In this guide

Toilet Repair Cost by Type of Repair

Toilets have numerous parts, many of them moving. For that reason, they can develop several common problems over time. Most of these are easy and quick to fix, often done in under an hour for a fixed rate. Some issues are more complex and require more time and money to correct.

Toilet Flange Repair Cost

The flange is an important part of the toilet that may get damaged and need to be repaired or replaced. It is a pipe fitting that helps keep the toilet in place on the floor and connect the toilet to the drain pipe. If the flange breaks, the toilet can become unusable and develop leaks. A handyman generally uses a repair plate to fix any breaks in the flange. The average cost for flange repairs is between $60 and $125.

Fix Wobbly Toilet

If your toilet wobbles or does not quite sit firmly in place, this could be a sign that the wax ring securing it to the floor has been damaged or cracked in some way. Luckily, this problem can often be repaired cheaply, without the need for replacement parts. Professionals use repair plates to fix any cracks in the wax ring and restore the toilet into its usual position for around $60 to $150.

Toilet Seal Repair

The wax seal or wax ring is the part of the toilet located around the base, sealing it in place and connecting with the drain opening in your floor. The seal can become damaged over time, but it usually does not need to be replaced, only repaired. A handyman or plumber may use repair plates to inspect the seal, find any cracks or damages, and then repair them. This costs around $60 to $150 on average.

Toilet Flush Repair

Flushes can be made up of several parts, and the flush design varies from one toilet model to the next. Therefore, various issues can arise with toilet flushes. The handle might be loose and need to be tightened back into place, or the flush valve could become faulty. The cost of toilet flush repair varies greatly, depending on the source of the problem, ranging from $75 to $200 on average.

Toilet Bowl Repair

The toilet bowl is the main body of the toilet that fills with water and is covered by the seat. Little issues can happen with toilet bowls over time. They may become marked, cracked, or damaged due to accidents, and a broken bowl increases the chances of leaks or wobbliness in the toilet. Epoxy resin can be used to repair cracks and breakages in the bowl, or a handyman might need to remove and repair it for significant damage, with average costs of $100 to $300.

Cost to Fix a Running Toilet

Sometimes, toilets run continuously. There can be various reasons for this, including a leaky flapper, too much water in the tank, or issues with the refill tube. The repair type depends on the source of the trouble, and this impacts the cost because adjusting the float in the tank is inexpensive, while full repairs of refill tubes are costly. Prices range from $100 to $400 on average.

Toilet Leak Repair Cost

Leaks are a common problem with toilets. Toilets can leak in different ways and for various reasons. Leaks may occur where the toilet meets the floor, at the water supply valve or tank connection, or between the bowl and the tank. A handyman first needs to identify the problem, which could be caused by anything from corroded pipes to a cracked wax seal, and then take action. For this reason, costs vary from $100 to $600.

Toilet Drain Repair

The drain is another essential part of your toilet, responsible for carrying water and waste away from the toilet and out of the home into the sewer system. Various issues happen with drains, but they do not always need to be replaced. They can become clogged, which requires unclogging, or they can be damaged and cause leaks. Handymen might need to remove the toilet entirely to access and fix a faulty drain, ranging from $100 to $600.

Clogged Toilet Repair Cost

Toilet clogs are a common issue that need to be repaired quickly. Once a toilet is clogged, water simply builds up with each flush and cannot flow through the drain. This can happen due to too much paper or material in the toilet or if a child puts a toy or object into the toilet bowl and flushes it. The plumber may need to use a plunger to unclog the toilet or remove the toilet entirely to look at the pipes. Therefore, costs vary from $150 to $600.

Cost to Replace Parts of a Toilet

As well as having broken parts of your toilet repaired, you may also need to replace them. Sometimes, parts like the flange or flapper are simply too damaged to repair or are cheaper to replace than fix. The costs of replacing parts of a toilet vary depending on the part, as some are much smaller and cheaper than others. The table below shows common toilet parts and the costs to replace them.

Cost to Replace a Toilet Flush Valve

The flush valve is one of the two main valves in the toilet tank. It is responsible for moving the water into the bowl, and it can degrade over time. It may become less effective or even completely unusable, preventing the toilet from flushing correctly. Fortunately, replacement valves are not usually too expensive, and this is one of the cheapest replacement jobs for toilets, costing around $60 to $120.

Cost to Replace a Toilet Fill Valve

The fill valve is the other important valve in the toilet tank. It controls the flow of the water into the toilet tank and is usually situated on the left side of the tank, with a tailpiece connecting it through to the base of the tank and out to the supply tube. It opens and closes when the toilet is flushed, letting new water into the tank, but it may wear down, interfering with the flushing process. Replacing this part costs $60 to $120 on average.

Cost to Replace a Toilet Flapper

The flapper is a rubber component of the toilet that sits against the flush valve opening. In some older toilets, the tank ball does the work of the flapper. The flapper blocks the flush valve while water is in the tank and then allows that water to flow down into the bowl when the chain or handle is pulled. Flappers wear out over time or fall out of position, preventing the toilet from flushing correctly. Costs for flapper replacement range from $60 to $120.

