A Price Pfister 808 Series cartridge typically costs $15-$50 for the part, while a plumber-installed replacement commonly totals $150-$350. The final price depends on finding the correct cartridge, local service-call rates, faucet condition, and whether seized parts or leaks require extra work.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Replacement cartridge | $15 | $30 | $50 | Part only; price depends on brand and source |
| DIY replacement | $15 | $40 | $90 | Includes a basic tool or small supply allowance |
| Plumber-installed replacement | $150 | $225 | $350 | Typical service visit with a standard cartridge swap |
| Repair with seized or damaged parts | $225 | $350 | $600+ | May require extraction, valve work, or a return visit |
Assumptions: U.S. pricing for one accessible bathroom or kitchen faucet, standard replacement parts, and no major pipe or valve damage.
Price Pfister 808 cartridge replacement prices
For a straightforward repair, the cartridge itself is usually $15-$50. A do-it-yourself replacement often comes to $15-$90 after adding basic supplies, while hiring a plumber typically brings the total to $150-$350. A high-cost visit can exceed $350 if the cartridge is stuck, the handle or retaining hardware is damaged, or the faucet needs additional repairs.
For most uncomplicated repairs, budget about $225 for a plumber-installed cartridge. That estimate assumes a single faucet, a readily available compatible cartridge, normal access below the sink or behind the fixture, and roughly one hour of billed labor. Urban service rates and minimum charges can push the total higher even when the hands-on repair takes less time.
The term “808 Series” may identify a faucet line or series rather than the exact replacement part number. Price Pfister, now commonly branded Pfister, has used different cartridges and internal assemblies across faucet designs and production years. Buyers should verify the faucet model and cartridge markings before ordering, rather than assuming every 808 faucet takes the same part.
Online listings may show a lower price than a local plumbing counter, but shipping, return rules, and uncertainty about compatibility matter. A genuine or manufacturer-specified cartridge can cost more than an aftermarket option. A low-priced part that does not match the valve can delay the repair and add another service charge.
What cartridge parts and plumbing labor add to the invoice
A plumbing quote may include more than the cartridge. The table separates common charges for one accessible faucet. Actual invoices vary: some plumbers use a flat repair price, while others charge a service-call fee plus hourly labor and materials.
| Quote component | Typical price | What it covers | When it may rise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cartridge | $15-$50 each | Compatible replacement part | Special-order or less common part |
| Labor | $75-$150 per hour | Shutoff, disassembly, installation, and testing | Seized handle, tight workspace, or extra repair |
| Service call or minimum | $75-$175 | Dispatch and minimum billable work | After-hours or urgent appointment |
| Small supplies | $5-$25 | Grease, seals, or minor hardware | Replacement retaining clip or damaged fastener |
| Disposal or return visit | $0-$100 | Old-part handling or additional trip | Part unavailable during the first visit |
Ask whether the quote includes the service-call minimum, cartridge, and post-repair leak test. A quote that lists only the hourly rate may not reflect the minimum charge. If the plumber supplies the part, ask whether the price includes a parts markup and what warranty applies to both the cartridge and labor.
For a typical repair, labor may account for most of the invoice. The calculation can be represented as , but the billed time may be subject to a one-hour minimum or bundled with the dispatch fee. A $100 hourly rate, for example, does not necessarily mean a 20-minute repair costs only about $33.
Which cartridge, faucet age, and access change the quote
Correct identification and valve condition are the largest sources of uncertainty. Before buying a part, record the faucet model if available, take clear photos of the handle and trim, and compare the removed cartridge with the replacement listing. If the faucet has no accessible model number, a plumbing supplier or manufacturer support channel may help identify the assembly from photographs and dimensions.
Cartridge pricing often falls in the $15-$50 range for common replacements, but uncommon, discontinued, or specialty assemblies may run $50-$100 or more. Some faucets need a complete cartridge assembly, while others use separate seals or components. Confirm whether the listing includes the stem, seals, and any required clips; buying a partial assembly can leave the leak unresolved.
Faucet age can affect both part availability and labor. A faucet that is less than 10 years old may have an identifiable part available through common retailers, though model variation still matters. For a faucet older than 15-20 years, a plumber may spend additional time identifying a discontinued cartridge or testing whether a substitute will fit. Part research or a second trip can add $50-$150 or more.
Access also matters. A clear space beneath a sink allows a faster shutoff and inspection than a crowded vanity cabinet or a faucet mounted against a tight backsplash. Restricted access can add 30-60 minutes of labor, or roughly $40-$150 at common hourly rates. A shutoff valve that will not close may need separate attention before the cartridge can be safely replaced.
Finally, mineral scale and corrosion can bind the handle, cartridge, or retaining hardware. A standard removal may take 30-60 minutes, but extraction can extend the job by one to two hours. If the faucet body, valve seat, or supply connections are damaged, a cartridge alone may not stop the leak.
How much plumber time an 808 cartridge swap takes
A simple replacement generally requires 30-60 minutes of hands-on work once the right part is available. The plumber shuts off the water, removes the handle and retaining hardware, replaces the cartridge, restores water, and checks for leaks and proper temperature control. Even a short job can be billed at a one-hour minimum or as a service-call package.
Plan for a one- to two-hour appointment window, not just the minutes spent turning a wrench. The visit may include arrival, diagnosis, water shutoff, cleanup, and a functional test. If the cartridge must be identified after disassembly or ordered, the repair may require a second appointment; ask whether a return trip will carry another dispatch charge.
