A plumber typically charges about $350 to $800 to replace a toilet in Los Angeles, with the toilet itself, labor and old toilet removal included. A basic builder-grade toilet sits near the bottom. A comfort-height, dual-flush or wall-mounted model sits at the top or above. Labor alone is often $150 to $450. These figures are a guide, and a written quote after a visit gives the real price.
If you are still deciding whether to repair or replace, start with our toilet repair page.
How much does it cost to just replace a toilet?
Published guides put a plumber-installed toilet replacement at roughly $350 to $800 on average. HomeGuide gives $350 to $800 with a $600 national average, Angi lists $224 to $533 for typical jobs, and ConsumerAffairs says $300 to $600 for a standard toilet, parts and labor included. A Los Angeles plumbing company lists $350 to $700.
The range is wide because the sources count different things. Some price only the labor and a toilet you bring. Others include the toilet. The table shows how the pieces usually add up.
| Item | Typical range | What changes it |
|---|---|---|
| The toilet itself | Varies by model | Height, bowl shape, dual flush, brand |
| Labor to install | $150 to $450 | Access, floor condition, plumber's hourly rate |
| Removal of old toilet | often included | Ask whether it is in the quote |
| New supply line and wax seal | Small add-on | Often bundled into the labor |
| Moving the toilet to a new spot | $600 to $1,900 and up | New drain and supply pipes, permit |
Moving a toilet is a plumbing alteration, not a swap. Published guides put relocation labor at several hundred dollars and up, climbing with the pipe work. In Los Angeles, moving a toilet or changing its drain or supply piping is generally understood to need a plumbing permit, so confirm with LADBS and ask the plumber how it is handled.
How much does it cost for a plumber to install a toilet you buy yourself?
A plumber charges mostly for time, so labor alone typically runs $150 to $450 for a straight swap. Many plumbers charge a service call fee plus hourly labor. Los Angeles hourly rates in published guides run about $95 to $200, with a service call fee often listed at $75 to $150, and after-hours rates higher.
A handyman may charge less for an install, and published guides put handyman rates for simple toilet jobs at $60 to $150. But California law matters here. The Contractors State License Board says anyone contracting for work of $over $1,000 once labor and materials are added needs a contractor license, and any job that needs a permit needs one regardless of price. A basic toilet swap is under the limit. Moving a toilet is not a basic swap, so check the plumber's license on the CSLB website.
If you bring your own toilet, tell the plumber the model and the rough-in measurement, the distance from the wall to the center of the floor drain. A toilet that does not match the rough-in cannot be installed without extra work.
What is the labor cost to replace a toilet?
The labor cost to replace a toilet is typically $150 to $450, based on a job of two to four hours at $45 to $150 an hour in national guides. In Los Angeles, plumber rates are higher, about $95 to $200 an hour, so expect the upper half of that range.
The steps explain the time: shut off water, drain the tank and bowl, disconnect the supply line, unbolt and lift the old toilet, scrape the old seal, check the flange and floor, set the new toilet on a new seal, bolt it level, connect the supply line, test for leaks and flush several times. Hidden problems add time: a corroded shut off valve, a damaged flange, a soft floor.
How much does it cost to have a plumber fix a running toilet?
Fixing a running toilet is usually a part swap. Published 2026 guides put a flapper at about $60 to $150 and a fill valve at about $60 to $200 from a plumber, with the parts costing $5 to $40. Most toilet repairs fall between $150 and $390. Angi's Los Angeles average for a toilet repair is about $290.
Compare that to a replacement before you decide. If the toilet is cracked or has a history of problems, putting $250 into old parts may not beat a $500 replacement. If it only needs a flapper, replacing the toilet is a waste. Our pages on flapper repair and the fill valve show what each fix involves. If the toilet keeps running, see why a toilet keeps running.
How much does it cost to reseal a toilet?
Resealing a toilet, meaning lifting it and fitting a new wax or foam seal, typically costs more than a flapper job because the toilet has to come up and be set again. Guides do not agree on one figure, and Angi lists leaky toilet repairs at $115 to $685, so ask for a quote after the plumber finds the cause.
A reseal is the fix for a leak at the base. If the floor around the flange is soft or the flange is cracked, the price rises. If the toilet is cracked, a reseal does not help. See our repair toilet leak page for how to tell which one you have.
Does replacing a toilet in Los Angeles have extra rules or rebates?
Possibly. California Civil Code 1101.1 to 1101.9 requires water-conserving plumbing fixtures in buildings built before 1994 when they are altered, and toilets that use more than 1.6 gallons per flush count as noncompliant. Local forms require replacements to meet 1.28 gallons per flush. LADWP lists premium high-efficiency toilets among its residential rebates.
Two practical points. First, buy a toilet that meets current standards, and check the label for its gallons per flush rating, so a rebate or an inspection does not fail you. Second, check the LADWP rebate page for the current amount and rules before you buy, because rebates change and some need pre-approval. Do not assume a figure from a blog.
Whether a like-for-like replacement needs a City permit is a question sources answer differently, so ask the City of Los Angeles building department, LADBS, or confirm with your plumber. We do not guess.
How do you replace a toilet handle with a side mount?
A side-mount handle is held by a nut inside the tank. Turn off the water and drain the tank, unhook the chain from the lever, unscrew the mounting nut (it is usually reverse-threaded, so you turn it clockwise to loosen), slide the old handle out, fit the new one, tighten the nut and reattach the chain with a little slack.
This is a cheap fix. A new handle costs a few dollars, and it is usually the first thing to try when the handle is loose, sticks or does not lift the flapper. A plumber doing this alone would mostly be charging a service call, so do it along with other work. If the handle is fine but the toilet will not flush, see toilet flush repair.
When you are ready for a price that fits your bathroom, use the quote page. We'll arrange a local plumber to come to you, and you get a written quote before any work starts. Our overall plumber cost guide covers other jobs, and City of Angels Plumbing is the home page for the service.
Common questions
How long does a toilet replacement take?
A plumber typically needs two to four hours for a straight swap, according to national cost guides. Hidden problems, such as a damaged flange or a soft floor, add time. Moving a toilet takes longer and may need a permit and inspection.
What should I ask before I hire a plumber to replace a toilet?
Ask whether the price includes the toilet, a new seal, supply line, removal of the old toilet and a leak test. Ask about the service call fee, who handles any permit, and what happens if the flange or floor is damaged. Ask for the CSLB license number.
Does someone need to be at the property?
Yes, or someone you trust. The plumber needs the bathroom clear and the water off for a while, and you will want to check the toilet before the plumber leaves. Clear space around the toilet and know where the main water shut off is.
Is it cheaper to repair a toilet or replace it?
Repair is cheaper when one part has failed, such as a flapper or fill valve. Replacement makes sense for a cracked tank or bowl, repeated leaks, or an old high-volume toilet. If repairs add up to half the installed price of a new toilet, ask for both prices.
How much does a plumber charge to unclog a toilet?
Clogged toilet pricing depends on the cause and the method, and published guides show a wide range. Angi lists clogged toilet work at $100 to $685 in Los Angeles. See our guide to the cost to unclog a toilet for what drives it.