Are you thinking of having a new toilet fitted on the ground level of your home? Want to know how much this might cost? We'll break down the average prices of fitting different downstairs toilet types and sizes in the following guide.
This article also looks at how long this work might take and answers questions such as can you do this as a DIY task? Having a toilet installed downstairs means not only ease of access but can reduce the strain on your upstairs bathrooms or en-suites.
They are also popular since they can add value to a property. Our guide will prove really useful if you're thinking of fitting a downstairs toilet or would like a professional to do so for you. Let's take a closer look at the cost of installing a downstairs toilet.
On average, it costs around £3000 to have a downstairs toilet installed, between the supply and labour costs. This assumes that many more elements are added than just the toilet, including a basin, door and window.
The cost to install a downstairs toilet with a small bathroom is around £2000, and the downstairs toilet cost of installation is roughly £4100 should you go with a large downstairs toilet/bathroom.
As for the toilet type, expect the installation cost to land around £3100 for a close-coupled toilet, £3050 for a back to wall toilet or £3050 in the case of adding a downstairs toilet that is wall hung. As you can see, the different toilet designs are a relatively small factor in determining the overall installation downstairs toilet prices.
Other cost-affecting factors are the room's size, the plumbing and pipework required, ease of access and where in the UK you live. In regard to the labour cost, this will land around £100 to £150 a day or approximately £1800 on average, that being about 60% of the overall cost.
| Type or/and Size of Toilet | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| Small Downstairs Toilet/Bathroom | £2000 |
| Medium Downstairs Toilet/Bathroom | £3000 |
| Large Downstairs Toilet/Bathroom | £4000 |
| Close-coupled Toilet | £3100 |
| Back-to-wall Toilet | £3050 |
| Wall-hung Toilet | £3050 |
There are many options to install a downstairs toilet, and it can be difficult to narrow down your choices. So, in this section, we'll break down some of the most common toilet types by giving you a sense of their features, pros & cons and average supply costs.
The most popular toilet is that which is close-coupled. It comprises two distinct ceramic elements, that being the cistern and pan. With the cistern fitted directly atop the pan, there is often a lever handle or more commonly a dual flush button.
There are many shapes and designs available on the market of close-coupled toilets. In most cases, connecting the downstairs toilet to soil pipe can be achieved to the left, right, back, or going down, meaning that they can be installed with ease.
You'll generally find close-coupled toilets having a price tag of between £150 and £300. It is generally the most expensive option.
✔ Popular
✔ Easy to install
✔ Many shapes and designs to choose from
✖ May not be the right design for you
✖ Often the costliest choice
For a more contemporary option and one which will save on space, you should go for a back to wall toilet. It also creates a neat minimalist aesthetic. Unlike with a close-coupled toilet, the bowl is fixed against the wall.
Though generally sold as a separate unit, the cistern is concealed either within the wall or the furniture unit. The pipes are also concealed with a back to wall toilet.
Accessibility is achieved with the use of unit panels or a flush panel that is added to the wall. There is also no need for a frame with this type of toilet. Back to wall toilets cost around £150 to £250, and they are often the cheaper option.
✔ Saves on space
✔ Provides a minimalist aesthetic
✔ Contemporary look
✖ Installation can be a bit tricky
✖ Maintenance not so straightforward
Next, we have the option of a wall hung toilet. As the name suggests, this modern design is elevated above the ground since it hangs from the wall. The cistern is also hidden behind the wall, and a flush panel is used for accessibility, as with a back to wall toilet. The bowl itself is relatively easy to clean since it can be cleaned around and beneath with relative ease.
A wall hung toilet will also give the appearance that the bathroom has more space than it does. They are an excellent option for small bathrooms, making them suitable for a downstairs toilet installation. They also tend to cost around £150 to £250. Wall hung toilets are one of the less common types in UK households.
✔ Uses up less space
✔ Gives the appearance of a larger bathroom
✔ Easy to clean
✖ Not everyone's cup of tea
Firstly, you will need to decide what type of toilet best meets your budget and preferences. This doesn't just mean the type of toilet but also the quality with cheaper units available for under £100 and others costing up to £500 or more. It's also important to consider any downstairs toilet décor preferences and ideas that you might have.
