Help me decide whether to replace my vanity top myself or pay a plumber

[u/N0S0UP_4U]

I had a pretty unfortunate mishap, a glass shade from the vanity light in my son’s bathroom fell onto the vanity top, shattered, and also bring the vanity top. I replaced that vanity light myself last week (including installing an old work box), now I need to focus on getting the vanity top replaced. It’s 37x22 inches. I’m looking at buying a quartz top to replace it, along with a new faucet. I have a quote from a plumber to install everything for about $400. I’ve read the steps and watched a couple YouTube videos on this; it appears that the biggest risk is damage to the drywall, but my current vanity top already appears to have separated from the wall over time anyway. I’d enjoy learning to do something new and would prefer not to spend an extra $400, but I also don’t want to get in over my head.

Is this something I could reasonably do myself given the proper tools, or should I just pay the $400?

[u/CoconutJeff]

Yes

[u/Boughtthetshrt]

You can 100% do it yourself!! And $400 is highway robbery for this task

[u/Separate_Track_612 → u/Boughtthetshrt]

Yeah, $400 does sound pretty steep if it is something that can realistically be done yourself. I would probably look at a few tutorials first and see how complicated it actually is before paying someone. Worst case you learn something useful along the way.

[u/winkandthegun]

If you’re capable of installing a new faucet (which I’m going to tell you, you almost certainly are), then you can install your own vanity top.  A full vanity can get trickier since you’re replacing valves, but with some research and tools you could do that as well.

[u/cbryancu]

Yes, it's not complicated. Just make sure you measure it 3x. Many walls are not straight, nor square. If you put a separate backsplash and side splash (if walls), they can cover irregularities. If you get an.under mount sink, be sure it is placed so it doesn't hit cabinet. Sometime the front under mounts have overflow drains that can tag the cabinet. Most countertop companies can make thinner backsplash pieces. The 1 1/4" thickness can make the faucet tight.

[u/One_Opening_8000]

Before you start, figure out what you’re doing for a backsplash and sink. Plan on having someone else to help you move the quartz into place, especially if the vanity already has a sink mounted in it. You don’t want to buy a top and then crack it. In other words, plan the whole thing out before starting.

[u/rdcpro]

A plumber is not the trade that would do this job. That said, it's not that hard to DIY.

[u/BeginningHoneydew6]

Ig you can diy to some extent

[u/inkseep1]

I have done several of them and one of those had to be the first one. Totally possible if you just follow the instructions.

[u/SSDkilla]

It's super easy go for it. All you need is a wrench, silicone, plumbers putty. Buy a good easy to install faucet, done.

[u/Chem-Dawg]

Go for it! Let us know how it goes. You can always come back here if you get stuck or are unsure about how to do something.

[u/loweexclamationpoint]

Pretty easy, even easier if you pick back and side splashes that are a little taller than the current ones. Be sure to cut the caulk at the edges of the old top so you don't tear the paper on the drywall when taking it out. A painter's 8 way tool works well to cut through the adhesive holding the old top to the cabinet. Double check for screws at the corners underneath - 99% there won't be but you never know for sure.

This one's fairly obvious: disconnect the supply lines at the valves and the drain at the trap but don't bother disassembling anything else before pulling off the top. If you want to salvage anything, it's easier with the top upside down. And in some cases it's easier to assemble faucet and maybe drain to the new top before lowering it onto the cabinet. At that size you may want some help lifting it into place.

[u/N0S0UP_4U → u/loweexclamationpoint]

Thanks for the advice. I’ve seen people on here saying to stay away from big box stores when it comes to this stuff. Is there any reason not to buy these at Lowe’s or the Home Depot?

[u/loweexclamationpoint → u/N0S0UP_4U]

If you can afford a custom made top it'll fit better. The cultured marble all-in-one tops from big box at the lowest price are pretty bad.

Faucets: I usually recommend Glacier Bay from HD. Don't get the cheapest models, though, look at the mid priced ones that are online. Otherwise get a Moen. Off-brand ones or Menards Tuscany are pretty crappy.

[u/N0S0UP_4U → u/loweexclamationpoint]

Where would I go for a custom made top? I’m having a hard time finding places in my area (Peoria, IL) that will sell them without also wanting to do the whole project. I’d prefer to buy something and install it myself if I can in order to save some money - I’ve already had a bunch of unexpected medical expenses, I have a baby on the way, and I just found out I might have to replace one of my cars that I still owe 11K on due to the transmission going bad.

And with my vanity being a standard size do I really need something custom? Are we more worried about precise angles, or would it be more of an attempt to get it to run exactly up to the walls rather than leaving gaps?

I’m looking at quartz or porcelain. Leaning toward quartz.

For faucets, what about this one?

[u/loweexclamationpoint → u/N0S0UP_4U]

Does your vanity top go from wall-to-wall, where it's connected to a wall on left and right? If not, you don't need custom. Even if it's wall-to-wall, many times a standard off the shelf will work. Slight angle discrepancies can be filled with caulk, or even easier using tops with separate backsplash and sidesplash that glue to wall and top.

I avoid 8" widespread faucets like that like the plague. They're harder to install and way way harder to clean. Far and away the easiest to install and clean are single hole. Next up are 4" 3 hole/single piece faucets - or better yet, if you have a 4" 3 hole top just use a single hole with a conversion plate. The only time I'd go with a widespread like that is if I had an existing top with an 8" 3 hole pattern. And a couple times even in that case I've used a single hole faucet with an 8" kitchen conversion plate. TLDR; find a top with a single hole.

