Garbage Disposal Installation Cost at Lowes
The in-sink garbage disposal has become a staple appliance in most homes. These often-forgotten undersink appliances don’t get much attention but get more than their fair share of use. It isn’t surprising that in-sink garbage disposals often need replacement or repair. There are several options to consider when your garbage disposal quits disposing.
Having a professional install a new garbage disposal usually costs around $120. The installation cost does not include the price of the new garbage disposal. New garbage disposals cost between $75 and $300 depending on the size of the disposal and the features. If there was no disposal previously installed, additional charges for parts of $75 to $100 might apply.
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When your garbage disposer quits working, you are faced with several options. Many people turn to the professionals associated with their local Lowe’s home improvement store. These professionals can advise you on the best course of action. In general, these options include the following:
| The Options | Low-End Cost | High-End Cost | Pros and Cons |
| Remove the garbage disposer and do without | $0 | $75 | Pros · A cheap alternative Cons · No garbage disposal |
| Repair the garbage disposal | $75 | $250 | Pros · It may be cheaper than a new disposal Cons · You still have an old disposal that could have been replaced with a new one for about the same money |
| Replace the garbage disposal with a new unit | $75 | $300 | Pros · You get a new unit with a warranty Cons · The most expensive option, especially when you consider installation costs |
How Much Does It Cost to Have a New Garbage Disposal Installed?
The cost of having a new garbage disposal installed varies widely based on several factors. Based on Lowe’s home improvement professionals who routinely install in-sink garbage disposals, you can expect a new garbage disposal to range between $120 and $600.
Cost to Replace a Garbage Disposal
A routine installation of an in-sink garbage disposal that includes removing the old garbage disposal usually costs about $120. This includes hauling the old garbage disposal away when the job is completed.
Installing and Upgraded Garbage Disposal
If you upgrade a garbage disposal to a larger size or different make, the job may have more complex issues. Additional plumbing may be necessary, and different sink adapters are usually required. In this case, the cost of an in-sink garbage disposal installation can run between $200 and $400.
A New Garbage Disposal Installation
If your kitchen has never had a garbage disposal installed, there may be quite a bit of additional work to install an in-sink garbage disposal. The entire drain on your kitchen sink may require replacement. In addition, if there is no electrical outlet under your sink, you may need an electrician to do the installation. In some cases, the installation of an in-sink garbage disposal may run as high as $600.
It is unusual, but in some locations, building codes require a licensed plumber to install garbage disposals. If this is the case where you live, expect the installation costs to reflect the additional cost of hiring a licensed plumber for the job.
Can I Replace My Garbage Disposer Myself?
In most places, it is perfectly acceptable for you to replace your own broken garbage disposer. Once you have selected your new garbage disposer and have it at home, there are some steps you should follow to do the installation. Following these steps will save your frustration and money doing the installation
Step 1: Getting Ready
Before you begin any job like replacing a broken garbage disposer, it is best to make sure you have everything you need for the job. Having everything at hand will save you time and aggravation in the long run. Replacing a broken in-sink garbage disposer usually calls for these tools and supplies.
- A bucket
- Hammer
- Screwdriver
- Slip Joint Pliers
- Putty Knife
- Plumber’s putty
- Safety Glasses
- A new Garbage Disposal
Some towels or rags are also a good idea. You will probably spill some water under your kitchen sink, and it should be cleaned up immediately to make the job easier.
Step 2: Unpack the New Disposal
Open and unpack your new disposal. Make sure all the parts are included in the box. The installation manual will have a list of the parts. Now, read the installation instructions before you go any further. Follow the instructions closely for a quick and leak-free installation.
Step 3: Work Safely
Put on your safety glasses. Removing the old garbage disposal may expose you to splashes of dirty wastewater. Don’t take chances.
Before you touch anything else, unplug the old garbage disposal from the electrical outlet. This removes any danger of an accidental shock.
Remove everything under the sink, so you have a clear place to work.
Step 4: Disconnecting the Wastewater Drain Lines
Put your bucket directly under the wastewater drain lines and loosen the connections to the old garbage disposal. Water in the P-Trap will escape and drain into the bucket. Invariably, some of the water will splash or drip onto the bottom of your kitchen cabinet. Take a moment to clean up the spills to you are working in standing water.
