How much is garbage disposal installation?

United States: homeowner survey

Households in the American Housing Survey that hired out adding or replacing a built-in dishwasher or garbage disposal reported a median of $650; the typical range (middle half of 1,275 American Housing Survey data points, the United States, 2021-2023) was $330 to $1,000.

When the household fitted it itself: a median (1,082 American Housing Survey data points, the United States, 2021-2023) of $500.

How measured: hired-out finished jobs, survey-weighted, not adjusted for inflation; do-it-yourself jobs the same way. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey 2023, data read 16 October 2026.

These figures are estimates from U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey 2023, data years 2021-2023, read 16 October 2026, for the United States. They are not a quote, and they are not a promise of what any contractor on InstaBids will charge. Your price depends on your home, the materials and the contractor. Get written bids before you decide.

Researched by the InstaBids editorial team. Last checked: 16 October 2026 Updated 2026-10-16

What is the garbage disposal installation cost?

The survey item pairs two appliances: "Added or replaced built-in dishwasher or garbage disposal". A disposal under the sink and a built-in dishwasher share one range, and each answer covers the appliance as well as the fitting.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, AHS 2023 Value Labels Package, read 16 October 2026.

Owners fit many of these themselves: the hired-out share is 51 percent, well under the 65 percent of water heater jobs that went to a plumber or installer.

Households that fitted the appliance themselves still reported a lower median than those who hired the job out, though the gap is narrow next to most jobs on these pages.

A septic tank changes the picture. EPA advises limiting or avoiding a garbage disposal on a septic system, because food waste adds fats, grease and solids and can change how often the tank needs pumping.

Source: U.S. EPA, How to Care for Your Septic System, read 16 October 2026.

EPA explains that food waste is digested slowly by the bacteria in the tank and can build up as scum and sludge, and that a tank is due for pumping once the scum layer comes within six inches of the outlet or the sludge within 12 inches; household tanks are typically pumped every three to five years.

Source: U.S. EPA, How to Care for Your Septic System, read 16 October 2026.

What drives the average cost for garbage disposal installation?

Dishwasher size: ENERGY STAR says standard models hold more than eight place settings and compact models fewer, and that compact models may use more energy over time.
Source: ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA), Dishwashers, read 16 October 2026.
Features: ENERGY STAR describes soil sensors that read whether the water coming off the dishes is still dirty, and models that boost water to 140 degrees for better disinfection than hand washing.
Source: ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA), Dishwashers, read 16 October 2026.
How it is used: ENERGY STAR says pre-rinsing dishes adds water and energy use, and that a dishwasher uses about the same either way, so full loads go further.
Source: ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA), Dishwashers, read 16 October 2026.
Which appliance: the survey cannot separate a disposal from a dishwasher, so the range blends both jobs.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, AHS 2023 Value Labels Package, read 16 October 2026.

Get written bids

Contractors who take part estimate from your photos and a written scope card, so nobody visits before you see any prices. InstaBids is in an early pilot in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Sources for the figures on this page

U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey 2023, https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/ahs/data/2023/ahs-2023-public-use-file--puf-.html, read 16 October 2026. U.S. government work; no endorsement implied.
U.S. Census Bureau, AHS 2023 Value Labels Package, www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/ahs/2023/AHS%202023%20Value%20Labels%20Package.zip, read 16 October 2026.
U.S. EPA, How to Care for Your Septic System, www.epa.gov/septic/how-care-your-septic-system, read 16 October 2026.
ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA), Dishwashers, www.energystar.gov/products/dishwashers, read 16 October 2026.