on shipping, so that may help offset shipping costs and keep the total cost of the faucet down.

2.3.3 Support for Your Build

Some brands offer trade support, like helping you choose a model for your build, and even helping your team troubleshoot installation problems. Money-back guarantees can give you the chance to see your selected faucet in place to make sure it works perfectly with your design and return it risk-free if not. (note some brands may charge a restocking fee if you want to return goods due to a change of mind). Every bit of support for your build team can ensure your project goes as smoothly as possible and maximize your final results as well as your profits!

Now that you have a good idea of what you’re looking for, let’s look at the different types of faucets and when each option would be the best fit for your project.

3. Basic Configurations for Kitchen Faucets

The faucet configuration and basic features are all about usability, and they directly impact how satisfied residents are with their kitchens. Let’s look at the pros and cons of these basic configurations, so you can decide which you need on your project.

3.1 Single-Handle Faucets

A single-handle faucet has one handle to control flow as well as hot and px-cold supply. Single-handle faucets generally have a simple, more modern vibe and usually take up less space than double-handle faucets

PROS:

• Faster installation.
• Less pieces to install.
• More accessible for people with disabilities, the elderly, etc. who may struggle with double handle designs.
• More hygienic; can frequently be turned on and off with wrist or elbow.
• Versatile; can work with large or small basins and have a range of designs.
• With one handle to control both hot and px-cold inputs, single-handle faucets are safer for families with small children who could burn themselves using separate controls.

CONS:

• Can be difficult to adjust temperature to user’s preference.
• Leaks or broken handles mean the sink is not usable until it’s fixed. That means repairs on these faucets are urgent maintenance calls.

Best for Your Build If…

• There’s limited space for your faucet.
• You’re going for a sleek, modern, or industrial design.
• You’re building a lot of units and installation time would add up quickly.
• You’re on a tight budget and need a cost-efficient faucet.

3.2 Double-Handle Faucets

Double handle faucets have a separate control for hot and px-cold water. They take up more space than a single-handle faucet, and they have a more traditional look. They’re usually pretty easy to install, but some come in several pieces

PROS:

• More precise control over water temperature.
• Sink is still usable if one handle fails or leaks, so repair calls aren’t as urgent.
• Can add traditional charm to a sink.
• Utilizes horizontal space for a more balanced look for wide sinks.

CONS:

• Can run the risk of burns if user only opens the hot tap.
• Installation can be more complicated.
• Sometimes have several pieces to install (more time per sink, higher labor cost for large projects).
• Doesn’t fit well in small spaces.

Best for Your Build If…

• Your sink has a wide basin
• You’re building a large kitchen where a single-handle faucet would look undersized
• You’re going for a traditional esthetic (although contemporary and modern designs are available)

3.3 Pull-Out and Pull-Down Faucets

A sprayer makes the kitchen sink more functional for everything from washing produce to scrubbing pots and pans. But a separate spray nozzle can look dated. Pull-out and pull-down faucets give your client the convenience of a spray nozzle without taking away from the look of the sink. They’re also faster to install in most cases.

PROS:

• Gives user the versatility of a spray nozzle without separate pieces.
• Faster and easier to install than a separate spray nozzle.
• Benefits of spray function with the same streamlined esthetic as a regular faucet.

• Pull-out option saves space where there is not enough clearance for a pull-down.
• Pull-down faucets may look better with many designs.

CONS:

• Installation is more complicated than a sink with no spray nozzle.
• More expensive than standard faucets.
• Potential for failure over time (e.g. dangling head).
• Won’t work well with low water pressure.

Best for Your Build If…

• Your design is contemporary and a side sprayer would make it look dated.
• Space is too limited for a separate spray nozzle.
• The kitchen has good water pressure.

What’s Better: Pull-Out Our Pull-Down?

3.4 Swivel and Rotating Spouts

If your sink has split basins, this is a non-negotiable for your faucet. Where some faucets are fixed in place, many have the ability to swivel, allowing the user to move the spout as needed. Swivel and rotating spouts are fairly easy to come by and don’t usually add significant expense.

PROS:

• Spout can be moved out of the way to put large objects like pots into the basin and remove them easily.
• Decreases dead areas of large basins.
• Works with split basin sinks.

CONS:

• Needs to be installed correctly. For example, overtightened mounting nuts can make the spout hard to turn.

Best for Your Build If…

• The sink has split basins.
• The sink has a wide basin.
• Optimal usability is essential for your build.

3.5 Commercial-Style Faucets

Commercial-style faucets are eye-catching and highly functional. They’ve become popular in recent years and fit a range of looks from cozy country kitchen to modern industrial.

PROS:

• Versatile options for small to large spaces.
• Eye-catching feature.
• Highly functional.
• Fit a wide range of design esthetics.
• More durable and needs less maintenance than other faucet types.

