How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Toilet?

Plumber Cost To Fix A Toilet

On average, it will cost from $45 to $197 to repair a toilet yourself or between $130 and $310 to have professional repairs done by a plumber. The hourly charge for a plumbing contractor is $72 to $82, which does not include parts or materials. Prices depend on the exact repair needed, where you live, hiring a plumber vs. hiring a handyman, and whether or not you can DIY it.

Table Of Contents

1. Plumber Cost To Fix A Toilet
2. Plumber Cost to Unclog A Toilet
3. Cost To Repair & Replace Parts
• Fill, Shut Off & Flush Valves, Flapper
• Cost of Parts
• Wax Ring & Seal
• Tank
• Bowl
• Pipes
• Syphon
• Flange
• Reseat
4. Cost To Fix A Leaking Toilet
5. Cost To Replace A Toilet
6. DIY Vs. Hiring a Plumber
7. Additional Considerations
8. Frequently Asked Questions
9. Toilet Repair

Plumber Cost to Unclog A Toilet

Plumber cost to unclog a toilet is $100 to $275 on average. A clogged toilet needs to be fixed right away, so it doesn’t overflow and flood the bathroom or the subfloor below. Many times toilets will become clogged with objects a child has dropped in or too much toilet paper.

However, if the clog is farther down the sewer line, requiring special equipment to be brought in, it will cost more, especially if flooring has to be pulled up or the toilet has to be rebuilt. If you have a manual snake, you can try to break up the clog yourself first before calling a professional.

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Cost To Repair & Replace Toilet Parts

Plumbers charge either by the hour or by the job, and most will have a minimum call out charge of about $50. Common toilet repairs include: ^[4]

• Replace the tank float ball and float rod – $111
• Install a new flapper and chain in the tank. Adjust the linkage and check – $129
• Replace the toilet seat– $62–$189 (depends on the type and size of the seat)
• Remove and reseat toilet with new seal and bolts – $225

Cost Of Replacement Parts

Fill, Shut Off & Flush Valves, Flapper

A simple toilet valve replacement typically costs $70 to $150. A complete rebuild of the closet tank which includes the flush handle, flush valve, flapper, ballcock, and tank bolts costs around $275.

Cost To Replace Toilet Wax Ring & Seal

The cost to replace a toilet wax ring and seal is around $225. The process involves removing the toilet, replacing the wax ring, and reseating the toilet. The wax seal seals the toilet to the floor and keeps water from leaking onto the bathroom floor, or if it’s a second-floor bathroom, the ceiling under it. ^[5]

Replace Tank

The tank is what holds the water for flushing. If the tank is leaking, it can be replaced or repaired without having to buy a new toilet, which can cost up to $300.

Replace Bowl

If the toilet bowl cracks or becomes damaged in some way, it can be replaced, but it might be better to buy a new toilet. You can replace the entire toilet for $175 or less (labor only, purchase toilet separately). ^[6]

With labor and a standard grade toilet, you’ll spend about $420. You have to remove the toilet to either replace the bowl or the entire toilet, replace the wax ring, and reseat it to the floor anyway, so installing a new toilet could end up saving money in the long run.

Replace Pipes

If you need pipes replaced, you will have to hire a professional plumber. The cost of having pipes repaired or replaced can vary greatly depending on the location of the pipes, the actual problem, and the question of repairing or replacing; but on average, the cost to replace pipes is $80–$440 per hour or a fixed price of about $222.

Fix Syphon

This allows the toilet to flush. A plumber will charge $135 to fix it.

Cost To Replace Toilet Flange

The flange is a pipe fitting that does two jobs. It secures the toilet to the floor and also connects the toilet to the drain pipe. This can be done as a DIY job, with parts ranging from $5 to $30, but a professional will also fix it for about $200.

Cost To Reseat A Toilet

If you’ve purchased a new toilet, or taken yours off the floor but can’t get it back on, it needs to be reseated. A plumber charges approx. $195 to do this. This includes the new wax ring, bolts, and supply line.

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How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Leaking Toilet?

Fixing the problem of a leaking toilet could be as simple as replacing the flapper for about $12 to $29. If that doesn’t fix the problem, you’ll need to call the plumber. You’ll pay $50 to $100 for a service call, plus pay for any parts that are required, which could save you $100–$200 a month in the long term. A minor leak in one toilet can cost you $1,000 a year in water charges. If the toilet is always running, that $1,000 can double. ^[8][9]

How Much Does A Plumber Charge To Replace A Toilet?