Cost to Replace a Toilet Shut-Off Valve

The shut-off valve is situated outside the toilet on the main water supply pipe that feeds fresh water to the tank. It is usually located to the left side of the toilet, beneath or behind the tank, and it allows you to shut off the water supply to the tank for repairs or if the toilet is overflowing or running constantly. Replacing a shut-off valve is very simple and costs about $60 to $120.

Toilet Seal Replacement Cost

The seat is another important part of the toilet. It is the part where you sit when using the toilet, and it comes in many styles, designs, colors, and materials. Over time, seats crack, stain, become damaged, or just need to be replaced to suit the owner’s tastes and preferences. Replacing a seat is simple, but the costs vary depending on the seat type, ranging from $60 to $150 on average.

Cost to Replace a Toilet Flange

The flange can also get damaged or simply degrade over time. It can crack, leak, stain, or corrode due to excessive exposure to water and grime. If it breaks, leaks may develop, and the toilet might become unusable. In most cases, it is easier to replace the flange entirely than repair it. Costs for flange replacements vary from $60 to $200.

Replace a Siphon

The siphon is a part of the toilet bowl that allows it to flush properly. Without the siphon, the toilet may be completely unable to flush, essentially making it impossible to use. So, siphon issues need to be handled quickly. Repairs for the siphon vary in time requirements, intensity, and cost, with average prices ranging from $75 to $200.

Toilet Drain Pipe Replacement Cost

Drain pipes can corrode and get damaged over time because they are exposed to water and waste. This process may potentially lead to leaks, clogs, and other issues. Fixing a drain pipe can be costly because the toilet bowl usually needs to be moved out of the way first. The flooring may also need to be pulled up, leading to average costs ranging from $100 to $400.

Cost to Replace a Toilet Wax Ring

 Wax rings are pretty tough and do not usually break, lasting decades. However, when they break, water can seep from the toilet onto your floors, potentially warping and damaging the flooring. This is also unsanitary. You may notice nasty odors, pools of water, and a wobbly toilet when a wax ring is damaged. A full replacement usually costs between $150 and $300.

Cost to Replace a Toilet Bowl

The toilet bowl is quite sturdy, typically made of strong porcelain, but it can crack or fracture under pressure or if large or heavy objects are dropped inside. It can also stain and suffer discoloration over time. In many cases, the damage may be repaired and stains removed, but in some situations, a full replacement may be needed if the damage is too great. Costs for a toilet bowl replacement range from $200 to $600 on average.

Toilet Tank Replacement Cost

The tank is the large part of the toilet containing the various flush valves and components required to bring new water in from the supply valve and then flush it out of the bowl. Tanks are usually very strong and durable, but there may be situations when they crack, break, stain, or discolor. Replacing a tank is usually a large job, costing anywhere from $250 to $600 on average.

Labor Costs to Repair a Toilet

Most toilet repairs tend to be minor and fairly straightforward, so a handyman may be the fastest and least expensive person to call. For corrosion, clogs, and multiple areas of leaking, however, you may want to call in a plumber. In most cases, a handyman charges a flat fee of around $60 to $250 for the job, while plumbers charge an hourly rate, which ranges from $45 to $200. Plumbers are more likely to have the part on hand to fix your toilet quickly, while a handyman may need to purchase the part and return, which could slow down the repair.

Factors Affecting the Cost to Fix a Toilet

In most cases, the cost is determined by the price of the replacement part and the time needed to make the repair. Most toilet issues are fast and fairly easy to fix. However, you may see issues where the water has been leaking for so long, which leads to softened floorboards, water stains, and corrosion that can be more costly to fix than the initial problem. This is why it is important to address toilet issues quickly, before they get out of hand.

Larger jobs, such as fixing a flange or corroded pipe, may also require more than one professional to do the job, which increases the repair cost.

Emergency Toilet Repair

There may be a situation when your toilet is clogged, leaking, or impossible to use, and you need it fixed urgently. Emergency repairs are always more expensive than scheduled repairs because they often involve a handyman or plumber rushing to your home to fix the problem. For this reason, expect to pay an extra $50 to $150 per job when it comes to emergency repairs.

Toilet Rebuild Cost

Rebuilding a toilet is the term used by plumbers when they replace some of the main components of the toilet, such as the valves and flapper, but keep the bowl and tank as they are. Rebuilding a toilet takes about 3 to 6 hours in total, and you are mostly paying for the labor costs rather than the parts, which are usually relatively cheap. Costs for rebuilding a toilet range from $250 to $600 on average.

Toilet Maintenance

Toilets do not need a lot of maintenance to keep them in good condition. Most parts that wear out do so over time through normal use. But there are a few things you can do to keep your toilet in its best condition.

Clean it regularly, but do not use bleach-based drop-in tablets because this can cause your flaps and connectors to wear out. Check for leaks and moisture around the toilet and at the joins. Avoid putting anything into the toilet except normal waste, water, and toilet paper. Anything else may cause a clog.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Cost to Reseat a Toilet

Sometimes, the cause of a leak is due to a wearing out of the wax ring at the base of the toilet. To replace the ring, the toilet must be uncoupled and reseated. This sounds complicated, but it is a fairly quick job assuming the bolts holding your toilet in place have not corroded.

Occasionally, your plumber may need to reseat the toilet to check on the flange condition below, particularly when a leak occurs and a cause cannot be found. Because this adds to the amount of time the repair takes, you will likely be charged the hourly rate for this additional work ($45 - $200).