CONS:

• More expensive than standard faucets.
• Need sufficient vertical clearance (height may not fit in some spaces).
• Stands out more than the average faucet, which may not appeal to some buyers.
• Many designs have external springs that may be difficult to keep clean.
• Use more water than some other faucets.
• May be more difficult to install, though most models are very straightforward

Best for Your Build If…

• You want the sink to be a statement-piece.
• The property has good water pressure, as the pipes may be larger than with other faucet types
• You’re building a large, open kitchen where a small faucet would look out of place.
• Your design has a country kitchen, industrial, or unique aesthetic where eye-catching style is key.

Now that you have a good idea of the basic features and configuration you want for your faucet, let’s look at some additional features you may want to consider.

4. Advanced Features and Technology for Kitchen Faucets

Let's look at some advanced faucet features next. Some of these features will reduce maintenance costs in the long run. Others offer better usability. But these features do add to the cost, so it’s a balancing act. Let’s take a look at some of the most common and desirable add-ons for enhanced usability so you can weigh their value against your budget for the project.

4.1 Touch Activated

4.2 Spray Options

PROS:

• Significantly improves sprayer functionality.
• Boost makes it easier to clean stuck-on debris.
• Pause allows the user to easily swap out items without making a mess.
• Soft settings can prevent splashing and make the sprayer useful for delicate tasks like washing berries.

CONS:

• More expensive than standard sprayers or faucets with no sprayer.
• May take longer to install as you have to make more connections
• May need more counter space for installation. If it’s a small sink pull out may be a better option
• Can make repairs more expensive.

Best for Your Build If…

• Your build demands optimal functionality and high-end appliances.
• You’re creating a higher-budget kitchen or high-end build.
• The project is aimed at residents who will own or live long-term in the home.

4.3 Magnetic Docking

4.4 Ceramic Disc Valves

The valve is an internal component of the faucet that controls the flow of water. Ceramic disc valves use durable, precision-crafted ceramic discs to control the flow of water. Because ceramic disc valves don’t depend on plastic or rubber components, they’re resistant to wear and tear common in other types of valves.

PROS:

• Most durable and longest lasting option.
• Low-friction operation makes the faucet easier to activate and decreases wear and tear on the valve.
• Smooth operation makes faucet more accessible for people with disabilities.
• Cartridge frequently allows users to regulate temperature and water flow settings with precision, eliminating risks of scalding and making the sink easier to use.
• Can handle extreme temperatures without warping or breaking down.

CONS:

• Most expensive type of valve.
• Don’t handle hard water well and may need an in-line filter.
• Need to replace the entire cartridge if a disc gets broken or damaged (can’t just replace the discs themselves).

Best for Your Build If…

• You’re willing to pay for a more durable faucet that needs less maintenance.
• Long-term function with minimal upkeep is important to your buyer.
• Your build is in an area without extremely hard water, or your budget allows for a higher-price faucet plus in-line filtration.
• You’re building a kitchen for elderly or disabled residents, or families with small children.

4.5 Touchless Faucets

Now that you have a good sense of what features you want your faucet to have, let’s take a look at finishes and coatings and how those can affect the look and durability of your faucet.

5. Finishes, Materials, and Coatings

Now let’s explore some options for finishes and coatings. You’ll probably want a finish that matches the rest of the kitchen and compliments the other appliances. Finishes don’t just affect the look of a faucet. They also determine how durable a faucet is and how much maintenance it takes to keep it looking great over time. Let’s look at some of the most common finishes and consider what they can bring to your build.

5.1 Stainless Steel

5.2 Brushed Nickel

5.3 Chrome

5.4 Copper

5.5 Brass

5.6 Bronze

So, as you can see the material and finish can affect durability and usability. It’s mostly, but not just about the looks. Once you find a faucet you like it’s important to ensure your supplier has enough inventory, and can ship to you quickly. Let’s look at how to find the right supplier for your build next.

6. Choosing a Supplier

Now that you’ve narrowed down the specs and look of the perfect kitchen faucet for your build, you’ll want to choose a dependable supplier.

Many manufacturers do not sell directly. And besides, you’ll probably want to get your sink and faucet together. A wholesaler lets you combine different brand faucet and sink brands.

Building a lasting relationship with the right supplier makes life easier.

A great supplier can save you the headaches of supply chain problems, shipping delays, and friction in the ordering process.

What makes a great plumbing supplier?

6.1 Consistent Quality

As discussed in Chapter 5.2, buying from a reputable brand ensures you get high-quality materials and trustworthy manufacturing. When buying faucets in bulk, you may notice little imperfections and small differences in some of the faucets. This is because some wholesalers may use different manufacturers from year to year. They may have had some pieces in storage longer than others. Choosing a wholesaler that uses the same manufacturers - rather than batching orders to the lowest bidder - ensures you get predictable quality between units and projects. SImilarly, choosing a supplier that orders in huge batches means you’re less likely to have quality differences between units.

6.2 Reliable Supply and Delivery

The next step is getting the faucets to the build team in time. The last thing you need is to find out the faucet you’ve chosen is out of stock and you have to scramble for a substitute. You need a supplier with high inventory and a good transport system to prevent supply chain issues. Some brands stock over 6 months' inventory at once. So they can usually guarantee delivery anywhere in the US in under a week. And when you buy in bulk, you can usually get flat rate shipping or bulk shipping discounts.

