How Much Does Toilet Installation Cost?

Cost Factors

Labor and Emergencies

The labor cost of installing a toilet depends on how much time it takes your plumber to remove your old toilet and install the new one. If your pro finds issues during the installation, such as leaks in the flooring or pipes that need replacing, you may have to pay more for repairs. 

Another reason you may pay on the higher end is if your plumber is a specialist or has extensive experience. These seasoned pros will charge more than those with less experience in the field. Ask ahead of time about their hourly rate or flat fees. 

If you have to call a pro for plumbing services after hours or during a weekend or holiday, then expect to pay more for their time. Some plumbers will charge time-and-a-half for an emergency home visit, while some will triple it. On the other hand, you may pay an emergency fee of around $100 to $350, while some pros charge this amount on top of their emergency hourly rate. 

Installation Location

The location of the toilet in your home can impact the overall cost of the installation. For example, some pros may charge more for installing a toilet on the second floor. Additionally, if your pro diagnoses leaks or other issues during the installation, these can be more costly to repair on the second floor. 

Moving a toilet within your home costs about $3,000 and may require a pro to move vent lines, water pipes, and the drain. Installing a toilet in a basement can also cost more, which we go over below in more detail. 

Type and Brand

The cost of a new toilet can vary from $90 on the low end for a basic two-piece toilet to $1,500 or more for high-end brands, such as Toto and Kohler, and luxury features, like lighting, music, bidets, and self-closing lids. Installing a bidet costs an average of $1,090.

There are also different toilets to choose from, including low-flow, upflush, wall-mounted (also known as wall-hung), and dual flush. Among these, dual-flush toilets cost the least at about $350, and upflush toilets cost the most at about $950. Low-flow toilets help conserve water, and upflush toilets fit into small spaces. 

As the name suggests, wall-mounted toilets hang on the wall and cost about $675. These toilets save room and complement modern bathroom designs. Dual-flush toilets provide two separate flush settings to save water on your bill and cost about $350. 

Complexity

The more complex the job, the longer it will take and the more it will cost. Sometimes a pro’s estimate can reflect this cost. Other times, issues come up during the installation of a new toilet; these issues can complicate the process and add time and repairs to the overall cost. Ask for a final, itemized invoice for complex jobs that cost more than the typical toilet installation.

"One of the most common issues with toilet replacement is a broken flange. Repairing or replacing a toilet flange is a tricky project that should be done by a trained professional,” says Jeff Botelho, Expert Review Board Member and plumber. “While a simple toilet installation is a relatively easy task for a moderately handy person, replacing the floor flange can be a dirty and time-consuming project. My advice to DIYers is always this: know when to say when."

Leaks and Clogs

Leaks and clogs are unexpected issues that can reveal themselves during a toilet install and drive up the cost because they usually entail extra time and work.

Here are some of the issues you may find: 

• Leaks in the wall or floor

• Poor caulking that leads to leaks

• Failure to replace a leaky flush valve

• Improper wax ring seal replacement or compression

Depending on the problem, your plumber might have to replace the wax ring seal, install a new toilet flange, or replace the drain pipe. 

Flooring

Your pro may have torn out flooring during the installation or repairs to get to a leak or found water damage. You may have to replace the damaged flooring to prevent mold growth and repair structural damage. 

Replacing old flooring with water-resistant tile costs about $8 to $24 per square foot.

Additional Plumbing

The cost to install a toilet can increase if you have to do additional work after the job starts. Extra labor can increase the cost by as much as $800. In addition to the problems mentioned above, issues may include:

• Unexpected leaks

• A cracked flange causing a wobbling toilet

• Improper wax ring seal replacement or compression

• Water damage in drywall or flooring

Replacement vs. New Installation

Simply replacing an old toilet with a new one is a relatively easy job, as all the hookups will be in place. If you’re installing a toilet where there wasn’t one before as part of a bathroom remodel, the price of labor will jump significantly to between $2,500 and $3,500, with an average cost of $3,000. 

The extra cost accounts for installing water pipes, vent lines, and the drain. If you’re converting spaces in your bathroom—such as taking out a walk-in shower and replacing it with a toilet-only room or water closet—the cost shouldn’t jump much for the toilet installation; the work of renovating a bathroom typically involves tearing down everything to the studs, so conversions cost roughly the same as new installations.

As you consider where to install your toilet, note that toilets need at least 30 inches of clear space from side to side and a minimum of 20 inches in front of the bowl to meet code regulations.

Moving Locations

Similar to the work required to install a toilet in a new location, moving a toilet to another location in your home will likely require adding water pipes, vent lines, and a drain. On average, the cost to move a toilet ranges from $200 to $400, with the total installation—including the plumbing work—averaging between $550 and $3,900.

Cost of Toilet by Type

The cost of a new toilet ranges from $90 to $1,500 or more, depending on the brand and type of toilet you choose and any extra features you want. Models range from a basic, two-piece toilet with a round bowl to a high-end, square toilet with bidet technology, as well as lighting and music.

Different types of toilets have varying prices. The following table shows the prices of popular toilet types:

*Prices include parts and labor

Some cities offer credits to homeowners who buy and install low-flow, dual-flush, or other types of eco-friendly toilets. Check with your city to find out if a credit could lower your final cost.

