A running, leaking, or wobbling toilet is one of the most common reasons Northern Virginia homeowners call us. Sometimes the right answer is a new toilet. Often, it is a single worn part that costs far less to fix.
This guide covers the cost to have a toilet replaced, and what the most common toilet repairs cost instead, based on 40 toilet jobs we have done across Fairfax, Loudoun, and Arlington.
Repair or replace?
As a rule of thumb, we recommend replacing the whole toilet when:
- The porcelain is cracked, even slightly
- The toilet is more than 25 years old and uses 3.5 gallons or more per flush
- It clogs often, even after the drain line has been cleared
- You are remodeling the bathroom anyway
Otherwise, a repair is usually the better value. Most toilet problems come down to a handful of parts inside the tank.
The cost to have a toilet replaced
| Toilet replacement | Typical range in our recent projects |
|---|---|
| Standard toilet, installed | $450 – $750 |
| Comfort-height or dual-flush toilet, installed | $600 – $1,000 |
| Haul-away of the old toilet | Included |
Across our last 10 toilet replacements in Fairfax County, the average total was $640, including the toilet, a new wax ring, new supply line, and removal of the old one. If the floor around the toilet is soft or the flange is broken, plan for more, since that needs to be fixed before the new toilet goes in.
Common toilet repairs and what they cost
Toilet water fill valve replacement
The fill valve refills the tank after each flush. When it wears out, the toilet runs, hisses, or fills very slowly. Older toilets often have a ballcock, the original style of fill valve with a float ball on an arm. Ballcock replacement with a modern fill valve is one of the most common repairs we do, and it usually fixes a running toilet for good.
Replace the toilet valve seal
If water trickles into the bowl when nobody has flushed, the flush valve seal (often called the flapper) is usually the cause. It is an inexpensive part, but an old one can waste hundreds of gallons a month.
Flush button replacement
Dual-flush and push-button toilets use a button on top of the tank instead of a handle. Buttons crack or stick over time. Flush button replacement is usually quick, but the button must match your toilet’s flush mechanism, so we bring the right part after checking the model.
Toilet cistern lid replacement
The tank lid (called the cistern lid in some product listings) is easy to chip or crack. Replacement lids are made for specific models, so a lid from a different toilet rarely fits. If yours is discontinued, we help you find a compatible one or recommend a new toilet if the cost is close.
Toilet shutoff valve washer replacement
If the valve on the wall behind the toilet drips, or will not fully shut off, the washer inside has usually worn out. On older homes, we often replace the whole valve with a quarter-turn valve instead, since the old ones tend to seize.
Repair costs at a glance
| Repair | Typical range in our recent projects |
|---|---|
| Fixing a running toilet (new fill valve) | $150 – $250 |
| Fixing a toilet that leaks into the bowl (new flapper) | $125 – $200 |
Other repairs, like a new flush button or tank lid, depend on the part your toilet needs, so we price them after a quick look. The toilet valve replacement cost is lowest when we can do several repairs in one visit, so if your toilet has more than one issue, mention them all when you call.
If you are replacing more than two parts inside the tank, compare the total with the cost of a new toilet. Past a certain point, new is the better deal.
Replacing a toilet as part of a remodel
If you are planning a larger update, a new toilet fits naturally into a flooring or full bathroom remodel, since the toilet has to come out for new floor tile anyway. For accessible bathrooms, we often recommend a comfort-height toilet with a nearby grab bar. See our accessible bathrooms page.
Get it fixed right
Whether you need a single part or a new toilet, contact us and tell us what is happening. We will tell you honestly whether a repair or a replacement makes more sense.