#Japan #Tokyo #TOTO #LIXIL #Smile Suito

The Truth About Faucet Repair Costs: Insights from Smile Suito's Survey

In an effort to shed light on the often-overlooked costs associated with faucet repairs, Smile Suito, Inc. (based in Nerima, Tokyo) conducted a comprehensive survey targeting 500 individuals who have previously utilized plumbing services for faucet repairs. The survey aimed to gather precise information regarding the amounts paid and the types of repairs experienced across the country.

Survey Overview

The survey was conducted over a week, from May 23 to May 31, 2025. Utilizing an online platform, Cloudworks, respondents were asked a series of questions concerning their faucet repair experiences. Notably, the survey included responses from individuals who had firsthand experience with faucet repairs, ensuring that the data collected was relevant and insightful. All questionable responses were reviewed and eliminated to maintain the integrity of the data.

Key Findings

1. Searching for Plumbing Services

One of the most striking findings was how respondents sought plumbing services when faced with faucet troubles. Of the surveyed individuals, 56% reported using the internet to locate plumbing professionals, while a significant 39.4% still opted for traditional methods. This suggests a transition in how consumers search for solutions but indicates a comfortable reliance on traditional practices by a notable portion of the population.

2. Age Demographics

The age of respondents indicated that the 30s demographic reported the highest incidence of faucet repairs. This somewhat hints at a prevalent trend, suggesting that faucet issues tend to present themselves within the first decade of use, potentially leading to a higher repair frequency among these age groups.

3. Types of Residences

The survey revealed that a substantial 66.8% of repairs were conducted in single-family homes, contrasting with the modest 16.2% occurring in apartment complexes. This statistic was intriguing, as expectations were that the proportion of repairs in multi-dwelling units would be higher, reflecting a gap in the diversification of properties serviced.

4. Repair Age

In examining the age of the faucets being repaired, respondents with fixtures over ten years old totaled 47%, while those with repairs on newer fixtures (less than ten years) accounted for 53%. Among these newer models, quite a few were less than two years old, pointing towards a concerning trend of early fixture reliability issues.

5. Manufacturer Preferences

Regarding the brands of faucets being repaired, TOTO (38.8%) and LIXIL (36.2%) dominated the landscape, demonstrating a competitive market. While TOTO has historically been the leading brand, the results indicate LIXIL's recent growth, ultimately vying for a significant market share.

6. Common Repair Locations

Unsurprisingly, the kitchen faucet repairs ranked highest due to their frequent use. This statistic illustrates the essential role kitchen fixtures play in daily activities and how they are more susceptible to wear and tear.

7. Costs of Repair

The costs associated with faucet repairs displayed a wide range, with most respondents indicating payments under 35,000 yen. In fact, when asked about their ideal repair cost, respondents generally perceived 30,000 yen as an acceptable upper limit.

8. Types of Repairs

Unique to this survey, the findings regarding repair types indicated that numerous respondents required handle-style faucet repairs, particularly in replacing packing materials—a task reported by over 35% of participants.

9. Time Taken for Repairs

The duration of repairs also surfaced as a significant factor, with over 54% of the repairs taking upwards of two hours. Given the complexity of some repairs, especially those involving whole unit replacements, this number was to be expected.

10. Ideal Repair Costs

Interestingly, the survey revealed that respondents preferred a repair cost under 30,000 yen. This illustrates the consumer desire for value and affordability in plumbing services.

Conclusion

The results from Smile Suito's survey of 500 individuals provide meaningful insights into the state of faucet repairs in Japan. Key observations reveal consumer reliance on internet searches, an emphasis on newer fixture repairs, rising competition between manufacturers, and overall cost expectations. Although the survey may not encompass all scenarios, it undoubtedly offers a reflective lens into the plumbing challenges many homeowners face today.

For those interested in additional details, the full results can be accessed via our dedicated column on faucet repair costs.

Company Overview

Name: Smile Suito (Smile Equipment Co., Ltd.)
Location: 5-10-21 Kitamachi, Nerima, Tokyo, 179-0081
CEO: Yuu Uchida
Established: January 5, 2011
Capital: 10 million yen
Business Scope: General plumbing services.