If you are looking at giving your kitchen a revamp, or perhaps it is a more immediate necessity due to fixing a faulty kitchen sink, when choosing a kitchen sink, we are spoilt for choice. Not only is there the decision regarding space on whether to opt in for a single or double basin, (the trend is to go for a large single basin deep enough for large pots with a small prep section) but also the choice on style from a farmhouse kitchen sink to a modern integrated matt style kitchen sink or a sink with a draining board. Then when it comes to fitting the sinks, have you chosen a top-mount or under-mount sink? Once you have an idea of what it is you are after, it is time to get the professional plumber in to remove the old sink and fit a new sink but how much will all of this cost?
How much will it cost to remove and refit a kitchen sink?
A plumber will be able to remove the old sink from your kitchen and fit the new chosen sink in about half a day. The cost of the sink will depend on what you have chosen, a simple stainless steel sink can cost as low as £50 whereas a modern sink on either stainless steel, granite or ceramic can cost over £1000. The more high-end sinks usually come with a matching mixer tap. Check whether your sink will need a basket strainer waste.
A simple job for the plumber to keep costs down is to remove the old sink and fit a sink of similar measurements. If the plumber is fitting a large sink in place of the previous, they will have to cut into the worktop to make space for the bigger sink. Depending on the material of the work top this can be challenging and add to labour costs. A plumber will not be able to fit a smaller sink without having a new work top so be sure to at least order a sink that is the same size or larger.
|
Cost to replace a kitchen sink |
Per |
Average cost |
|
Replace a sink, like for like 2 - 3 hours labour |
Per hour |
£70 |
|
Replace a sink with a larger different model sink 3-4 hours |
Per hour |
£70 |
|
Move a kitchen sink to a new location and cap of old pipework |
Per day |
£200 |
What plumbing is involved with a kitchen sink?
The obvious parts that you can see is the sink itself, the tap which normally is one mixer tap delivering both hot and cold water and the drain / plug. The tap has connectors or pipes feeding the water so when working on the kitchen sink, the plumber will need to isolate the water source.
Underneath the drain of the sink is the waste pipework first the basket strainer flowing to the sink trap. The P-trap is the U bend of pipework that allows water and waste to carry through without any smells coming back up through the drain. It is vital to triple check that all of the components are correctly sealed to avoid any water leaks. From mounting the tap and tightly connecting the pipes to the water feed, to siliconing the sink in place and having some plumbers putty when installing the strainer and ensuring the PVC pipework, including the P-trap is all correctly tightened by hand (but not over tightened that might strip the thread). Eventually the pipework will either lead to join on the sewage pipe or join an outside pipe running the water to an outside drain.
Can I move my kitchen sink to a different area in the kitchen?
If you are planning on a kitchen remodel and the current location of the sink does not make sense, or perhaps for aesthetics, you would like the sink to be moved by a window so that while dealing with the chore of washing up, you can at least enjoy the view… then do not be afraid of moving your sink to a location that flows better.
Before you call in the plumber, decide on the location you want it moved to as this will affect the price. Moving slightly from where it is means that current flexi hoses can be adapted using the same drain and waste pipes but moving across the kitchen or to an island, will mean needing to reroute a water supply and a waste pipe to connect to the main waste pipe. Usually this will be run under floorboards or behind kitchen cabinets.
My kitchen sink is leaking, can it be repaired?
In some situations when a kitchen sink is leaking, it may be a simple case of tightening a nut or replacing a deteriorated washer. Often leaks under the sink are caused by the hand tightened joins on the PVC that have loosened over time and may just need a re-tighten. Worst case, if your sink has a pin hole, check with the plumber if it is a hole that can be patched to avoid having to replace your kitchen sink. Plumbers putty is a great fix especially when the drain needs resealing.