Replacing a sink sounds simple — "unhook it, put the new one in". In practice half the time goes not into installing the new sink but into removing the old one and fitting the new one to the existing plumbing. If the sink goes exactly where the old one was, it is quick. If the type changes, it becomes a full mini-renovation.
Two different replacement scenarios
Like-for-like
A new sink of the same type, size and shape as the old one. Supply and drain do not move. Mounting points are the same or very close. The cheapest and fastest option.
- Time — 1–2 hours.
- Price — 500–800 ILS in labor.
- Minimal risk of surprises.
Change of type or size
Wall-mounted swapped for a vanity, small for large, or moved 20 cm to the side. Supply and drain almost always need adjustment, mounts are redone from scratch.
- Time — 3–5 hours, sometimes with a return visit the next day.
- Price — 800–1,500 ILS plus possible wall work (plasterer, tiler).
- Often the faucet and trap have to be picked out again.
What the technician does
- Shuts off the water, bleeds off the pressure.
- Carefully removes the old sink. If silicone runs around the perimeter, it is sliced with a utility knife, then the trap is cut off and the supply is unscrewed.
- Checks the thread condition on the shut-off valves — old ones often seize up. Sometimes valves have to be replaced.
- Checks whether the new sink fits — is the faucet cutout very different, will the trap fit inside the vanity, do the mounting points line up.
- Installs and hooks up the new sink.
- Seals with silicone and runs a 10-minute water test.
What to buy in advance
- The sink itself. Buy it at a store close to home so returns are easy if there is a defect.
- A faucet, if it is being replaced too. The old faucet rarely feels "native" on a new sink — people usually replace them as a set.
- A trap. New sinks usually come with a drain grate and plug, but the trap itself is separate.
- Flexible supply hoses with extra length — spacing can be awkward in older apartments.
- Sanitary silicone with anti-mold additive, matched to the sink color (usually clear or white).
If you are not sure about dimensions, send the technician a photo of the current setup with a ruler in frame. Often from a photo they can tell you which sink type will drop in without extra work.
What it costs in Israel
- Like-for-like replacement in a bathroom — 500–800 ILS
- Replacement with a type change (wall-mounted → vanity) — 800–1,500 ILS
- Kitchen sink swap in an existing countertop cutout — 600–1,000 ILS
- Replacement with a relocation (new supply + plaster + sealing) — 1,500–3,000 ILS
- Old sink haul-away — 50–150 ILS, often included, sometimes separate
Hidden costs people forget
- Wall repair after removing the old wall-mounted sink — often a "ghost" remains from tiles laid after installation. One or two tiles may need to be added (100–300 ILS).
- New fittings and shut-off valves if the old ones have seized (80–200 ILS per valve with labor).
- Extending the flexible supply if the new sink sits differently — 30–80 ILS per hose.
- A new trap if the old one crumbles on removal — plastic loses elasticity over 7–10 years.
FAQ
Can I keep the old trap and faucet from the previous sink?
The faucet — technically yes, if mounting dimensions match. In reality, after five or more years of service the gaskets are tired, and the 300 ILS you save turns into a leak a couple of months later. The trap — almost always replaced: plastic becomes brittle and can crumble just from removing the sink.
Is old-sink haul-away included?
With most technicians in Israel — yes. Either they take it to the nearest recycling drop-off (pinat mihzur), or they leave it by the dumpster outside with your agreement. Confirm in advance — sometimes there is a small surcharge.
Can I replace the sink myself if I am handy?
A like-for-like swap — absolutely, if you have a level, wrenches and patience. The main risks: cracked ceramic from an overtightened nut (sink goes in the trash), a split supply hose six months later (flood), a crooked sink (has to come off and go back on). The 500 ILS you saved can turn into 5,000 ILS repairing the downstairs neighbor's ceiling.
How long does a new sink last?
Ceramic and earthenware — decades with normal use. Glass vessel sinks — 5–10 years, then micro-scratches from cleaners build up and appearance fades. Stainless kitchen sinks — 15+ years. The supply and trap underneath — 7–10 years, replaced independently of the sink.