Garbage disposals not only make meal prepping easier but also help cut back on any unpleasant food smells from kitchen trash cans by grinding sold food waste, which is then sent through the pipes, making it very simple for you to clean your kitchen. You will usually spend somewhere between $150 and $1,000 to install a garbage disposal in your home, with a general average of just shy of $400.
If you know how to do it, then getting a new garbage disposal installed yourself shouldn’t cost more than $75, and this will usually include the price of the tools you will need as well. Other expenses you should take into account are installing a grounded outlet if you don’t already have one, professional labor, and the price of the unit itself.
Garbage Disposal Replacement Cost
As in the case of new garbage disposals, the average cost of replacing the garbage disposal in your home is $400. The price is basically the same as with the new disposal unit, except for the extra wiring which a new system would require but a simple replacement would already have.
Experts say that as long as you already have a garbage disposal in place, changing it with a new one shouldn’t be all that complicated. The price will only go up if you’re thinking of also upgrading the electrical around it or for some reason the job is more complex.
Garbage Disposal Unit Prices
The price you will actually have to pay for a garbage disposal will depend mostly on its brand. The table below will give you some popular garbage disposal brand examples with their average prices.
|
Brand |
Average Cost |
|
Waste King |
$75 – $200 |
|
Moen |
$110 – $265 |
|
$130 – $380 |
|
|
GE |
$135 – $335 |
Factors Influencing Garbage Disposal Costs
The final expense of installing a garbage disposal will usually depend on a few different factors like the accessories you will want to add, the cost of rewiring when needed, the actual type of unit, and the labor expenses.
Batch Feed versus Continuous
You can pick between two different types of garbage disposals: batch feed and continuous feed. Although both will get rid of waste by sending it through the septic system or sewer, each of them will feed the waste in its own way.
- Batch feed disposals: These can be found for the average cost of $250. They will grind leftover waste in batches. Although their way of working is similar to that of the continuous feed disposals, they come with an additional cover that has the role of keeping other items from falling in the grinder.
- Continuous feed disposals: These are just slightly cheaper, at about $200 on average. They’re not only less expensive, but also more common out of the two. This unit will enable you to feed it waste continuously until you switch off the power, which is really helpful when getting rid of large amounts of waste and time is of importance.
The Costs Behind Wiring
You will also have to consider getting a grounded outlet to power a garbage disposal if you don’t already have one. The costs aren’t necessarily high if you place the outlet near existing electrical wiring. You might be able to do this by spending around $90 per hour on professional electrician fees and just around $10 for the outlet itself. If electrical wiring can’t be found nearby, then it will have to factor in the hours needed for the job, at around $90 per hour, as well as the costs of the necessary cables or other parts. You might have to spend around $5 to $15 on any needed materials like wire and a new switch.
Considerations About Accessories
The actual functionality of the garbage disposal can always be enhanced with some additional parts and accessories. These accessories and upgrades might or might not be appropriate for use depending on your needs and your home setup.
|
Garbage Disposal Accessory |
Average Cost |
|
Septic assist cartridge |
$15 |
|
Baffle |
$13 |
|
Push-button system |
$17 |
|
Dishwasher drain connector |
$12 |
|
Treatment |
$11 per bottle |
|
Treatment dispenser |
$50 |
Septic Assist Cartridge
This cartridge shouldn’t cost more than $15 and will help your garbage disposal work with the septic tank, making it easier for the system to deodorize any drain or sink odors and break down any solid waste and food.
Baffle
You install a baffle to prevent any unwanted items to reach get inside the garbage disposal. This baffle should usually cost around $13. It will keep things like silverware from getting inside the system, protecting both the system and the silverware from wear. It will also muffle some of the sound that the unit is making and even prevent some of the splashing.
Push-Button System
Push-button kits that can be placed on the countertop will cost about $50 and are usually pretty useful to make the garbage disposal run easier when its switch isn’t easy to reach.
Dishwasher Drain Connectors
The actual fitting you will need for drain connectors shouldn’t be more than$10 to $17, although most will only be about $14. This is the mechanism that has the role of running the dishwasher water through the garbage disposal system, while also preventing any clogs. Before you attach the dishwasher drain hose, you should make sure that you remove the plastic knock-out found inside the inlet pipe, to avoid the clogging of the dishwasher drain. This issue is one of the most common ones normal people face. If you do the installation yourself, make sure you read all of the instructions and understand them, to make sure that any waste generated will get inside the disposal.
The Treatment Dispenser
People that have a septic tank can make use of the treatment dispenser attachment, which can usually be bought for around $50. These dispensers are made to prolong the life span of the septic tank by treating it. These treatments will usually be around $13 per bottle, depending on the brand. There are some garbage disposals that even have scent-release mechanisms that are meant to seal the top of the disposal and keep all of the odors inside. These cost about $30.
