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jean_keaster31

Who best to remove and replace under-mount farm sink?

5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

I installed a native trails concrete sink 3 years ago and it has become very pitted and is a complete disaster. I have now purchased a white porcelain sink, same dimensions and want to know if a plumber or fabricator would be best to remove and replace it it. And any idea of what this would cost? Sink is not glued or attached to anything on the underside. Only whatever glue used when granite installed.




Comments (14)

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    While a fabricator may be able to do this, in my state, Florida, a plumbing license is required to work on sinks. I have a Florida plumbing license and if you were within 3 hours of me, I'd change your sink for $2,000.00 if your cutout didn't need to be changed.

  • 5 years ago

    Thank you. I shouldnt need any change in cut out. And in taking on a job like this, would you have any concerns of the granite cracking? My concern is not the $2,000 charge but more the potential added expense of purchasing and fabricating replacement top if it cracked during process. or should the plumber or fabricator taie responsibilty for that if it happened?

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    The granite isn't going to crack. You could tent and cut the sink out to lower the risk, but I wouldn't bother. I'd promise to replace the top if I couldn't make an inconspicuous repair.


    I'd drive a stiff scraper between the sink and the stone bottom and beat that thing out the front.

  • 5 years ago

    I'd change your sink for $2,000.00 if your cutout didn't need to be changed.

    Seriously? $2000 to change the sink? Is it because apron sinks are more work, or is something unusual about this one? Just trying to understand why.

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    $2000 is a steal for what Joseph would be taking on....especially if he promises to replace the top if he breaks it. Not many fabricators would offer that! My fabricator would only change out this sink if they homeowner signed a waiver...that if the top was damaged during the rework, they would not be liable. Same goes for uninstall and reinstall of countertops...homeowner takes on entire liability. In my neck of the woods, just a plumbing REHOOK costs $400-$800.

    But back to the liability....homeowners often wonder why the high price....'but it's just a little sink install"...why is it so expensive. By the time Joe would pack up tools, drive to your house, unload, set up and get an extra man (maybe) to help lift sink out, a half day is gone. You aren't paying for the sink install as much as a very specialized SKILL and service that is very hard to find. You might be able to hire a handyman to give it go....but that's a huge risk to you. Joe does it everyday, knows the tricks, knows the sink models...has been around forever. You're paying for years of knowledge and experience.

    Skilled, dying out trades are all getting top dollar these days and I only see this as going higher in the future. Get your sons and daughters into trade schools. I wish I made as much $ as one of my 30-something woodworking friends makes.

  • 3 years ago

    Wow, 2k to replace a sink? This is making laminate countertops look better and better to me! All of this fancy stuff costs and arm and a leg when it's new and then the other arm and leg when something needs to be fixed. Good grief...they're countertops and sinks! LOL

  • 3 years ago

    This is why I didn't get a farmhouse sink, despite their current popularity and liking the look. You better hope you love your sink, because you're pretty damn close to stuck with it.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    @HU-918119203 - an undermounted sink would be even harder to replace, so I do not see your reasoning for singling out farmhouse sinks. I've had apron front sinks in two homes, the current one is almost 20 years old. So there goes your statement that it has "current popularity". They've been used in kitchens since before there was indoor plumbing. The OP's situation of her sink is unusual due to her choice of concrete for a sink. Concrete is well known as a material that pits and cracks as the OP discovered. In a kitchen, compared to all the things that can need replacing - like appliances, faucets, lighting - the sink is the least likely thing to need replacing until the kitchen itself needs a re-do. Unless there is an intrinsic flaw in the sink like the OP's.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    You're marrying an undermounted sink of any type. Like any type of breakup, your divorce from it is costly. Choose wisely. Sturdy and dependable stainless will last you 100 years+ if installed correctly.

  • 3 years ago

    We are getting ready to put in an undermounted farm sink, any advice on what we can do in the installation to minimize the hassle if the sink needs to be replaced? The use of an undermount kit like Pete's has been mentioned in other discussions, anything else? FYI our countertop will be soapstone so presumably it would be easier to reshape the cutout if necessary.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    Buy a high quality, non porous sink from a reputable manufacturer, and use a high quality reputable fabricator, is the only insurance you can get against issues down the road. And, do a drip rail, with a capillary undercut notch, if you want your cabinets to stand up to the water dripping down the front of the sink.

  • 3 years ago

    @randomwalker - what is the material of your farmhouse sink? Who is the manufacturer? Going more with the point I mentioned in my comment above, a homeowner should not need to ever change a sink unless there is some intrinsic issue with it from the getgo. I would put fireclay in that category due to the many posts on here about fireclay problems of cracking and crazing. That is why I am asking what sink you are talking about (I myself have an apron front stainless steel sink and it appears indestructible).

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    @royhobbs - yes our sink is fireclay (La Toscana), yes we are aware of all the issues. If it were up to me we’d just do stainless steel and never think about sinks again. But my partner loves the fireclay so here I am. I don’t mind some scratching or crazing, as long as the sink can do its basic function it’s ok. But if it cracks then we will have to replace, hopefully with a minimum of hassle.

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