When architects ask about concrete sink pricing, there's usually a deeper question underneath: what am I actually paying for, and what's the real cost over time?
Are concrete sinks expensive?
Nov 6, 2025
When we talk to architects about pricing, the conversation quickly moves past "are concrete sinks expensive?" to what you're actually specifying and how to think about cost over the project's lifetime.
Let's address this from the perspective of specifying materials for a project, the way architects and designers actually evaluate these decisions.
The Price Reality: Where Concrete Actually Sits
Here's what might surprise you: concrete sinks aren't the most expensive option on the market not by a long shot.
A ballpark comparison of bathroom sink materials and price
| Material | USD | AUD | EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard ceramic/porcelain basins | $190 – $445 | $300 – $700 | €180 – €420 |
| Quality concrete vessel basins | $510 – $1,145 | $800 – $1,800 | €480 – €1,080 |
| Marble or stone sinks | $1,015 – $3,175+ | $1,600 – $5,000+ | €960 – €3,000+ |
| Bespoke terrazzo pieces | $760 – $1,525 | $1,200 – $2,400 | €720 – €1,440 |
Yes, concrete costs more than a mass-produced ceramic basin from large retailers. However it's considerably less than marble, comparable to quality terrazzo, and often less than high-end porcelain from European based manufacturers.
What You're Actually Buying
The difference in price between an inexpensive ceramic sink and a concrete reflects fundamental differences in how they are made and how they will perform.
Mass-produced ceramic sinks are slip-cast in moulds by the thousands, fired in industrial kilns, and shipped in bulk. They're designed for volume, not individuality and quality varies wildly.
Handcrafted concrete basins are individually cast using Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete (GFRC), which requires specialised knowledge to mix, cast, and cure properly. Here at Concrete Studio each piece goes through a proprietary process: design, moulding, casting, curing, finishing, detailing, and sealing. A single vessel basin represents approximately 15–20 hours of skilled craftsmanship.
Why the time, concrete is a material that demands precision at every stage. Mix ratio wrong = surface pitting. Rush the curing process = cracking. Time spent finishing and sealing means an enduring finish.
When Concrete Becomes Expensive and When It's Worth It
Concrete sinks can become expensive when you're commissioning custom designs and bespoke mould making, custom dimensions, integrated vanity tops, unusual forms, or specific colour matching.
You're not buying a sink you're buying a design solution. An integrated concrete vanity with seamless basin construction solves many problems. With no joints where water can seep, no visible edges to collect dirt, and a surface area that's genuinely easier to keep clean than separate components.
These installations are solutions engineered to precise specifications and fabricated to eliminate the compromises inherent in modular bathroom design.
The Honest Comparison: Concrete vs. Everything Else
If you have a limited budget and need functional basins, quality porcelain is a great solution. It's affordable, available everywhere, and performs well in most applications.
If your client values uniqueness, longevity, and material character, concrete delivers. It sits in the mid-to-upper price range, but the design flexibility make it compelling for projects where luxury signalling and individuality matters.
What We've Learned Making Concrete Sinks For Over A Decade
Concrete isn't trying to be marble. It isn't pretending to be ceramic. It's concrete—tactile, substantial, individual, and built to last. The cost reflects the reality of making something properly, by hand and locally. When you factor in longevity, repairability, and the value of genuine material character, it's one of the smarter investments you can make.