If your dishwasher drains into the disposal, disconnect the drain line from the dishwasher. Be careful as the dishwasher drain line may have residual water. Keep that bucket handy.
Step 5: Remove the Old Garbage Disposal
Removing the old disposal can be a bit of a puzzle. If your broken disposal is older, it may have a snap ring or other type of connection to the sink strainer.
Newer garbage disposals have a twist on locking system. If your disposal is this type, use the appropriate tool on the twist ring and turn the ring one-quarter turn counter-clockwise, and the disposal should disengage from the mounting ring and dropdown.
Step 6: Remove the Old Sink Flange
You may again face another puzzle. You must remove the old mounting flange from the sink. Typically, the sink flange has three screws that loosen to allow the under sink portion of the flange to come loose.
Pull the old flange out of the drain hole in the sink. Clean all the old plumber’s putty from the opening in the sink, but the upper and lower parts of the drain hole.
Even if your old garbage disposer has the same mounting flange as your new disposal unit, you should remove the old flange and install the new flange with fresh plumber’s putty.
Step 7: Install the New Sink Mounting Flange
Refer to the instructions that came with your new garbage disposal to mount the sink flange. While the concepts are similar, each manufacturer has its recommendations for how to mount the flange. Some have different gaskets, seals, and snap rings that must be in the right order to prevent leaks.
Step 8: Install Your New Disposal
Refer again to the instructions that came with your disposal. To ensure a leak-free installation of your new garbage disposal, you should exactly follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Step 9: Reinstall the Wastewater Drainpipes
Reconnect the drainpipes to the new garbage disposal. In some cases, you may need to make modifications to the P-Trap plumbing to make the connection. Work slowly and make sure all the connections are tight.
If you have a dishwasher that drains into the disposal, you may need to remove the seal plug from the disposal before installing the dishwasher drain. Refer to the instructions that came with your disposal for properly attaching a dishwasher drain.
Step 10: Plug in your disposal and Test for Leaks
Time for a test run. After you plug in your new disposal, run cold water into the sink. Carefully check the seal around the flange and all your drainpipe connections for leaks. If you worked carefully, there should be no leaks.
Turn on your new disposal to make sure it operated properly. Run water through the disposal as you turn it on. The running water helps cool the disposal and will lengthen the life of the motor.
Are In-Sink Garbage Disposers Repairable?
In some instances, it is possible to repair a garbage disposer. Some manufacturers do sell repair parts for their in-sink garbage disposals. However, most of the cheaper models are not repairable and are considered use and replace appliances.
The downside to repairing an in-sink garbage disposal is the cost. Most appliance repairmen charge approximately eighty dollars per hour. If the repair of your in-sink garbage disposal takes three hours and the parts cost one hundred dollars, you have spent $340 and still have a several-year-old repaired garbage disposal.
Had you used that $340, you could have purchased a top-of-the-line new garbage disposal and probably had it professionally installed. All in all, repairs of appliances like in-sink garbage disposals don’t make sense economically.
Can I Decide to Do Away with my Garbage Disposal?
Nothing is keeping you from eliminating your in-sink garbage disposal if it stops working. Homes existed for many years without in-sink garbage disposals and managed to get by quite well. In some places, a garbage disposal is still considered a luxury rather than a necessity.
There may be some expense to removing a non-functioning garbage disposer even if you do the job yourself. You will need to replace some parts in the sink and the waste pipe under the sink. These are relatively minor repairs well within the capability of most homeowners.
If you decide not to replace your broken garbage disposal, don’t simply leave it in place. If not operated regularly, the broken disposal unit can begin to smell bad and may even clog as you use the sink. It is better to remove the whole garbage disposer unit and replumb the drain properly.
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Getting Your New Disposal Installed
Most homeowners who purchase a new in-sink garbage disposer opt to have a professional perform the installation. Your local Lowe’s home improvement store staff can help you locate a professional to install your new disposal. These professionals can give you an estimate of the cost before you accept the work.
Dennis is a retired firefighter with an extensive background in construction, home improvement, and remodeling. He worked in the trades part-time while serving as an active firefighter. On his retirement, he started a remodeling and home repair business, which he ran for several years.
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