If a full bathroom remodel isn't in the plan this year, a vanity replacement is the upgrade that changes the room the most for the money. The vanity is the first thing you see when you walk in, and swapping a dated builder-grade cabinet for a well-built piece with a stone top can make a 20-year-old bathroom feel current. A painted cabinet with a stone top and matched mirrors, like the vanity above, is the look most of our clients choose when they update a primary bath.
2026 VANITY REPLACEMENT COSTS
| Scope | Typical DMV Range (Installed) |
|---|---|
| Single vanity, 24–36", stock with top | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Single vanity, semi-custom with stone top | $2,200 – $4,000 |
| Double vanity, 60–72", stock with top | $2,800 – $5,500 |
| Custom double vanity with fabricated quartz | $5,500 – $10,000+ |
Those ranges cover removal and disposal of the old unit, setting and leveling the new cabinet, top and sink installation, new faucet(s), supply lines and drain connections, and caulking. The cabinet itself is usually 40–60% of the total.
THE ADD-ONS THAT MOVE THE NUMBER
- Going from single to double sinks: adds a second drain and supply set — typically $600–$1,500 in plumbing work, more if the wall is tiled.
- Floor and wall patching: old vanities often sit on top of flooring that stops at the cabinet base. A larger or wall-hung vanity can expose gaps that need tile or flooring repair.
- Backsplash: a 4" stone splash usually comes with the top; a full tiled wall behind the vanity runs $400–$1,200.
- Mirrors and lighting: moving a light box to center over two mirrors means opening drywall — $250–$700 per fixture location, plus patch and paint.
- Wall-mounted (floating) vanities: need blocking in the wall, which means opening it up. Worth it for the look and easy floor cleaning, but budget for it.
STOCK, SEMI-CUSTOM, OR CUSTOM?
Stock vanities from big-box stores come in standard widths with a top included — fast and affordable, but construction varies widely. Look for plywood boxes over particleboard and soft-close hardware. Semi-custom lets you choose finish, hardware and top separately and is where most of our clients land. Custom makes sense for odd widths, built-in towers, or when the vanity needs to match other millwork in the home.
SIZING TIPS
- Leave at least 15" from the centerline of a sink to the nearest side wall or tall cabinet.
- A double vanity really needs 60" minimum; 72" is far more comfortable.
- Comfort-height vanities (34–36") have mostly replaced the old 30–32" standard — easier on the back.
- Check door swing and drawer clearance against the toilet and the entry door before ordering.
If you're replacing the vanity and know you'll redo the floor within a few years, do the floor first or at the same time. Setting a new vanity on old flooring and then tiling around it later almost always costs more than doing both together.
HOW LONG IT TAKES
With materials on site, a straight swap is a one-day job; a double vanity with plumbing changes and a fabricated top is usually 2–4 days, with the stone top templated after the cabinet is set and installed about a week later. If you're weighing a bigger project, our bathroom remodel cost guide covers the full picture.
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BATHROOM REMODEL COST GUIDE FOR THE DMV (2026)
Pricing breakdown from simple refreshes to full gut renovations — what a bathroom remodel actually costs in DC, MD & VA.
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Planning a project? See our Bathroom Remodeling service page for scope, process and recent work.
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