How Much Does It Cost to Move a Toilet? (We Asked the Pros)
Trying to figure out how much it’s going to cost you to move a toilet during a renovation may have you in tears. Every plumber is going to give you a different estimate depending on time, materials, and the dimensions of your bathroom. So, how much is it going to cost you?
Moving a toilet generally costs between $1,000 and $3,000. The total cost of this will depend on the materials used, whether existing plumbing needs to be moved, as well as the cost of labor. Unfortunately, any time plumbing needs to be moved, it’s going to be an expensive endeavor.
If you’ve ever had a home or bathroom renovation project, you’ve probably pulled your hair out trying to figure out the best way to get all your pipes where they need to go.
Don’t worry. We’ve talked to the pros, so we can tell you all the best easy to make your dream renovation a reality!
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Here’s a Quick Pro Tip!
Moving a toilet can be an expensive endeavor. But, you may be able to cut some costs by doing it yourself! All you need is the right tools and the right attitude!
Here are our favorite DIY tools and accessories to get the job done:
1. Electric Screwdriver – This screwdriver will slash the amount of time it takes you to loosen or tighten anything in your bathroom.
2. Flange Repair Kit – A must-have if you plan to move your toilet around.
3. Offset Flange – The only way to be able to move your toilet without having to move pipes.
Toilet Expenses
Renovating a bathroom can be an expensive prospect. In fact, according to our local plumber, moving a toilet is probably the most expensive of all renovation changes.
That may sound daunting, but he also provided us with some great info about how and why it costs that much!
Is It Expensive to Move a Toilet?
While the word expensive will always mean different things to different people, most will agree that moving a toilet is expensive. It will most likely cost thousands of dollars to move a toilet and all necessary piping, even if you’re staying in the same room.
Unfortunately, figuring out how to connect a new toilet to existing sewer lines is a daunting expectation for your plumber.
Of course, if you’re only moving the toilet six inches, it’s a different conversation than if you need to move it across a room.
How Much Does It Cost to Move a Toilet a Few Inches?
Moving a toilet a few inches can still cost thousands of dollars but may not be as expensive as some other moves. It does still require moving and connecting existing sewer lines.
According to one expert we contacted, this cost comes not only from the materials and labor required to make a move but also because the vent lines and water supply pipes will be affected.
How Much Does It Cost to Move a Toilet 2 Feet?
Whether you’re talking inches or feet, moving the toilet is going to be an expensive proposition. It requires adding or moving sewer and water lines, drains, and vent pipes. Add in labor, and you’re looking at thousands of dollars, potentially.
You may think it’s not a big deal to move a toilet a couple of feet, and it’s not moving the bowl itself that’s the problem.
The problem is, your home wasn’t designed for the toilet to be two feet to the left, and you’ll have to adjust all the pipes to fit.
How Much to Move a Toilet 3 Feet?
Whether you’re moving your toilet six inches or three feet, the cost isn’t going to differ significantly. It will most likely cost at least a thousand dollars, depending on your contractor and the condition of your bathroom.
The only exception to this rule is if you are moving a toilet onto an already existing sewer line.
This does cost significantly less as you will not have to have new piping and vents installed for your toilet.
You might also enjoy our post on How to Fix a Cracked Toilet Seat
How Much Does It Cost to Move a Toilet in a Slab Foundation?
Moving a toilet that’s built into a slab foundation is a tricky task and will run you at least a thousand dollars. It requires moving all the connective lines as well. Plus, remember that a plumber usually charges at least $75/hr for their work.
While that may seem like a lot of money, remember that there’s a lot of work that goes into being able to move your toilet, even just a few inches.
You have to change where the water and sewer lines lay, plus any necessary venting as well, not to mention the cost of your materials.
How Much Does It Cost to Re-Route a Toilet Drain?
You can plan on spending at least $500 to re-route your toilet drain. This may be more if the sub-flooring is affected by your move. Of course, this number may vary depending on your area and plumber.
Typically, the cost is affected by the length of the project, materials, and experience of the professional you hired to re-route the drain.
