Swapping a toilet in an existing bathroom tends to run a few hundred dollars overall. One national guide lists toilet installation at roughly $224 to $532, averaging near $372, with 2 to 4 hours of labor. The toilet you pick causes the biggest swing, from under $100 to well over $1,000. Burbank and Valley jobs follow the same pattern, though older homes can add work. This page belongs with our toilet repair guide and deals only with cost.
How much does a plumber charge to replace a toilet?
Budget roughly $224 to $532 for a standard swap in an existing bathroom, per one published national guide, with 2 to 4 hours of labor. That typically covers pulling the old toilet, setting the new one on a fresh seal, and connecting the water. The toilet itself is a separate cost unless the plumber supplies it.
These are national numbers, so read them as a guide rather than a quote. What you actually pay turns on the toilet, the shutoff valve, the floor's condition and the plumber's call-out fee. A written quote comes after a plumber has seen the job.
What does each part of the price look like?
The price splits into labor, the toilet, small parts and hauling off the old one. Labor often runs $65 to $125 an hour. Toilets go from about $90 for a basic two piece to over $1,500 for a premium one piece or wall hung model. Disposal can add $50 to $200 when it is not included.
| Item | Typical range (national guide) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber labor | About $65 to $125 per hour, 2 to 4 hours | Emergency visits can reach about $350 per hour |
| Two piece toilet | About $90 to $875 | The most common type |
| One piece toilet | About $150 to $1,500 | Easier to clean, heavier to carry |
| Wall hung toilet | About $500 to $2,000 or more | Needs an in-wall carrier and extra labor |
| Smart toilet | About $1,200 to $13,000 or more | Needs a power outlet nearby |
| Removal and disposal | Often included, sometimes $50 to $200 | Ask when you get the quote |
| Wax ring and bolts | Low cost parts | Usually folded into the labor line |
These figures come from national guides that were checked in November 2026, and they serve as a guide only.
How much does a plumber charge to change a wax ring?
A wax ring is an inexpensive part, so you mostly pay for the visit. Replacing one means lifting the toilet and setting it down again, about an hour or two of work. National guides list hourly plumber rates of $45 to $200 with a call-out fee on top, so a wax ring job often lands in the low to mid hundreds.
We found no single reliable published price for a wax ring change alone, so take this as an estimate and ask for a number in writing. Our page on leaking toilet repair shows how to confirm the wax ring is the culprit before paying.
How much does a plumber charge to fix a toilet?
Small repairs cost less than a replacement. Hourly rates for plumbers run about $45 to $200, and a service call charge of roughly $100 to $350 often absorbs the first hour. A cost guide lists swapping a sink, toilet or faucet at $150 to $900 each, and clearing a clog at $150 to $350.
A flapper, fill valve or handle costs only a few dollars, so the visit is the main charge. Many people bundle several small repairs into one trip. If you would rather try yourself, see repairing a fill valve and flapper repair.
What is the cost of a plumber unclogging a toilet?
A national guide puts a clogged toilet at about $150 to $350 to clear, and less for a simple plunge done inside the first hour. Costs climb if the plumber must lift the toilet to reach a blockage or run a drain machine, or if the visit falls after hours.
A blockage that keeps returning may come from the drain line. Older Valley homes with cast iron or clay lines can have roots or scale. Our page on a blocked toilet explains what to try first.
Should you hire a handyman or a plumber to install a toilet?
California regulates contractors, and the state's contractor licensing board (the CSLB) sets a dollar cap on the work someone without a contractor license may take on. Plumbing over that cap needs a contractor holding a California contractor license. A plain toilet swap can fall under the cap, so ask any handyman about their license before agreeing.
The CSLB site offers a license lookup, and checking takes a minute. A plumber carries suitable parts, handle a damaged flange or corroded shutoff valve on the spot, and know local rules. A handyman may do fine on a simple like for like swap, but if the floor or drain needs work, hire a plumber. Check what the CSLB's current limits are first.
What makes a toilet job cost more?
Typical extras include a damaged flange, a rotted subfloor, a stuck or leaking shutoff valve, relocating the toilet, a cramped bathroom, and after-hours service. One guide prices moving a toilet in a remodel at $2,500 to $3,500, and hidden water damage can pile flooring costs on top.
In Valley homes built between the 1940s and 1960s, the usual surprise is an old shutoff valve that seizes or leaks the moment it turns, or a drain flange that crumbles. Have the quote name the shutoff valve and flange and say what happens if they need replacing, which prevents arguments later.
Does a new toilet save money on water?
It can. The EPA says swapping old toilets for WaterSense labeled models can save the average family about 13,000 gallons and $130 a year. Under California rules, toilets sold now use no more than 1.28 gallons a flush. Savings are biggest when your current toilet predates the mid 1990s.
That is an average and no promise for your house, but it is one reason to replace an old unit rather than repair it. Some water agencies offer rebates on high efficiency toilets, and programs change. Before buying, check Burbank Water and Power, Glendale Water and Power or LADWP for current offers.
How do you get a fair price?
Have the quote in writing, naming the toilet model, labor, removal of the old toilet, the shutoff valve and any permit. Ask if the price shifts when the flange or floor needs repair. Compare two quotes covering the same scope, not just the headline figure.
A plumber comes to you in Burbank, Glendale, Sherman Oaks or a neighboring area, and the written quote reaches you ahead of the work. Request a quote and give the toilet type and what you want done. The Lankershim Plumbing home page shows the other plumbing jobs we handle.
Questions people ask
Is it cheaper to install my own toilet?
Yes, you skip the labor, which is most of the cost on a basic job. You have to lift a heavy toilet, seat a seal and tighten bolts evenly without cracking the porcelain. If the flange is damaged or the shutoff is old and stiff, call a plumber instead.
How many hours does a toilet swap take?
An installation cost guide puts labor at about 2 to 4 hours, and a straight swap in an open bathroom is often at the short end. Add time for a damaged flange, a stuck shutoff valve or floor repair. Have the plumber estimate it when you ask for the quote.
Does the plumber supply the toilet?
Some do, some do not. If you bring your own, confirm it matches the rough in, which is the wall-to-drain-center measurement, often 12 inches. If the plumber supplies it, get the model and price in writing to compare against store prices.
Is a permit needed for a toilet swap?
A like for like swap does not usually need one, though rules differ by city and job. The call belongs to Burbank's Building Division and Los Angeles Building and Safety, so ask the city when pipes will move or the job goes beyond a swap.
How do I fix a running toilet cheaply?
Change the flapper or fill valve yourself. Parts cost a few dollars and the work takes under an hour. Our guide to fixing a running toilet has the steps. Phone a plumber if the shutoff valve will not close or the tank is cracked.
References
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