Replacing kitchen mixer tap

CaptainWales

Hi. I'm looking at the VAST array of taps that are available and no idea which brands are best. Not looking to spend a fortune (will under £50 get me a decent tap??) but equally don't want to be replacing it in a year's time. Buy cheap, buy twice and all that.

Couple of Ebb and flo mixer taps on sale in Toolstation at the moment - is this a decent brand? 

Any help appreciated as the plumber already wants to charge me £80 for his labour so this job is going to cost more than I expected :-(  

daivid

If you are getting it done by a plumber ask them for a recommendation. Or find your local plumbers merchants and ask them, I've always had good advice from mine, and others on here have said the same for theirs.

If you are physically able replacing at tap yourself can be done fairly easily following online how to's and/or youtube videos. Depending on what tools you have already this could more than double your budget for the tap.

In my kitchen I have a Bristain Tangerine which cost me £65 seven years ago. I've had to replace the cold cartridge twice in that time. A nuisance but at under £10 a time not the end of the world, I keep a spare and it takes under 20mins from fetching tools to putting away again. If I was having to pay someone to do the maintenance a more expensive and more durable tap would work out more efficient.

GDB2222

Even if you are doing the work yourself, it is still a faff installing a new tap, as access is usually awkward behind the sink. 

I like the Bristan Easyfix taps, as they come in two parts. There’s a base that stays fixed, and the whole of the top of the tap is easily removed and replaced. We have had one for 5 years and it’s not needed any attention. 

FreeBear

I got a cheap mixer from Lidl a few years back (similar to this) The light changing thing is a bit of a gimmick, and that bit stopped working after ~24 months. Tap is still OK, so not complaining.

CaptainWales

For lots of reasons i dont want to do the work myself but i dont mind buying the tap. 

The plumber recommended a £40 tap. Which sounded a bit cheap. I might ask my local plumbing merchant as you suggested.

Rodders53

What tap did plumber recommend?  £40 to him in the trade could well be a lot more for a retail purchase

Plus if he supplies and fits and there are problems with it then it's his problem nor yours.

I'm a Grohe tap person - but they are double the price you seem willing to pay. 

CaptainWales

It was £40 at screwfix so same price i wouldbe paying.

That did cross my mind - if i wanted to claim under the tap's guarantee would it be better if i had purchased the tap? In a few years i may not be able to get hold of the plumber whereas with the receipt i may stand a better chance of claiming?

MysteryMe

I bought Bristan lever taps from Screwfix when I wanted the bathroom basin and bath shower mixer taps replaced which a plumber installed for me.  The basin taps were just under £40 and am pleased with quality