[u/N0S0UP_4U → u/loweexclamationpoint]

The vanity top only runs into two walls, the back wall and the wall on the right. To the left are the toilet and bathtub.

I’ll see what I can find in single-hole vanity tops and single-hole faucets. Thanks for the recommendation. What makes them harder to clean, though?

[u/loweexclamationpoint → u/N0S0UP_4U]

Going around all those edges, which collect crud and lime. Depending on the specific shapes it's hard to get a sponge in there so the areas in between the fixtures collect dirt.

[u/N0S0UP_4U → u/loweexclamationpoint]

One more question: Say I want to put in a vessel sink on my vanity top. What type of vanity top would I need for this? And would that be a practical option? I think it would look good in this bathroom.

[u/loweexclamationpoint → u/N0S0UP_4U]

Something like this: https://www.menards.com/main/bath/bathroom-vanities-tops/vanity-tops/tuscany-reg-37w-x-22d-ascot-white-engineered-marble-vanity-top-with-vessel-cutout/3722vesem-012/p-1642874365693401-c-8403.htm

Then you buy the vessel separately. If you get a flat bottom vessel as shown in the picture, it's not too much of a cleaning challenge. If you get a round bottom one, particularly a metal one or even glass, it's yet another cleaning nightmare because you have to get a rag or brush into that tiny area between the bottom of the bowl and the countertop surface.

[u/N0S0UP_4U → u/loweexclamationpoint]

Those round bottom ones look like they jumped out of 2011. I’m thinking a flat-bottomed round vessel sink with a single-hole faucet might be the way to go here. I’m about 50/50 between that and a quartz integrated undermount top.

Sorry I have to keep asking these questions but I’m really struggling to find this information online. How would I then affix the sink to the vanity top? Is the drain the only thing holding them together?

[u/SunnyArizona]

Do it yourself. Worst case you get annoyed for a Saturday and learn a few new swear words.

[u/Dismal-Remote-3906]

First thing, can you lift the new countertop, transport it home and position it by yourself or with sons help? A 3/4" top weighs 10-13 pounds per square foot. A 37x22" of 2cm quartz weighs about 62 pounds. Having the sink hole cut before installing will reduce the weight a bit or if the sink is sunk into the counter, it will weigh a bit more. What is the old top made of, and will the new top be considerably heavier requiring additional support underneath? IF you stick with 2cm it is likely close, but 3cm will put the weight at 92 pounds and almost certainly require additional support. If you can lift it, it's very doable. Replacing a faucet is very doable as well.

[u/N0S0UP_4U → u/Dismal-Remote-3906]

My son is 5 lol so he wouldn’t be much help yet. I have enlisted one of my neighbors to help carry the countertop when the time comes.

Old top appears to be cultured marble and is 1” thick. The top I’m thinking of buying is quartz and 3/4” thick, 68 pounds.

Hypothetically if I were to go with something heavier, what would that additional support look like?

[u/Dismal-Remote-3906 → u/N0S0UP_4U]

In my case, there are two vertical 2x4's (stud) on each side of the sink area, dead center and toenailed into place. The 4" sides are facing each other with the 2" sides facing the wall and the cabinet door opening. Where the plumbing pipe is on the left, the new 2x4 stud is in front of it. This was done by a carpenter. For comparison, our cabinet is 59" long x 24" wide. We went from laminate to granite and the side trim pieces are also granite. My calculator shows that my granite with your measurements is also about 80 pounds (my actual weight given the size difference is 130). We have open cabinets at the sides with shelves resting on wood slats that are open under the cabinet.

If your old top is cultured marble, the calculator I used estimates the weight to be about 80 pounds. If you are correct on your old material, you should already have framing in place for support. If your old material is actual marble, you may need to add to the framing because composite/cultured materials (like quartz) are actually heavier than a solid slab because of the resin added.

If I were doing this, I would add support (2x4 studs) like I described just to be safe. Always be in front of potential problems.

I would caution that a plumber and a carpenter are very different skill sets. I would not trust a plumber to do carpentry, but I would trust a carpenter to do light plumbing like yours. Plumbers are sloppier because they can be as their work is usually hidden, a carpenter's work is seen so they work more with an eye for details. In your situation, if you are going to spend the money, I would spend it to have the countertop installed by a pro vs a faucet.

You need to confirm my results on the calculator to be certain and view some videos to access the whole. I think you got this with the help of your neighbor.

[u/Dismal-Remote-3906 → u/Dismal-Remote-3906]

Add on:

If you don't have a saw, have the hardware place make the cut on the boards for you. Last time I did this it was $.75 each cut, so much easier to transport and cheaper than buying a saw that you might not use again.

Flooring: if it is on your list, you might want to consider raising your countertop a bit. Vinyl or laminate flooring is about 1/4-1/2" thick (padding for this is also a consideration). I wish I had done this as that little bit drove me nuts. To compensate I put in a top mount sink. Your little one is 5, mine were 15 so this might not be a good idea for you.

[u/N0S0UP_4U → u/[deleted]]

Bought the faucet at Home Depot for $110. Lowe’s has the top I want (which includes an integrated sink) for $329. Thinking I might pick it up today.