The cost to replace a toilet flange is $155 when hiring a plumber, though costs from $145 to $165. Almost all of that is labor cost; you can save a lot by DIYing the repair.
If your toilet is creaking or wobbling, you may need to replace the flange. For a plumber, replacing a toilet flange is a quick and easy job. Replacing a toilet flange costs $145 to $165 on average. However, that’s assuming no other complications pop up. Your costs could easily run into the hundreds or even thousands if a broken toilet flange is difficult to remove, or if you have excessive water damage.
Assuming you’ve got the right tools on hand (and the muscles to remove and lift your toilet out the way) it will only cost you $7 to $20 for materials to replace a toilet flange yourself. This is a relatively significant saving when compared to the average professional replacement cost of $145 to $165, but there are some things you need to consider before rolling up your sleeves.
For starters, you need to have the right tools, which could include a saw and chisel if you’re removing a broken toilet flange. You also need to have muscle on hand—a toilet can weigh up to 120 pounds and be cumbersome to move around.
When you remove your toilet, you may find that the job isn’t as easy as you’d thought. For instance, the flange or the drain pipe could be broken. You may only be able to access the drain pipe by cutting upward through the basement or crawlspace, and if that’s not an option, you may need to break up concrete or flooring.
Depending on how badly your toilet was leaking, you may have more trouble lurking below. Excess water damage means replacing damaged tile or, if you’re on the second story, fixing ceilings and walls.
The point is, replacing a toilet’s flange may involve a lot more than just, well, replacing the flange.
Hidden issues can quickly become overwhelming, and there’s only so much you can do before accepting you’re not qualified to complete the project. It’s best to skip the hassle and let a local toilet repair professional take care of the job for you. The cost is relatively low, and your expert will be able to handle anything that comes their way.
When reviewing how much it costs to have a professional repair your toilet’s flange, you’ll see that the price is broken down into materials and labor.
| Cost Factor | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Materials | $7 to $20 |
| Labor | $45 to $150 |
The materials necessary for replacing a toilet flange are inexpensive. They usually include just the flange and a wax seal, and you’ll pay an average of $7 to $20 for these parts, depending on the flange material you choose. Most professionals roll these materials into their labor costs because they’re so low.
Plumbers are the ones who generally repair toilets, and they usually charge $45 to $150 for their services. The price you pay will depend largely on your location, as rural areas tend to be cheaper while busy, urban areas are more expensive.
As plumbers have overhead costs that they need to cover, they generally charge a fixed rate for replacing a toilet flange. This typically equates to about two hours at their hourly rate, though it could be higher if your project is more complex. Contact a local plumber for a quote.
The flange is the plate that holds your toilet to both the drain pipe and the floor. When replacing yours, you may have a choice of different materials—which you’ll pick will largely depend on your budget.
| Flange Material | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| PVC | $5 – $20 |
| Stainless steel | $5 – $30 |
| Brass | Up to $75 |
| Copper | Up to $35 |
| Cast iron | $25 – $40 |
PVC toilet flanges are the most popular style because they’re affordable, durable, and resistant to rust. They typically cost $5 to $20 if you’re purchasing one on your own, but if you hire a professional, they’ll most likely roll the low cost into their labor fees.
Stainless steel flanges are another popular option, again because they’re low-cost, rust-resistant, and durable. They cost slightly more than PVC, with typical pieces ranging from $5 to $30.
Toilet flanges are also available in brass. You might choose this material if you’re looking for an extremely durable option that will last a very long time. As they can cost up to $75 depending on the style you choose, your plumber will likely charge you for this part separately.
Copper is another premium material you can choose for your toilet flange. They’re popular because they are naturally antibacterial. While not as pricey as brass, they can cost up to $35, so plumbers will typically add a line item for this part on your bill.
Cast iron toilet flanges are designed for use with cast iron pipes. You may have to choose this type of flange if your home was built before 1980, as cast iron was used extensively before that time. Flanges made of cast iron usually cost $25 to $40.
When it comes to toilet repair costs, replacing a toilet flange is generally an easy one to figure out. The factors that go into determining the cost include the type of material you choose, how difficult it is to remove the existing flange and install the new flange, and any additional work that’s necessary to fix damage from the leaking toilet.
While flanges can be made from many types of materials, the most common include PVC, stainless steel, brass, copper, and cast iron. The type of flange you choose will influence the cost of your project, with the cheapest costing around $5 and the most expensive topping out around $75.
But keep in mind: The material your toilet flange is made of depends on the material your plumbing system is made of. For example, you can’t install a PVC flange onto copper or cast iron piping.
In a perfect world, a plumber will remove your toilet, pop out the old flange, pop in the new one, and have everything back to normal in about an hour. Unfortunately, things aren’t always so simple.
You may have a broken toilet flange that’s too damaged to easily remove. In this case, the plumber may need to access it or the drain pipe from underneath. If that’s not possible, they may need to start breaking up your floor.
The amount of time and effort that goes into your project has a direct correlation to how much you’ll pay, as many plumbers charge by the hour.
Assuming you’re replacing your toilet flange because you noticed water leaking from under the toilet, you may have additional repairs to think about. You may need to replace areas of your flooring, and if the water has seeped to lower levels of your home, you may have fixes that follow it.
Depending on the qualifications of your plumber, they may be able to help with some of these repairs. Otherwise, you may need to hire a local general contractor or carpenter.
Even if you’re not very handy, DIY toilet repair is something many people can handle. However, that doesn’t mean that every repair project is something to try to take on yourself.
On paper, replacing a toilet flange is rather straightforward. However, it requires heavy lifting and critical thinking, especially if things don’t go according to plan.
Yes, you’ll need to replace your toilet’s wax seal any time you move the toilet. This is because movement of the toilet will break the seal, rendering the remaining wax useless. Thankfully, replacing a wax seal is fairly easy, and the seal itself only costs $2 to $10 at most home improvement stores.
When replacing a wax seal you typically also have to replace the closet bolts that secure the toilet to the flange. These are usually about 2.5" - 3" long and have to be cut once the toilet is secure. Cutting them usually makes them too short to reuse.
The cost to install a new toilet typically runs from $225 to $530. This doesn’t include the price of the toilet itself, which can cost $90 to $1,500 depending on the model and features you choose. You can save money if you choose to install a toilet yourself. However, you might want to hire a pro for this project.
"Due to the many complexities of replacing a toilet flange, it is typically a job best left to the pros," says Jeff Botelho, Angi Expert Review Board member and plumber. "Many times it isn't as simple and straightforward as 'pop off the old one and pop on a new one' because the flange is either glued on (PVC/ABS), soldered on (brass/copper), or caulked in place with a lead & oakum joint (cast iron) and none of these things can be easily reversed without years of training and repetitive practice."
