How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Garbage Disposal? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $200 - $625
The cost to replace a garbage disposal is around $550 in most cases. Your total could sit between $200 and $625, depending mostly on the type and size of the unit.
The cost of garbage disposal replacement is $550 on average, though it can range between $150 and $950. The majority of the cost is for the garbage disposal itself, but labor can also greatly impact the total price tag.
Using the garbage disposal helps keep your sink clean and your plumbing in good shape. If you're budgeting for a new unit, here’s what you need to know.
- Average
- $550
- Low end
- $150
- high end
- $950
Garbage Disposal Cost by Motor Size
A disposal’s motor size dictates how much food debris it handles simultaneously. Obviously, larger and more powerful motors cost more, so choose the right-size motor to suit the needs of your household to avoid overpaying.
A small household of one or two people only needs a ⅓- or ½-horsepower motor, which costs from $50 to $225. A larger household of five to eight people benefits from a garbage disposal with a 1-horsepower motor, which costs $200 to $400.
| Disposal Motor Size (Horsepower) | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| 1/3–1/2 | $50–$225 |
| 5/8–3/4 | $120–$310 |
| 1–1-1/4 | $200–$400 |
Labor Cost to Replace a Garbage Disposal
Replacing an existing garbage disposal is straightforward and should take a technician an hour or so. Technicians charge about $50 to $100 per hour for installing a garbage disposal. The installation process requires some leveling, making a few simple connections, affixing the exterior, and testing.
In most cases, pros will scoop up the old unit as part of the overall estimate. Since they’re removing it anyway to make room for the new unit, having them haul it away isn’t a burden, as they’re well-versed in local facilities that accept faulty garbage disposals. However, if there are accessibility concerns, such as a corroded unit that won’t move, the technician will charge for the time spent getting to the garbage disposal for removal. At worst, this leads to an uptick of $50 to $100.
Additional Garbage Disposal Replacement Cost Factors
Garbage disposal replacement costs range from $200 to $625, with the average cost being around $550. For skilled DIYers, you could pay as little as $75 for a new unit and the tools to install it. Prices vary based on the type of unit you choose, the garbage disposal’s motor size, and labor costs.
Feed Type
When it comes to the wacky world of garbage disposals, you have two major types to choose from. There are continuous feed disposals, which cost $75 to $1,000, and batch feed disposals, which cost $75 to $300.
Continuous feed disposals tend to be pricier, since they allow for continuous disposal without needing to stop and cover the unit. However, batch feed disposals are more ideal for households with children, since the cover prevents accidental activation.
| Feed Type | Average Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous feed disposals | $75–$1,000 | High-volume waste |
| Batch feed disposals | $75–$300 | Safety-conscious households or smaller kitchens |
Material
Most disposals are made from aluminum or stainless steel. Aluminum is the less expensive and more common option, as aluminum garbage disposals cost $75 to $300, depending on power and size. However, aluminum disposals are prone to leaks and corrosion and have a shortened life span of under 10 years.
Stainless steel garbage disposals cost $400 to $1,100 but offer increased durability and minimal risk of corrosion or leaking. Stainless steel disposals are often found in high-volume households and commercial institutions.
Warranties
Your new disposal comes with a manufacturer’s warranty and potentially a second one from your installer. Check the fine print when purchasing or hiring a plumber to know what’s covered.
Warranties range from a year to 10, depending on the make and model. These are limited warranties that protect you from manufacturers’ defects, so you’ll still need to be careful about what you’re putting in your disposal to avoid costly mistakes.
Electrical Upgrades
The electrical needs of your disposal depend on the make and model and your local building codes. Some disposals are easily plugged into an existing 120-volt outlet and draw five to 10 amps, while some codes may require a dedicated 15-amp circuit with GFCI and AFCI protection.
GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) and AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupter) protection means your breaker will safely turn off if needed for increased safety. Call a licensed electrician if you need help figuring out the electrical requirements for your new disposal or need new wiring.
Cost to Repair vs. Replace a Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals last an average of five to 10 years, with some stainless steel models running for as long as 15 years. If your disposal is near the end of its life span, a replacement is the better option to avoid future service calls.
