2022 Garbage Disposal Installation Cost

Garbage disposals have become must-have fixtures in modern homes. They make it so much easier to deal with the food waste households produce on a regular basis. Homeowners can save so much time that would have otherwise been spent on chores by installing a garbage disposal.

Are you interested in finally installing a garbage disposal of your own? Before making a final decision, it’s important to recognize how much that new fixture will cost.

The average garbage disposal installation cost is $627 for the unit and labor. You will spend $210 in labor, and an average of $400 on the garbage disposal itself. It can cost an extra $40 per hour if you have to hire an electrician to fix electrical problems during the garbage disposal installation.

Transform your kitchen by adding the highly convenient fixture known as the garbage disposal. Learn more about how much adding one to your kitchen will cost by continuing with this article.

The garbage disposal is going to be a terrific addition to your home kitchen. In exchange for no greater than $1,200, you can get your hands on a machine that you’ll be using on a regular basis.

Garbage disposals make the time we spend in the kitchen way more productive. Instead of having to spend several minutes or even hours cleaning, the garbage disposal will speed things up. With the garbage disposal handling a significant amount of waste, you’ll be able to clean up faster after a meal.

The truth is that you don’t have to be especially picky when you’re looking for a garbage disposal. Many models available right now can be installed in your home and get the job done. If you want to maximize your purchase though, it helps to be more discerning.

Listed below are the factors that affect how much a garbage disposal will cost and well it will perform. Refer to them as you browse through various selections of garbage disposals.

Batch-feed garbage disposals work by processing batches of waste. You fill the garbage disposal up with waste, cover the unit, and then turn it on. Batch-feed units will work until everything has been processed and you cannot stop them while that is taking place.

Some homeowners prefer batch-feed disposals because they are safer. You cannot accidentally slip your hand in the disposal while it’s running because it’s covered.

On the other hand, batch-feed disposals may also require more time to process waste. It can also be annoying to realize you forgot to put everything in the unit before turning it on. You will now have to wait until the cycle finishes before adding those leftovers.

You can find batch-feed disposals that are sold for as low as $70. The more expensive units are available for $350.

Another factor you must pay attention to when selecting a garbage disposal is the size of its motor. Options typically include 1/3, 1/2, 3/4, 1, and 2 horsepower units.

The rule of thumb when choosing a motor size for your garbage disposal is simple. The most powerful motors can handle the largest amounts of waste.

A smaller motor should be fine if you live alone or with just one other person. If you have more than five people in your household, you should probably go for the more powerful garbage disposals.

Installing the garbage disposal is a job many DIYers like to take on. However, if you’re not quite comfortable handling the task yourself, there’s nothing wrong with bringing in some professional assistance.

The task of installing the garbage disposal is simple enough if the circumstances are right. This means that the area where the garbage disposal will be installed should already be good to go.

Ideally, you want to see a space big enough to accommodate the disposal unit under the sink. You also want to see that the plumbing is already well set up for the addition of the garbage disposal. An outlet should also be located nearby so the disposal can just be plugged into that.

Assuming that the location where the garbage disposal will go is ready, the installers can get right to work. They can start by removing some components of the sink and your plumbing to make room for the disposal unit.

A drain fitting is also added to the underside of the sink as that will support the garbage disposal. The drain fitting features important components such as the sink flange and the mounting ring. The mounting ring will provide support for the garbage disposal.

From there, all the necessary connections will be made. Those include the plumbing and electrical connections. With all the connections made, all that’s left is to test the unit and to check if it works properly.

You will have an important choice to make if you want your garbage disposal professionally installed. To be more specific, you have the choice to either hire a plumber or a handyman to take on this job.

The advantage of hiring a plumber is that they have plenty of experience working with garbage disposals. They can also help you out if your existing plumbing has some issues. They can address those issues while working on the installation of your garbage disposal.

Plumbers are also good to work with if you’re missing certain parts. They can supply the components needed so the installation can move forward.

Hiring a plumber will cost more money though. They will charge about $50 per hour and that’s the low estimate.

In contrast, a handyman will likely charge you $40 per hour if you want them to handle the installation. The cheaper hourly rate is not the only reason why you should consider hiring a handyman.

Since handymen are more familiar with applying different kinds of repairs, they can handle other issues as well. If the wiring near the disposal unit needs work, they can handle that too. They may charge extra for that service, however.

A handyman can take care of minor electrical issues near where the garbage disposal is set to be installed. Their expertise may not suffice for what you need, however. For instance, if you need an outlet near the garbage disposal, the handyman may no longer be able to help. You will likely have to hire an electrician at that point.

Hiring an electrician means that you’ll have to take on another expense, but it’s worth the price. You don’t want to mess around with electricity if you’re running a garbage disposal. Given that the unit is also often exposed to moisture, securing the electrical outlet will be crucial.

The hourly rate for an electrician is about $40 on the low end. Don’t bother with hiring a master electrician as their expertise is not required for this job.

How much you’ll ultimately have to pay the professionals you hired will depend on the length of the project. The installation itself will take two to three hours. Once again, the condition of the spot where the disposal is set to be installed will affect the job’s completion time.

As for the electrician, they may need an hour or two to fix the wiring and create the outlet. If your schedule allows for it, you should have the electrician come over the day before the installer does. Laying out the working schedule in that manner will keep them from getting in each other’s way.

Many homeowners consider a splash guard to be a must-have accessory for a garbage disposal. It’s a small component, but it plays a big role inside the kitchen.

The splash guard prevents any liquids or solids that have already gone into the disposal from jumping back to the sink. It keeps your kitchen sink nice and clean. Splash guards can even reduce the noise coming from the disposal and stop silverware from falling into the hole.

Some splash guards also keep odors trapped inside the garbage disposal. Your kitchen won’t start to stink as you’re processing the waste thanks to the splash guard.

Splash guards are also very affordable. You can find some splash guards that are available for $5.

Related Questions

How Long Can You Expect Garbage Disposals to Last?

Garbage disposals can last for a while if you maintain them properly. They can last for about 10 years if you followed the maintenance guidelines.Don’t be surprised if garbage disposals start to malfunction well before then though. If they are being used for bigger-than-expected workloads, they will likely need to be replaced well before the 10-year mark.

Can You Throw Any Type of Waste down to the Garbage Disposal?

You must be selective when it comes to what you throw down the garbage disposal if you want it to last. Fatty, oily, and/or greasy substances do not belong in the garbage disposal. Those substances will harden inside the garbage disposal and cause clogging sooner rather than later.Fibrous foods should also not be processed by the garbage disposal. Examples of those fibrous foods include artichoke trimmings, banana peels, and corn husks.