On average, the cost to replace a toilet ranges between $122 and $228, with most homeowners spending around $150 to $180. This does not include the price of the toilet, which averages $99 to $199, for a total toilet replacement cost of $221 to $427. A high-efficiency toilet with extra features can cost $800 to $1,500 to install. The average installation takes a plumber 2 to 4 hours at $65 per hour. If you're replacing an existing toilet, add $30 to $50 to remove your old toilet.

How Plumbers Charge

The cost of a plumber varies by the area of the United States you live in. A plumber may cost less in a rural area than in an urban area; but on average, a plumber will charge a fixed fee in the range of $130–$310 to fix a toilet.

The average plumber’s hourly wage is $68–$138. Many times simple repairs, such as unclogging a toilet or a drain, will have a fixed price of about $220 unless there are extenuating circumstances. The cost to snake a drain is from $3–$13. Some plumbers will charge a fee to look at your situation and tell you what needs to be done, but if you hire them, that charge will be deducted from the bill. A plumber may charge $50–$100 to come and diagnose the problem.^[2] Having to call a plumber after hours, on the weekend, or on a holiday will cost more.

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DIY Vs. Hiring a Plumber

Many toilet repairs can be done by the homeowner, as long as there are no plumbing or electrical issues that need to be handled by a professional. Simple repairs require no specialized tools or equipment and don’t take a long time. Replacement parts are readily available at your local home improvement store. The most common tools needed are a cordless drill, hacksaw, hammer drill, and locking pliers.

Handyman Vs. Plumber

A handyman can do most simple toilet repairs, but you’ll want to be sure of his/her plumbing background and experience. When it comes to more complex repairs or replacement, it’s a good idea to hire a professional plumber with the knowledge and expertise needed for the job, not to mention the correct tools and equipment. A handyman may not have the specialized equipment required.

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Additional Considerations

While most toilet repairs are simple, there are always those problems which seem to escape diagnosis. If a plumber needs to investigate the issue by removing the toilet, or anything else, before doing any actual repairs, he could charge a diagnostic fee of $50–$90. Pros often deduct the diagnostic fee from the bill if you hire them to do the repairs. ^[7]

• Accessibility – If the toilet is in a hard-to-reach area, having access to pipes or even the space behind the tank is limited, so repairs could cost more. A plumber charges $77 per hour (on average), so anything you can do to make repairs easier, the lower the bill.
• Pipes – If pipes need to be located and replaced, that will add to the cost. If pipes are tangled in outdoor tree roots or they begin to corrode, they need replacement. Pipework costs $80–$440 per hour or a fixed price of about $222, depending on where you live and the amount of pipe replacement needed.
• Additional workers – If your toilet repair becomes a much larger job, additional workers will need to be hired and paid.
• Time of call – If you call on a Saturday, on a holiday, or in the middle of the night, it will cost more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long do toilet flappers last?

Toilet flappers should last for 4–5 years, but some chemical cleaners take a toll on flappers and then they won’t even last a year. Reduce the chemicals used, and they will last longer.

How many years does a toilet last?

A toilet can last for an indefinite number of years. The toilet itself will probably live longer than you do, as long as the porcelain the toilet is made of doesn’t crack and the toilet is not moved. The wax seal should last a good 30 years, again, if the toilet is not moved.

Can you replace just the tank of a toilet?

Depending on the brand and style of your toilet, a new tank can cost about $34–$255 from your local home improvement store to replace the old one.

How easy is it to install a toilet?

It’s easy to install a toilet as long as you have all the required parts and pieces on hand, and the correct tools. The hardest part will be lifting the old toilet out and then carrying it outside, as it’s heavy and awkward.

How often should you replace the wax ring on a toilet?

A wax ring should last 20–30 years, but it might need to be replaced for the following reasons:

• Sewage gas odor – If you suddenly start smelling sewage, it’s a good bet the wax ring cracked. It needs to be replaced right away.
• Leaks – If you see puddles on the floor, near the toilet, or water stains on the ceiling under the toilet, the wax ring needs to be replaced.
• A wobble – is indicative of a cracked wax ring. Toilets should not wobble; they should sit securely on the floor with no movement at all.
• Moving the toilet – If you need to unbolt the toilet from the floor, replace the wax ring when you put it back on.

Do plumbers fix toilets?

Plumbers can fix toilets. A plumber will fix anything having to do with pipes and plumbing. It would be cost effective for you to try to fix your toilet first because sometimes they are simple fixes. But if you’ve tried and it’s not working, call the plumber.

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