How much does Garbage disposal repair cost?

Garbage disposals are among the hardest-working appliances in your home—they grind up fruit peels, dinner scraps, and other food waste so it can be flushed down the kitchen sink drain. Because they’re an important part of food prep and kitchen cleanup, when a disposal works poorly—or not at all—it’s a hassle. Worse, it can ultimately cause drain clogs, leading to additional plumbing repairs.

If your garbage disposal unit leaks, makes scary noises, or won’t run—or if downstream pipes clog frequently—you’ll need to have the appliance repaired or replaced. Simple repairs often fix the problem, but for issues that require disassembling the unit and replacing parts, it’s often better to replace the disposal altogether.

This guide explains the costs of hiring a plumber for garbage disposal repair and replacement. Pricing data is based on estimated project costs provided to Yelp users by plumbing businesses, along with industry research. Learn more in the methodology section at the end of the guide. 

The cost to repair a garbage disposal is typically $200, according to quotes provided by Yelp pros for real-life projects. That cost can range from $145–305, depending on your location and the nature of the problem. If your garbage disposal needs to be replaced, you’ll pay $250–625 for the new equipment and labor to install it.

The total cost for garbage disposal repair includes labor charges, at a plumber’s hourly rate, plus the price of any necessary parts and supplies. In some cases, an electrician will be needed to diagnose and repair electrical issues—for example, when a disposal isn’t receiving power. 

Plumbers commonly charge $148 per hour for garbage disposal repair, according to Yelp data. The hourly rate can vary by location, from $85–230. If electrical work is needed, expect to pay an electrician around $134 per hour (the hourly range is $80–195, largely based on location). Need a new garbage disposal? Installation takes about 2 hours of labor. Emergency-service calls on nights, weekends, or holidays may cost 1.5-2 times the normal rate.

Instead of an hourly rate, some plumbers charge a “service-call fee”—a basic charge to come to your home—that’s typically $50–120. This fee covers time and travel, and usually includes diagnosing the problem and making minor repairs. If the repair is more extensive, you’ll pay for the extra time at the plumber’s hourly rate.

The cost to fix a garbage disposal can vary depending on the specific issue. A clogged disposal typically costs $185 to fix, according to Yelp data, while a leaky unit runs $235 to repair. Here’s an overview of common disposal problems and the typical cost to fix them, including labor and parts.

If your disposal is making strange sounds, getting it fixed generally costs $185 and can range from $120–270, according to Yelp data. Common noises are humming or clattering, which usually indicate a jammed garbage disposal with a stuck flywheel. The motor is trying to turn the flywheel—which spins the metal teeth (impellers) that shred waste—but it can’t. Usually, a hard chunk of material, such as a fruit pit or piece of bone, metal, china, or glass, has become wedged in the works. If that’s the only problem, a plumber will sometimes clear the jam for a basic service-call charge of $50–120.

When water fills up the disposal and pools in the sink, it indicates a drain clog. The cost to have the blockage removed typically costs $190, with a range of $130–260, according to Yelp data. In most cases, a plumber will remove and flush out the drain connection between the garbage disposal and the sink’s drain pipe, then “snake” the sink drain (and sometimes further down the plumbing system) using a long, thin, flexible metal cable.

A clogged drain from the disposer may be preventing the unit from effectively grinding food wastes. This typically happens with units older than 5 years—as parts begin to wear out—and costs about $200 (usually between $145–285), to fix. You’ll need a plumber to clear the clogged drain and assess whether the disposal should be fixed or replaced.

Hiring a pro to fix a disposal that won’t turn on or off typically costs $200, and ranges from $135–315, according to Yelp data. Many on/off issues, however, can be resolved by a knowledgeable homeowner. 

If your disposal won’t turn on, for example, it probably means that the appliance isn’t receiving electrical power. This is likely because the reset button on the bottom of the unit has tripped. Simply pressing the button may reset the system and reactivate the appliance. 

Another possible reason it won’t turn on: The circuit breaker serving power to the garbage disposal from your home’s main service panel may have tripped, shutting off the power. Most homeowners can reset a circuit breaker themselves (by flipping the breaker all the way to “Off” and then back to “On”). 

If the breaker trips frequently when you run the disposal, call an electrician to diagnose and correct the problem. For circuit breaker replacement or to fix other electrical issues—such as defective wiring, a damaged plug or receptacle, or a bad switch—electricians typically charge $80–195 per hour.

If you’ve recently noticed a burning smell or some smoke around the disposal in the sink cabinet, it probably means the motor is fried. In that case, don’t try to use it. Have it replaced with a new unit for $250–625 (including the disposal and installation).

If water leaks from your disposal, it typically costs $235 for a repair, and ranges from $165–350, according to Yelp data. 

Water dripping from a disposal’s housing may indicate damaged or worn seals or components. “Worn seals and O-rings are inexpensive to replace, but if leaks are coming from corroded metal parts, repairing them will be more costly,” says Tony Carnes, a master plumber at Masterflow Plumbing in Brighton, Michigan. In many cases, that means the disposal will need to be replaced.

The total cost of garbage disposal replacement ranges from $250–625. That includes the price of the unit plus the plumber’s labor fees for installation, which may involve some alterations to existing pipes and electrical wiring.

Here are some of the factors that affect the price of a new garbage disposal unit. 

