Replacing your bathroom sink may be necessary if it has deteriorated or you want to improve the look of your home. Bathroom sink cost varies, but you should expect to spend between $450 to $700 for a basic refit. Faucet, related plumbing work, general labor, and the type of sink you choose will all affect installation costs.
Here are some of the things you should consider as you plan your bathroom sink replacement.
A Breakdown of the Costs
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You should not go into this project without some notion of its expense. Here are some of the specific costs you will need to plan for:
1. Labor
It is better to hire an experienced and qualified plumber to install your new sink. Such professionals are highly trained and therefore expensive. The cost of labor will consume a great deal of your budget.
However, you should not try to go on the cheap and hire one of the many willing and waiting cowboy plumbers. You cannot trust such people to do a job that is thorough and technically sound.
The size of the project will determine the labor cost. If you are replacing the faucet and sink and having some minor plumbing work done or putting on a new coat of paint, then you should expect to pay more.
If it is just a straightforward sink replacement, then the job will not be as expensive.
For a standard sink replacement, you should expect to spend between $200 to $350 in labor costs. This will pay off in the elimination of stress.
A plumber can usually install your new sink within a few hours.
2. Removal of the Old Sink
Removing your current sink is extra labor. You will need to factor this into the total labor costs. It can be as low as $20 and as high as $100.
The cost should also include hauling away the old sink.
3. Cost of a New Sink
Here are some of the most common types of sinks. We will deal first with the less expensive, and then the more expensive.
Less Expensive Sinks
1. Drop-In
These are the standard sinks in most houses. The sink is set into the counter and provides support from the top lip that sits on the counter. These sinks are relatively inexpensive.
The average price for a drop-in is $40. Fancier and more modern designs will run you closer to $100.
2. Pedestal
A pedestal comes as a sink and mount. It replaces the vanity with a drop-in sink, which will greatly enhance the look and feel of your bathroom. Purchasing a pedestal sink will endow your bathroom with a more glamorous look without excessive expense.
These sinks are typically made of ceramic or porcelain. They are strong and sturdy enough to withstand everyday wear and tear and are resistant to scratches and stains.
You can get such a sink for as little as $120. Higher-end pedestal sinks go for as much as $1,000.
More Expensive Sinks
1. Undermount
This sink is on the lower end of the more expensive sinks. It is attached from underneath the counter, which provides more space around the surface and gives your bathroom a smoother and more seamless appearance.
These sinks are made of copper, and the average costs range from $150 to $200.
2. Vessel
If you want to make a significant investment in your bathroom, if you intend to install only the best furnishings and fixtures in it, then the vessel sink may be the best option for you. The sink sits on top of the counter like a kind of mini-tub.
Vessels come in a variety of styles, including natural stone, colored glass, porcelain, and ceramic.
The overflow drain is one of the most important things to pay attention to with this type of sink. The overflow drain is the little hole on the inside of the wall of the sink that allows the water to flow out of it when it gets too full.
It is one of the most important features of a vessel sink. Some glass and stone vessels do not have this drain. Make sure that yours does.
You can pay as much as $1,000 for a natural stone, glass, or ceramic vessel sink. It is also possible to order one that is custom-made. Keep in mind, however, that such a job will cost you a pretty penny.
The Most Durable Sink Material
You should also think about durability when purchasing a bathroom sink. If you intend for the home that you just purchased to be your family home, then you want the kind of sink that will survive growing children.
It must be able to withstand bacteria, stains, corrosion, and dropped objects.
Stainless steel is the most durable sink material. And although ceramic and porcelain can hold their own against stains and scratches, they can be damaged if a heavy object lands in them.
Extra Materials
Not all sinks come with faucets. It may be necessary for you to order one. Depending on the type of faucet you order—which should be influenced by the style of sink you purchase—you can pay anywhere from $6 to $900.
You will also need a sink installation kit. Even if you have the sink installed by a professional plumber, they will still need the materials to connect the drain in the sink to the plumbing.
It is possible to purchase a kit that contains all such parts for less than $20.
Bathroom vanities should also be priced in if you intend to decorate the area around your sink. Mirrors, soap trays, and other such items can usually be found at competitive prices.
When to Replace a Bathroom Sink
Sinks tend to last for a long time. Unless you want to replace your sink as part of a general upgrade and refurbishment of your home, you should expect it to last between 15 to 20 years.
Sinks made of natural stone can last up to a century. Indeed, it may not be necessary for you to replace the entire sink. Sometimes, it is only the faucet that has gone bad and needs to be replaced.
To determine whether you need a new faucet, you should observe the behavior of the water. If it struggles to come out of the tap, then it may be time for a change.
You will need to change the entire sink if it is leaking, chipped, broken, or to show signs of mold.
Can You Replace the Sink Yourself?
Technically, yes. But only if you are an experienced plumber or have some other expertise in this line of work. If you have no experience or qualifications at all in this field, it is a bad idea to do a bathroom sink replacement on your own.
There are a great many YouTube videos that show people who carry out this type of job. You may also get insight into the work by talking to your local hardware store representative.
However, it is best to hire a professional. The last thing you want to do is damage your plumbing or any surfaces in your bathroom. You also want to make sure that the sink is secure and properly connected.
Hiring a professional will give you such assurances.