Expect to pay more if you consider your situation an emergency. If you need to find a plumber, make sure you check with the Better Business Bureau!
How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Drain Line?
As with any plumbing project, removing a drain line can get expensive. While it’s not as expensive to simply remove a line, if you plan on having that line replaced, we’re talking in the thousands.
As always, exactly how much the repair will run you depends on many factors.
The most important factors are how many lines need to be replaced, how long they are, and the kind of pipes you’re going to be installing.
Is It Expensive to Rearrange Plumbing?
It can definitely seem to be expensive to rearrange plumbing. It’s a long and time-consuming process, both for you and for the plumber doing the work. Depending on the project, rearranging plumbing can cost thousands of dollars.
The good news is that rearranging your plumbing should only have to happen once. Once you’ve finished your renovation project, you can expect not to have to rearrange plumbing ever again.
What Costs Should I Expect if I Want to Move My Toilet?
If you’re looking into having your toilet moved, the highest cost will most likely come from hiring a plumber. You can expect to pay for labor and materials. Check with your local plumbers for the best pricing.
The job may cost more than you expected, but remember those costs come from the necessity to move your toilet and all the accompanying water and sewer lines and all necessary vents and piping.
Are There Any Surprise Costs That Might Pop up When Moving a Toilet?
While you can always assume you’ll pay hourly for your plumber to do their thing and expect to pay for materials as well, there’s always the fear of unexpected costs. It’s possible to have surprise costs stemming from a need to get everything up to code.
Additional surprise costs can pop up partway through moving a toilet due to the plumber not knowing what the piping looks like until they get in there.
Maybe the plumbing needs replacement. Maybe the flooring won’t work with the new pipes. Hopefully, this won’t happen, though!
What Supplies Do I Need to Move a Toilet and How Much Will They Cost?
To successfully transfer a toilet from its current location requires your toilet itself, a flange, any necessary new piping and venting, and a drain line. This will cost you at least a few hundred dollars.
The parts listed above may vary depending on your source, but you can expect it to be at least a few hundred dollars.
Of course, if you hire a professional, the cost of all these materials will be part of their fee.
How Much Does a Plumber Charge on Average?
Most plumbers work by the hour, and their fees can range from as little as $40/hr up to $200/hr. If you have an emergency and have to have a plumber come after hours, expect them to charge you double or even triple their usual hourly rate.
Our local expert told us he charges a base price of $75/hr, and for after-hours emergencies, he will charge up to $250, depending on circumstance.
Of course, these rates will vary depending on where you live.
Would It Be Cheaper to Move a Toilet Myself Instead of Hiring a Plumber?
Typically, making any home renovation project a do-it-yourself project costs less than it would if you hired a plumber. Plumbers can charge up to $200/hr for a job, but they come with perks—for instance, physical strength and advanced plumbing knowledge.
If you don’t hire a professional, you can expect to pay all costs for materials yourself.
Also important to remember, If you do decide to do it yourself, and you mess up, it’ll cost more for the plumber to fix it!
You might also enjoy our post on How to Fix Cloudy Toilet Water
Relocation Woes
If you’re renovating your bathroom, and you’ve decided the toilet, sink, or tub needs a new home, you’re probably wondering how it’s going to happen and how much it’s going to cost.
We’ve talked to our local expert for answers!
Can You Relocate a Toilet in a Bathroom?
It is possible to relocate a toilet in a bathroom, but it’s a time-consuming and expensive project. It will require laying new water and sewer piping, as well as moving the ventilation system.
Plan on this project taking at least a couple of days, as you will most likely have to get into the subflooring before making this renovation happen.
Additionally, you can expect it to cost at least $1,000, depending on if you hire a plumber.
Is It a Big Deal to Move a Toilet Location?
It can definitely feel like a big deal to move a toilet’s location. It requires the knowledge and ability to move water, sewer, and ventilation lines from the old location to the desired final destination.
That being said, moving a toilet can be a DIY project, as long as you have the decent physical strength and some plumbing know-how.
However, if you don’t feel like going a DIY route, expect your plumber to charge you at least $1,000 for the move.
