Cost of installing a downstairs toilet

Installing a downstairs toilet is a fantastic addition to your home. It can make your life much easier by adding the convenience of an extra toilet if you live in a busy household, and can even add value to your property. Changing a downstairs room into a cloakroom could cost anywhere between £2,000-£4,000, but there are lots of factors that make up this cost.

How much does downstairs toilet installation cost in the UK?

How much downstairs toilet installation costs in the UK largely depends on the size of the room you want to change into a downstairs toilet, how accessible it is for plumbing and what you want to add to the room. The price you pay for labour will also vary based on where you are in the country, so take a look at HaMuch's large database of hourly and daily rates for tradespeople in your area.

Here are some of the average costs associated with installing a downstairs toilet:

With a downstairs toilet installation, the possibilities are endless – as long as your budget is! So that means it’s difficult to give an accurate cost estimate. For example, a generic toilet from a DIY store will cost much less than a Gerberit or Grohe toilet, and Porcelanosa tiles will set you back much more than tiles from somewhere like Topps Tiles.

We always recommend gathering quotes from plumbers and bathroom installers to give you a better idea of how much a downstairs toilet will set you back. You could even ask them to provide you with luxury, mid-range and budget options.

Other costs to consider

While you’re installing a new downstairs toilet, there might be extra costs that you want to budget for:

New bathroom

When you’re considering a new downstairs toilet, it’s worth thinking about whether the space is big enough for a full bathroom. While a new bathroom is likely to cost between £3,000-£6,000, you could add more value to your home and reduce queues in the morning if you live in a busy household.

Heated towel rail

A good option for a downstairs toilet is a heated towel rail. If you’re installing your downstairs toilet in a small space, a towel rail will probably provide enough heat for the room so you don’t need to worry about installing any other heating. Heated towel rails can cost anywhere between £175-£450 for supply and installation.

Underfloor heating

If you don’t want or need a heated towel rail, underfloor heating can be a great option for small downstairs toilets. It should keep the room plenty warm enough underfoot and remove the need for a radiator which can take up a lot of space.

Electric underfloor heating costs around £85 per square metre, so it may not cost very much to install in a small downstairs cloakroom.

Shaving socket

You may want to consider installing a shaving socket in your downstairs toilet. A shaving socket is handy if your family will use your downstairs toilet for getting ready in the morning, since you can charge electric toothbrushes as well as shavers in it.

You should get a shaving socket installed by a qualified electrician as electrical work in bathrooms is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations. The average cost to get a shaving socket installed is around £100.

Where is the best place to put a downstairs toilet?

The best place to put a downstairs toilet is probably where you have space! Lots of homeowners worry that they don’t have room for a downstairs WC, but you’ll be surprised at how you can utilise space to fit one in.

Lots of homeowners fit a small downstairs toilet with just a toilet and half sink in cupboards under the stairs, old utility rooms and pantries. It’s worth bearing in mind that depending on where you want your downstairs toilet to be installed, your plumber might need to run lots of pipework for the plumbing, so it can be useful to install it near existing pipework to reduce costs.

Can a toilet be directly off a kitchen?

Yes, a toilet can be directly off a kitchen. Regulations used to state that you had to have two doors between a toilet and a kitchen, or you had to have a separating lobby. However, these rules have now been relaxed and as long as you have a basin for handwashing before the user returns to the kitchen, a downstairs toilet can open straight out into the kitchen.

Can you install a toilet where there is no plumbing?

You will need plumbing to install a toilet, but plumbers can usually add extra pipework to make this possible. However, if you don’t have a drainage pipe nearby, you can install a macerator toilet.

A macerator is a sewage pump that allows you to flush upwards and pump waste in any direction, then grinds waste into smaller pieces to allow it to pass through pipework that leads to the sewage pipe. Popular brands include Saniflo, Grunfos and Turboflush.

This kind of toilet gives you much more flexibility in where you can install your downstairs toilet and are relatively easy to install. Expect a macerator toilet to set you back between £400-£1,000 for supply and installation.

Do you need planning permission to add a downstairs toilet?

No, you shouldn’t need planning permission to add a downstairs toilet, as you’re simply adding it to an existing place in your home. However, if you plan on building an extension to house your downstairs toilet, you might have to apply for planning permission if your extension will be bigger than what is allowed under permitted development rights.

Take a look on the Planning Portal website for more information, and speak to an architect or builder if you’re unsure.

If you’re ready to find out the exact cost of installing a downstairs toilet in your home, post your job on HaMuch to get in touch with trusted local plumbers and bathroom fitters who are available to help.

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