So um, my garbage disposal finally kicked the bucket yesterday. It's been making some weird grinding noises for weeks, and I kept putting it off thinking it might magically fix itself (yeah right). Anyway, now I'm stuck needing a replacement and I've heard some seriously mixed things about how much people spend on this. Quick poll: Did you DIY your disposal replacement or call in a pro? And roughly how much did it set you back? Curious if I'm about to get fleeced here...
Replacing a garbage disposal is actually one of the easier DIY plumbing tasks, provided you're comfortable with basic tools and working under the sink. I swapped mine out last year—spent about $120 on a decent mid-range model from the hardware store. Took me around two hours, mostly because the old one was stubbornly rusted in place. If you're handy and patient, it's definitely doable yourself and could save you a good chunk of change compared to hiring someone. Good luck!
Gotta say, your experience sounds pretty smooth overall, but I'd caution folks thinking it's always straightforward. A couple extra points from someone who's done more disposals than I'd like to admit:
- Rusted bolts and fittings are common headaches; soaking them overnight with penetrating oil can save you serious frustration.
- Electrical connections can trip people up—if the new disposal has a different wiring setup or the old wiring is sketchy, things can get complicated fast.
- You mentioned two hours...that's about average, but I've seen DIYers spend a whole afternoon wrestling with alignment issues or leaks afterward. Not always as quick as it seems.
- Also, don't overlook the drain pipes. Sometimes replacing the disposal means adjusting or replacing plumbing connections to match the new unit.
DIY is definitely doable, and yeah, it'll save money—but just make sure you're prepared for the unexpected. Nothing worse than a quick job turning into a weekend-long battle under the sink...
When I replaced mine, I definitely fell into the "weekend battle" category. Thought it'd be a quick swap, but ended up with a mini plumbing overhaul—old pipes just didn't line up right. Ended up spending way more than planned on random fittings and extra trips to the store. Curious if anyone else got blindsided by hidden costs like that...did you stick to your original budget or blow past it too?
I've replaced a few disposals over the years, and honestly, it's never as straightforward as it seems. Totally relate to the hidden costs mentioned earlier—every single time I think I've got all the parts, there's always something else that pops up. Last time, I ended up needing new wiring because the old one was frayed and looked sketchy. Not something you want to mess around with near water, obviously.
I usually DIY these things to save money, but if you're not comfortable with plumbing or electrical, calling a pro might be worth the peace of mind. Cost-wise, disposals themselves aren't too bad—usually around $100-$200 for a decent one—but those random fittings and unexpected fixes can easily add another $50 or more. If your pipes are older or look questionable, brace yourself for some extra hassle and expense. Better safe than sorry, especially when water damage is involved.
