Is Replacing a Kitchen Faucet a Realistic DIY Project for a Beginner? What Tools Do I Actually Need?

My kitchen faucet has developed a slow but annoying leak, and I’ve decided I want to tackle replacing it myself instead of paying a plumber, mainly to save money. I have very little plumbing experience—I've swapped out a shower head, and that's about it.

My biggest fear is the part underneath the sink; it looks cramped and rusty.

Can a total beginner realistically do this without flooding the kitchen?

I'm buying a standard pull-down faucet (single hole mount). Could someone break down the essential steps and, most importantly, tell me the must-have tools I need, especially for those hard-to-reach nuts? I want to make one trip to the hardware store and not get stuck halfway through the job.

Like [0]Answer this question

Showing comments related to this question.

_coldshadow45

2025-11-22

It's a realistic beginner DIY, but the biggest challenges are removing the old faucet, not installing the new one. Here’s what you might face: Corroded Nuts: If the mounting nuts holding the old faucet are rusty, you may need a penetrating oil (like WD-40) applied a few hours before you start. Let it soak. If they are impossible to turn, sometimes you have to carefully use a hacksaw blade (or Dremel tool, if you're comfortable) to cut the nut off—be extremely cautious not to scratch your sink. Limited Access: On some deep sinks, the access hole is tiny. If the garbage disposal is blocking your access, unplug and remove it temporarily. It's only held on by a few twist locks or bolts. Installing the New Faucet: Before you tighten the final mounting nut on the new faucet, have a helper stand above the counter to ensure the faucet is perfectly aligned and centered. Once it's tight, it’s a pain to adjust. Pro Tip: When connecting the new supply lines, hand-tighten the nuts first, and then use your adjustable wrench for just a quarter-turn to a half-turn more. Overtightening will damage the compression fittings and cause a leak!