Installing a kitchen sink is a relatively straightforward home improvement project and one that can instantly turn a drab kitchen into a fab kitchen. If you have some DIY experience and the necessary tools and know-how to install a kitchen sink properly, you can get the job done in about two hours.
Use this guide to tackle a kitchen sink installation yourself, and learn when you may want to call in a professional for help (and how much that might cost).
Quick Takeaways
The most important thing to get right is the size of your kitchen sink. Take careful measurements before ordering your new sink to avoid headaches.
Professional kitchen sink installation costs between $200 and $1,600 with the average falling around $450.
Experienced DIYers can swap out a sink of the same size, but hire a pro if you need to make changes to your cabinets, plumbing, or countertop.
How Much Does Professional Kitchen Sink Installation Cost?
The labor for kitchen sink installation costs an average of $200, and most homeowners pay between $150 and $250.
You’ll need to consider your material costs in addition to labor charges, though. A new kitchen sink and faucet will cost an average of $400, bringing your total to between $550 and $650. A new garbage disposal costs about $500, so if you can't use your old unit with your new sink, make sure to budget for that expense as well.
When to Hire a Professional for Kitchen Sink Installation
Installing a kitchen sink yourself can save you an average of $200 on labor, but there are some cases, even for avid DIYers, in which hiring a pro is a good idea.
If You Need to Make Changes to Your Sink Size
Installing a new kitchen sink is relatively easy if you take accurate measurements and are installing the same size sink.
If your existing sink isn’t big enough for your needs, you’ll need to cut into your countertop and potentially your cabinetry to make more space. This significantly complicates the work and requires specialized tools and experience, so it’s best to hire a professional if you’re looking to upsize.
If You Need to Relocate Your Kitchen Sink
Moving a kitchen sink requires rerouting water supply lines and drain pipes behind your cabinets and walls. Not only is this challenging for DIYers to accomplish, but mistakes can easily lead to severe water damage and hidden mold growth. Plus, most municipalities require permits for the work, which demands a licensed professional.
You can always DIY the actual sink installation after your plumber moves your existing utility lines.
If You’re Changing the Type of Sink You Have
Looking to swap out that drop-in or top-mount sink for an undermount or farmhouse kitchen sink? If so, it’s best to hire a kitchen remodeler who can cut your countertops and cabinets to make the switch.
How to Replace a Kitchen Sink Yourself
If your kitchen sink replacement doesn’t involve resizing or relocating your sink — and you’re sticking with the same type of sink — follow the steps below to get the job done.
Step 1: Take Accurate Measurements
The most crucial part of the process is taking accurate measurements of your existing sink.
For an undermount sink or farmhouse sink, measure the dimensions of the opening in your countertop.
For a drop-in sink, measure the dimensions of the rim around the sink that sits on your countertop, as well as the body of the sink that extends below the countertop.
Double-check that your new sink matches perfectly.
Step 2: Disconnect Your Supply and Drain Lines
Once you have your new sink and have double-checked that the dimensions match, head into the cabinet under your sink and disconnect the utility lines.
Start by shutting the water supply at the shut-off valves — also called speedy valves — which sit between the braided supply lines running to your kitchen faucet and the plumbing lines in the wall. Mark the hot supply line for later. Then, unscrew the supply lines from your faucet with a crescent adjustable wrench. Have a towel on hand to catch any excess water that drains out.
Next, unscrew the slip nut that connects your tailpiece to the drain line. If you’re reusing the tailpiece, use a drain faucet wrench to disconnect the sink strainer and drain and slip out the tailpiece.
Step 3: Remove the Mounting Brackets
Your sink will have small mounting brackets on the underside to hold it against your countertop or cabinet. Remove those. If you’re working with an undermount sink, have two additional helpers nearby to support the sink body from underneath as you work.
