(drop-in bathroom sink in an existing vanity)
(farmhouse sink with base cabinet in the kitchen)
Cost to install a sink varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
Get free estimates from plumbers in your city.
The average cost of installing a sink is around $400.
Whether it is installed in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room, a sink is an integral part of every home. Sinks are used every day to wash hands, bodies, dishes, pets, and clothing. They can hold items to soak or be used as a place for a quick rinse.
Sinks are available in many shapes, sizes, colors, and materials to meet the needs of the user, space, and style of the room. The average cost of installing a sink is around $400 but ranges widely depending on the location and type of sink
The style of the sink used in the bathroom is one of the biggest contributing factors to the cost. Bathrooms are small enough that the sink can have a major impact on the way the room looks and functions. Therefore, the sink may be part of a larger vanity or console or may be installed as a stand-alone unit:
Type | Description | Cost |
---|---|---|
Drop-in/Self-rimming | Used with a vanity or countertop Drops into the countertop and hangs by its rim | $50-$250 |
Undermount | Used with a vanity or countertop Mounted beneath the counter for a smooth finish | $50-$500 |
Wall-mount | Sink that is hung directly on a wall, usually with visible plumbing | $100-$500 |
Wall-mounted sink with a pedestal leg to conceal plumbing | $200-$2,000 | |
Vessel | Bowl-style sink that sits on the countertop | $200-$5,000 |
Console | China or stone top, either with an integral sink or separate sink mounted to the wall with legs for support | $500-$5,000 |
Kitchen sinks may be less visible and integral to the rest of the design, but they still come in many styles and configurations to assist the user and complete the style of the room:
Sink type | Description | Cost |
---|---|---|
Drop-in/Self-rimming | Drops into the countertop and hangs by its rim May be a single, double, or triple bowl | $100-$500 |
Bar | Small, usually a secondary sink May be more decorative than the primary sink | $100-$500 |
Corner | Designed for installation where the counter makes a 90-degree turn May be a single or double bowl | $100-$500 |
Undermount | Installs beneath the countertop for a smooth finish May be single, double, or triple bowl | $200-$2,000 |
Farmhouse/Apron Front | Sides are flush or undermounted beneath the countertop Front of the sink is fully visible, causing the sink base cabinet to be lower in front May be decorative or plain in style May be single or double bowl | $500-$2,000 |
The vast majority of bathroom sinks have a single bowl or basin. If a second basin is needed, it is common to install a second sink nearby in either the case of a pedestal or larger vanity.
For the kitchen, however, sinks come in a variety of configurations, including those with single, double, and even triple bowls. Each of these come in a variety of shapes, such as a D-bowl, a simple rectangle, two sinks that have equal compartments, or a D-bowl with a smaller side compartment.
When choosing a double bowl or even a triple, keep in mind that the costs typically rise for both the sink and installation. Sinks with multiple compartments cost more, but also the installation is more expensive because a second P-trap is necessary.
If you install a garbage disposal, it is common to designate one bowl for the disposal and the second bowl for plain water.
Average costs for installing a single-bowl sink is around $360, while a double bowl of the same size is about $470. A triple bowl is even more expensive with an approximate cost of $600. Keep in mind that triple bowls are slightly more difficult to find, which can increase costs as well.
Both bathroom and kitchen sinks come in a wide range of materials. While the majority of bathroom sinks are porcelain and most kitchens sinks are stainless steel, you can also find sinks in a much wider variety of material:
Bathroom sink | Description | Cost |
---|---|---|
Porcelain | Undermount or drop-in Decorative or plain May be hand-painted | $50-$500 |
Solid surface | Integral sink with a solid-surface countertop May be the same color as the counter or white | $100 |
Glass | May be clear glass or decorative blown glass Usually installed as a vessel | $200-$2,000 |
Copper | May be smooth or hammered Living finish changes color over time May be undermount, drop-in, or vessel | $500-$2,000 |
Natural stone | Granite, marble, onyx, and other stones available High-maintenance Usually installed as a vessel | $500-$2,000 |
Kitchen sink | Description | Cost |
---|---|---|
Solid surface | Integral with solid surface countertops Usually white Single or double available | $100-$300 |
Acrylic | Usually drop-in Many colors available Low-maintenance Limited configurations | $200-$1,000 |
Stainless steel | Brushed or polished Available in many sizes Undermount or drop-in | $300-$3,000 |
Cast iron | Usually white or biscuit Available in many sizes Usually drop-in | $400-$2,000 |
Granite | Apron or undermount Polished interior Sometimes decorative or chiseled exterior High-maintenance | $500-$2,000 |
Quartz | Quartz and resin mixture Low-maintenance Many colors available Usually undermount | $500-$2,000 |
Fireclay | Fragile Cannot use with disposal Usually apron front May be hand-painted | $500-$2,000 |
Copper | Living finish changes over time May be undermounted, drop-in, or apron front May be polished or hammered | $500-$2,000 |
Composite | Sometimes called “granite” Mix of stone and resins Low-maintenance Many colors available Usually undermount | $500-$2,000 |
A new faucet does not always need to be installed at the same time as a new sink. However, they are frequently paired together, particularly in renovations, with new countertops, or when the faucet installs directly into the sink itself.
