A plumber is the usual choice to install a garbage disposal in Saratoga Springs, UT, because most of the job is the sink flange, the drain connection and the dishwasher line. An electrician helps when there is no outlet or switch for the disposal. A handyman may do a simple swap if the wiring and drain are already in place.
The table below compares the three, followed by what the install involves, how to choose a unit, and how to check a plumber's license with the state.
Plumber, electrician or handyman: who does what
| Who | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | New installs, replacing a leaking disposal, fixing the drain trap, connecting a dishwasher line | Ask whether the quote covers any wiring |
| Electrician | Adding an outlet or switch under or beside the sink | Does not usually handle the drain side |
| Handyman | Swapping one disposal for another with the same mount and a working outlet | Licensing rules vary by task, so ask what license is needed |
Check any contractor with the state license lookup described below.
What the job involves
- Remove the old unitTurn off power at the breaker, disconnect the drain and dishwasher hose, and release the mount from the sink flange.
- Set the mounting hardwareSeat the new flange in the sink opening with plumber's putty or the gasket the maker supplies, and tighten the mount.
- Wire or plug inConnect to the power supply or plug into an outlet, per the manual and the unit's rating. A hardwired unit needs a junction box.
- Connect the drainReconnect the discharge to the trap. Knock out the dishwasher plug inside the disposal if a dishwasher drains into it.
- TestRun water, then run the disposal and check every joint for drips under load.
A disposal that is hard-wired and one that plugs in change who should do the work. A cord needs a nearby outlet, and wiring from scratch needs an electrician.
Choosing a unit: the parts that matter
Horsepower
A bigger motor jams less on tough scraps, which matters for a busy kitchen.
Feed type
Continuous feed runs while a switch is on. Batch feed runs only with the stopper in place.
Noise insulation
More insulation costs more and is quieter.
Mount type
Match the new unit's mounting to the old if you want a swap. A different mount may need new hardware.
If your disposal hums and will not turn, check the reset button on the bottom and try the hex key socket before replacing it. Our garbage disposal repair page covers jams and leaks.
The dishwasher connection catches people out
Most disposals have a small inlet where the dishwasher drain hose attaches. That inlet is blocked by a plastic knockout plug from the factory. If you connect a dishwasher and forget to remove the plug, the dishwasher cannot drain and water backs up into it.
The fix is a screwdriver and a tap on the plug, and fishing the plug out of the chamber before you run the disposal. It takes a minute, and it is on every installer's checklist for that reason.
Signs the disposal needs replacing, not only a reset
Replace, do not repair, when you see
- A leak from the body of the unit, not from the flange or the drain pipe
- A rusted housing or a cracked casing
- A motor that hums and will not turn after the hex key and reset button
- Grinding noise that stays after you clear the chamber
- Frequent jams in a unit that has had its parts cleaned
Need a plumber right now?
The 24/7 line is open. A dispatcher will book a licensed plumber.
What changes the cost of a disposal job
The unit
Motor power, insulation and feed type vary a lot between models.
The wiring
A plug-in swap into an existing outlet is simple. A new circuit or switch adds an electrician's work.
The drain
Corroded or misaligned traps add parts and time.
The dishwasher
Moving or adding a dishwasher connection changes the plumbing under the sink.
Permits: ask the building department
Permit rules vary by job, so ask the Saratoga Springs building department before work starts. A plain replacement in the same spot may differ from adding a new circuit or changing the plumbing, and we will not guess which applies to your kitchen.
If you hire a plumber, ask who pulls the permit when one is needed and whether the quote includes the fee.
Ask these questions before the work starts
A good installer explains the plan before the old unit comes out. Ask what is under the sink now, whether the outlet or switch is already there, and whether the dishwasher drains into the disposal.
Ask what the quote includes, such as the new unit, the flange, the trap fittings and haul-away of the old disposal. A clear price before work starts is a normal request.
Checking a license before you hire anyone
Utah licenses plumbers in classes: Apprentice, Journeyman, Residential Journeyman, Master and Residential Master Plumber. Anyone can check a license with the state Verify a License lookup, run by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL).
Search the business or the person's name, and confirm the license is active. Ask the contractor which license class covers your job. A real plumber answers that without hesitation.
When the disposal is part of a bigger kitchen job
If you are adding a sink, moving a dishwasher or adding a kitchen island, the disposal becomes part of a plumbing installation project. Treat it that way and get one plan that covers the drain, the supply and the electrical.
We serve homes across Saratoga Springs, and we also dispatch to American Fork and Lehi.
Saratoga Springs: licensing and permits for a disposal swap
The Utah Division of Professional Licensing runs the Verify a License lookup, and anyone can use it to check a plumber's license class. Before you let anyone open your sink, run the lookup on the person and the company, and keep a screenshot for your records.
The city building page lists the 2021 International Plumbing Code as adopted but does not state permit rules for specific jobs. Permit rules vary by job, so ask the Saratoga Springs building department before work starts, especially if the job adds wiring or new plumbing.
Source: state licensing page, city building page
Frequently asked questions
Many homeowners can if they are comfortable with a sink drain and a plug-in unit. A hard-wired install, a new outlet or a leaking drain is better handled by a licensed professional, because a loose joint under the sink leaks every time the disposal runs.
Only if there is no outlet or switch for it, or the wiring needs to be changed. A plumber can plug in a unit if the outlet is already there.
A straight swap usually takes a short visit. A new install with wiring, a dishwasher connection or drain changes takes longer, and the time depends on what the plumber finds under the sink once the old unit is out.
The usual causes are a loose mounting ring, a dried-out gasket or a drain connection that is not tight. Tighten the connections, and if the leak is from the unit's body, call for service.
Use the state Verify a License lookup at secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html, run by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing. Search the person or business name and confirm the license is active.
Still unsure? Call (385) 488-1892
Sources and references
Local facts on this page come from public pages like these. The city lists the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) as adopted, and permit rules vary by job, so ask the Saratoga Springs building department before work starts. Page last reviewed 2026-10-15.