Cost to Replace a Toilet – 2021

| Last Updated: August 23, 2021

National Average Improvement and Repair Cost

Pro

DIY

Hours:

2.8

3.8

Cost:

$ 546

$ 270

Would you do this project? According to our survey, 59% of respondents preferred DIY compared to hiring a pro.

The average price to Replace a Toilet noted above is cost data to compare a contractor’s estimate with doing it yourself.

How much does it cost to replace a toilet? The plumber’s cost to replace a toilet is $564 compared with $270, the DIY cost. 

If you’ve ever looked at the selection of toilets in a home or bathroom center, you know there’s a wide range to choose from. In general, you’ll find either one-piece toilets with a streamline look and a seamless design that makes it easy to clean, or the more standard two-piece units with a water tank that hangs on the wall and rests on the base of the toilet.

The latter are usually less expensive than one-piece units and can be more difficult to install. Many toilets are designed for comfort with elongated shapes and elevated heights. For example, a toilet with a 17-inch high rim is more comfortable for an adult than the standard 15-inch height. The higher rim, often called the “right height”, is particularly convenient for anyone who is physically challenged. Other things to consider are how quietly the toilet flushes and if it conserves water.

A plumber will charge $564 to remove an old toilet and replace it with a good quality two-piece unit, including labor and material. If you’re adventurous and want to improve your plumbing skills, you can buy the toilet and a wax ring and make the swap for $270 and save 51 percent. That’s assuming there are no surprises and the new unit replaces the old one without any adjustments.

If the replacement isn’t a direct swap and you have reservations about doing it, hire a plumber and be assured the job is done right the first time. If you’re replacing the supply tube, always get one longer than what’s needed because you can cut copper and plastic tubes to the lengths you need, but you can’t lengthen them. For those that are flexible, just put a coil in the line when installing it.

Here’s a link to a Lowes video How to Replace and Install a Toilet.

The bottom line: compare the price of a contractor’s bid to replace a toilet with what it costs to do it yourself and make your decision.

For more DIY-ing, see our guides on:

Welcome! We hope you’ll find the job costs of home improvement projects useful when you’re deciding whether to do a job yourself vs. hire a contractor. We’re the authors of 20 home improvement books, most notably Home Improvement for Dummies©, Bathroom Remodeling for Dummies©, Carpentry for Dummies©, Plumbing for Dummies©, and Painting and Wallpapering for Dummies©. Our most recent book Fix It and Flip It is in its second edition. We’ve appeared as home improvement experts on television programs such as CNN, Dateline, the Today Show, HGTV and many others.