How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Toilet in Minneapolis‑Saint Paul?

In Minneapolis-Saint Paul the average cost to install or replace a toilet is $500, although prices can vary anywhere between $200 and $800+ (cost of the toilet is not included). The install should take about 2 hours.

Now, you might be thinking, “What’s up with that wide price range? Why would it vary so much?”

Great question.

The cost may vary due to these factors:

• How the plumber prices
• The location of your current toilet
• Unexpected costs

Let’s explore how these factors affect the cost of installing or replacing your toilet.

Plumbers typically price in one of two ways:

• Hourly — The job cost depends on how long the job takes. If certain problems arise, the price increases. The plumber will usually give you an estimate upfront, but you won’t know the actual price until the job is complete.
• Flat-rate — The job cost is set in stone. The plumber will first investigate how much work is needed to be done and then give you a flat-rate price upfront.

And even within those two pricing models, each plumber has a different hourly rate or uses a different flat-rate pricing book.

At any rate, ask potential plumbers which pricing method they use just so you know what to expect.

Finally, let’s briefly cover the quality of the plumber. Let’s say you find two plumbers that use flat-rate pricing. Don’t automatically go with the one with the lowest price. We’re not saying a lower priced plumber is always worse or a higher priced plumber is always better. But we are saying that you shouldn’t make price the only thing you consider.

The BBB offers some tips on what to look for in a plumbing company:

• Ask for their state license - All plumbers are required to be licensed by the state. And unlicensed plumber may be cheaper but they may not perform to code and any work they perform for you will void a manufacturer’s warranty.
• Check proof of insurance - To protect yourself, check for proof of workman's compensation and general liability.
• See if their business is stable - Find out how long the company has been in business and how long it has been at its present location.

Is your toilet located upstairs? If so the job may cost extra. A plumbing pro may charge extra to haul a heavy toilet upstairs or away for disposal.

Installing a toilet follows a pretty standard process:

• Turn off the water
• Drain, disconnect and remove the old toilet
• Inspect the flange, a metal fitting that connects the toilet to the drain pipe, for damage or wear
• Replace the wax ring seal which seals the toilet to the flange.
• Set and connect the new toilet
• Test all newly installed parts

Now, within that process, certain things can go wrong that can increase the price, including:

• Finding a cracked flange, which needs to then be replaced
• Finding other plumbing components that need replacing in order to install the toilet

However, If you're starting your bathroom from scratch, the installation should go smoothly.

Of course, if the plumber charges a flat-rate price, you don’t have to worry about random snafus since the price will be locked in regardless of what comes up.

Contact MSP Plumbing to install your toilet. We’ve been serving Minnesota homeowners since 1918.