Sink in Your Garage?

[AgFrost]

We are building a house and was quoted $650 for a sink to be installed in the garage. This price includes the sink and all associated plumbing.
First off, do you think this is reasonable?
Second, does a sink in the garage come in handy that often? Is it $650 worth of handy?

Thanks!!

 

[JC23]

You can do better installing it yerself if they hook up all the water and drain.

Then, use an idea I saw in here. Use a faucet from a kitchen sink with a LONG spray line. That way you can use the water outside the sink.

And speaking of sinks, you can get one easily on CL. The one I got at a garage sale even had braided lines and a faucet. It'll go in the basement.

And welcome! Where ya from?

 

[AgFrost]

Great advice! I just sent an email to our builder asking how much for him just to stub it out for me.

The kitchen faucet idea is perfect! I never thought of that!

I just updated my profile to show my location. We are just outside of KC.

 

[JC23]

I end up in yer area bout once a year. You into pinstriping?

 

[JakeKohl]

I have provisions for a sink in my garage. When I get around to cabinets (working on flooring now), a sink will be built in to the cabinets but I intend for it to be recessed so I will be able to put a removable section of work bench over the sink opening should I find a need for the counter space. It will likely find the most use just for washing hands, cooling a hot piece of freshly welded steel, or soaking the drink holders from our cars.

You could also plumb in a hose bib under or above the sink and have a hose connected and stored there as well.

 

[MDSPHOTO]

I don't think that's out of line. We added a bar sink in our new house and it was $500 just to run the plumbing and that did not include the sink.

 

[AgFrost]

I just heard back that it'd be $450 to stub it. That may just be worth it.
My father in law has a faucet that you can thread a hose to it directly. I always thought the ability to wash a car with warm water would be nice.

JC, I love a well done stripe! Truly an art! I have absolutely no artistic talent, watching people draw and paint blows my mind every time!

Jake, I like the recessed sink idea. Workbench space is always at a premium!

 

[SweetD]

Best thing I did was put a deep sink in my garage. Use it all the time for everything mentioned above. Warm water is great to wash the car with in the winter! I also have the faucet that you can screw a hose end into and I use it all the time. As a matter of fact I just bought a 6' hose from HD this past weekend so I can have an extension to fill a bucket on the floor or whatever. Well worth it!

 

[softailgarage]

Couldn't live without a sink in the garage. I've got a big "laundry tub" style plastic sink. The first one lasted 27 years and I only changed it out because it was looking pretty nasty. Comes in handy for cleaning up parts, especially after polishing or parts coming out of the ultrasonic, not to mention washing up BEFORE going in the house.

 

[nolimits76]

Sounds like a fair price. Just make sure that price includes the tub & faucet you want. Granted plumbing fixtures for the garage isn't as pretty or expensive as inside the house, but they add up fast!

You will definitely kick yourself in the *** if you decide NOT to do this.

 

[tininjun67]

our old house had one and I used it every day. The new place has a huge garage with no sink and it's driving me nuts! Luckily the previous owner ran water to a garden behind the garage that I can pull from when the time comes.

 

[sberry]

Couldn't live without a sink in the garage. I've got a big "laundry tub" style plastic sink. The first one lasted 27 years and I only changed it out because it was looking pretty nasty. Comes in handy for cleaning up parts, especially after polishing or parts coming out of the ultrasonic, not to mention washing up BEFORE going in the house.

Under 20$ anymore for a laundry tub at a box store. Stub it out with a set of faucets added. I agree about wash up, you got to walk right by my sink on your way to anywhere and I have another one on the other side of the shop I use some. But the yellow desk one is hi use and needs a new single handle which requires a bit of modification. I got one really worn out.

Fairly old pics, a few small changes since but the location of the plumbing is the same. This is a super ergonomic setup. The only changes I would have made would be minor.

 

[bimmerZ5]

We are building a house and was quoted $650 for a sink to be installed in the garage. This price includes the sink and all associated plumbing.
First off, do you think this is reasonable?
Second, does a sink in the garage come in handy that often? Is it $650 worth of handy?

