How much does it cost to install a sink?

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

Bathroom sink style

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:

Kitchen sink style

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:

Bowls

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.

Sink materials

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:

Faucet

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

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.

Labor

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.

Maintenance

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.

Enhancement and improvement costs

Existing sink removal

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.

Garbage disposal installation

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.

Drain strainer

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.

Water treatment accessories

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.

Custom colors

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.

Accessories

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.

Additional considerations and costs

• Some sinks come pre-drilled for faucets, particularly those that are drop-in style. Make sure that you have enough holes for your purposes. Most sinks are drilled for three-hole faucets.
• Dishwashers are common in many kitchens and, by code, are installed next to the sink. Dishwasher installation costs $325 to $450 on average.
• Always measure your countertop and cabinet depth as well as the cabinet width before purchasing. Different sink styles require different amounts of clearance, with undermount sinks requiring the most.
• It is common to install a new sink with other coordinating bathroom fixtures at the same time, such as tile, vanity, toilet, and light fixtures, to complete the style of the room.
• Keep in mind that you may need to purchase other accessories including soap dispensers or replacement spray hoses, which can add to costs.
• It is usually recommended that you purchase a sink of the same size when replacing. In some cases, you may be able to go larger, but it is generally harder to go smaller because this often leaves gaps that are difficult to fill.
• If the new sink installation requires repairs to existing floors or walls, your costs will be higher to cover these repairs and any new materials needed.
• Sinks are considered an integral part of a home. Replacing one does not increase the resale value but does help to maintain the value of your house.
• If you choose to use a solid surface countertop and sink, these are purchased and installed together and cannot be used separately.
• Extra wide sinks require special sink base cabinetry to accommodate them and must be planned for ahead of time. This will increase the cost and time to install.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Bracket: A support that projects outward from one surface to hold another surface to it, such as attaching a shelf to a wall or piece of furniture. Brackets can also be used to strengthen joins between two materials

² Epoxy: An adhesive, plastic, paint, or other material made from polymers containing epoxide groups. Epoxy is best used for bonding or for creating a protective coating