Step 4: Remove the Sink and Faucet and Clean the Area
Set the old sink body aside, and use a crescent adjustable wrench to unscrew the nut holding the faucet in place if you have a standalone faucet. If your faucet connects directly to the back of the sink body, you can leave it in place if you’re not reusing it.
Use a razor blade to scrape off any caulk or sealant on the top or underside of your countertop. Be careful not to scratch the surface if you’re removing it from the top of the counter — especially if you do not have a durable countertop material. Use rubbing alcohol to remove any remaining residue.
Step 5: Connect the Faucet
Installing your new faucet before moving forward will make your life a little easier, as you’ll have more space to work.
If you have a standalone faucet that’s seated on your countertop, place a bead of silicone caulk around the opening in the counter, seat the faucet, and attach the mounting nut underneath. Apply another bead of caulk around the perimeter of the faucet base, and wipe any excess off using your finger.
If you have a faucet that’s mounted to the rim around your sink, apply some plumber’s putty instead of caulk before mounting the faucet. You can then apply a bead of caulk around the perimeter and smooth it out as you would with an undermount sink.
Step 6: Lower the New Sink Into Place and Attach
With your faucet installed, you can lower or lift the sink into place. Place a bead of caulk where the sink body will meet your countertop before you do so. Install the new mounting brackets according to the manufacturer’s directions. If you’re working with an undermount sink, have two other people support the sink body from underneath while you work.
Step 7: Install the Drain and Tailpiece
Next, install the new drain and tailpiece. You’ll need your drain faucet wrench to tighten the lock nut. Installation can vary based on the type of drain you have, so follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Step 8: Connect the Supply Lines and Drain Line
Next, attach the braided hoses to the faucet connections. These typically just need to be hand-tightened. Make sure to attach the hot supply line to the correct faucet supply tube.
Feed the tailpiece into the drain line below, and screw the slip nut on to secure it in place.
If you have a dishwasher drain line, you can screw that onto the dishwasher waste nib on the tailpiece.
Step 9: Check for Leaks
Slowly open the speedy valves until they’re fully open. If you notice any leaks from the braided hose connections, shut the speedy valves and call a professional for help.
If you find no leaks for a full minute, turn the faucet handles to open the tap and let water drain out of the sink. Continue checking for leaks from the sink drain, tailpiece, and the connection to the drain line for several minutes.
Should You Install a Kitchen Sink Yourself or Hire a Pro?
Installing a new kitchen sink is a job that most experienced DIYers can complete without issue, but only if your new sink is the same type and size as your old one. If you’re making changes or relocating the sink, or if you’re uncomfortable working with plumbing, don’t be afraid to call in a pro. You’ll pay between $150 and $250 for the labor, but you could avoid much more expensive water damage and mold remediation costs down the line.
FAQ: Kitchen Sink Installation
Yes, you can replace a kitchen sink without replacing the countertop. If your new sink will be the same size as your old one, you likely won’t need to make any changes to the countertop before the installation. If you’re installing a larger sink, you’ll need a pro to cut the countertop accordingly. The only time you’d need to replace a portion of your countertop is if the new sink will be smaller than the old one.
You can install a sink in an existing countertop, but it’s a somewhat involved project. You’ll need a professional to create a cutout for the sink in the countertop, and you’ll also need a plumber to run water supply lines and a drain line to the area. This is a job best left to professionals, and the pricing for labor alone will fall between $600 and $1,200.
Most professionals can remove an old kitchen sink and install a new one in one to two hours. The work can take four or more hours if you need new utility lines run to the area or if you need changes made to your countertops and cabinets.
Dan was a property manager from 2015 to 2020, during which time he managed and oversaw the upkeep and repairs of over 2,000 residential properties. He uses that experience, as well as his extensive DIY knowledge, to bring reliable information to homeowners about renovations and home-related projects. Since 2020, he has been using his experience to write about home improvement, and his work has appeared on sites like USA Today, CNN, Angi, and Today’s Homeowner.