Installation, replacement and repair
Toilet bowl installation and replacement
Replacing a toilet bowl means removing the old one, checking the outlet, and fitting a new bowl that matches the outlet position. It must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber, and a basic bowl supplied and installed usually costs $150–500.
Typical price
$150–$500supply and install, basic bowlTypical job time
2–4 hours
Estimate, confirm on WhatsApp
PUB rule: this work must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber. Since 2018 it is an offence to engage an unlicensed plumber for it. You can check any plumber on PUB's Licensed Plumber Directory.What needs a licensed plumber
When to replace or repair
- A crack in the bowl or cistern, even a hairline one that seeps water.
- Water leaks from the base of the bowl after every flush.
- The bowl rocks or shifts when you sit on it.
- Chokes keep coming back after clearing, and the trapway is badly scaled.
- Stains or scale that no longer clean off the glaze.
- An old cistern that uses far more water per flush than a modern WELS-rated one.
Common reasons
- Age, with the glaze worn and the trapway narrowed by scale.
- Impact damage, such as something heavy dropped into the bowl.
- A failed seal between the bowl and the floor or wall outlet.
- Renovation, or a change to a one-piece or wall-hung style.
- Moving into a resale flat with an old or damaged bowl.
Before you call
Safe things to try first
- Check whether the waste pipe goes into the floor or the wall behind the bowl. Most HDB flats have a floor outlet.
- Measure from the finished wall, tiles included, to the centre of the outlet. With the old bowl in place, the fixing bolts at the base are a rough guide, but confirm before buying.
- Note the space on each side and in front of the bowl, and where the water inlet valve sits.
- Look for the WELS label on any bowl you are considering.
Stop and call if
- Water seeps from the base every time you flush, which can damage the floor waterproofing over time.
- The bowl or cistern is cracked.
- A sewage smell stays around the base of the bowl.
What we do
- 1Check the outlet type and measure from the finished wall to the centre of the outlet, then confirm the chosen bowl fits that position.
- 2Shut the water supply, drain the cistern and remove the old bowl, lifting it off its sealant or breaking out the cement in older installations.
- 3Clean the outlet, fit a new seal or connector, and set the new bowl level.
- 4Connect the cistern and water supply, with a new flexible hose and angle valve if the old ones are worn.
- 5Test several full flushes for leaks at the base, the cistern and the inlet, then seal around the base.
- 6Clean up, and take the old bowl away if disposal was agreed.
How much it costs
Most toilet bowl installation and replacement jobs in Singapore cost $150–$500 (supply and install, basic bowl). This is an estimate; the final price is confirmed on WhatsApp or on site before work starts.
- Labour only, like-for-like with your own bowl$80–$150
- Basic bowl supplied and installed$150–$500
- Two-piece bowl, unit only$150–$400
- One-piece bowl, unit only$300–$700
HDB, condo and landed
HDB
The toilet bowl and the pipe up to the common stack are the owner's responsibility. Most HDB flats have a floor outlet. Renovation debris that chokes the toilet is cleared at the owner's cost, so keep hacked cement out of the pipe.
Toilet bowl installation and replacement in HDB homesCondo
Inform management before the visit and follow the by-laws on noisy work hours if the old bowl is cemented in. Book the service lift if management requires it for bulky items.
Landed
The owner is responsible for the bowl and all sanitary piping, including the underground lines. If several toilets drain slowly after the change, check the inspection chamber outside.
Toilet bowl installation and replacement: common questions
Do I need a licensed plumber to change a toilet bowl?
Yes. PUB requires installing, changing or relocating a toilet bowl to be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber, and since 1 April 2018 it is an offence to engage an unlicensed one. You can check a name on PUB's Licensed Plumber Directory.
How do I know if my toilet has a floor or wall outlet?
Look behind the bowl. If the waste pipe goes into the wall behind it, it is a wall outlet (P-trap). If nothing goes into the wall and the bowl drains through the floor, it is a floor outlet (S-trap), which is what most HDB flats have.
What should I measure before buying a new toilet bowl?
Measure from the finished wall, tiles included, to the centre of the outlet. Bowls are made for set outlet distances, so send the measurement and a photo to your plumber or the shop before you buy. Check the width beside the bowl too.
What does the WELS label on a toilet bowl mean?
WELS is PUB's water efficiency labelling scheme. Toilet cisterns and flush valves supplied and installed in Singapore must meet a minimum rating, and more ticks means less water per flush.
One-piece or two-piece toilet bowl?
A two-piece bowl has a separate cistern, costs less and its parts are easier to replace. A one-piece bowl is easier to clean around but costs more and is heavier to install.
Can I move my toilet to a different spot?
Relocating a toilet bowl involves sanitary piping and must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber. In an HDB flat, check HDB's renovation guidelines before planning it.
Get a price for toilet bowl installation and replacement
Send a photo or short video, your home type and postal code. We reply with a price range and the earliest slot.
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