Plumbing Upgrades That Actually Improve Daily Life — Bidets, Faucets, Disposals, Filtration

Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25 · 9 min read · By Zomg The Handyman
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TL;DR

Get a bidet — everyone laughs until they try one, then they cannot go back. Moen is the only faucet with a true lifetime warranty. The InSinkErator Badger 5 is boring and reliable. Tankless reverse osmosis beats old tank systems. A drain snake at home saves you $129 every clog.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Zomg The Handyman earns from qualifying purchases. Product picks are based on what we actually install and recommend on the job — commission does not change the price you pay.

Most plumbing service calls fall into one of two categories: emergency (leak, clog, broken pipe) and upgrade (new faucet, bidet, water filter, disposal). The upgrade ones are way more fun, and they pay back daily. Here is what we install most.

Get a Bidet. Just Do It.

This is the upgrade everyone laughs at until they try it, then they cannot live without it. Modern bidet seats add heated seats, warm water, air drying, and more. A TOTO Washlet C5 paid for itself in toilet paper savings in our shop bathroom in about 14 months.

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Recommended on Amazon
TOTO WASHLET C5 Electronic Bidet Seat
The bidet most of our install customers end up choosing. Heated seat, adjustable wash, air dry.
$500-$700 View on Amazon →

Install requires a nearby outlet (most bathrooms have one near the sink). We start at $149 for a bidet seat install — about an hour.

Faucets — Moen Is the Only Brand With a True Lifetime Warranty

Our standard recommendation. Moen will send you replacement cartridges, hoses, even whole faucets, free, as long as you own the home. We have called the Moen warranty line for customers — they shipped a new $300 faucet free.

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Recommended on Amazon
Moen Arbor 7594 Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet
One of the most replaced-to faucets we install. Lifetime finish, easy to service.
$250-$350 View on Amazon →

Faucet swap typically takes 60-90 minutes. The hard part is reaching the supply line nuts under the sink.

Garbage Disposals — InSinkErator Badger 5 Is Boring and Reliable

Most kitchens get a 1/2 HP disposal. The Badger 5 is loud, simple, and runs forever. If you have a particularly noisy kitchen problem, step up to the Evolution series with sound insulation.

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Recommended on Amazon
InSinkErator Badger 5 Garbage Disposal
The workhorse disposal we install most often. 1/2 HP, stainless grind chamber, 2-year warranty.
$110-$150 View on Amazon →

Tankless Reverse Osmosis — Skip the Storage Tank

Old reverse osmosis systems had a 4-gallon storage tank under the sink that ate cabinet space and made water taste flat. Tankless RO (Waterdrop G3 P800) flows on demand, takes 1/3 the cabinet space, and tastes way better.

Recommended on Amazon
Waterdrop G3 P800 Tankless Reverse Osmosis System
Top under-sink RO pick. No storage tank, 800 GPD fast flow, 3:1 pure-to-drain ratio.
$500-$700 View on Amazon →

Drain Cleaning — Buy the Tool Once, Save $129 Every Time

Most drain clogs are hair (bathroom) or grease (kitchen) within the first 6 feet of pipe. A $60 drill-powered drain auger clears 90% of clogs at home.

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Recommended on Amazon
RIDGID Power Spin+ Drain Cleaner
25' drill-powered drain auger that clears hair clogs and kitchen lines without a service call.
$60-$90 View on Amazon →

Toilets — Fix a Running One in 15 Minutes

A running toilet wastes 200+ gallons a day. Almost every running-toilet call we get is one of three things:

  • Bad flapper — the rubber flap at the bottom of the tank. $5 part, 10-minute fix.
  • Bad fill valve — the float assembly that refills the tank. $15 part, 15-minute fix.
  • Chain too short — easy DIY fix, no parts needed.

If you are not comfortable, we charge $99+ for the diagnosis and fix.

Tools and Supplies We Carry

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Recommended on Amazon
Oatey Plumber's Putty (14 oz)
The seal we use on every sink drain and faucet base. Stays pliable, won't stain stone.
$5-$10 View on Amazon →
Recommended on Amazon
RIDGID 31000 6" Aluminum Straight Pipe Wrench
Lightweight aluminum pipe wrench that fits under sinks where steel wrenches won't.
$35-$50 View on Amazon →

What We Charge

Our plumbing service: faucet installation $149+, toilet repair $99+, garbage disposal $199+, leak detection $149+, drain cleaning $129+, water heater service $199+, pipe repair $149+, water filter install $129+, bidet install $149+. Emergency plumbing available — call directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does bidet installation cost?

Bidet seat installation starts at $149. The seat itself ranges from $400-$700. Total typically $550-$900.

Do bidets need an outlet?

Electric bidets like the TOTO Washlet need a nearby outlet for heated seat, warm water, and dry. Non-electric bidets just need cold water.

Can I install a faucet myself?

Yes, but the under-sink work is awkward. Most homeowners hire it out at $149+ to skip the wrench-on-back-on-floor experience.

How do I fix a running toilet?

Most often: replace the flapper ($5), then the fill valve ($15) if that does not solve it. We charge $99+ for diagnosis if you would rather skip it.

Tools & Products We Use on Every Job

Add-ons we install or recommend alongside this. Each opens on Amazon (we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you).
Drain snake
Save $129 every clog with a $60 snake.
View on Amazon →
Bidet seat
Most install customers end up loving.
View on Amazon →
Plumber's putty
The seal we use on every faucet base.
View on Amazon →
Pipe wrench
Aluminum fits where steel won't.
View on Amazon →
Buying these products?We install & assemble across California. Get a quote or book direct.

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