Thanks!!

if that includes a high quality stainless sink and faucet setup, then it's pretty reasonable. can you do cheaper, of course! you could buy used stainless sinks on ebay or Craigslist. the cost of sink and faucet can vary quite a bit, based on condition, material, feature/functions, and size... you didn't mention how big of a sink this is? also, does this involve building a counter top for the sink? or is there already one? or are you using a cheap laundry room stand-alone sink...

maybe ask them what it would cost just to do the plumbing so you can connect later when you find the cheaper components?

nonetheless, it's not totally unreasonable depending on the details...

that said, if you plan to work on stuff in the garage, i find having a sink to be very useful. i mostly work on car stuff, with the occasional craft thing with my kids or toy repair. i often have to clean parts, or wash my hands in between to open a book so i don't get the pages covered in grease. would i pay $600 for a sink, probably yes if it was the right setup. I'm actually been thinking about doing that on my own, but i have to figure out the plumbing... not sure where to drain yet.

 

[sberry]

I put in another sink and urinal out of sight on other side of the shop, we use the sink some. There is a walk around privacy sheet, cant see anyone there from 90% of the building and unless you know no one notices.

 

[tmcowboy]

Absolutely, a must have, especially if you're married. For cleaning up, painting, mixing household and garden chemicals and other stuff your wife won't let you do in your nice clean expensive kitchen...

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

If you have the option, definitely get a sink in the garage. A laundry tub is an excellent choice. If only to wash your hands to avoid getting grime into the rest of the house, you'll thank yourself many times over for having it.

I have my hot water tank in the garage, so piping for a sink for me would be easy- but no drain! I'd have to go under the house slab to the nearest drain and that would be cost prohibitive. I've considered what a French drain setup might work for my needs though since it would be very low usage. That is something I may seriously consider.

 

[Rstark18]

I LOVE a sink in the garage. It took me a while to find a good stainless steel sink on CL for a good deal. I would say go for stainless even though it costs more.

 

[nolimits76]

Holy smokes Sberry....that first pic you showed has a steep learning curve for the poor sap that opens the door (above the sink on your 2nd level) and takes a step out w/o looking.

 

[PhantomEB]

I am gonna try to have one when I build my little oversized double next year. Quite handy for emptin beers that buds didn't finish off the night before, washing up after a job, or cleanin parts.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have a bathroom sink but no hot water, it's still better than nothing.

 

[JakeKohl]

I bought a little bar sink for my second story above the garage on Ebay...it was something like $45 (with free shipping!). It was brand new and had the sound absorption mat attached to it...very nice. I'm quite happy with it. That same sink was nearly $200 at Home Depot

 

[GYPSY400]

My new garage is defiantly going to have a sink.. And being lakeside, I'm running a heat trace from the lake for water, then a small 10 gal. Hot water heater at the sink.
I'm also going to have a hose outside the garage for watering the lawn and washing vehicles.. Therefore it doesn't affect my water bill.

 

[Bodyshop]

I have one of those big plastic tub sinks in my garage. Dont think I could live without it now. It gets used just about every time I am in the garage.
I got lucky in that the wall the sink is against has my laundry room on the other side in the house, so i was able to tie into the wash machine drain in the wall.
My hot water heater is in the garage right next to the sink so I was able to hook up to the hot and cold water there.
It also helps that my dad is a plumber.

John

 

[mikeburris]

I used a sink and formica counter top from a kitchen remodel. I had one of those big white tubs before the fire, and there are advantages to each. If you are handy, you can beat that price easily. If you are not, it will be worth every penny. If you were to use a counter top like I did, you have some handy surface right there.

 

[six206]

I put a slop sink I got from a building salvage place in my old garage. It was easy to plumb in because it back of the sink shared a wall with with the water heater closet. The drain just dumped into the floor drain in the closet. Kind of regret leaving it there because it was a nice stainless sink out of a restaurant.

 

[krprescott]

Hookups for my sink were very close since it is next to the washer/dryer and water heater. I just Tee'd the water connections and tapped into the cleanout near the washer. This allows me to unscrew it from the wall and uninstall if/when I sell the house. Total was around $100 for sink with faucet and ~$50 for the misc. connectors to make it work.

I can understand where high cost could come from on the plumbing side to do this legally. For the drain I am tapped into the washer cleanout which provides access to the sewer but is considered a "wet vent" due to the washer draining above that junction.

If I were to do it properly, the sink and washer could share a vent, but they would each ultimately have to have a dry pathway to vent.

