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How to Pay for a Garbage Disposal

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How to Pay for a Garbage Disposal

Upgrade your kitchen sink with holiday sales and a smart payment plan for the install.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $350 before anything else
Across the 0% window $23.33/mo 15 months, no interest

How we got that: $350 spread evenly across the 15-month introductory window on the Discover it® Cash Back. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

That loud hum and sudden jam under the sink means your kitchen routine is about to grind to a halt. Replacing a garbage disposal takes less than two hours once you have the new unit, and you will instantly get back a quiet, reliable drain without food scraps backing up. Late fall and holiday hardware store sales are the cheapest times to buy these units, as home improvement stores slash prices ahead of heavy cooking seasons.

Before you buy anything, get at least two quotes from local plumbers if you aren't doing the swap yourself. Labor costs can vary wildly, and comparing quotes ensures you aren't overpaying for a straightforward plumbing swap. Once you know the total cost, you can line up your payment strategy to keep things manageable.

The 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers is a deadline, not free money, and any remaining balance after 15 months will get hit with regular interest charges.

The steps

  1. 01

    Get two quotes

    Call a couple of local handymen or plumbers to price the installation. Make sure they quote the exact disposal model you want so you can compare apples to apples.

  2. 02

    Shop holiday sales

    Buy your unit during major hardware store holiday sales to shave up to thirty percent off the retail price. You can often bundle the disposal with new sink stoppers or mounting brackets for less.

  3. 03

    Use your card term

    Put the purchase on your Discover it® Cash Back card to use the 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. This spreads your payments out without adding interest charges while you pay it off.

  4. 04

    Set your monthly payment

    Divide your total bill by your repayment timeline so you stay on track. For a $350 total cost, that means setting aside about $23.33 per month across the 15-month window to clear the balance.

  5. 05

    Book the install

    Schedule the plumber or clear out your under-sink storage for your own DIY install once the unit arrives. Test the seals immediately after the first run to catch any slow leaks early.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Discover it® Cash Back carries the date a person verified it against Discover and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Discover it® Cash Back terms →

Common questions

Should I repair or replace my garbage disposal?

If your disposal is leaking from the actual motor housing or is more than ten years old, replacement is usually cheaper than paying a plumber for repairs. Minor jams or resets are worth fixing, but dead motors mean it is time for a new unit.

How long does a garbage disposal installation take?

A standard swap takes a plumber about an hour if the mounting assembly matches the old one. If they have to replace the sink flange or fix old PVC piping underneath, plan for closer to two hours.

What size garbage disposal do I need?

A one-third horsepower model works fine for single people or light cooking. Families who cook daily should look at half-horsepower or three-quarter-horsepower units to handle larger vegetable scraps and bones.

Can I install a garbage disposal myself?

If you are comfortable lying on your back under a sink and working with basic plumbing wrenches, you can swap one out in an hour. Hire a pro if your wiring is hardwired instead of plugged into an outlet or if the pipes are heavily corroded.