However, if your disposal is on the newer side and the maintenance issue isn’t overly complex—say it’s jammed or won’t turn on—a repair is the better bet, as replacement components cost less than a brand-new model. Talk to your pro to see if repair is an option or if they recommend picking up a new garbage disposal for a replacement.
Signs It’s Time to Replace a Garbage Disposal
Realizing your home needs a different-sized garbage disposal to handle everything might be one reason to consider replacing your existing one. However, most replacements happen due to the device's failure. Here are several cases in which a new garbage disposal may be in your near future:
No operation when powered
Leaks in places that aren't pipes
Slow or weakened performance
Slow draining even after ensuring the drain pipes are clear
Needing to use the reset button often
Metal-on-metal or persistent grinding noises
Replacing a Garbage Disposal Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
Installing a garbage disposal as a DIY project can be straightforward if you’re replacing the existing one with the same or similar unit. However, professionals who install garbage disposers can perform the task more efficiently. Additionally, having a pro's advice when installing a garbage disposal with a septic system on the property can be valuable. They can advise you on what not to put in your garbage disposal and other maintenance tips.
That said, avid DIYers with some under-sink experience can save between $100 and $400 on labor costs, depending on the complexity of the installation. However, you'll need a solid understanding of how the system functions to ensure everything works when the task is complete.
Hiring a local garbage disposal installer will eliminate any concerns about its functionality, ensure the work is up to code, and will likely come with a work warranty.
How to Save Money When Replacing Your Garbage Disposal
Here are some tips to ensure you make the most of your budget for a garbage disposal replacement.
Buy used: Garbage disposals are hearty appliances, so used models are not too risky, particularly if they were taken out of service for reasons other than repairs. Buying a used model saves up to 50%, but have your technician inspect the unit before going ahead with the purchase. Better yet, have them source it for you.
Repair if possible: If the issue is minor, repairs are more affordable than replacements. If your disposal is jammed, for instance, it likely requires a simple unclogging. If it doesn’t power on, it could mean someone accidentally pressed the reset button if it doesn't power on. Talk to your pro to discuss budget-friendly repair options.
Start small: The size of the motor is a primary cost factor when buying a new garbage disposal. Start small to save some money here. If you live with just one or two people, go with the smallest option available, which costs $75 to $200.
Prepare the area: Any work you complete ahead of time saves you on labor costs. In other words, clear the immediate area so the disposal is easily accessible. If you have the experience, remove the faulty disposal ahead of time.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many homeowners wonder if a garbage disposal is necessary with a dishwasher. After all, many dishwashers are powerful enough to handle bits of food with no issues.
Still, your dishwasher should not act as a replacement for a disposal. Subjecting your dishwasher to continuous leftovers could lead to major clogs. If you don’t want a garbage disposal in your kitchen, simply scrape away any extra food into your trash can or compost pile.
As with many appliances, proper maintenance is key to maximizing your garbage disposal’s life span. If everyone in your household is on board with proper care and maintenance, like running water while operating the disposal, you should get plenty of years out of your unit. Avoid putting the wrong food items down the disposal, including pasta, rice, bread, and more.
These appliances certainly increase the number of things allowed down the drain, but they’re not foolproof. There are several items you shouldn’t put in your garbage disposal, according to manufacturers and technicians. Don’t put coffee grounds down the drain. The same goes for eggshells, potato peels, hard foods, onion skins, and any dry, expandable food. Most importantly, never put grease or oils down the drain.
On average, it takes one to four hours for a professional to install a garbage disposal. This includes removing the old unit, taking necessary measurements for positioning, removing and fitting new pipes, and installing the brand-new disposal system. If there are unforeseen issues, such as accessibility concerns, the process takes longer.
Garbage disposals fit the drains of nearly every sink out there due to universal drain hole sizes of 3 1/2 to 4 inches, but the same isn’t true for the housing underneath the sink. You need plenty of room to fit a garbage disposal under there, so measure the space ahead of time and use those dimensions when shopping for a new model. If you’re replacing an existing model, get one in that size.