Replacing a worn out or outdated bathroom vanity is a quick and dramatic way to clean up a bathroom. With a little planning and a step-by-step approach, you can complete this alteration in a day. In fact, the biggest challenge may be just deciding which vanity to buy.

Here are the steps you'll need to follow for installing your new bathroom vanity, Shut off the water and disconnect the supply, use a bucket to catch any water that drips from the supply lines and the p-trap the white curved pipe in the center.

Loosen the caulk between the bathroom vanity and the wall with a utility knife. You may have to go all the way down to the floor on the sides to remove all the caulk. Remove the countertop very carefully so as not to damage the wall, you may need a helper for this step, especially if the countertop is large.

Loosen the screws attaching the bathroom vanity to the wall. A cordless screwdriver makes it easier to do this step. Remove the screws, being careful not to strip them. Remove the old vanity. Locate the wall studs and make marks for new screw holes. Make the marks for the studs a little higher than the top of the new vanity.

It's very important to make sure the bathroom vanity is flush against the wall. You'll need to use shims and a carpenter's level for this step. Once the vanity is positioned, attach it to the wall with 2-1/2" wallboard screws.

Before you attach the new bathroom vanity top, install the new faucet. It will make the job go faster in the long run, and it's one less time that you'll have to get under the sink. Use tub-and-tile caulk to secure the bathroom vanity top to the base.

Reconnect the plumbing this is also a good opportunity to replace the p-trap. Teflon tape makes the connections easier and tighter. Carefully apply a thin line of caulk around the countertop edges. Be careful with this job, the caulk will be highly visible, so tidiness really counts.