Installing a pedestal sink can cost anywhere from $330 to $730, depending on your location, whether you need to install new plumbing lines, and the price of the sink and faucet.
A pedestal sink not only channels Victorian-era charm, but it’s also a practical solution for a small bathroom. These sinks take up less space than those with a vanity and offer a slender silhouette that draws visitors' eyes upward, making the bathroom look larger. Depending on your current bathroom setup, the cost to have a pro install a pedestal sink ranges from $330 to $730, on average.
Several different factors will influence your overall cost to install a pedestal sink. You can expect labor, the cost of a new sink and faucet, disposal, materials, your location, plumbing changes, demolition, and permits to play a role in your total cost.
There are a few factors to consider that influence the final cost of installing a pedestal sink.
| Cost Factor | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Labor | $220–$650 |
| New sink | $250–$2,000 |
| New faucet | $100–$3,000 |
| Removal and disposal | $30–$150 |
The cost to hire a professional sink installer to replace a sink ranges from $220 to $650. Keep in mind that labor costs may fluctuate based on the type and size of the sink and whether it’s replacing an existing model. These pros can handle any task related to your pedestal sink installation, including:
Old sink removal
Properly fitting the new sink
Full installation
New plumbing installation
If you opt for a more luxurious sink, you can expect this project to have a high bottom line. The average cost for a quality pedestal sink is around $250 (not including the faucet), but high-end options can cost over $2,000, depending on the type of porcelain used. Some porcelain sinks have higher quality coatings, which drives up the final cost.
It’s possible to use the existing faucet on your current sink, but if you’re purchasing a new one, you should factor in its cost. Faucets for bathroom sinks range from $100 to $3,000. If you have negotiated a flat rate price with your local sink installer, ask if it includes faucet installation.
If you need your plumber or sink installer to remove and haul away your old sink, expect to pay $30 to $150 for this service.
| Pedestal Sink Material | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Porcelain | $150–$650 |
| Vitreous China | $150–$700 |
| Fireclay | $250–$750 |
| Tempered Glass | $100–$2,000 |
You can expect to pay $150 to $650 for a porcelain pedestal sink. Porcelain is a popular type of ceramic, and you’ll find most pedestal sinks made from this material. Yet, porcelain is moderately durable and prone to chips, cracks, and stains.
You’ll pay more for a Vitreous China pedestal sink—typically between $150 and $700. Vitreous China is an enamel-glazed coating that goes on top of traditional porcelain. It costs slightly more than porcelain, but the glazed coating gives the sink a more robust, glossy finish.
You can expect to pay $250 to $750 for a fireclay pedestal sink. Fireclay is more durable than porcelain or Vitreous China due to its formation process. Fireclay is created through extremely high temperatures, making it stand up better to cracks and chips.
Due to the different types and styles of tempered glass, you’ll pay anywhere from $100 to $2,000 for a pedestal glass sink. You’ll typically find pedestal sinks with a tempered glass top and solid base. Tempered glass is shatter-resistant; however, it can become very pricey depending on the intricacy of the design.
The cost to install a pedestal sink varies slightly by region and city. Here are some major U.S. cities and the price range to expect, including materials and labor.
| City | |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $630–$770 |
| New Orleans, LA | $485–$780 |
| Bismarck, ND | $520–$840 |
| New York, NY | $680–$1,000 |
If you need new water and drain lines set up, your labor costs will go up as a plumber will need to install them. This won’t be an issue if you’re simply replacing an old pedestal sink with a new one. If you’re replacing a different kind of sink setup—such as one with a vanity—the installation will become more complex, as the drain line may need to be moved and centered. You can expect to pay between $200 and $800 for the cost of installing or replacing pipes.
“Some pedestal bases are only open halfway to the floor, so the piping must enter the wall at the exact height needed,” says Joseph Wood, Expert Review Board member, Master Plumber, and Founder of the Boston Standard Company. “Do inspect your pedestal for this requirement.”
You may incur additional demolition charges if a pro replaces your bathroom sink with a pedestal sink. Because pedestal sinks are open and don’t provide floor and wall coverage, many plumbers need to open the walls to replace plumbing. Also, if your old vanity covered a subfloor or old tiling, you’ll need to pay for floor repairs, as the pedestal sink won’t simply cover the old flooring. Here’s what you can expect to pay if demolition is necessary:
Drywall repair: $300–$920
Tile repair: $10–$50 per square foot
New baseboard installation: $800–$2,250
You won't typically need a permit if you’re only installing a pedestal sink. However, if a plumber needs to come in, open up walls, and make extensive changes to your plumbing, you may need to acquire a permit. You can expect to pay between $30 and $500 for a plumbing permit.
Doing your own pedestal sink installation will save $230 to $800 in labor costs, but it’s not a simple task unless you have plenty of plumbing experience. To install a pedestal sink yourself, you should be familiar with the kind of pipes you have, how drainage lines work, and how to install a faucet on the sink once it’s in place. The tools to complete this project will likely only set you back $50, but you’ll lose a lot of time and energy and might need to hire a plumber if you make a mistake.
If you’re handy and have prior sink installation experience, you can install a pedestal sink in your bathroom for $500 to $1,000. Yet, installing a pedestal sink is trickier and more time-consuming than installing traditional vanities. That’s why we recommend hiring a sink installer near you. Even though you’ll pay more for professional labor, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that the job is done correctly by a pro with knowledge and experience.
While installing a pedestal sink, you might want to think about replacing other items in your bathroom at the same time. These common sink installation add-ons include:
Bathtub replacement: $1,910–$9,120
Retile bathroom floor: $450–$10,000
Bathroom painting: $150–$300
Light fixture installation: $155–$950
New toilet installation: $220–$530
While you can’t change the cost of professional labor, there are ways to reduce costs while installing a pedestal sink, including:
Get at least three quotes from local, trusted sink installers to find the best deal.
Choose a lower-cost pedestal sink.
Find out whether you need new plumbing installed before proceeding with your project.
Remove the old sink yourself and take care of any materials disposal costs.
On average, it takes four to eight hours to install a pedestal sink. However, several factors will influence how much time it takes to install a pedestal sink, including:
A replacement will take longer to put in than a new install
The size and weight of the pedestal sink—a pro may need an apprentice for help
It will take longer to change the sink type vs. replacing the pedestal with a duplicate
This varies based on your location and the plumber’s expertise, but on average, a plumber will charge $45 to $200 per hour. You can ask your plumber for flat-rate pricing for this sort of one-off project, too.
Due to the exposed plumbing, pedestal sinks are more challenging to install than traditional closed vanities. Pedestal sinks may also require additional floor and wall support or demolition. However, if you have the correct plumbing in place, then installing a pedestal sink is pretty straightforward and can be completed in a day. However, it’s best to hire a professional sink installer to ensure it’s done correctly.
If you’re wondering whether a pedestal sink is worth it, the answer is yes and no—ultimately, it depends on your budget and aesthetic. Pedestal sinks are very durable space savers, giving bathrooms a fresh and clean look. However, their installation is typically more costly than traditional vanities, and you’re more likely to find inexpensive vanities than pedestal sinks. So, it comes down to your preference and budget.
