It's definitely a classic dilemma for many of my clients in Ontario: you fall in love with the "look" of a boutique brand, but the "insides" are what keep a plumber like me coming back to your house.

Since you mentioned you're in the research phase, I'll give you the local "boots on the ground" perspective from the Greater Toronto Area, because our specific water conditions can really put these faucets to the test.

1. The Ferguson Connection

You're right that Ferguson (which operates as Wolseley up here in Canada) bought Signature Hardware. This was a massive win for their customer service. If a part fails, it's significantly easier to track down a replacement now than it was five years ago. However, while the logistics improved, the manufacturing "DNA" hasn't shifted overnight. They are still largely a private-label importer of designs that look premium but don't always use the same grade of internal components as the "Big Three."

2. Hard Water and Longevity

As s m and tracie_erin mentioned, hard water is the ultimate faucet killer. In many parts of Southern Ontario (especially the Halton and Peel regions), our mineral content is quite high.

The Difference: Brands like Moen or Delta tend to use universal ceramic cartridges that you can buy at any local hardware store for $20.

The SH Reality: Signature Hardware often uses proprietary or less common cartridges. If that faucet starts dripping in five years, you might not find the part at a local shop, meaning you're waiting on shipping while your kitchen sink is out of commission.

3. "Aesthetics vs. Mechanics"

I totally get that aesthetics are important - the kitchen is the heart of the home! If you decide to go with the SH faucet because it's the only one that hits that specific matte/polished finish:

Check the "Weight": High-quality kitchen faucets should feel heavy. If the spray wand feels light and "plasticky," the finish is more likely to peel or scratch over time, as s m experienced with their sink.

Inspect the Supply Lines: Some boutique faucets come with non-standard integrated supply lines. Make sure they are long enough for your setup, as adapting them to our standard Ontario shut-off valves can sometimes lead to extra "joint" clutter under the sink.

4. The "Middle Ground"

If you’re leaning away from SH now but still hate the "standard" look of the big brands, take a look at Brizo. It’s Delta’s luxury line—you get the refined, transitional aesthetics you’re looking for, but with the rock-solid, easy-to-fix internal parts that make plumbers happy.

My Advice: If this is your "forever home" and you don't want to be paying one of us to swap it out in 6 or 7 years, stick with a brand that has a local parts footprint. But if you’re okay with the possibility of a DIY repair down the road, SH’s improved warranty makes it less of a gamble than it used to be.