Faucets come in nearly as many combinations, configurations, and styles as sinks. They are available in many finishes and function in different ways.
If the faucet is to be installed in the sink itself, pay attention to the hole drillings. Faucets come in single-hole (monoblock), 4-inch (centerset or minispread), and 8-inch (widespread) styles. Not every faucet will fit every sink, so take care to match the drillings to the faucet style.
If using a sink with a narrow ledge, consider installing a wall-mounted faucet to make more room. Vessel sinks may require either a wall-mounted faucet or tall, monoblock faucet to fill the bowl.
If you choose an oversized kitchen sink or one with many compartments, make sure that the faucet can swivel to reach the different sections. Pull-down sprayers help ensure that you can reach all areas.
In addition to configuration, faucets have different mechanics for how they work. In most cases, either ceramic disc valves or cartridge valves are the most commonly found today. Both give reliable performance without leaking.
However, you may also find some older styles of faucets that have compression valves, which use plastic and may wear out and leak over time. Or, you may encounter ball faucets, which were previously used in some older-style kitchen faucets.
Keep in mind that if you have problems with the faucet, cartridges are the easiest to find and replace. Others may necessitate replacement of the entire faucet.
Both bathroom and kitchen faucets start at around $100 each, with most ranging between $200 and $600. Expect to pay another $50 in installation if installing at the same time as the sink.
Installation for a sink varies tremendously depending on the style, its location, and what material it may be installed on.
For pedestal and wall-mounted sinks, a bracket 1 is installed first that holds the weight of the sink. The sink is screwed to the bracket, the plumbing is hooked up, and in the case of the pedestal, the lower portion is installed last.
If the sink is being installed in a drop-in style, a bead of adhesive is run around the rim, and the sink is simply lowered into place. The same applies to vessel sinks. The plumbing and faucet can be installed at the same time.
If you are undermounting a sink, the sink itself is usually installed at the same time as the countertop. Epoxy 2 is used to hold the sink in place and to attach the brackets that lend support. While the epoxy 2 cures, a large D clamp is used to hold the sink in place. This remains for roughly 24 hours, then the plumbing and faucet can be hooked up.
Some bathroom vanities may come with the sink already attached, in which case the plumbing can be installed right away.
In most cases, replacement sinks need to be the same size as the current sink, particularly if using a vanity or sink-base cabinet in a kitchen. Even with a new countertop, it is the size of the cabinet that determines the size of the sink. To determine the largest size sink that will fit inside a cabinet, open the cabinet and measure from inside stile to inside stile and subtract 3 inches. This is the largest size that can be installed in this vanity or cabinet.
Installing a sink is a relatively quick and easy task. Some plumbers charge a flat rate, while others charge by the hour at a rate of $45 to $65 per hour for the job. In most cases, however, the installation costs are around $150 to $200 per sink including the labor and the cost of any additional parts needed for the install.
The maintenance of your sink is determined by the material it is made from. Copper, for example, has a living finish and is best treated with beeswax. Stainless steel requires a stainless steel cleaner, while a natural stone sink needs a PH-neutral cleanser and sealer.
When in doubt, check with the sink manufacturer for the recommended maintenance and care of your sink. In most cases, however, simply wiping the sink dry after each use and using a rack to avoid scratches is the best practice.
Some plumbers charge to remove your old sink. This varies depending on the size of the sink, the materil, whether it can be easily disposed of, and if there is a disposal fee. In many cases, there may be a $50 charge if you choose to have the plumber remove the old sink.
If you are having a garbage disposal installed, it can be hooked up with the rest of the plumbing. This increases your costs by around $300 for both the disposal and installation fee.
If you do not have a disposal or have a double sink with only one side hooked to a disposal, you may want to invest in a drain strainer to keep food out of the pipes. These are relatively inexpensive, costing between $5 and $20 per piece, and fit directly into the drain when needed.
If you have hard water 3, avoid stains on your new sink by installing a water treatment accessory beneath the counter. These range in cost from $200 to $1,000 on average and improve the quality of your tap water.
Not all sinks are available in custom colors, but a handful are. Expect to pay at least $50 more per sink for a custom color or hand painting.
Some sinks have a range of accessories that protect them and make them easier to use. Drainers, plugs, protective liners 4, and more may be available from the manufacturer. These are sized to fit your sink, so always double check the size and model before purchase. Costs start at around $20 for most accessories.
The average cost to install a new sink is around $400.
To install a new kitchen sink and hook up the plumbing takes between 2 and 3 hours.
To install a new bathroom sink and hook up the plumbing takes between 2 and 3 hours but may take longer for some pedestal or wall-hung sinks.
Utility sinks cost between $100 and $400 on average, with installation costing around $200.
A slop sink is designed specifically for very messy tasks. It is sometimes called a utility sink and is often installed in mudrooms, workrooms, and laundry rooms.
Cost to install a sink varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.