Summary: How much does a bathroom sink cost, average bathroom sink installation costs and average price for a bathroom sink.
Fitting a bathroom sink is a moderately skilled job, but it is possible to do it yourself if you have some basic plumbing knowledge. If the existing plumbing is already present, taking out and installing like for like is quite easy, even if you are re-using the existing taps.
A new installation, or moving the location of a sink from one side of a bathroom to the other can be more complicated and if you’re not confident about starting a plumbing job from scratch it may be worth having it done by a professional.
Average Cost
| Job | Average Cost | Updated | Quote |
| Labour (Swap old for new) | £60 – £120 (Fit sink/basin) | 2019 | n/a |
| Labour (Change plumbing) | £80 – £250 (Fit sink/basin) | 2019 | n/a |
| Labour and materials | £100 – £400 (Fit sink/basin) | 2019 | n/a |
Factors to consider
Choose a reputable company or tradesman, making sure they are registered with the relevant trade groups so that you have a guarantee of their standard of work.
If you buy your sink at a large DIY shop and opt for their installation service you could end up paying significantly more as these jobs are often subcontracted out by the retailer and carried out by a third party, not their own staff.
The cheapest option is to get some quotes yourself and ring round a few local plumbers or use an online trade directory. Compare at least three to make sure that you are getting a fair price. You may even find that some of these do subcontracted work for the DIY stores so you may get the same plumber for less by hiring them directly.
The traditional pedestal sink comes in two parts, the basin and the stand. This is the most widely available type of bathroom sink and you can pick one up very cheaply. This is often the type that you will find in a DIY store’s bargain or budget range in a simple white design. They are a great choice for a cheap replacement and easy to install with the right tools.
If you need extra storage space in the bathroom, a basin cabinet combines the sink within a cupboard. This has the added advantage of hiding the pedestal whilst providing a counter top. Free standing basins are often used with a cabinet base for a modern contemporary feel to a bathroom.
Wall hung sinks are becoming increasingly popular and are available in plenty of modern stylish designs. These are suitable for a small cloakroom area or downstairs toilet but they are also widely available as full sized basins as part of a bathroom suite. In Addition, corner versions are a great space saving choice. Always check that the wall you intend to hang this type of sink on is appropriate and can take the weight. Professional installation could be useful in this case to avoid a potential plumbing disaster.
The size of your bathroom will determine the most suitable type of sink for you and also whether you should go for DIY installation or not. If the sink’s position is awkward or has restricted access, then you may be better off calling a professional rather than trying to do things yourself. However, if the job is a straightforward replacement using the same pipe work, you could have it done in a couple of hours. Basic tools that you will need are: a stud detector, spirit level, tape measure, power drill, adjustable spanners, a cranked spanner, pipe cutter or small hacksaw, screwdrivers and PTFE tape.
When installing a new sink, try and fit as many parts to the sink itself before attaching it to the counter top, pedestal or wall and then you only have to make a single connection underneath the sink when it’s in position. Trying to fit things under the sink after it’s in position in a confined space will just make the job unnecessarily complicated.
Costs to consider
For a more complex installation or even if you don’t feel up to doing the work yourself, a tradesman is not going to be too expensive. A like for like replacement sink could be fitted in an hour, although budgeting for two hours would be sensible.
A basic basin can be anything from £40 upwards depending on the type and style of sink that you want.
Hourly rates vary depending on a lot of factors such as your location and the type of professional you choose to hire. You can pay anything from around £25 per hour for a handy man type service in the north of England to £50 or so for the same service in London. If you hire a larger plumbing organisation to do the work then the hourly rate can sometimes be double that of a one man business.