How much does sink installation cost?

A new kitchen sink can change the whole look and functionality of your room. Add a 3-foot wide, ceramic farmhouse sink to your kitchen and it goes from ho-hum to Pinterest-worthy. However, getting that look isn't as simple as clicking a "buy-now" button. You also need someone to install it.

Fortunately, full-service plumbing companies sell and install sinks, though you can also buy one from a home improvement or kitchen and bath supply store, then hire a local plumber to install it.

Before you hire a sink installer to upgrade your bathroom or kitchen sink, keep reading to learn how much it could cost to install a kitchen sink and faucet, a bathroom sink and faucet, and much more.

The style you choose will affect the look and function of your room and the sink installation cost because some styles are more complex to put in than others.

Below are the average costs for sink installation by type:

Drop-in sinks

The cost to install a drop-in sink is about $150. As the name says, drop-in sinks are dropped into a hole cut in the countertop. They have a rim that runs around the edges. Drop-in sinks are super easy to install.

Vessel sinks

Vessel sinks cost $200 to install. These sinks look like bowls that sit atop a cabinet and are popular in high-end bathrooms. They may be made of glass, copper, ceramic, or stone and are fairly easy to install.

Pedestal sinks

Pedestal sinks cost $210 to install. Pedestal sinks stand on their own, without a countertop, atop a pedestal. They were popular in the early 20^th century and they've made a comeback in recent years. Though it looks like the pedestal supports the sink, the wall behind it actually holds the sink's weight.

Undermount sinks

Undermount sinks cost $230 to install. These sinks are mounted below a countertop, so they appear to hang beneath the counter. Undermounts are heavy and need to be installed in a stone or concrete counter on a sturdy cabinet base—no laminate counters or MDF cabinets for this style. Installing undermounts is tricky because the contractor will need to properly seal the edges to prevent leaks and make sure water drains properly.

Farmhouse sinks

Apron or farmhouse sinks cost $240 to install. These are all the rage right now for kitchen sinks, thanks to the contemporary farmhouse look popularized by Chip and Joanna Gaines. They have a vintage look, with a wide front panel that drops over the edge of the countertop. They're big and heavy, so they need specialized base cabinets and require an extensive installation job.

The material you pick generally won't affect installation costs (unless you choose a heavy material like ceramic, copper, or cast iron), but it will impact your total remodel cost. Opt for a double basin copper sink with high-end faucets, and you can add thousands to the total cost of putting in that upgraded kitchen sink.

Below are the average prices of different sinks based on their material:

How much you pay to install a bathroom or kitchen sink depends on the type and material, but also whether you want to install faucets and whether it's a replacement or a new installation. Adding a garbage disposal to a kitchen sink will also raise costs.

Adding a garbage disposal to kitchen sinks

If you add a garbage disposal to your kitchen sink, expect to pay $80-$350 for the unit and $120-$150 for installation.

Faucet prices

New bathroom or kitchen faucets will cost $115 for installation. The cost of faucets depends on the type you pick, with prices ranging from $100 for a basic, stainless steel, single-handle kitchen faucet to $1,200 for a high-end, two-handle bridge faucet with sprayer and a high, swan-necked arch.

If you're updating your faucets along with the sink, you'll need to pay the plumber to swap them out as well as buy new faucets.

Sink replacement vs. new sink installation

New sink installation in a place where there wasn't one before, like in a new home, a room addition (or as part of a major bathroom or kitchen remodel) is more complicated and expensive because new plumbing has to be set up. Expect to pay $450-$1,000 per fixture if the plumber needs to install pipes and tie them to the existing water lines.

A simple replacement will be more affordable because all of the necessary plumbing is already in place. To cut down on costs, keep the new sink in the same spot as the old one.

Bathroom vs. kitchen sinks

The cost to install a kitchen sink and faucet is usually more than installing bathroom sinks and sinks. Kitchen sinks are bigger and need to be connected to more plumbing fixtures, like garbage disposals or spray nozzles.

Changing sink styles

Installing a different type of sink than your old one will increase the labor costs. Let's say you replace a single basin, stainless steel, drop-in sink with a double-basin farmhouse. You'll likely need to redo the counter and cabinets around the sink to make it fit. This drives up labor costs and may require a remodeling company, general contractor and/or a plumber.

Labor costs

Depending on what your remodel and new sink installation involves, you will also have to consider some or all of the following labor costs:

• Plumbing. Some plumbers will charge a flat rate for sink installation, while others will charge by the hour. Expect to pay $130-$400, on average, to replace a sink with a similar model in a location where supply and drain lines are in place.
• Cabinets. If you need to change your cabinet base to accommodate your new sink, expect to pay $75-$1,000+ per linear foot for new cabinets (depending on the type of cabinet you opt for).
• Sink removal. For replacements, you'll need to pay to remove the old sink and haul it off. Some plumbers will charge extra for the demo and disposal, while others include it in the cost of the installation. Expect to pay $20-$70 to remove the old sink and $25-$35 to have it hauled away.

When pro comes to your home to install your new kitchen sink, here are the steps they typically take:

• Measure and assess the sink's layout.
• Remove the old sink and faucets.
• Cut an opening in the counter (if needed).
• Install the sink fixtures, usually starting with the faucet, strainer, gasket and garbage disposal.
• Apply silicone caulk and install the sink.
• Connect the drain and water supply lines.

To find out exactly what steps a plumber will take to install your sink, ask installers near you.

To make sure you hire the right person to install your new bathroom or kitchen sink, be sure to:

• Hire a plumber. Get a licensed, local plumber, not a handyman, to put in a sink. Get the caulking or pipe hookup wrong, and you could end up with leaks that cause expensive water damage to cabinets, counters and walls or a kitchen sink that won't drain properly. If you're getting a very different replacement, you may need to hire a kitchen or bath remodeling company or general contractor who can make changes to cabinets, counters, or flooring.
• Look at past projects and reviews. Make sure the plumber has experience installing the type of sink you're getting. You don't want an amateur knocking a dent in your $2,000 copper sink when he installs it. You can also find reviews on Thumbtack to see what experience other homeowners had with the contractor.
• Get free estimates from multiple plumbers and ask what's included. Will you pay extra to remove and haul away the old sink? Is there a warranty on the installation? All of these questions are important to answer upfront.