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Toilet installation cost: what handymen and plumbers charge in 2026

By Nicholas Lipari, founder of PlainJob · Updated · 7 min read

Short answer: replacing a toilet costs about $250 to $800, around $450 on average with the toilet included (Fixr, 2026). Labor alone is about $150 to $440, and a handyman swap is often $60 to $200 in labor (Homeyou, Fixr). A swap takes one to two hours. Plumbers commonly charge $250 to $500 to install one (This Old House). Putting a toilet where there wasn't one runs $1,000 to $3,500.

Figures from Fixr (updated January 2026), This Old House (updated June 2026), Angi (2026 data), Homeyou (updated September 2026) and Fixr's handyman guide. National averages; check local prices.

What it costs

ItemTypical cost
Replace an existing toilet, all in$250–$800 (average $450)
Labor only$150–$440
Handyman toilet swap (labor)$60–$195 (Homeyou), $100–$200 (Fixr)
First-time install (new plumbing)$1,000–$3,500
Haul away the old toilet$50–$200
Plumbing permit, where required$50–$300

How much does a plumber charge to install a toilet?

Most plumbers quote a toilet replacement as a flat price of about $250 to $500 for installation, on top of the toilet (This Old House). Plumbers who bill by the hour charge roughly $45 to $200 an hour depending on skill level (Angi), and big-city rates run higher. A straightforward swap takes one to two hours; a stuck flange bolt, a bad shutoff or a rotted floor can push it to three or four.

PlumberHandyman
Labor to swap a toilet$150–$500$60–$200
Same-spot replacementYesYes, in most places
Moving the drain or a first-time installYes, often with a permitNo, needs a licensed plumber
New shutoff valveYesOften, where local rules allow
Best forOlder plumbing, leaks, anything in the wallSimple swaps, especially bundled with other small jobs

The toilet itself

Toilet seat and bidet installation cost

Repair prices

RepairTypical cost (parts and labor)
Replace the flange$145–$350
Replace the wax ring (pull and reset the toilet)$50–$200
Replace the shutoff valve$50–$150
Fix a running toilet$100–$400

Source: Angi, 2026 data.

Parts a pro brings

Wax ring ($8–$9), closet bolts ($2–$8), a new supply line ($6–$12) and bolt caps. All the fittings and hardware together come to about $30–$80 (This Old House). Put them on the quote as one "install kit" line.

What adds to the job

Can a handyman replace a toilet?

Swapping a toilet on an existing drain and supply line is common handyman work in most places. Moving the drain, new supply lines in the wall, or a first-time install usually needs a licensed plumber and sometimes a permit. See the handyman license rules by state.

How to quote it

  1. Ask for a photo of the toilet base and the shutoff before you price it.
  2. Put the toilet, labor, wax ring, supply line, shutoff valve and haul-away on separate lines.
  3. Write a price for a flange repair as an optional add-on, so a surprise doesn't stall the job.

More prices in the handyman price list.

Sources

Questions

How much does it cost to replace a toilet?

About $250 to $800, around $450 on average including the toilet, according to Fixr. Labor alone is about $150 to $440.

How long does it take to install a toilet?

One to two hours for most replacements. Complex jobs can take four hours or more.

Can a handyman install a toilet?

Swapping one on an existing drain and supply line is common handyman work. Moving drains or first-time installs usually need a licensed plumber; rules vary by state.

How much does a plumber charge to install a toilet?

Usually about $250 to $500 for installation, plus the toilet, according to This Old House. Hourly plumbers charge roughly $45 to $200 an hour, and most swaps take one to two hours.

How much does it cost to install a toilet seat?

About $50 to $70 with labor. A bidet seat costs $170 to $650 for the seat, plus a GFCI outlet if it is heated.

How much does it cost to replace a toilet flange?

About $145 to $350 for parts and labor, according to Angi.

How much does it cost to install a commode?

A commode is the same as a toilet: about $250 to $800 to replace one, toilet included, or $150 to $500 for installation labor alone.

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