One-Piece Toilets

On average, one-piece toilets start as low as $150 and go as high as $1,500. Due to their shape, you can’t take them apart, and they’re more expensive to ship. These toilets have a seamless look and fit into small spaces, making them a good fit for modern bathrooms. Although they’re more costly than other options, they’re easy to install and clean. 

Two-Piece Toilets

Two-piece toilets are the traditional toilet shape you can take apart (the tank separates from the base). These start as low as $90 but go as high as $875. If you’re looking for a wallet-friendly toilet, these are the easiest to repair and install. 

Smart Toilets

Smart toilets cost $4,000 on average but start at $1,200 and go as high as $13,000 or more. With smart toilets, you get music, self-closing lids, seat warmers, UV disinfecting lights, and night lights. Some models also save on water and feature built-in bidets and touchless flushing. 

Toilet Bowl Cost

Whether you choose a round or an elongated bowl is a significant cost factor. A basic, round-bowl toilet with a two-piece design costs around $280. A toilet with an elongated bowl costs $290 on average. This type of toilet is gaining popularity because it’s ADA compliant and easier for people with disabilities and older people to use.

Wall-Hung

If you seek a sleek, minimalist bathroom, you might wish to install a wall-hung toilet, which conceals the tank inside the wall; you and your guests only see the bowl. This space-saving option costs between $500 and $2,000 (or more), depending on the model you choose. 

The installation costs will be higher for a wall-hung toilet, also known as a wall-mounted toilet. Your contractor will need to fit the tank into the wall, which means removing part of the wall and more complicated plumbing work; in addition, your pro will need to reinforce the wall to support the weight of the toilet.

Keep in mind that you’ll still have to add labor costs to these prices. Most plumbers charge $65 per hour and need between two and four hours to install a toilet.

When Should You Get a New Toilet?

Whether or not you’re renovating your bathroom, it might be time to install a new toilet. Here are some signs to look out for.

Age of Current Toilet

If you don’t know how old your toilet is, or if you’ve had it since before January 1, 1994, it might be time to replace it. U.S. law requires that residential toilets made and sold after 1994 use 1 2/6 gallons or less per flush; upgrading your toilet to a dual-flush option will use less water and save you money on your bills. 

Constant Repairs 

If you find yourself calling in a plumber regularly to fix various components of your toilet, from the handle to the fill valve, it might make sense to replace the entire unit; over time, the repairs can add up and end up costing you more than the cost of a replacement. Homeowners pay an average of $250 for the cost to fix a broken toilet.

Clogs Frequently

Rather than spending time plunging your toilet every week, opt to buy a new one. Older models often struggle with waste and toilet paper, while new low-flush models offer efficient performance.

Cracked Porcelain

Hairline cracks in the toilet’s bowl or tank can lead to leaks, which can cause water damage or mold or mildew. At the sign of any crack, it’s always best to replace your toilet or a toilet component before a small problem becomes a large one.

Wobbles

There are many reasons why a toilet might wobble, including water damage under the toilet or loose bolts. Whatever the cause, wobbling is a reason to call in a plumber and possibly have the unit replaced.

Difficult to Clean

When you need to clean your toilet with increasing frequency, the model is likely aging, and small scratches have accumulated on the porcelain over time—making it more difficult to get grime out. In addition, these scratches and chips can become an eyesore, so it may be time to replace your toilet and save yourself the time you’ll spend scrubbing the old one. 

You Want to Save Water

A water-efficient toilet is good for the environment and your wallet, as it will use less water with each flush. Low-flush options use around 2 gallons per flush, compared to the 3 to 5 gallons required by standard toilets. Swap out your old model for a new one built with cost and water savings in mind and watch your water bill decrease.

DIY vs. Hire a Pro

Installing a toilet yourself is more affordable than hiring a pro. However, it requires physical strength and significant knowledge of plumbing. It costs more to hire a local plumber to install a toilet, but it takes less time, and you get the peace of mind that a pro has done the job correctly. Note that a different type of pro—like a handyperson—can’t install a toilet unless they’re a licensed plumber.

FAQs

How much does a toilet weigh?

A two-piece toilet weighs about 55 pounds, and a one-piece toilet weighs about 88 pounds.

Can a handyperson install a toilet?

No, a handyperson can’t install a toilet unless they have a plumber’s license.

What is the best toilet to buy?

The best toilet to buy depends on your situation and preferences. Consider bowl shape, height, flushing technology, style, color, and price.

“For floor-mounted toilets, whether one- or two-piece, the most critical detail to consider is your toilet's rough-in dimension, or RID,” says Botelho. RID is the distance from the rough studs in the wall behind the bowl to the center of the toilet outlet (easily determined by the location of the two bolts fastening the bowl to the flange). “The wrong RID can mean the toilet won’t fit. Most toilets are 12-inch rough, but some are 10 or 14 inches. Checking this measurement can save lots of time and aggravation if you’re doing the project yourself.”

How often should you replace your toilet?

You should replace your toilet after 25 years. However, if your toilet is damaged and beyond repair, you should replace it sooner.

How much does a plumber charge to replace a toilet?

A plumber charges around $375 for the cost to replace a toilet. Most charge between $225 and $550. This typically includes the cost of removing and disposing of your old toilet. Note that the actual cost to replace a toilet depends on your location, the type of toilet, and the difficulty of the installation. A high-end, eco-friendly toilet with additional features can cost between $850 and $1,550 to install.