So I had a new counter and sink put in, the problem is the drain is farther back, closer to the wall than the old drain was. Is it possible (legal)to double back the pipes over the trap so I don't have to completely redo the plumbing under my sink? I had a plumber say it was illegal/against code to double back over top of the trap and then proceed to tell me he could fix the problem for $550 plus labor.

Let's see if I have this right. You want to come off the drain with a elbo directed forward tat the trap and another elbo to angle down and connect to the trap. Correct? Will the two tubs be tied together with a continuous waste? Is a disposal involved? Answer me and I'll answer you, Cheers, Tom

Yes correct,no disposal involved and I'm not sure what you mean by continuous waste

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I'm not sure what you mean by continuous waste
A continuous waste, (see image) is used to tie two tubs together if you're not using a trap for each sink. So I take it only a single trap will be used.
Is this what you wish to do?
You want to come off the drain with a elbo directed forward tat the trap and another elbo to angle down and connect to the trap Let me know, Tom

Correct no continuous waste just one trap

There has to be a continuous waste unless you have a one tub sink. Otherwise what connects the two tubs together? Cheers. Tom

It is a one tub sink it was initially a two tub sink, but to save space it was replaced with a one tub sink.

So, We have laid out two hookups,
1.You want to come off the drain with a elbo directed forward tat the trap and another elbo to angle down and connect to the trap. **OR**
2. see image.
Which one's correct?

Option 1

You chose door #1. We call those "offsets" or "doglegs".
Will it work? Yes it will but you may find your sink draining more slowly and you will be open for more clogs if food hangs up in the 90's. Of course the best way would be to remove everything back to the stubout and do it right. Good luck, Tom

I see no disadvantage to positioning the trap as shown in my drawing. It may look a little strange, but the water doesn't care which way it flows as long as it is down hill. It may look a little strange but it is really no different than the way you normally see a trap position, there are no additional turns. Any other way, including going into the wall, puts unnecessary turns in the pipe which can restrict the flow. The only real difference between positioning the trap as shown in the drawing and the way you usually see a trap positioned is that the trap arm is a little longer, but then the problem is that the trap is to close to the wall so the length of the trap arm should not be a consideration.