You may decide to purchase the toilet yourself, or you could hire a professional to supply and fit the toilet as well as all of the other necessary materials. Whatever the case, unless you are planning to do it DIY (see the next section), you will want to find a contractor with plenty of experience and references or positive online reviews.
You should get some quotes from a variety of labourers/companies before settling on a choice. Try Googling 'Bathroom Fitter near me' for some localised search results. You could also always ask friends or relatives if they have any suggestions. The house should be surveyed to find the perfect location for fitting the new toilet before any work gets underway.
On the first day of the installation, old fixtures will need to be cleared out in the area where the new toilet is fitted. Flooring, walls and old furnishings should be removed. It's essential that the water and heating around this area are turned off during the installation work, to avoid any accidental leakage.
Before moving on, the entire installation area should also be cleaned. An electrician will be needed to survey the area to ensure that all the electrics are correct. If they are not, they will have to perform some rerouting work.
Next, the walls should be prepared ahead of the installation of the new pipework. It's vital that you or the hired contractors ensure that there are no leaks or dents that might cause problems while fitting the new toilet/bathroom.
At this stage, the pipework can be added. This may involve replacing old pipes. Once this is done, it's time to add the toilet, basin and any other fittings such as a shower. The contractors will then ensure that everything is working fine and clean up the work area.
A tiler or decorator can be employed to add the flooring and plastering. The tiles, if the chosen floor type should be added first. Afterwards, the mirrors, cupboards, shelves, and lighting can be added. Once everything is double-checked for safety and functionality, your new downstairs toilet/bathroom will be good to go.
To have an extractor fan added would cost about £160 to £190. If you'd like to have a bath installed, it will probably land between £500 and £800. As for a shower installation, expect to pay around £100 to £200 or about £100 to £300 for a sink.
New lighting tends to cost around £100, although it can vary significantly depending on the type and number of lights chosen. As for flooring, tiling tends to cost about £30 to £40 per m2.
Decorators charge roughly £16 an hour plus the cost of the materials used. If you need to submit a planning permission application, you'd likely pay between £150 and £250. The cost of building regulations approval/inspection is roughly £200 to £250.
Though it is possible to install a downstairs toilet by yourself, you should only do so if you have the appropriate skills and some relevant experience. It can be a tricky job, and it is not very difficult to make a mistake.
However, an electrician would be needed for checking the electrics are in the right position and perhaps even rerouting (if necessary). Further, the services of an electrician might also be required if you'd like to have an extractor fan installed.
You probably won't require planning permission approval for this work, but you should contact your local council if you have any doubts. Most of the time, a project like this would be covered by permitted development rights (PDRS). However, PDRs do not apply if you live in a listed building. Your PDRs may not apply if the work is part of a bigger extension or if you live in an area of conservation or historical significance.
There are a variety of downstairs toilet building regulations that apply, and you will need building control to sign off on your work too. The most obvious risk with this sort of DIY project is that you could perform the work incorrectly.
However, working with different tools and equipment as part of any DIY job can be hazardous. For that reason and more, always take the necessary safety precautions for a DIY project and proceed with caution.
Of course, having a new downstairs toilet installed can be disruptive and time-consuming work. Not only that, but it will use up space that could, in turn, reduce the spacious appearance of another room. Fitting the toilet beneath your stairs, however, if safe and appropriate is a good way of avoiding this issue.
If you fail to receive planning permission or building regulations approval, you will need to apply a second time and with the necessary changes. If an application is rejected, it will state why, allowing you to understand what must be changed about your proposal(s).
We have hundreds of homeowners each day checking the prices on YourJobCost before hiring a tradesperson. That way they've already got a good idea of how much they should be quoted.
On average, it will add about 5% to the value of a home. However, it will depend on the size and accessibility of the installation.
You could add it where there is currently an existing room by creating a new closed-off space, utilising a cloakroom, or adding it beneath the stairs (which of course could also be the same as the second option). Once an area is safe and suitable, it should be okay to fit a new downstairs toilet.
It shouldn't prove necessary. If you have any doubts, you should consult a professional.
This might actually lower the value of your property because most prospective home buyers want a main bathroom upstairs and ideally a smaller one downstairs, hence why a small downstairs bathroom should add value rather than take any away.
On average, about 6-10 days.
