How much does toilet installation cost?

Why the published numbers don't match

If you've seen very different figures online, it's usually because they're measuring different things. Some quote installation labor only, some include the toilet, and some include removal and haul-away. Here's what two widely used national cost guides say, and what each figure covers.

Angi (2026 data): professional toilet installation typically costs $224-$533, with most homeowners paying around $374. The low end is about $120 and the high end can reach $826. Angi says replacing a toilet, including removing the old one and installing the new one, typically costs $275-$480, averaging around $375.

HomeGuide: $350-$800 for the toilet plus installation labor, with a national average of $600. Labor alone is $150-$450, and can go past $900 for complicated jobs.

These are national figures. Prices in your area may be higher or lower. The only way to know your price is a written quote, and the rest of this guide will help you get an accurate one.

What the toilet itself costs

If you're buying the toilet yourself and paying only for installation, add the fixture price. HomeGuide puts a standard two-piece toilet (separate tank and bowl, the most common type in the US) at $100-$500 before installation, and a one-piece toilet at $200-$900. Angi lists average prices of about $375 for a two-piece and $800 for a one-piece.

Specialty toilets cost more to buy and often to install. HomeGuide lists wall-mounted toilets at $300-$1,500 before installation, because the tank sits inside the wall, and upflush (macerating) toilets at $750-$1,500 before labor. These are used in basements where there's no drain below the floor.

Extras that change the quote

Most quotes for a straight swap are close to the national ranges above. These are the things that push a quote up, with the figures the cost guides give.

Removing and disposing of the old toilet: $50-$200 (both Angi and HomeGuide).

A broken or corroded flange, the fitting that anchors the toilet to the drain: $145-$300 on average to replace (Angi). You often don't know until the old toilet is off.

Damaged flooring under the old toilet, usually from a slow leak: $8-$24 per square foot for bathroom flooring (Angi). HomeGuide puts tile and grout repair at $10-$50 per square foot.

Moving the toilet to a new spot: about $3,000 on average, because the drain and vent have to move too (Angi).

After-hours or emergency service: HomeGuide says this sometimes doubles or triples the cost. If your only toilet is broken, a same-day weekday appointment is much cheaper than a Sunday night.

Before you get quotes

A few minutes of checking makes quotes more accurate and avoids buying the wrong toilet.

1. 1Measure the rough-in: the distance from the finished wall behind the toilet to the center of the floor bolts. Most US homes are 12 inches, but 10 and 14 exist. The new toilet has to match.
2. 2Check whether the shut-off valve behind the toilet turns easily. If it's stiff or crusty, ask for it to be replaced at the same time while the water is off.
3. 3Press on the floor around the base. Soft or spongy flooring means there's been a leak and there may be subfloor work.
4. 4Decide whether you want a standard or comfort-height bowl, and round or elongated. Elongated bowls need a little more room in front.
5. 5Look for the WaterSense label. EPA says WaterSense toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush or less, and many utilities offer rebates on them.

Questions to ask a plumber

Is this a flat price or hourly? Does it include a new wax ring or seal, new closet bolts and a new supply line? Does it include removing and hauling away the old toilet? What happens to the price if the flange is broken? Do you warranty the installation? How long should we wait before using it?

A detailed written quote that answers these is worth more than the lowest number. Leaks from rushed installs often show up weeks later, under the floor.

Repair instead of replace?

If the toilet is running, leaking at the base, or the handle is loose, you may not need a new one. HomeGuide puts typical toilet repair at $130-$300 for parts and labor. Our repair-or-replace guide explains how to decide.

Related

• Toilet install: find a local plumber
• Repair or replace your toilet?
• Water around the base of the toilet
• Why your toilet keeps clogging