 

[AgFrost]

Thanks for all the advice! We are going to have it stubbed and I'll install the sink and faucet myself. I'm sooooo excited to have a garage I can actually do some work in!

 

[54FordPanel]

Thanks for all the advice! We are going to have it stubbed and I'll install the sink and faucet myself. I'm sooooo excited to have a garage I can actually do some work in!

Good choice. A sink is a must.

 

[chadman]

Like everyone else has said, I would absolutely do the sink. I'm not sure on the price quoted as it depends on the proximety to other plumbing as to what it involves. I have a plastic utility sink with a faucet that accepts a garden hose on the spout. It's great.

 

[911mike]

I recommend a DEEP stainless sink. One the best investments you can make. Make sure it has a stopper so you can fill it and soak items.

 

[48windsor]

I have a sink in my garage . I LOVE IT and its handy so i can wash up my hands before going into house . Wouldnt be without one.

 

[Bojans]

I had a hot and cold hose faucet put in the garage, this area just happens to be by the main sewer stack so tapping into the supply lines and adding a connection for the drain was a 3 beer job. This works very well since I now have hot and cold softened water available in the sink or hose for all of the above mentioned reasons. I used a very deep wall mount sink with a kitchen faucet that sits about 2' above the top of the sink. I mounted the sink significantly higher than normal counter height so there is no bending over when cleaning something. The sink is large enough to wash our beagle and 3 year old in, both are done on a regular basis. Having a sink in the garage has saved my marriage... I will try to get a picture tonight.

 

[Anglia Guy]

Holy smokes Sberry....that first pic you showed has a steep learning curve for the poor sap that opens the door (above the sink on your 2nd level) and takes a step out w/o looking.

I was thinking the same thing. But don't worry- the cement floor below will break his fall.

 

[AgFrost]

The sink is large enough to wash our beagle and 3 year old in, both are done on a regular basis.

Do you use the same shampoo? If not, is there a contamination issue when you are bathing them? I mean keeping either from touching in the basin would be a challenge!

 

[NUTTSGT]

I can understand where high cost could come from on the plumbing side to do this legally. For the drain I am tapped into the washer cleanout which provides access to the sewer but is considered a "wet vent" due to the washer draining above that junction.

For the OP, since this is in your garage, is the contractor having to put in a back flow preventer in the water line ? If he is, that may be one thing that is driving up the cost.

 

[GN4WHLN]

I have a laundry sink in the garage and I love it. It was an easy install because the washer and drier were already there. I didn't like how the builder had installed the washer lines (house was built in 77) so I redid all of it and ran lines and a drain to my sink. I added a back splash to the entire washer and sink area and used a stainless kitchen faucet with a long rinse hose. I built a structure from angle iron the sink sits in and fixes it to the wall. It angles out from the base at the foundation to the cradle the sink is in so there are no legs on the floor.

I use the thing all the time from washing up after doing the yard work or working in the garage to cleaning paint brushes or parts. Lots of uses and it keeps the wife happy because I'm not cleaning up in the kitchen or bathroom. I know people use all sorts of sinks, I like the big laundry sinks.

 

[InPrimer]

just to add, that a backsplash is a good idea I have a laundry type sink with a kitchen faucet/spray. The area behind is/was drywall, so I covered the are with a 4X8 sheet of masonite(with plastic finish)stopped all the overspray .

 

[shooting4life]

I added a sink in my garage this spring. I wouldn't have a garage without a sink, I find I use it every time I am in the garage. Always washing something, or at the very least my hands before going inside, which my wife appreciates. I actually added foot pedals to control the water. All the plumbing was really easy since the sink was installed right next the washer and dryer. Since I am 6'5" I also raised the sink about 6 inches to make it easier for me to use.

 

[the_saint]

Our builder charged $350 to put a sink / faucet / hot and cold water into the garage for us. Definitely worth it!

 

[Bomber Frank]

I have a laundry sink in my shop, the dfference is that I hung a retractable hose reel from the ceiling and dropped the hose end down to the sink.
I did plumb in a ball valve that Is turned on with your foot, no faucets.
The hose reel has about 30 ft of hose on it and I can get water to just about anywhere I need it in the shop.
I also use it to hook up the pressure washer.