Installation, replacement and repair
Kitchen sink installation
A kitchen sink installation sets a new sink into the countertop and connects the tap, waste and trap so it drains and seals properly. Dropping a sink into the existing cut-out usually takes a few hours, while a new or larger cut-out in quartz or granite needs a countertop fabricator first.
Typical price
$150–$280labour, into existing cut-outTypical job time
1–3 h
Estimate, confirm on WhatsApp
When to replace or repair
- Water seeps under the sink rim and the cabinet below stays damp or smells musty.
- The sealant around the rim has turned black, cracked or peeled away.
- The sink is rusted, chipped or dented, or an undermount bowl has sagged away from the stone.
- The waste outlet leaks under the sink however much it is tightened.
- You want a bigger, deeper or double-bowl sink, or are renovating the kitchen.
Common reasons
- Old silicone sealant failing, so water creeps under the rim into the cabinet.
- Undermount clips or adhesive giving way, letting the bowl drop slightly from the countertop.
- Thin stainless steel sinks denting, or rusting at the welds, after years of use.
- Worn washers in the strainer waste, and plastic traps cracking from hot water and grease.
- A sink that does not suit how the kitchen is used, such as a shallow bowl that cannot fit a large wok.
Before you call
Safe things to try first
- Measure the existing cut-out, its length and width, and the depth of the cabinet, and note whether your sink sits on top of the counter or under it.
- Check whether the countertop is laminate, solid surface, quartz or granite. That decides who can change the cut-out.
- Clear the cabinet under the sink before the visit so the waste, trap and angle valves are easy to reach.
Stop and call if
- The countertop around the sink is cracked, or the laminate around the cut-out has swollen with water.
- Water is leaking from the wall pipe or the angle valve, not just the sink waste.
- The sink drains slowly even after the trap is cleaned, which points to a choke further down the pipe.
What we do
- 1Check the new sink, the cut-out size, the countertop material, and how the waste connects to the wall or floor pipe.
- 2Disconnect the tap and waste, cut through the old sealant, lift out the old sink and clean the countertop edge.
- 3Set the new sink. A top-mount sink sits on a bead of sealant with clips underneath. An undermount sink is glued and clamped under the stone and left to cure.
- 4Fit the tap, strainer waste and trap with new washers and flexible hoses.
- 5Seal the rim with kitchen-grade silicone, then fill the bowl and drain it to test every joint for leaks.
How much it costs
Most kitchen sink installation jobs in Singapore cost $150–$280 (labour, into existing cut-out). This is an estimate; the final price is confirmed on WhatsApp or on site before work starts.
- Top-mount sink into the existing cut-out$150–$280
- Undermount sink into the existing cut-out$200–$350
- Fit your tap on the same visit$50–$70
- New waste and trap$60–$120
HDB, condo and landed
HDB
The sink, trap and kitchen branch pipe are yours to maintain. Under HDB rules, a floor trap choked by renovation debris is cleared at the owner's expense, so old sealant, grit and offcuts should be bagged, not washed down the drain.
Condo
Check the by-laws for work hours, and whether management needs to approve a sink change as renovation work. Stone countertops are common, so a new cut-out means coordinating with a fabricator.
Landed
You own the whole drain line, which in many houses runs to a gully or inspection chamber outside. If the old sink drained slowly, have the line checked before the new sink goes in.
Kitchen sink installation: common questions
Undermount or top mount: which is easier to replace?
A top-mount sink sits on the counter and lifts out once the sealant is cut. An undermount sink is glued under the stone and needs care to remove without chipping the edge. Swapping an undermount for a different shape usually means recutting the stone.
Can a new sink go into my existing cut-out?
Yes, if its cut-out size matches. Measure the cut-out itself, not the old sink, and compare it with the cut-out size on the new sink's template or specification sheet.
Do I need a licensed plumber to install a kitchen sink?
No. PUB lists installing a sink, including its trap, as work that does not need a Licensed Plumber. Changing the water pipes that feed the tap is different and does need one.
How soon can I use the sink?
Follow the curing time printed on the sealant. A top-mount sink is usually usable once the silicone has set, while undermount adhesive needs longer, often overnight, before the bowl takes weight.
Why is the cabinet under my sink always wet?
Usually failed rim sealant, a leaking strainer waste, a loose trap joint or a weeping flexible hose. Dry everything, run the water, and check each joint with a torch to see which one drips.
Can I move my sink to another spot?
That needs new drain and water pipes, so it is a renovation job rather than a sink swap. Water pipe and sanitary pipe works must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber, and HDB flats must also follow HDB's renovation rules.
Get a price for kitchen sink installation
Send a photo or short video, your home type and postal code. We reply with a price range and the earliest slot.
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