Mount your vanity top with confidence
A new vanity top can breathe life into an outdated bathroom. Learning how to mount a vanity top isn’t difficult, but this project can take the better part of a morning or afternoon, depending on your DIY experience. Roll up your sleeves, dust off your caulk gun, and follow these eight steps to install a new vanity top.
You can cut down on bathroom vanity installation costs by doing it yourself, but a big part of those costs comes down to picking the right vanity top. Bathrooms are high use and high moisture, making some materials, like concrete and natural stones, less practical than more popular choices, such as quartz, solid surface, and laminate. Maintenance will be easier with a nonporous, stain-resistant material that doesn’t scratch or crack easily.
If you aren’t ready to take on this project or have a complex setup in mind, call a local bathroom vanity installer or handyperson. You might spend more, but these professionals can replace your bathroom vanity top without costly mistakes.
Remove everything from the existing vanity and the surrounding area, including bathroom storage, rugs, hampers, and decor. Everything should be out of the way so it doesn’t get damaged. Wipe down the top of the vanity so you can work with a clean surface.
Turn off the water to the bathroom sink. A dry surface is safer, and you don’t want to get your new vanity top wet during installation. After turning off the water, open the faucet to relieve any pressure.
Using a pipe wrench, disconnect the drainpipe from the sink. Use an adjustable wrench to disconnect the water supply lines from the faucet. Check the pipes and lines to make sure they're in good condition. If everything looks good, move to the next step. If not, you might need to replace pipe sections or supply lines before moving forward.
Clips hold the existing vanity top in place, so use a screwdriver to remove them. Lift and remove the old vanity top from the base. These bathroom countertops can be heavy, so enlist the help of a friend to safely remove the top. Be careful not to damage the base while removing the old top.
Use a level to check the base on all sides—front to back and side to side. If the base isn’t level, use the base’s adjustable legs or place shims under the base until it’s level. Cut off any excess shims with a utility knife.
Apply silicone caulk to the top surface of the vanity base using a caulking gun. Carefully lift and center the vanity top on the base and put it in place. Vanity tops can be heavy, especially if they have sinks already attached, so ask your friend for help again.
If you’ve leveled the base well, the top should be level. However, it doesn’t hurt to use the level on the vanity top after placing it on the caulk. Finally, use the old clips (or new clips that may come with a new vanity top) and a screwdriver to secure the new countertop to the vanity base.
Reattach the old faucet. If installing a new faucet, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the adjustable wrench to attach the water supply lines and tighten the fittings.
If the new vanity top has no sink attached, re-install your sink. Connect the drainpipe, tightening the locking collar with the adjustable wrench (but be careful not to overtighten).
Place beads of caulk on any missed edges on the underside of the vanity top. If the vanity top didn’t come with a sink attached, apply caulk to the sink bowl edges, too. Make sure to color match the caulk to the sink and countertop.
You can save some serious cash by mounting a vanity top yourself. The supplies needed for this project are minimal, so most of the cost is in the vanity top. The average cost to replace a bathroom vanity top is $2,300, including labor and materials.
However, there’s a wide price range, depending on the material and size of the vanity top. Double-sink designs, for example, are more expensive to replace than vanities for single sinks. Countertops vary in price as well. Stock countertops can run anywhere from $100 to $2,600, and custom models cost about $500 to $2,800. If you choose to DIY, keep that in mind when choosing a material, as some are easier to work with than others.
The benefit of hiring a pro who installs vanities and sinks is the experience and know-how they bring to the project, especially if you want a custom vanity top or unusual vanity configuration. However, you’ll have to consult a plumber if the vanity doesn’t work with your current plumbing configuration. On average, local pros charge between $100 and $150 per hour for a project that will take about four hours. Keep in mind that their quote may include removing the old vanity and disposal of materials.
Jason has helped me with multiple household projects, with the most recent being new door installation. He has always showed up on time and organized and has done an incredible job! Jason is very professional and he's now my go-to for anything around my house that needs to be fixed or...
Huff Garage Rescue, LLCCole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLC1st Choice Renew is simply the best! We hired them for a complete home renovation, and they transformed our space into something truly amazing. The team attention to detail and commitment to quality were evident throughout the project. They were easy to work with, very responsive, and always...
Save A DimeThis company went above and beyond with their work, chimney sweeps are usually pretty messy, but the clean up was spot on.!! Josh explained every thing that he was doing, and the things that he was checking to make sure the chimney was safe for me and my family. He was very professional,...
Supreme brick & chimneyCustom Paint Jobs LLC turned our outdated bathroom into a modern masterpiece.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCExcellent customer service and knowledge. I was recommend to him from my neighbour. My front door and window came in great and were installed beautifully perfectly, I m very satisfied with their excellent work, so decided to order one more big bow window for my living room. I cant wait for...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioIf I could give 10 stars for Kitchen Tune Up, I would. I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Kitchen Tune Up and the entire team involved in the process of my kitchen project. They went above and beyond as far as service and quality with my cabinets, paint, countertops, and...
It was wonderful working with Yordy and his team. They were very professional and are experts in what they do. They have completed the work on time, with better quality and with in fairly reasonable price. We just started with backsplash work , but liking his work, we went on to provide...
Flooring SolutionsWe were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTileThey work that 360 did on my kitchen cabinets is nothing short of amazing. I still cannot believe the difference from before and after. Jon and Jeff were both so incredibly professional throughout the whole process and their communications with me were constant and consistent. These guys...
360 Painting ColumbusFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
If your bathroom needs sprucing up, a new vanity will make a big difference. Vanity installation costs depend on the size and type of the countertops and fixtures you choose.
If your bathroom vanity top is damaged or cracked, removing and installing a new one can be an easy project to tackle. Learn the cost of replacing your vanity top.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall—how do I hang you so you won’t fall? Get tips and tricks for how to hang a vanity mirror and keep your reflection straight.
What is a bathroom vanity? This bathroom feature harkens back to a time before plumbing. Here’s what you need to know—from types to sizes to costs.
A new vanity can transform the look of your bathroom, but it has to fit. This guide breaks down common vanity sizes and how to measure for the right one.
Floor or wall—the floating vanity versus freestanding debate continues, but putting these two side by side can reveal which one is best for your space.
