What a kitchen sink replacement involves
Most of the work happens under the sink and at the counter. HDB's guide to sinks and wash basins names two places to turn off the water in an HDB flat: the ball valve below the sink, or the stop cock next to the water sub-meter. In order, the job looks like this:
- Turn off the water at the ball valve or the stop cock.
- Disconnect the tap hoses and the bottle trap.
- Release the old sink and lift it out.
- Prepare the cut-out for the new sink.
- Fit, seal and fix the new sink.
- Reconnect the bottle trap and the tap.
- Run the water and check for leaks under the sink.
If the new sink is a different size, step 4 is where the extra work sits, because the cut-out may need changing. Companies that publish a rate for basin and sink installation can be compared before you ask for quotes.
Top-mount or undermount
A top-mount sink drops in from above, and its rim sits on the counter. An undermount sink is fixed under the counter, so the cut-out edge stays visible and must be finished.
| Point | Top-mount | Undermount |
|---|---|---|
| How it is fitted | Drops in from above | Fixed under the counter |
| Where the rim sits | On the counter | Under the counter |
| Cut-out edge | Covered by the rim | Visible, must be finished |
If you are switching styles, ask the company whether the cut-out needs changing and how the edge will be finished.
Countertop cut-outs and sealing
If the new sink is a different size from the old one, the counter cut-out may need changing. With a stone counter, that can mean cutting stone or replacing the counter. Settle this before you buy the sink, because it changes the scope of the job.
HDB's building works guidelines say a kitchen countertop needs no permit, but HDB's conditions apply. If tiles must be cut, HDB's renovation information page treats that as restricted noisy work: 9am to 5pm on weekdays only.
HDB's plumbing works guidelines say replacing an existing sink with a stainless steel or enamelled one has no special conditions. If you reposition the sink, the floor slab must not be tampered with.
Reconnecting the trap and tap
HDB's home care guide says the bottle trap is the common trap for kitchen sinks in HDB flats. Chokes in it come from solid matter or hardened grease.
PUB's simple plumbing works list includes installing, replacing or removing any washbasin or sink, including the bottle trap or fitting trap below it, and replacing or removing any tap or mixer. It also covers replacing a flexible hose connected to a tap. A handyman without a PUB licence may do these works. Moving water pipes is not on the list, and other water pipe work, concealed or exposed, needs a PUB Licensed Plumber.
After reconnecting, run water into the sink and watch the joints underneath for drips. If water keeps collecting in the cabinet, see the guide to a kitchen sink leaking underneath.
Published rates for sink, trap and tap work
Each table shows companies' own published rates, as printed, with a link to the source.
FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY
Published basin or sink installation rates
For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published basin or sink installation rates from 13 companies run from S$50 to S$250 per job (middle rate S$150), to install one basin or sink. The middle figure is a real published rate, not an average. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a quote.
See 13 published basin or sink installation rates and sources
| Company | Service as listed | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| AquaHero Plumbing | Kitchen sink etc | S$50 per job | aquahero-plumbing.sg |
| EZ Plumber SG | For kitchen sink etc | S$50 per job | ezplumber.sg |
| Plumber - Singapore Plumbing 24hrs | Replace Kitchen Sink / Basin | From S$50 per job | singaporeplumbing24hrs.com.sg |
| Family Plumber Singapore | Basin | S$60 per job | 24hrfamilyplumber.com |
| Kiasu Plumber | Install basin (kitchen) | From S$90 per job | kiasuplumber.com |
| Hdbplumber Service SG | Supply and install basin | From S$150 per job | hdbplumberservice.com.sg |
| Uncle Plumber | Basin Installation & Supplier | From S$150 per job | uncleplumber.sg |
| Ace Plumbing Specialist | Supply & install basin | From S$170 per job | aceplumbing.sg |
| Active Plumbing Singapore | Supply & install basin | From S$180 per job | activeplumbing.sg |
| Home Plumbers Singapore | Supply and install a basin | From S$180 per job | homeplumbers.com.sg |
| NILE Plumbing | Install Kitchen Sink | From S$180 per job | nileplumbingsg.com |
| Summer Plumbing Service | Supply & install basin | From S$190 per job | sgplumbing.com.sg |
| GD Plumbing | Supply & install basin | From S$250 per job | gdplumbing.com.sg |
13 companies publish a basin or sink installation rate, from S$50 to S$250 per job, with S$150 per job in the middle (the middle company's own published rate, not an average). The low end is mostly labour lines, such as "Kitchen sink etc" at S$50 per job, and the high end includes supply, such as "Supply & install basin" lines from S$170 to S$250 per job, so ask what each covers.
FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY
Published bottle trap replacement rates
For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published bottle trap replacement rates from 10 companies run from S$40 to S$100 per job (middle rate S$50), to replace one kitchen sink trap. The middle figure is a real published rate, not an average.
See 10 published bottle trap replacement rates and sources
| Company | Service as listed | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumber - Singapore Plumbing 24hrs | Supply & Replace Water Trap for Kitchen Sink | From S$40 per job | singaporeplumbing24hrs.com.sg |
| GD Plumbing | Replace bottle trap for kitchen sink | From S$50 per job | gdplumbing.com.sg |
| Home Plumbers Singapore | Supply and replace a kitchen-sink bottle trap | From S$50 per job | homeplumbers.com.sg |
| SG1 Plumber Singapore | Sink Bottle Trap Replacement | S$50 per job | sg1plumber.com |
| Sin Plumbing Singapore | Supply & replace bottle trap for kitchen sink | From S$50 per job | sinplumbing.com |
| Uncle Plumber | Supply and Replace bottle trap for kitchen sink | From S$50 per job | uncleplumber.sg |
| Kiasu Plumber | Supply & install bottle trap (kitchen sink) | From S$80 per job | kiasuplumber.com |
| Best Plumbing | Supply & replace bottle trap for kitchen sink | From S$100 per job | bestplumbing.com.sg |
| SR Power Plumber Pte. Ltd. | Supply & replace bottle trap for kitchen sink | From S$100 per job | srpowerplumber.com |
| Summer Plumbing Service | Supply & replace bottle trap for kitchen sink | From S$100 per job | sgplumbing.com.sg |
10 companies publish a bottle trap replacement rate, from S$40 to S$100 per job, and both middle rates are S$50 per job, a real published rate, not an average. Most say "Supply & replace", so they include the trap.
FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY
Published tap replacement rates
For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published tap replacement rates from 12 companies run from S$60 to S$130 per job, for one basic tap.
See 12 published tap replacement rates and sources
| Company | Service as listed | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SG1 Plumber Singapore | Water Tap Replacement | S$60 per job | sg1plumber.com |
| Huat Plumbing | Tap / Faucet Repair | From S$70 per job | huatplumbing.sg |
| Prima Technologies Pte. Ltd. (Prima Services) | Tap / Faucet Repair | From S$70 per job | primaservices.sg |
| Crizto Singapore Pte Ltd | Basin/Sink Tap | S$80 per job | crizto.com |
| Plumber - Singapore Plumbing 24hrs | Supply Labour to replace kitchen sink/basin tap (normal type) | From S$80 per job | singaporeplumbing24hrs.com.sg |
| PW Plumbing Services | Tap Installation | S$80 to S$120 per job | pwplumbing.com.sg |
| Active Plumbing Singapore | Replace kitchen sink/ basin tap (normal type) | From S$90 per job | activeplumbing.sg |
| Ace Plumbing Specialist | Supply & install washing machine tap | From S$100 per job | aceplumbing.sg |
| NILE Plumbing | Replace Sink/Basin Tap | From S$120 per job | nileplumbingsg.com |
| Best Plumbing | Replace kitchen sink/ Bathroom tap / faucet (basic type) | From S$130 per job | bestplumbing.com.sg |
| SR Power Plumber Pte. Ltd. | Replace kitchen sink / bathroom tap / faucet (basic type) | From S$130 per job | srpowerplumber.com |
| Summer Plumbing Service | Replace kitchen sink/ Bathroom tap / faucet (basic type) | From S$130 per job | sgplumbing.com.sg |
12 companies publish a tap replacement rate, from S$60 to S$130 per job, with no single middle rate because the two middle rates differ. Most say "basic" or "normal type", so do not use them for a pull-out or sensor mixer; the tap replacement cost guide has more.
To plan other plumbing work alongside the sink, try the plumbing cost estimator.
NEXT STEP
See plumbing companies in the directory with their published prices, the areas they say they cover and their sources.
Compare plumbersWhen to stop and call a professional
Call a licensed plumber if the new sink needs water pipes moved, if there are concealed pipes where you must drill, or if a leak continues under the sink after reconnecting.
Moving water pipes is not on PUB's simple plumbing works list, so it needs a PUB Licensed Plumber. Since 2018 it has been an offence to engage a plumber not licensed by PUB for regulated works.
When you ask for a quote for kitchen sink installation, check:
- who removes the old sink, and whether disposal is included;
- whether the counter cut-out changes, and who does that work;
- whether the trap and tap are new or reused.
For a bathroom basin, see the basin replacement cost guide.
Questions
Can a handyman replace a kitchen sink?
Yes. PUB's simple plumbing works list includes installing, replacing or removing any washbasin or sink, including the bottle trap or fitting trap below it, and replacing any tap or mixer. Moving water pipes is not on the list, so that part needs a PUB Licensed Plumber.
Do I need an HDB permit to change my kitchen sink?
HDB's plumbing works guidelines say replacing a sink with a stainless steel or enamelled one has no special conditions. A kitchen countertop needs no permit, but HDB's conditions apply, according to its building works guidelines. If you reposition the sink, the floor slab must not be tampered with.
How much does it cost to replace a kitchen sink?
13 companies publish a basin or sink installation rate, from S$50 to S$250 per job, with S$150 per job in the middle as one company's published rate. The lines mix labour-only and supply-and-install prices, so ask what each covers. Separately, 10 companies publish a bottle trap rate from S$40 to S$100 per job, and 12 companies publish a tap rate from S$60 to S$130 per job.
Can I move my kitchen sink to another spot?
In an HDB flat, yes, as long as the floor slab is not tampered with, according to HDB's plumbing works guidelines. Moving water pipes is not on PUB's simple plumbing works list, so it needs a PUB Licensed Plumber.
Should I replace the tap and trap with the sink?
You can, and it is easier to decide before you ask for quotes, because both are disconnected during the swap anyway. Ask whether the existing ones will be reused or replaced, and check whether a new tap is a basic type or a pull-out or sensor mixer.
How long does a kitchen sink replacement take?
It depends on whether the counter cut-out changes, so ask the company for its time estimate. A new sink that fits the existing cut-out avoids cutting the counter, while cutting stone or replacing the counter makes the job larger. If tiles must be cut in an HDB flat, HDB limits that to 9am to 5pm on weekdays only.
- PUB's simple plumbing works list
- HDB
- HDB's home care guide
- building works guidelines
- HDB's plumbing works guidelines
Prices come only from the sourced company rates in the HomezyPro directory, shown with each company and its source.
Practical guidance for planning a home job in Singapore. Company prices come from the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source; rules and safety points link to the agency or manufacturer that sets them. This is not a site inspection, a quote or professional advice for your home.
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