Relocating a Kitchen Sink Cost

By Josh
Last updated 31st July 2024 - Reading time: 12 mins
At a glance
  • The average cost of moving a kitchen sink is around £500
  • The job will take approximately 3 - 4 hours to complete
In this article, you'll discover the following:
  • A complete pricing breakdown which includes what such a task usually involves
  • How long the job should approximately take and a general overview of what types of services can be performed
  • How to find and hire a plumber

Moving a kitchen sink is a great way to rearrange your kitchen and make it more accessible.

However, it can be a complicated job, and it is always best to hire a tradesperson to prepare, install and finish the project.

So, why not request a quote from one of our professional plumbers? On average, the overall cost to complete this task will be about £500.

Check out our complete cost guide to find all the information you need.

Lady under sink

Average Cost of Moving a Kitchen Sink:

Depending on the complexity of the job, it usually takes: 3-4 hours

£500

How Much Is Moving a Sink?

The average cost of installing a sink depends on the type you choose, but usually ranges between £150 to £400. This depends on various factors, such as the size of the sink and the material it is made from.

However, actually moving the sink can range between £400 - £750, depending on how much plumbing and renovation work is required. Plumbers and tradespeople usually charge £100-£150 a day.

The price range for labour can be broad, depending on factors such as how far the sink is being moved, the plumbing, whether it requires a new worktop unit and whether any other appliances are connected to the sink such as a washing machine or dishwasher.

Lady fitting tap

The best way to estimate the cost is to get a free quote from a tradesman, who will be able to provide insight into the smaller jobs that will be required aside from the sink installation itself.

It can also be a good idea to get a quote from a plumber to ensure that you are being charged a fair price for these extra tasks.

The average cost to install a kitchen sink and taps is £572.50. This is made up of £112.50 for labour and £460 for materials. The price of your kitchen sink will depend on the materials it is made from, the size etc. Below are estimates of the average overall price of replacing each type of kitchen sink.

I want to swap my kitchen sink's hot and cold taps for a mixer tap. Can one be fitted to my existing sink or do I need a new one?

"Yes quite easily if the sink has been correctly fitted. A mixer tap will have a Hot and cold feed situated at the base. You will need tap flexi pipes (Make sure you get the correct size and length. When connecting to the feed. Use pTFE tape and ensure tight fitting."

Relocating Kitchen Sink Prices

SINK TYPE SINGLE BOWL 1.5 BOWL DOUBLE BOWL
Ceramic £300 - £650 £280 - £700 £350 - £880
Stainless steel £100 - £360 £120 - £390 £90 - £850
Granite composite £190 - £450 £220 - £1150 £320 - £720
Cast Iron £450 - £870 £700 - £1010 £730 - £1840
Fireclay £210 - £900 £250 - £1110 £270 - £1240
Copper £340 - £1130 £590 - £1850 £870 - £1340
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If you would rather install a new kitchen sink yourself rather than hire a tradesperson, or want to supply your own materials, then below is a table to give you an estimate of the price of individual kitchen sink materials.

SINK TYPE SUPPLY COST
Ceramic £200 - £730
Stainless steel £30 - £700
Granite composite £120 - £1000
Cast iron £380 - £1690
Fireclay £140 - £1090
Copper £270 - £1700
Single basin £30 - £180
Double basin £150 - £2300
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Additional Costs

There are a wide variety of factors that can change the pricing of your moving and instalment of a kitchen sink.

Materials

As highlighted above, the material of the sink itself impacts the overall cost of the project. The most expensive commonly used material is cast iron, and stainless steel is often more affordable and suited to most budgets.

Pipes and Plumbing

When installing a new sink, it may be necessary to redo the pipework in order to match them up with the shape and size of the new sink. This could potentially be avoided by purposely choosing a similarly shaped and styled sink to your previous model.

Size of Sink

It is to be expected that larger sinks will often cost more than smaller ones due to the price of the materials, and the longer installation process increasing labour costs.

Replacement or New

Rather than buying a new sink, reusing or recycling your old sink by simply moving it to a new location will save time and money.

Location

Where you live will influence the price of materials and labour, with the most commonly expensive areas being those around London and the Southeast.

Accessibility

If your sink is being moved to a place with limited accessibility for the people installing it, it can take them more time and effort, increasing your labour costs.

Man under sink
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How Long Does It Take to Move a Kitchen Sink?

Usually, just installing a sink and taps will take 3 to 4 hours and cost an average of £112.50 in labour. The materials themselves vary, but the average price is £460, and to replace and old sink with a new one averages at £400.

What's Involved in Moving a Kitchen Sink?

Here is a general guide as to what you can expect a tradesperson to do during the process of moving your kitchen sink.

Removing a Kitchen Sink

First of all, it is important to turn off the water in your home and to disconnect the supply lines, as they will of course be changing and moving the water pipes in your kitchen. Failure to do this would flood your kitchen with drainage water – not a great start! Using a bucket, they will drain any remaining water from the pipes until the taps no longer run.

