How Much To Install A Utility Sink

How Much Does Utility Sink Cost?

Low: Equipment Starts $50-$150+

Medium: Starts $400-$650 Installed If Hookups Ready

High: Can Run $600-$1,400+ Installed With New Plumbing

Also called a mud or laundry sink or a mud, utility or laundry tub (tubs are generally larger and deeper than sinks), a utility sink is a basic workhorse that provides a place to remove excess gardening dirt before entering the house; soak laundry items; wash large pans, jars, buckets or other oversized items; or rinse paintbrushes or other messy do-it-yourself, craft or hobby tools. A utility sink is usually located in a garage, mud room, laundry room or general utility room.

Typical costs:

Costs for utility sinks vary based on size, depth and the quality of materials. A basic one-basin, no-frills utility sink of heavy-duty plastic or fiberglass runs about $50-$150. One- or two-basin units of stainless steel or cast iron range from $150-$900 or more and extremely durable commercial-grade utility sinks with options such as more than one set of faucets or a built-in cabinet can be $1,000-$3,000 or more. There can be additional costs of $100-$300 or more for materials if the hook-ups and vents are not already in place, depending on what's needed to tie into existing water, sewer and venting systems.
The cost to have a plumber install a standard utility sink where basic hook-ups and vents are already in place runs about $200-$500, assuming no extensive new piping or venting is required, but it can cost more if extensive work is needed.
If the utility tub hookups are not already in place, materials and professional installation averages $500-$800 but can be $900-$1,300 or more, depending on what's required to properly hook up to existing plumbing and venting systems.

Related articles: Bathroom Sink, Kitchen Sink, Installing a Gas Line

What should be included:

Utility sinks generally have a deep rectangular basin compared to the more circular and shallower bathroom sinks. Many utility sinks have legs or a cabinet to make them stand-alone units, but they can also be mounted from the wall or floor. AskTheBuilder.com presents a video[1] showing how to install a wall-mount bracket for a utility sink.
Unless you're simply replacing an existing sink (with existing hook-ups), installation can be a fairly complicated plumbing project. DIYOrNot.com describes the replacement[2] process. ThisOldHouse.com provides a video[3] overview of a 4- to 6-hour challenging plumbing project with no existing hook-ups, and a Florida homeowner shares his do-it-yourself experience installing a basic utility sink onto already-roughed-in plumbing lines.
Because sewer gas is hazardous to your health and can contain methane gas (which can explode), building codes require venting on all plumbing fixtures, including sinks. A certified plumber will be aware of these requirements, but do-it-yourselfers should check with the local planning department for specific requirements.

Shopping for utility sink:

Major utility sink manufacturers include American Shower and Bath[4] and Kohler[5] .
For a replacement sink (where hook-ups already exist) or a straight-forward installation that doesn't require extensive plumbing, you may be able to hire a handyman for $30-$125 an hour, or around $100-$500.
Get several estimates, and ask for (and check) references. If hiring a plumber, check to see if they're licensed in your state.

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External Resources:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj_voPMeNTw
www.diyornot.com/Project.aspx?ndx1=1&ndx2=12&ndx3=0&Rcd=179
www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,1629570,00.html
asbbathingsystems.com/
www.us.kohler.com/us/catalog/categoryLanding.jsp?id=433006&parentCategoryId=432288