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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

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.

2. Grow Your Brand Reputation With Elegant, Cutting Edge Design

The right faucet can give your kitchen a sleek, futuristic look or a classic, rustic farmhouse vibe.

It’s one of the most visible parts of your kitchen and could become a focal point for the room’s design.

Find one that complements the style, finishes, and theme of the kitchen, and suddenly the whole room looks far better put together.

Which of course means you can command a much higher price per square meter.

We’ll look at some popular design options in chapter 6 of this guide.

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.

Deck mounted faucets are a lot more common.

Pros:

Easier to install.
Easier to maintain.
Far more options and designs available.

Cons:

Take up more counter space, although many designs take minimal space.
Needs to be compatible with the sink.

Wall mounted faucets save space in tiny kitchens.

Pros:

Good for small kitchens where space is at a premium.

Cons:

Harder to install.
More expensive.
Repairs tend to be difficult and costly.
You’ll need a thicker drywall for support. So be sure to let the build team know while the plumbing rough-ins are being installed.

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

The height and reach of a faucet’s spout directly impacts how usable the sink is.

Too low, and the spout gets in the way. Clients will have trouble filling pots or bottles.Too high, and water splashes everywhere.

Too far out and the water splashes outside. Not far enough and clients have trouble reaching different parts of the sink.

Tall gooseneck faucets can be an eye-catching design feature, but prominent windowsills or overhanging cabinets may mean a flat spout is the right fit.

Ideally, your faucet should line up directly over the drain in your basin at a height that gives enough clearance for a sink full of dishes without causing extra splashing.

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.

2.3.4 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 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 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 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.