For labor budgeting, a typical U.S. plumber rate is about $75-$150 per hour, with higher charges in expensive metro areas and for emergency calls. A service visit may have a $75-$175 minimum before parts. After-hours work can add 25%-100% to the labor portion, depending on the company and urgency.
Homeowners attempting a DIY repair should shut off both hot and cold supply valves and confirm that the water is off before disassembly. If the shutoff valves are corroded, leak when operated, or fail to stop water flow, stopping and calling a plumber can prevent a larger cabinet or floor leak. A cartridge job should not become an unplanned supply-line or valve replacement.
How metro and rural plumbing rates shift cartridge prices
Local labor rates can shift the installed price even when the cartridge costs the same. A practical estimate is $150-$275 in many lower- or mid-cost markets, $200-$350 in large metropolitan areas, and $175-$375 in remote areas where travel time or limited contractor availability increases the charge. These are planning ranges, not fixed regional tariffs.
Labor and dispatch fees usually create a bigger regional difference than the part price. A $30 cartridge might be available nationwide, but a contractor’s minimum charge can vary substantially by city, county, and appointment type. Metropolitan jobs may have higher hourly rates; rural jobs may face travel or minimum-service charges despite lower local wages.
Ask whether the estimate covers travel, diagnosis, and parts pickup. If the faucet is working well enough to wait, a scheduled weekday appointment may cost less than an evening or weekend call. For a slow drip, it can be reasonable to compare standard appointments, but an active leak that cannot be stopped at the fixture should be treated as urgent.
Three realistic quotes for a Price Pfister 808 repair
These examples show how scope and access affect the total. Each assumes one faucet and standard daytime service. The actual cartridge fit must be confirmed before purchase.
| Repair scenario | Parts | Labor and fees | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accessible faucet, homeowner install | $20-$40 cartridge | $0-$25 supplies | $20-$65 |
| Standard plumber swap, 45 minutes | $25-$45 cartridge | $150-$225 service and labor | $175-$270 |
| Corroded faucet, extraction needed | $35-$75 cartridge and hardware | $250-$425 for 2-3 hours and fees | $285-$500 |
A higher quote is easier to evaluate when each charge is tied to a task. In the second example, a flat service package could include the cartridge, installation, and testing. In the third, the added time covers careful removal of stuck hardware; it does not assume the faucet itself needs replacement.
For a standard visit, ask whether the estimate is a fixed price or an hourly figure, whether tax is included, and what happens if the cartridge is incompatible. If the company cannot confirm the part until the faucet is opened, request a price ceiling or approval step before any additional work begins.
Cartridge replacement versus a new faucet purchase
Replacing the cartridge is generally the lower-cost option when the faucet body is sound, the correct part is available, and the leak comes from the cartridge or its seals. A cartridge-only DIY repair may cost $15-$90. A plumber-installed repair often costs $150-$350, compared with roughly $150-$500 for a basic-to-midrange replacement faucet plus $150-$400 for professional installation.
Compare the full installed price rather than the cartridge price alone. A new faucet may be sensible if the existing fixture has multiple leaks, damaged threads, corroded connections, poor operation, or a discontinued cartridge that costs $100 or more. Installation can also rise if the new faucet has a different hole pattern or requires supply-line changes.
Repair is usually more economical when the faucet is in good condition and the cartridge is readily available. Replacement may provide better value when a plumber expects several separate repairs or when the fixture body itself is leaking. A leak at a supply line, shutoff valve, or faucet base is not necessarily a cartridge failure, so diagnosis should come before choosing either option.
For an older faucet, ask the plumber to quote both the cartridge repair and a replacement installation if the model is difficult to source. Comparing those totals can prevent spending $250-$350 on a repair that only addresses one of several worn components. The replacement quote should specify whether disposal, new supply lines, and any sink modifications are included.
Ways to keep an 808 cartridge repair within budget
Verify the model before ordering. Use photographs, the faucet’s product information, and any markings on the old cartridge to confirm compatibility. If the part is easy to remove, a local supplier may be able to compare the old assembly directly. Do not force a cartridge out simply to identify it; damaged valve parts can turn a small repair into a larger one.
Controlling uncertainty before the appointment is often the most effective way to control price. Share photos of the handle, faucet, under-sink shutoffs, and any corrosion with the plumber. Describe whether the drip occurs with the faucet off, whether the handle is stiff, and whether the water can be shut off. Better information can help the plumber bring the right part and estimate the likely work.
Compare two or three written estimates when the repair is not urgent. Check the total, service-call minimum, included cartridge, labor warranty, and extra-work approval process, rather than selecting solely by the lowest hourly rate. A $90 call-out charge plus a low hourly rate may cost more than a flat $200 repair package.
If buying the part yourself, confirm that the plumber is willing to install customer-supplied parts and ask whether labor is warranted. Some contractors do not guarantee a repair when the customer supplies an unverified cartridge. A locally purchased part may simplify returns, but a manufacturer-specified part can be worth the added $10-$30 if it reduces fit or durability concerns.
Avoid unnecessary upgrades during a basic repair. If the faucet works properly and the body is sound, replacing the entire fixture or adding unrelated trim changes may not be needed. Conversely, do not pay to replace only the cartridge if the plumber finds a cracked faucet body or a leak from another connection; ask for the location of the leak and the cost of each repair separately.
For DIY work, have the correct cartridge, a compatible wrench, and any required retaining clip before shutting off water. Basic tools and supplies can add $10-$40 if they are not already available. Stop if the shutoff valves fail, the cartridge will not release with moderate effort, or the faucet body appears cracked. Preventing accidental damage is usually cheaper than extending the repair.