Can You Put a Toilet Anywhere?
With unlimited time, money and resources, you can install a toilet pretty much anywhere you want within your house. If you don’t have unlimited resources, consider keeping your new toilet within the confines of your already established bathrooms.
The other option is to plan out your renovation carefully. If you’re going to be changing which room your toilet is in (as in, if you’re changing where your bathrooms and bedrooms will be located.)
Try to keep your new floor plan following existing pipework for fewer headaches and less cost. If you’re putting in a new toilet, make sure it’s EPA compliant!
It’ll save water, helping both the environment and your wallet.
Can You Switch a Toilet and a Shower?
While the systems aren’t exactly the same, switching a toilet and a shower’s position is possible. You will still need new piping and possibly have to adjust the sewer lines. You may want to consider contacting a professional.
Additionally, a shower and a toilet use different venting pipes, so those would have to be changed as well.
All in all, a change like that is a little more complicated than simply switching accessories around.
Can You Swap a Toilet and a Sink?
While it is possible to switch the locations of your toilet and your sink, it’s not the easiest swap. The pipework will also need to be changed as well, and that requires time, money, and advanced plumbing knowledge.
The drains and vent lines of toilets and sinks are not exactly the same. The difference in diameter of the piping means that you’ll have to replace one with the other completely.
Unfortunately, that means having to redo the pipes if you swap the toilet and sink.
How Do You Relocate a Toilet?
If you already have a plan and the drain lines built for relocating your toilet, doing the work is pretty straightforward. You’ll simply have to turn off the water lines, remove any standing water from your toilet, and disconnect it from the flange.
Follow these steps to relocate your toilet:
- Lift the toilet from its old base and transfer it to the new base.
- Tighten the toilet on the flange.
- Reconnect the lines.
- Turn the water back on.
How Do You Move a Toilet Back a Few Inches?
If you need to move a toilet back more than an inch or two, you’ll need to re-route the pipework underneath to accommodate. This can be a frighting task if you’re not a professional plumber.
If you only need to move your toilet a couple of inches, you may be able to get away with not having to redo your plumbing.
An offset toilet flange may be able to give you the flexibility you need to move that toilet, but not the pipes.
How Do You Move a Toilet Over Concrete?
If your toilet has been set within the concrete, unfortunately, you’re going to have to destroy the concrete if you need to move your tub more than an inch or two.
The reason this demolition is necessary is that unless you get rid of the concrete, you will not have access to the full water and waste lines.
Those lines have to be specifically placed according to where the toilet will sit.
Can You Turn a Toilet 90 Degrees?
As long as you have the space necessary to accommodate the turn, there’s no reason you can’t turn your toilet 90 degrees. In fact, this may even save you space in the long run!
If you’re going to turn your toilet 90 degrees, you’ll have to first shut off the water and drain the bowl. Then, you can unscrew the flange.
You may need a flange repair kit, depending on the bolts. Then, secure the flange in the new spot, tighten and turn the water back on.
Related Questions
How Much Does It Cost to Move a Shower Head to the Opposite Wall?
Unless you’re doing the move yourself, moving a shower head to the opposite wall can be an expensive change. With a professional, you’ll be looking at it costing a least a couple of thousand dollars.
Moving a showerhead to a different wall will require tearing out existing shower walls, then running hot and cold water pipes to the new location.
You’ll also have to consider where the new drain and piping will go.
Is It Easier to Move a Toilet or a Shower?
Moving a toilet or a shower while renovating your bathroom is a difficult job. Technically, it can be more expensive to move a toilet because of the water, waste, and venting moves that go into it.
That being said, moving a shower isn’t exactly an easy task either. You will have to knock out walls, possibly move hot and cold water lines, and deal with drains and their piping as well.
Be sure to talk to your plumber before getting started!
Final Thoughts
While moving a toilet is one of the most expensive home renovation projects, it’s not a pipe dream.
If you have advanced knowledge of plumbing, or if you’ve got a great plumber, with these tricks and tips, you’ll be in your dream bathroom in no time. Enjoy!