The next stage it to make sure any attachments to the sink are disconnected, such as water filtration systems, garbage disposals and dishwashers. When disconnecting appliances, be prepared for any leaks with a bucket and mop.

Then, if they haven’t already, they will then detach the drain and P-trap pipes from underneath the sink, removing the metal clips and caulk. Once all of the caulk has been scraped away, they will remove the sink and clean the worktop.

Fitting a Kitchen Sink

Now it is time to fit the new sink and seal it into place. For a top-mounting sink, the tradesperson will turn it over and apply caulk to the widest part, flip it back over and place it carefully into the hole in your counter.

Under-mount sinks have the same process, only the caulk is added to the top of the sink before being placed underneath the counter. They will use something to support the base of the sink while the caulk sets it into place.

Man fitting sink

Once the caulk is set, the metal clips will be reattached beneath the sink and the taps will be installed. Then the drain strainer will be put into the plug hole and secured using plumber’s putty. The hot and cold water lines will then be reattached to the new tap, and any extra connections, such as a dishwasher, can be reinstalled.

Finally, the drainpipes and P-trap pipes will be reconnected, and the water turned back on. Assuming there are no leaks, the kitchen sink has been successfully fitted.

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Can I Move a Kitchen Sink Myself?

Although it is possible to install a kitchen sink by yourself it is important to consider a wide range of possibilities that could impact your project.

  • Consider hiring a professional to redo your pipework when relocating a sink. This will also mean your drains and pipes will be checked at the same time and can highlight to you any future issues.
  • Sinks are often very heavy, and if lifted incorrectly or dropped then you could get quite seriously injured. If this causes them to break, then you will only have to pay out again for a new one – money which could have been better spent on a tradesman in the first place.
  • Most DIY sink instalments alone take 4-8 hours, a huge deal longer than the average time of a professional – only 1-4 hours. This time frame extends even further when you consider moving the sink and preparing the place for its new location.
  • The quality of the new installation with likely be lower than if it had been carried out by a professional with training and experience.
  • It is much easier to replace an old sink than to install a new one completely from scratch. Taking all of these points into consideration, the best option for a high-quality job is to hire a professional to carry out your sink movement and installation.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Kitchen Sink Relocation

Usually, relocating a kitchen sink does not need planning permission. However, if moving it will involve moving walls or adjusting the size of your doors or windows, you will need planning permission, which you can obtain from your local council.

Lady watching workman

The same applies if you are installing a sink into a room that has never had one in before, as this will likely require digging through the floor to create the correct plumbing. For the relocation of any kitchen sink, it is a good idea to get professional advice from experienced builders and plumbers before you begin a project.

Hiring Contractors to Move a Kitchen Sink Checklist

  • Make sure that they specialise in new kitchen sink installations
  • Check out any installation work they have done in the past
  • Choose those that have the cost of materials included in their quote
  • Choose those who will let you provide your own materials and only charge for the cost of labour
  • Make sure they fully check and test the sink and plumbing before they leave, making sure everything works and is completed to a high standard

FAQs

Can you move a kitchen sink to an island?

While it is possible to create a kitchen island sink, this relocation involves a lot of work, including laying pipes under the floor, meaning that the ground in your kitchen will need to be dug up (requiring planning permission).

There is also the possibility that you will need to dig underneath your home to create a drainage system – all of this coming with a high cost. It is important to get a professional opinion and a quote before beginning a project such as this.

How easy is it to move a kitchen sink?

The basin itself is fairly simple to move. What becomes complicated is the plumbing and pipes at the new site of installation, as well as making sure the newly installed sink and kitchen surfaces are finished to a good standard. It is often best to hire a professional to carry out a sink relocation rather than doing it yourself.

Do I need to move furniture?

Yes, you will need to move any furniture that will block access for the tradesmen to the installation site, for example dining tables or washing machines. You will also need to clear away any items around and under the sink to allow access to the pipes.

What is the difference between replacing and installing a new kitchen sink?

Replacing a sink involves taking out the old kitchen sink unit and putting a new one in its place. Installing a sink involves expanding the original site or creating a whole new plumbing system and kitchen worktop to accommodate for a new sink. Replacing a current sink is more affordable than installing a new one.

What are the most common types of taps?

There are lots of options for taps to go with your new sink, including kitchen sink mixer taps, those with one or two handles, waterfall taps and touch taps. Most DIY and home shops will stock a wide variety for you to choose from.

Why are kitchen sinks positioned underneath or close to windows?

Kitchen sinks are often positioned underneath or close to windows because a window indicates that the sink is next to an outside wall. An outside wall is essential for the sink drainage system to work effectively, as the shorter the waste pipe is, the better the system will work. A shorter pipe is cheaper to install and provides easy access to dealing with drainage issues.

Sources

https://www.hunker.com/13724825/moving-kitchen-plumbing-what-you-should-know

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