6.3 Extra Support for Professionals

Some manufacturers offer better service for industry and trade professionals. For example, they may help you choose the right faucet or sink for your project at no extra charge. You may also get a dedicated account manager to help with the selection and ordering process and delivery coordination. This can save considerable time and stress when you also have a hundred other parts to source. They can also provide priority phone and video support for installation and maintenance, so you can finish the project faster with fewer errors. Many suppliers also give money-back guarantees, allowing you to pivot if what seemed like the perfect faucet ends up not being exactly what you had in mind.

If you want to build a long term relationship with a supplier, you’ll want a company that can step seamlessly into your process, so you can focus on the build and not worry about bureaucracy. In general, the ideal supplier will get you the piece you need reliably, affordably, and with support throughout your process. They will step into your process seamlessly, you can focus on the build and not worry about bureaucracy. Now let’s look at a few ways you can make sure it’s the perfect choice.

7. Finalizing the Perfect Choice for Your Build

How can you be sure the faucet you choose will deliver the beauty and functionality your buyers want for years to come? Here are some advanced tips.

7.1 Read Reviews

The most important factor - after profitability - is how happy the homeowners are with their faucet. Customer reviews can give you great insights into how people felt about the faucet and any problems they ran into. But it can sometimes be hard to find useful feedback versus people venting. Websites like Consumer Reports and CNET frequently post in-depth reviews of particular faucets and can give you some insight into what’s currently popular with buyers. However, most of these sites are aimed at consumers and not industry professionals. Many may also have been compensated for their review. So look at the reviews for an overview of the faucet's usability, but take the reviews with a grain of salt.

7.2 Consult Professional Publications

7.3 Talk to Your Team

Consult with designers, contractors, plumbers, and architects on your team who may have previous experience with a particular brand or type of faucet. They’ll let you know if the faucet you’ve chosen is easy to install, holds up well over time, and how satisfied users are with it. Your team may also have custom recommendations or specific requests that may not show up on a normal search.

You’ve nailed down the specs, found a supplier, and chosen your faucet.

Let’s go over a few final frequently asked questions that may come up.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the best kitchen faucet brand?

A: The best faucet for you depends on your build specs, but you can check out our bestsellers. Now, when it comes to brands - as a builder, contractors, or designer - you’ll likely want a supplier that understands your needs and provides the best service. That way you can finish the project with minimal stress, and can build a relationship with someone who will provide consistent, high-quality products year after year. They’ll have a range of options to suit any budget, and enough style, configuration, and finish options to give you the perfect fit for your build.

Q: What features do most people want in a kitchen faucet?

A: Each person’s lifestyle and accessibility needs will determine what usability features are most important to them. We find simple, single handle faucets with spray options tend to be more popular.

Q: What’s the best faucet for managed rental properties?

A: If you’re building in a location with hard water, you’ll likely want to minimize water spots, or have a faucet that will be easy to clean.

A matte or satin finish in a brass, gold, or warm gray px-color will hide water spots and minimize cleaning.

A low-profile or wall-mounted configuration can also prevent mineral build-up on the faucet.

Also keep in mind that ceramic disc valves can sometimes struggle with hard water, so a different valve configuration may work better.

Alright, you’ve seen how to choose a faucet for your build and learned the pros and cons of various types of faucets. Now let’s bring it all together.

9. Pulling It All Together

A great kitchen can totally change the feel of a home and dictate how satisfied your buyer is with your build. The sink and faucet aren’t just the visual and functional centerpieces of a kitchen. The right faucet is essential to creating a kitchen sink that will support the success of your build.

Here’s a brief summary of our recommendations for finding the perfect kitchen faucet.

1. Start with a basic plan - consult project specs for must haves, and profitability targets for a price range. Details in chapter 2.
2. Consider what features the residents will need to decide on a configuration and basic features. Details in chapter 3 and 4.
3. Consult the designers to know how the faucet will be mounted, and how they want it to look. Details in chapter 5.
4. Choose the brand and model that suits your needs best. Then decide which supplier you should buy from. Details in chapter 6 and 7.

Find the Perfect Faucet for Every Build With KralSu

We hope this guide makes it easy to find the right faucet for your build. But there are a LOT of faucets available, each with their own pros and cons. So it can be difficult to tell which one is best for you

If you’re having trouble deciding which faucets to go with, we can help. Just contact our trade liaison and we’ll help you choose the best faucet for you.

Plus we offer:

• As early as 5 day delivery anywhere in the US on certain products
• 30 day money back guarantee on all products
• Lifetime warranty with certain brands
• Almost unlimited inventory with certain brands

That’s it for our guide to the Perfect Kitchen Faucet for Builders, Contractors And Designers Have a question about kitchen faucets, or speccing your build? Let us know in the comments below, and we’ll share our answers and add it to the guide.