Residential disposals have horsepower ratings of either ⅓, ½, ¾, or 1 hp. The higher the horsepower rating, the better the unit is at grinding—but the price will be higher as well. At the low end, ⅓-hp units can cost as little as $60. At the high end, 1-hp units can cost $430.

High-end garbage disposals cost more because they’re made better, so pay attention to the details if you’re buying one. Stainless steel blades with multiple grinding surfaces and anti-jamming features are better than common carbon steel blades. Disposals with sound-insulated housings are quieter. In addition to horsepower ratings, these kinds of features explain why you can spend as much as $1,300 for a top-of-the-line new garbage disposal.

Top-quality brands—such as InSinkErator, Moen, Kohler, and Waste King—are usually a little more expensive. But they may be cost-effective because of their construction and durability. 

Manufacturers offer limited warranties on new disposals that last from 1–5 years and typically cover repair of defective parts. Generally speaking, the longer the warranty period, the higher the price of the disposer. Most licensed plumbers guarantee the quality of their workmanship as part of their installation fee.

Be careful not to overpay based on a warranty, advises Carnes of Masterflow Plumbing. “Nine times out of 10, the reason a disposer fails is from misuse, and that voids the warranty.”

The following issues can affect how much you’ll pay for garbage disposal repair or replacement.

The cost of garbage disposal repair will be affected by your location. Minimum service fees and hourly labor rates for both plumbers and electricians tend to be higher in metropolitan areas than in smaller towns or rural areas. And rates can vary dramatically from state to state or even between cities in the same state. For example, the typical cost of garbage disposal repair is $175 in Los Angeles, but $300 in San Diego, according to Yelp data.

Older homes are more likely to have plumbing and electrical lines that are outdated or difficult to access—or plumbing fittings that have frozen up. After a consultation, you might find that repairing a garbage disposal attached to an older kitchen drain ends up costing 10–25% more than expected.

If your sink is clogged or leaking and you need a plumber to come right away—or any time outside of normal business hours—you’ll often pay 1.5-2 times more than for everyday service.

Here are some potential ways to reduce your garbage disposal expenses.

If you have a newer garbage disposal that breaks due to manufacturing issues (not misuse), the cost of repair or replacement may be partially or completely covered. Make sure you hire an approved repair company for the work so the warranty applies.

These policies (which are separate from homeowners insurance) typically cover kitchen appliance repair costs. If you have a home warranty policy in place, contact your provider to discuss the details of coverage.

Hiring a handyman or handyperson with experience unclogging drains or doing garbage disposal installation will likely cost less than hiring a plumber. A handyman service typically charges $40–80 per hour, plus the cost of materials. Check the details of your warranty first, to make sure it’s not voided by using someone other than a plumber for installation.

This simple task makes accessing the broken garbage disposal easier for the repair person, and can reduce time and labor costs.

Avoid repair costs all together with these expert tips for garbage disposal use and care:

In most cases, you’ll need to hire a professional plumber with the skills and equipment to clear a clogged drain, or repair or replace a broken disposal. But there are a few things homeowners can do on their own to diagnose and correct simple disposal problems. 

Caution: Never put your hand in a garbage disposal, even if you think it’s not working.

If your disposal motor won’t run when you turn on the switch, here are a few things you can try to fix the issue yourself.

Make sure that the unit is plugged in securely and inspect the power cord for damaged insulation and broken wires. If it’s damaged, have it replaced by a handyperson ($40–80 per hour) or an electrician ($80–195 per hour).

If a garbage disposal won’t turn on when you hit the switch, check the reset button, which is usually located on the underside of the disposal unit. In some cases, simply pressing the reset button may reset the system and reactivate the appliance. If the button trips again immediately after you reset it, call a pro to determine the cause and correct it.

If the breaker that controls the garbage disposal circuit has tripped, the unit won’t get power. Flip the breaker switch all the way to the “Off” position, then reset it to “On.” Then try to operate the disposal. If the disposal works, you’ve solved the problem. But if the breaker trips frequently when you operate the disposer, call an electrician.

When talking to a professional plumber about garbage disposal repair or replacement, ask about their qualifications and customer-service practices. You’re also likely to find the answers to questions about the business on their Yelp Business Page.

Questions about the business 

Questions about repair costs

Is it worth it to repair a garbage disposal?

The typical cost of garbage disposal repair is $145–305, according to Yelp data. However, whether you should repair or replace the unit depends on the problem and age of the disposer. Garbage disposals usually have a lifespan of 10–12 years. If it’s relatively new and otherwise in good condition, it may be worth repairing.

How do I know if my garbage disposal needs replacing?

Consider replacing a problem disposal if it’s more than 8 years old, it’s leaking, or it’s not processing waste effectively. Replacement typically costs $250–625 for a new unit, including installation.

How much should labor cost to install a garbage disposal?

The typical labor cost for garbage disposal installation is $300 or less (plus the cost of the new disposal) at a plumber’s average rate of $148 per hour. It takes a pro about an hour to install a garbage disposal, and maybe another hour if you count the plumber’s travel time to and from the job.

Find a garbage disposal repair service in your area.

Cost data in this guide is based on project quote estimates provided to Yelp users by licensed professionals and businesses on Yelp (as well as analysis of industry data). Actual project costs may vary depending on location or complexity of the project. Cost data has been reviewed by our industry expert, Don Vandervort, a nationally known home improvement author. Don is the founder of the website HomeTips.com and has written or produced more than 30 home improvement books.