The short answer: a licensed plumber for most installs
In most homes a licensed plumber is the right person to install a garbage disposal. The job connects a drain, often a dishwasher hose and a power supply under the sink, and a leak at any of those points does damage inside the cabinet before anyone sees it.
If the disposal plugs into an existing outlet or a hardwired switch is already in place, a plumber can handle the whole swap. If there is no power at the sink at all, new wiring is electrical work and needs an electrician.
Who handles which part of the job
This table shows how the work usually divides up.
| Task | Plumber | Handyman | Electrician |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swap a disposal on existing plumbing and power | Yes | Sometimes, depending on licensing | Not needed |
| Reconnect the drain and dishwasher hose | Yes | Sometimes | No |
| Fix a leaking sink flange or trap | Yes | Sometimes | No |
| Add a new outlet or switch under or beside the sink | No | Generally not allowed | Yes |
| Check why a new disposal will not run | Yes, for jams and plumbing | Limited | Yes, for supply and wiring faults |
Licensing rules vary by task, so ask any installer what license covers the work you are hiring them for.
Jammed or leaking disposal?
Call the 24/7 line. We repair disposals and install new ones, with the drain and dishwasher hose reconnected.
What a proper installation involves
A disposal swap looks simple, but each step has a reason. Skipping one is where leaks and tripped breakers come from.
- 1
Power off and remove the old unit
The breaker is switched off and the outlet or wiring is checked dead before anyone touches a wire. The old disposal is then released from its mounting ring.
- 2
Prepare the sink flange
The flange is cleaned, resealed with plumber putty and the mounting ring is set so the new unit hangs level.
- 3
Connect drain and dishwasher
The discharge tube is joined to the trap, the dishwasher hose is attached after its knockout plug is removed and every joint is tightened by hand and tool.
- 4
Test under load
The unit runs with water flowing while the installer checks for drips at the flange, hose and trap, then runs the dishwasher cycle if one is connected.
Electrical safety under the sink
A disposal is a motor sitting under a wet sink, so power safety is not optional. The breaker should be off before any disconnect, and a plug-in disposal should go into an outlet that is protected and out of the splash zone.
Do not run a disposal that trips the breaker, smells hot or hums without turning. Those are signs of a jammed blade or a failing motor. Reaching into the chamber is never safe, even with the power off, so use a hex key at the bottom of the unit instead of a hand.
Replace or repair a failing disposal
A jam is often a quick fix. A leak is a different story.
Often worth repairing
- A jam cleared with the hex key at the base.
- A tripped reset button.
- A loose drain connection or dishwasher hose.
- A flange that needs resealing.
Often worth replacing
- A cracked housing leaking from the body.
- A motor that hums but will not turn after a jam is cleared.
- Rust or corrosion on the casing.
- A unit that has failed more than once.
Hiring an installer in Coconut Creek: how to check the license
The City of Coconut Creek Building Department advises homeowners to hire licensed, insured and reputable contractors, and to verify licenses through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Plumbing contractors there hold certified or registered license types.
The state website has a Verify a Licensee tool. You can search by name, license number, city or license type before you approve the work. Spend two minutes on it, because it is the fastest way to know the person under your sink is licensed for what you are hiring them to do.
Source: the Coconut Creek Building Department page and the Florida DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board site (municipal and state agency pages).
What to ask before you hire
A good installer answers these without hesitation. Ask whether the price covers the new unit, the mounting hardware, the electrical connection and removal of the old disposal. Ask whether they will test under load before leaving.
Also ask which horsepower they recommend and why. A larger motor handles more food waste, but it also costs more and may not fit a small cabinet. For a deeper look at the repair side, see our garbage disposal repair page, and for related drain problems, our drain cleaning service.
Before the installer arrives
These steps help the visit go smoothly.
- Clear everything out from under the sink.
- Note whether there is a dishwasher connected to the disposal.
- Check whether the sink has a switch on the wall or a power cord plugged in under the cabinet.
- Take a photo of the label on the existing unit, which shows the model and horsepower.
- Know where your electrical panel is so the breaker can be found quickly.
Garbage disposal installation questions
Some do, and a simple swap on existing plumbing and power may be within their scope. New wiring or plumbing changes usually need a licensed plumber or electrician. Ask what license covers the job.
Only if there is no power at the sink or the wiring needs to change. If a plug or hardwired connection is already there, a plumber can swap the unit.
A like-for-like swap is usually a short visit. Adding a dishwasher connection, repairing a leaking flange or running new power takes longer.
The price depends on the unit you choose, whether the old one has to be removed and whether wiring or drain changes are needed. We quote before work starts so you can compare.
Yes. We dispatch from Coconut Creek to Parkland and Deerfield Beach as well, so tell us the address when you call.
It is possible, but the risk sits in the wiring and the leak points. If you are not comfortable working with electricity under a sink, or the old unit is hardwired, call a licensed pro and check the license on the state site first.