Hi, everyone. This is my first time posting to this site... I'm several weeks in to a total gutting of the kitchen in my "new" (200-year-old) mill house. I'm going with a white fireclay farm sink undermounted in a slightly off-white cabinet base, with soapstone counters. EGAD! I ordered a 24" single bowl sink, and now am thinking it will look icky with all the filler needed to fit in the 30" sink base. But I got a great deal on it ($360 with free shipping) and to go the next size up (28") is like $700 plus the $50 restocking fee to send back the one I have now. The sales consultant doesn't advise going to a 30" sink in a 30" base b/c he says they'd have to "cut away at the base, ruining the integrity of the cabinet." Am I going to hate the smaller sink??? It's a tiny kitchen, so I am not so worried with the size of the sink and it's function, but more the look. Any advice/photos are appreciated. I've looked at a lot of shots and it looks like I should have gone with a smaller sink base, or a larger sink. Sheesh... live and learn! Thanks! Kirsten

Kohler makes cast iron farmhouse sinks. They are more durable than fireclay. There are also stainless steel and copper farmhouse sinks. Or soapstone. Any of the web based stores like efaucets or faucetsdirect will have the cast iron, fireclay or stainless farmhouse sinks. Even amazon and overstock likely have some. For copper you might have to hunt more--just google. Soapstone is usually made custom by a stone fabricator, though you can buy them off the self too from a couple of places. IKEA sells a fireclay one which is a great deal price wise. They used have both a single and a double, but I think the single may have had some supply chain problems and I'm not sure if it is still available.

I have had a blanco profina for over a year. I really like it. Haven’t had any issues with cracking. I do have a garbage disposal. The ledge is nice for chopping, and I have a dish drainer that sits on the ledge also. I use a rack in the bottom to protect from pans. Cleaning is a breeze - even easier than stainless sinks I’ve had in the past. I love the way it looks with my white cabinets and countertops. Not sure the centered drain bothers me, but it probably will now that I’ve read your post. At least it will make me think about it. Also I didn’t think I would like one big sink, but I actually do.

$2000 is a steal for what Joseph would be taking on....especially if he promises to replace the top if he breaks it. Not many fabricators would offer that! My fabricator would only change out this sink if they homeowner signed a waiver...that if the top was damaged during the rework, they would not be liable. Same goes for uninstall and reinstall of countertops...homeowner takes on entire liability. In my neck of the woods, just a plumbing REHOOK costs $400-$800. But back to the liability....homeowners often wonder why the high price....'but it's just a little sink install"...why is it so expensive. By the time Joe would pack up tools, drive to your house, unload, set up and get an extra man (maybe) to help lift sink out, a half day is gone. You aren't paying for the sink install as much as a very specialized SKILL and service that is very hard to find. You might be able to hire a handyman to give it go....but that's a huge risk to you. Joe does it everyday, knows the tricks, knows the sink models...has been around forever. You're paying for years of knowledge and experience. Skilled, dying out trades are all getting top dollar these days and I only see this as going higher in the future. Get your sons and daughters into trade schools. I wish I made as much $ as one of my 30-something woodworking friends makes.