Can you replace a bathroom vanity without hacking? It may be possible to replace the basin and cabinet while keeping the existing tiles, especially when the new unit suits the current plumbing location and the wall is suitable for its fixings. The deciding factors are fit, connections and the condition behind the old unit. Photos help with an initial discussion; an installer must confirm the actual work required.
If your cabinet is worn but you still like the bathroom, start with that assessment before planning a larger renovation. This Singapore guide explains what to measure, what to ask and which Las Vela models to shortlist.
Already choosing a replacement? Send Las Vela your measurements and preferred model to start a product enquiry.
What does “without hacking” actually mean?
For this guide, it means replacing the vanity while retaining the existing wall and floor tiles. It does not mean there will be no drilling, plumbing work or touch-ups. Ask for the proposed scope in writing.
Replacing only the cabinet
Keeping an existing basin is worth discussing if it is in good condition. Its dimensions, underside, support and fixing method must suit the new cabinet. A “600 mm” label on both items does not establish compatibility. Send the basin’s model details and underside photos before ordering a cabinet-only replacement.
Replacing the basin and cabinet together
A matched basin and cabinet removes one compatibility question, but the installer still needs to check the water and waste connections, mounting surface and surrounding space. The new unit may also reveal old fixing holes or a previously covered patch of wall.
Changing the layout or dealing with damage
Moving the basin, altering concealed pipes or finding loose tiles and persistent damp can change the job substantially. Have the cause assessed before covering it with a new cabinet. Treat this as a separate scope, rather than assuming the original replacement quote covers it.
Five checks that matter more than the cabinet width
- Available width. Measure the usable space between finished surfaces, including any ledge or pipe boxing. Record the existing basin’s widest point as well as the cabinet width.
- Overall projection. Measure from the wall to the furthest front edge of the existing basin or cabinet. Check the proposed unit’s overall dimensions, including any basin overhang.
- Opening space. Check the bathroom door, shower screen and toilet position. Consider where you will stand while opening the cabinet doors or drawers.
- Connections and access. Photograph where water pipes and the waste outlet enter the cabinet. Shelves and drawers must work around the plumbing, with access retained for maintenance.
- Mounting and the old footprint. Ask the installer to assess the wall and fixing positions. Compare how much wall the old and new units cover, including the mirror cabinet.
A practical example: a 600 mm-wide replacement can still feel larger if it projects further into the room. Las Vela’s listed depths are 400 mm for Y-40 and 420 mm for Y-32. Check the selected basin and cabinet together; width alone is not a fit check.
Which Las Vela vanity should you shortlist?
Use these as starting points for a fit discussion, not as a promise that a particular model will replace your existing unit without alterations.
Y-40: start here when space is tight
The Y-40 aluminium vanity is listed in 500, 600 and 700 mm widths, with a 400 mm depth. Catalogue prices start at S$499 for 500 mm. It is worth comparing if you need a narrower option. Confirm the basin, mirror cabinet and other supplied components in your quotation.
Y-32: compare it for a 600–800 mm space
The Y-32 aluminium vanity comes in 600, 700 and 800 mm widths, with a listed 420 mm depth. Catalogue prices start at S$498 for 600 mm. Its product page lists a mirror cabinet, ceramic basin and PVC bottle trap among the included components. Confirm your selected size, finish and service requirements before ordering.
Bespoke: discuss the configuration before choosing
The Las Vela Bespoke Vanity has listed 600, 700 and 800 mm options with a 500 mm standard depth, starting at S$1,350 for 600 mm. That extra depth needs a deliberate space check. Ask about custom dimensions and your preferred basin and drawer configuration by quotation.
Catalogue prices and listed dimensions checked on 27 October 2026. These are product starting prices, not all-in replacement quotations. Confirm availability, supplied components, services and the final payable amount.
What should a bathroom vanity replacement quote include?
Compare the complete scope, not just the price beside the cabinet photo. Ask each supplier or installer to itemise:
- The product: model, width, depth, finish, basin and mirror cabinet.
- Fittings: tap or mixer, waste fitting, trap and any additional connection parts.
- Delivery: charges, access arrangements and the agreed delivery window.
- Removal: taking out the existing vanity and disposing of it.
- Installation: mounting, connections, sealing and checks for leaks after installation.
- Additional work: pipe alterations, patching old holes or repairing affected surfaces.
Ask who is responsible for each part and how extra work will be approved if a problem appears after removal. Do not assume installation, disposal or a tap is included in a product’s starting price. For a closer comparison of the catalogue options, read our bathroom vanity prices in Singapore guide.
HDB and PUB rules: check the actual scope
PUB lists installing, replacing or removing a washbasin and its bottle or fitting trap among simple plumbing works that handymen may carry out. Regulated water service and sanitary plumbing works require a PUB Licensed Plumber. Ask the installer which category your proposed work falls into. See PUB’s plumbing works guidance.
For a newly built BTO flat, HDB’s guide explains a three-year restriction on removing toilet wall and floor finishes. This concerns the finishes; it should not be read as a blanket ban on replacing a vanity. If the project affects tiles or extends beyond a fitting replacement, check the applicable requirements before work begins. See HDB’s renovation guide.
A “no hacking” description is not a substitute for checking the work against your flat’s rules. For renovation work in an HDB flat, HDB requires a contractor from its Directory of Renovation Contractors; see its important information on renovations.
Send these five photos for a better first enquiry
Rather than starting with “How much to change a vanity?”, prepare a short brief. Take photos of:
- The whole vanity and mirror, with the surrounding bathroom visible.
- The open cabinet, showing the basin underside and pipework.
- The wall beside the unit and any visible gaps, old holes or damage.
- The space below the cabinet, including any visible floor connections.
- The nearby door, toilet and shower screen, showing their relationship to the vanity.
Add your measured width and depth, property type, preferred model and whether you want to keep the existing basin or mirror. Photos support an initial discussion; they cannot confirm hidden conditions.
Ready to shortlist a replacement? WhatsApp Las Vela with your measurements and preferred model. The message is prepared for you; attach your bathroom photos in the chat and ask which product and service options are available for your project.
Bathroom vanity replacement: common questions
Can I keep my existing mirror cabinet?
Discuss it separately from the basin cabinet. Check its condition, alignment, opening space and whether it suits the new vanity’s position. If a new mirror cabinet is included with a model, ask how keeping your existing one affects the quotation; do not assume a price reduction.
Is a smaller replacement always easier to fit?
No. A smaller unit may leave old fixing holes or unfinished areas visible. It can also place storage panels differently around existing pipes. Check both the new unit’s dimensions and the area hidden by the old one.
How long does a vanity replacement take?
Ask for a schedule after the scope is assessed. Product availability, removal, plumbing changes, surface repairs and any required curing time can affect the sequence. A delivery date alone does not confirm when the bathroom will be ready to use.
Can Las Vela confirm a no-hacking replacement from photos?
Photos and measurements are a useful starting point for discussing products. The installer must verify the site conditions and scope before anyone can confirm whether tiles and existing connections can be retained.
