Whether you’re facing constant clogs, a leaky flush, or the worrying sight of a fine porcelain crack, replacing your toilet can be a sensible step. If you’re fitting a new bathroom or downstairs toilet, then you’ll want your toilet to match your other sanitaryware without breaking the bank.

Whatever the reason, toilet replacement doesn’t have to be a hassle, especially when you can hire a professional plumber through HaMuch to take care of everything for you. We’ll go through everything you need to know about the costs of a new toilet in this guide.

How much should it cost to replace a toilet?

How much it costs to replace a toilet depends on a few factors, such as whether it’s a like-for-like swap, the kind of toilet it is and where you live. Expect to pay at least £150 for a like-for-like swap of a close-coupled toilet. 

Here’s what you can expect to pay for a toilet replacement:

Factors affecting the cost of toilet replacement

As with most plumbing jobs, there are a few factors that can affect the cost of toilet replacement. A straight like-for-like swap is usually quicker and cheaper than replacing a close-coupled toilet with a wall-hung or high-level toilet. 

Other things that affect the price include:

• Toilet type: Wall-hung and high-level toilets cost more to install than close-coupled models
• Brand: Premium brands like Gerberit or Roca are more expensive
• Bathroom layout: Moving the toilet location or altering plumbing adds labour and material costs
• Age of home: Older homes may need pipework upgrades
• Finishing touches: Flooring, tiling, or boxing-in pipework will increase costs
• Your location: Plumber rates are generally highest in London and the south east, but lower in the north of England and Scotland.

At HaMuch, we use our database of hourly and daily rates of plumbers across the UK to estimate how much jobs cost in your area. Find your nearest town or city in our toilet replacement cost table to get a more accurate idea of how much it will cost at your home.

Types of toilets

There are a few different types of toilets to choose from. The type of toilet you choose depends on your bathroom’s style, any accessibility needs and your budget:

Close-coupled

Close-coupled toilets are the traditional type of toilet. The cistern sits on the back of the toilet bowl and may have a button flush or a handle flush. They are usually the most cost-effective type of toilet to buy, starting at around £100.

Wall-hung

Wall-hung or hidden cistern toilets are becoming more popular due to their stylish look that keeps the cistern hidden behind a wall. They are usually more expensive than close-coupled toilets, starting at around £230. 

If you are replacing a close-coupled toilet with a wall-hung one, don’t forget to factor in costs for wall support, boxing in and tiling or bathroom cladding to cover the cistern.

High-level

High-level toilets have that traditional Victorian look where the cistern is mounted up high on the wall connected by a flush pipe. They usually have a chain pull flush. Common in period homes and restaurants where cubicle space is at a premium, these toilets start at around £280.

Low-level

Low-level toilets have their cistern mounted lower on the wall than high-level toilets, but it’s still higher than on a close-coupled toilet and is connected by a flush pipe. They may have a handle or button flush, and typically start from around £150. 

Best toilet brands

If you prefer to buy trusted brands, there are lots of toilet brands to choose from. Some of the most popular in the UK right now include:

• Gerberit
• TOTO
• Duravit
• Ideal Standard
• Roca
• RAK Ceramics
• Vitra

Here are a few toilets from different brands to help you see what’s within your budget:

Image	Name	Cost
	Armitage Shanks Sandringham 21 Close Coupled Toilet	£84.00
	QS Basics Amelia 363 x 486mm White Wall Hung WC	£101.08
	Grohe Euro Rimless Wall Hung WC	£275.94
	RAK Ceramics Summit Close Coupled Toilet	£276.58
	Roca Inspira Rimless Back To Wall Toilet	£533.09
	Roca Beyond Rimless Close Coupled Toilet	£1077.86

How much does it cost to install a washlet toilet?

Washlet toilets combine the traditional toilet bowl with bidet functionality and smart features like heated seats, lights, and warm-air drying. While they can elevate the comfort of your bathroom, they do come at a premium.

Expect to pay at least £500 for a basic model, with installation costs starting around £300. More advanced models can cost thousands, especially from high-end brands.

What's involved in plumbing in a toilet?

Most toilet installations involve removing the old toilet, preparing the area, and fitting the new one onto existing plumbing. If the pipework is in good condition, the job is relatively straightforward. If the pipes are corroded or outdated, the plumber will need to replace them before fitting the new toilet.

The steps typically include:

• Disconnecting the old toilet and capping the soil pipe
• Cleaning and preparing the floor area
• Installing the new toilet using a wax ring to seal the soil pipe
• Securing the toilet to the floor or wall
• Connecting the water supply and cistern
• Checking for leaks and testing the flush

Can I have a toilet without plumbing?

If you want to install a toilet somewhere that doesn’t have an existing waste pipe, such as a basement or loft conversion, you might need a macerator toilet like a Saniflo. These toilets grind up waste and pump it through small pipes to the main drainage system.

Saniflo toilets don’t rely on gravity, so they can be installed in places where traditional toilets aren’t an option. They do, however, require a reliable power supply and can be more expensive to maintain over time.

Expect to pay at least £1,000 for the supply and installation of a new macerator toilet in a new location.

How much will it cost to repair my toilet cistern or change a toilet seat?

Most toilet repairs, such as fixing a constantly running cistern or replacing a flush valve, only require a plumber for an hour or two. Parts are typically inexpensive – a bottom-entry flush valve might cost around £15, while a new cistern starts from £50. A basic replacement toilet seat can cost as little as £10, while soft-close and designer seats range from £20 to £70 or more.

Many plumbers will have a minimum charge of one hour, even if the work takes less time, to cover their travel costs. The average hourly rate for a plumber is £60.

Is it cheaper to replace a toilet or repair it?

If your toilet is fairly modern and the issue is minor, such as a faulty valve or flusher, a repair will usually be cheaper. But if the bowl is cracked, leaks persist, or you’ve already made several repairs, replacement is often the most cost-effective and reliable option in the long run.

Ready to replace your toilet? Post your job with HaMuch now and we’ll put you in touch with local plumbers who are ready to help.

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