Get the lowest cost NON plastic.

Solid-brass bodies last longest and require the least care, especially with hard water, which corrodes lesser metals. At $150 or so to start, these faucets also cost the most. If you aren't sure whether a fitting is solid brass, pick it up. It should feel heavier than other units. Often, the box will read "all-brass body" versus "ZMACK" for brass- or chrome-plated fittings. Faucets with die-cast zinc-alloy bodies cost less (typically starting at about $70) and deliver good durability. Zinc is the metal beneath most brass- and chrome-plated fittings. Because zinc corrodes when it contacts water, these faucets must be replaced when the plating wears off. Stay away from low-end faucets with plastic bodies. Though their $50 entry price might be appealing, plastic simply doesn't hold up.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,214006,00.html

The faucet was our big splurge when we redid our kitchen a few years ago. Went with a Rohl that cost around $1K and I haven't regretted it for a minute. We've had no problems and I love the look (which we couldn't find in any of the lower-priced lines).

Anonymous wrote:Designer here. Ironically, the faucets my clients have had problems with have been super expensive. I don't think more $ = more quality in this case.

Definitely, the Waterworks $1500 faucets are unnecessary. But should I look for something at least $300, $500, $750?

You may want to go to a plumbing supply place and ask for recommendations. Then shop around for prices. Sometimes it's cheaper if you go through your plumber.

Designer here. Ironically, the faucets my clients have had problems with have been super expensive. I don't think more $ = more quality in this case.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd rather replace a $250 faucet every five years or so (even if no leaks, it will get scratched, dinged and just boring), than keep the same $500 for fifteen.

Obviously, we're not talking about a cheap crap to be replaced every few months.

Totally disagree. I'd rather have a very high quality faucet that lasts indefinitely. A quality finish will not scratch or ding.

OP here. This is where I am. I don't want to replace every few years. I dislike intensely bearing the search costs for finding replacements, not to mention the cost of the plumber to have it replaced (okay, so I'm not handy enough to DIY) and the bother of scheduling and waiting around for him to show up. I want to do it once and not have to think about it again for a very long time.

Given those desires am trying to gauge features and price points that meet those requirements.

Purchased

OP, we just purchases a new faucet for a bathroom remodel. I liked a particular Delta style, but discovered a Toto faucet in a very similar style for not much more that was substantially more solid and heavy than the Delta.

We bought one of the best rated / most popular ones on Amazon for $300z

Anonymous wrote:I'd rather replace a $250 faucet every five years or so (even if no leaks, it will get scratched, dinged and just boring), than keep the same $500 for fifteen.

Obviously, we're not talking about a cheap crap to be replaced every few months.

Totally disagree. I'd rather have a very high quality faucet that lasts indefinitely. A quality finish will not scratch or ding.

Anonymous wrote:I'd rather replace a $250 faucet every five years or so (even if no leaks, it will get scratched, dinged and just boring), than keep the same $500 for fifteen.

Obviously, we're not talking about a cheap crap to be replaced every few months.

And this is why we have landfills full of stuff and why manufacturers have stopped making durable goods that last more than 5 years. Of course it's a totally personal choice and I completely get it but it's a perfect example of our consumer culture.

I'd rather replace a $250 faucet every five years or so (even if no leaks, it will get scratched, dinged and just boring), than keep the same $500 for fifteen.

Obviously, we're not talking about a cheap crap to be replaced every few months.

I don't think over $200 is overpriced for a kitchen faucet. We've gone through a couple of cheaper ones in our house and they don't last (waiting for the big remodel to get something really nice).

Anything above, say, $200 is unreasonably overpriced. A $600 faucet is marginally better than a $250 one, if at all. A $800+ one is just a status symbol.

Am in the market for a new bathroom and kitchen faucet. Am surprised at how pricey these can be. I am willing to spend for quality however.

I want faucets that will be performing well for at least ten or fifteen years without finish coming off etc. What is this price range I should be looking at for this kind of quality. I've heard I should look for ceramic valves. Anything else? For example, how important is all brass, or would another metal be good enough? I don't need extra features, although I may want a sprayer for the kitchen.