As more people worldwide turn to bidets in favour of using toilet paper, they will naturally look towards a cleaner and greener option. Most homeowners have decided to acquire bidet installations, which help upgrade their bathrooms and comforts. However, one of the most significant factors that determine if people move forward with this upgrade is how much adding a bidet costs. In this article, we cover the factors behind bidet installation cost and break down everything you need to know so you can adequately decide.
The Basics of Bidet Installation
A bidet is a fixture that typically has its water source and provides explicitly a strong stream of water to clean the butt after going to the bathroom. Bidets sit next to the toilet and can be a separate fixture or included in the bowl. Cost to install a bidet: the cost to install a bidet will depend on the type of bidet and how detailed and complicated the installation is, along with making any bathroom adjustments specific to your home.
Types of Bidets and Their Costs
There are a few types of bidets on the market these days, and, naturally, they all come with their price (which can range quite drastically). The main types of bidets are:
Standalone Bidets
They are two separate fixtures that need additional plumbing to install. Standalone bidets are typically found in the more traditional bathroom, and their standalone performance is reflected in a price tag of $200 to $700 for the fixture alone. Their installation is more complex and can involve alterations to the existing plumbing, increasing labour charges.
Bidet Toilet Seats
A bidet toilet seat is an attachment that completely removes your current scheme and has a built-in water jet. Bidet toilet seats range in price from around $100 to $1,000, but because of options like heated seats, etc., it can take an average (as mid-range) up to a thousand dollars. They also tend to be less expensive than independent bidets, usually between $100 and $300, and installation is generally faster and often cheaper.
Integrated Bidet Toilets
Available toilet bidet combinations are under one cover, giving a stylish and modern look. Integrated bidet toilets are generally more expensive than stand-alone designs ($500 to $5,000 or more). The plumbing and electrical are more complicated than a standard bidet, leading to a price tag of $200-$600.
Factors Affecting Bidet Installation Cost
The bidet installation cost can vary depending on the type of bidet chosen, the bathroom layout and plumbing system, and the complexity of the toilet retrofit. Knowing these details will help you better estimate the possible expenses and your budget.
Type of Bidet
The most significant determinant of bidet cost is the particular type of bidet you choose. There are three types of bidets—standalone, integrated, and bidet toilet seats—with prices ranging from $100 (the low end) to $4,000 (the high end).
Labor Costs
Labour is the high cost of getting a bidet installed. You may pay a professional about $100-200 to set up this primary bidet toilet seat. However, suppose you go with a separate bidet (similar to another sink) or an integrated toilet bidet (one that includes both the bidet and traditional toilet functions in one unit). In that case, you’ve got specialised installation plumbing costs, and you’ll want a licensed plumber to the tune of $200–$600+, based on how complicated the installation is.
Plumbing Modifications
Installing a bidet often means changing your current plumbing. This contrasts standalone bidets, which usually need more plumbing work, like running water lines to the new fixture. If your bathroom still needs to be outfitted for bidet use, this can increase the total bill by several hundred dollars.
Electrical Wiring
Many bidets—especially electronic bidet toilet seats or combo toilets with a built-in bidet—need an electrical outlet to power heated seats, heated water, and air drying. Sometimes, this means you will have to have an electrician install an outlet, which could add $100-300 to your overall cost, depending on your home’s electrical configuration.
Bathroom Layout
Your bathroom’s layout can also affect the cost of installation. If both your plumbing and electricity have to be rerouted clear across the house to around the other side of it, installing an even more enormous whirlpool will become very complex and take much longer. It will require more labour and materials, driving up costs.
Additional Features
Many bidet toilets have higher-end features like heated water, air drying, remote controls, and self-cleaning toilets. Although these features elevate the bidet’s price at first purchase, they can also make it more expensive to install because of a more complicated configuration.
How to Minimize Bidet Installation Cost
If you want to save money on your bidet installation cost, read on for ways to do this. A bidet toilet seat is a more budget-friendly option as it typically costs less and reduces labour fees with an easier installation. Installation is relatively simple, so you can do it yourself if you’re comfortable with basic plumbing and save the cost of a professional. Then, get price quotes from several installers if you need professional help for the best deal. In addition, picking a less expensive model with fewer features can help reduce the costs of both the fixture and installation while still providing the bidet function.
The Importance of Professional Bidet Installers
Bidets do not come cheap, so embrace the cost-cutting strategies. Alternatively, you could get a bidet toilet seat, a more affordable solution. Bidet toilet seats are typically cheaper than standalone bidets and generally easier to install, which may also reduce labour expenses. Or, if you’re not afraid of basic plumbing tasks, you might even install the bidet yourself. Most bidet seats include simple-to-follow instructions, and installing one typically involves unscrewing your current toilet seat and bolting on the new one.
Doing it yourself might save you the price of purchasing a professional tech. When professional help is needed, it’s wise to shop around and get quotes from at least 2 to 3 plumbers or bidet installers. Quotes will vary depending on your local market, so getting multiple quotes makes plenty of sense. Although many high-end toilets with bidets may include luxury amenities, those comforts come at a steep price when included in the fixture and installation. You can enjoy the advantages of a bidet without the added cost by choosing a more basic model.
Conclusion
Ultimately, bidet installation cost varies as they depend on factors similar to the kind of bidet chosen, the type of use, and any plumbing or electrical replacements. Expect to pay $100–$300 for bidet toilet seat installation and upwards of hundreds or even thousands for the most complex systems, including independent bidets and built-in toilets with a bidet feature. When you know what goes into the price of installing a bidet, it becomes much easier to figure out which option is right for your budget.