How much does toilet replacement cost?
Updated 1 Nov 2026
Typical cost per toilet, labour
£150 – £400
Replacing a toilet in the UK typically costs £150–£400 in labour for a straightforward swap, with the toilet itself on top. A close-coupled toilet going back in the same place is the quickest job; back-to-wall and wall-hung toilets take longer because of the concealed cistern and boxing in. Fixing a running toilet is usually a much smaller job, often £80–£150.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Like-for-like close-coupled swap, labour | £150 – £250 |
| Back-to-wall toilet with concealed cistern, labour | £250 – £450 |
| Wall-hung toilet with frame, labour | £400 – £800 |
| Close-coupled toilet, supplied and fitted | £300 – £600 |
| Fixing a running toilet (fill or flush valve) | £80 – £150 |
| Replacing a toilet seat | £40 – £80 fitted, plus seat |
| New pan connector or soil alterations | £30 – £150 |
| Moving a toilet to a new position | £500 – £1,500+ |
| Removing and disposing of the old toilet | £20 – £60 |
| Plumber's hourly rate | £45 – £70 per hour |
Typical UK guide prices — see the note at the foot of this page.
Plumbing prices by region
Labour rates vary across the UK, so the same plumbing job usually costs more in London and the South East than in the South West, Wales or the North. Here is roughly how the typical range shifts by region (per toilet, labour).
| Region | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| London | £195 – £520 |
| South East | £170 – £450 |
| East of England | £160 – £420 |
| South West | £150 – £400 |
| Midlands | £145 – £380 |
| Scotland | £145 – £380 |
| North of England | £140 – £370 |
| Wales | £135 – £360 |
| Northern Ireland | £130 – £340 |
Estimates based on regional labour rates, not quotes — your price depends on the job itself.
Toilet replacement cost: what a swap involves
A straightforward toilet replacement means taking out the old pan and cistern and fitting a new one in the same position, connected to the same soil pipe and water supply.
The plumber turns off the water, empties the cistern, disconnects the supply and the pan connector, lifts the old toilet out and cleans up the floor. The new pan is positioned and screwed down, a new pan connector is fitted, the cistern goes on, the supply is reconnected and it is tested for leaks. Usually a new isolation valve goes in as well.
For a close-coupled toilet in the same spot, that is typically two to four hours and £150–£250 in labour. A basic close-coupled toilet costs roughly £120–£350, so supplied and fitted prices land around £300–£600.
Close-coupled, back-to-wall or wall-hung?
Close-coupled is the standard UK toilet, with the cistern sitting directly on the back of the pan. It is the cheapest to buy and the quickest to fit.
Back-to-wall toilets have the cistern hidden behind a panel or in fitted bathroom furniture, with only the pan showing. The toilet itself is not much dearer, but the concealed cistern, flush plate and boxing in add time, so labour is more like £250–£450.
Wall-hung toilets are fixed to a steel frame hidden in a false wall, with the pan clear of the floor. They look tidy and make cleaning easy, but the frame has to be built in and tiled or panelled over, which is usually part of a bathroom refit rather than a simple swap. Expect £400–£800 in labour alone.
If you are swapping a close-coupled toilet for a back-to-wall or wall-hung one, check the soil pipe position first. A different outlet height or distance from the wall can need extra pipework.
What affects the price?
The type of toilet, as above. Concealed cisterns and frames take longer.
The soil connection. If the new pan lines up with the old soil pipe, a standard connector does the job. If it does not, the plumber may need an offset or extended connector, or to alter the soil pipe, which adds cost.
The floor. Old toilets are sometimes cemented down, and lifting them can damage tiles or vinyl. A new pan may also have a smaller footprint than the old one, leaving a gap in the flooring that needs patching.
The water supply. Old pipework, a missing isolation valve or a corroded supply all add a little time.
Access and waste. A small cloakroom is slower to work in, and some plumbers charge for taking the old toilet away.
Work out your own price
You can get a fair estimate by adding up the parts.
1. Choose the toilet. Close-coupled models start around £120; back-to-wall with a concealed cistern is often £250 or more. 2. Add labour: £150–£250 for close-coupled, £250–£450 for back-to-wall. 3. Add £20–£60 if you want the old toilet taken away. 4. Allow £30–£150 for a new connector or small soil alterations if the outlet does not line up.
Example: replacing a cracked close-coupled toilet with a similar new one, old one removed. Toilet about £180, labour £150–£250, disposal £20–£60. That is roughly £350–£490.
On BidMyJob you can post the job with a photo of the toilet and the pipes behind it, and local plumbers bid, so you see real prices for your bathroom.
Fixing a running toilet
A toilet that keeps running, refills on its own or will not stop trickling into the pan rarely needs replacing. The usual causes are a worn fill valve, which lets water keep coming into the cistern, or a worn flush valve seal, which lets water leak through into the pan.
Replacing either part is normally a £80–£150 job including the part, and often takes under an hour. On close-coupled toilets the cistern sometimes has to be lifted off the pan to change the flush valve seal, which adds a little time.
It is worth fixing quickly. A running toilet can waste a lot of water, which matters if you are on a water meter, and an overflowing cistern can cause damage.
If the pan or cistern itself is cracked, replacement is the sensible answer. Cracked ceramic cannot be reliably repaired.
Moving a toilet
Moving a toilet is a different scale of job from replacing one. The soil pipe needs a proper fall to drain, and it usually has to be rerouted under the floor or boxed in along the wall. Upstairs that means lifting floorboards and working around joists; on a solid ground floor it may mean breaking up concrete.
Expect £500–£1,500 or more, depending on the distance and the floor. Where a gravity soil run is not possible, a macerator unit can pump waste through smaller pipes, but these are noisier and need maintaining, and are best kept for where nothing else works.
Changes to drainage can fall under Building Regulations, so a larger move is worth discussing with the plumber or building control before work starts.
How to keep the cost down
Keep the toilet in the same place. Moving it is the biggest single cost.
Pick a model with a similar outlet position to the old one so the existing soil connection can be reused.
Fix a running toilet rather than replacing the whole thing. A new valve is a fraction of the price.
Combine jobs. If a basin tap or a leaking valve also needs doing, get it done on the same visit.
And take the old toilet to the tip yourself if you have a car that can carry it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a toilet?+
Usually £150–£400 in labour, plus the toilet. A close-coupled toilet in the same position is typically £300–£600 supplied and fitted.
How much does a plumber charge to fit a toilet?+
Around £150–£250 for a close-coupled toilet and £250–£450 for back-to-wall with a concealed cistern. Wall-hung toilets with a frame cost more.
How long does it take to replace a toilet?+
Two to four hours for a like-for-like swap. Back-to-wall and wall-hung toilets can take most of a day.
How much does it cost to fix a toilet that keeps running?+
Typically £80–£150 including the part. It is usually a worn fill valve or flush valve seal rather than a reason to replace the toilet.
Will a plumber take away my old toilet?+
Most will for £20–£60, as they have to pay to dispose of it. Ask whether removal is included when comparing quotes.
Can I replace a close-coupled toilet with a back-to-wall one?+
Yes, but the soil pipe position may need altering and the cistern needs boxing in or fitted furniture, so it costs more than a straight swap.
How much does it cost to move a toilet?+
Usually £500–£1,500 or more, depending on the distance, the floor construction and how the soil pipe can be rerouted.
Related price guides
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