Installing a Disposal and Faucet
The average cost of installing the kitchen faucet will be somewhere around $300, I did see prices as high as $1,200, depending on the finish and brand. The cost of installing the sink is around $450. The final expense will ultimately be influenced by the cost of the person taking on the job (handyman or professional plumber) and the actual price of the equipment needed.
Stainless Steel versus Aluminum
Most garbage disposals will either be made of stainless steel or aluminum.
- The stainless steel garbage disposal: This material has the advantage of not corroding or rusting as easily as aluminum. A stainless steel disposal will cost around $150. It also comes with longer-term durability against wear and tear when properly used.
- The aluminum garbage disposal: Disposals made from this material will usually be cheaper than stainless steel ones, having a price of between $60 and $140. The downside to these systems is that they will usually corrode faster due to all of the moisture they get in contact with.
Horsepower for garbage disposals
The strength of a garbage disposal system is measured in horsepower. The unit will have stronger grinding abilities with additional horsepower. Although systems with higher horsepower will be able to grind more and faster, they will also cost more.
Garbage Disposal Installation – DIY vs. Hire a Pro
Learning how to install garbage disposal isn’t all that hard and it might help you save anywhere between $90 and $300 in professional help fees. On the other hand, installing the unit wrong can cause water and food waste to leak all around the house, which is why hiring a local handyman or professional plumber might be better. Depending on where you live, hiring a handyman could cost you between $60 and $100 per hour, while hiring a plumber might set you back $50 to $250 per hour. You might even be able to get the help of a local garbage disposal installer for this task, especially if you live in a bigger city. You will also have to consider getting the help of a professional electrician when any electrical rewiring will have to be done.
FAQs
How long should a garbage disposal last?
The average garbage disposal will last for about 10 years. It will usually make more sense to simply replace the unit when it breaks because repairing it will cost the same as getting a new mid-range one most of the time.
What are the signs that your garbage disposal needs to be replaced?
Any of the following signs might tell you that it is time to replace the garbage disposal:
- Leaks from the bottom will point towards a compromised seal inside the system
- Persistent foul odors will usually be caused by clogs
- Delayed operation will usually be caused by the blades getting dull
- Unit suddenly stops working even though it is correctly plugged into the electrical outlet and the manual overload protection button doesn’t do anything either
Who installs a garbage disposal? Is it the electrician or the plumber?
The plumber or handyman will be able to install a garbage disposal system for you, unless you need electrical rewiring as well, in which case you will also need the help of an electrician.
Can the garbage disposal replacement become a DIY job?
If the wiring has been done properly and is still intact, then replacing the garbage disposal can be done by yourself without professional help. To make the replacement as easy as possible, buy a new disposal that is of the same shape and size as the old one. If the new system is very different than the old one, then the replacement job will be a lot more complex and you might even need to modify some of the plumbing parts.
Can the garbage disposal be installed in any sink?
As a general rule of thumb, most garbage disposal systems can be installed in most sinks. Among the exceptions are fireclay sinks, which due to their nature, might crack under the weight of a garbage disposal.
How big of a garbage disposal do I actually need?
Garbage disposals come in a variety of sizes and the size you actually needs depends on you and the size of your family. Depending on the number of people you constantly have inside the house, you should get a garbage disposal of the appropriate motor strength.
- 1–3 people – 1/3–1/2 horsepower
- 4–7 people – 1/2–3/4 horsepower
- 7–10 people – 3/4–1 horsepower
It is usually best to go for the motor with the smallest size for your house, considering that the bigger the motor, the more it will cost to run and the faster it will burn out over time. Most homes and families won’t have a need for a disposal system with an engine bigger than 3/4 horsepower.
What items shouldn’t land in the garbage disposal?
A lot of items shouldn’t get inside the garbage disposal if you want to avoid damaging both the unit and the pipes. Among these are:
- Non-food waste such as trash, cleaning chemicals, or paint
- Too much food at once
- Seafood shells, because they are not only hard to grind but can also cause odors
- Pits from either avocados, peaches, or other fruits, which are hard and dense to grind down
- Stringy or fibrous vegetables like asparagus, onion skins, artichokes, corn husks, pumpkin, or celery
- Potato peels, because they can turn into a very sticky paste or stick to other foods and create clogs
- Eggshells, which usually stick to other foods or even to the inside of the unit itself
- Nuts, because they can turn into a sticky paste or can be too rough for the blades of the garbage disposal
- Bones from all kinds of meats, including turkey or chicken
- Oils, fats, or grease, because these will solidify when temperatures drop
