Toilet bowl installation and replacement in HDB flats

What is different in HDB flats

• Licensed work: installing, changing or relocating a toilet bowl must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber. Since 1 April 2018, engaging an unlicensed plumber for it is an offence, with a fine of up to $10,000, jail of up to 3 years, or both.
• Check the fit before you buy. Most HDB flats have a floor outlet (S-trap). Measure from the finished wall, tiles included, to the centre of the outlet, and send the measurement and a photo to the shop or plumber.
• Know which price you are comparing. Labour only, like-for-like: about $80–150. Basic bowl supplied and installed: about $150–500. Unit only: two-piece about $150–400, one-piece about $300–700. All are estimates.
• Older HDB bowls were often set in cement. Breaking it out takes longer and can crack the floor tiles around the base. Some town councils quote a term rate that includes this; West Coast TC lists $250 including hacking and reinstatement.
• Keep hacked cement out of the pipe. Under HDB rules, renovation debris that chokes the toilet is cleared at the owner's cost.
• 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.

General rules for HDB flats

• The town council maintains the common stack, corridor pipes and other common property. Pipes and fittings that serve only your flat are the owner's.
• HDB has renovation rules on hacking, waterproofing and floor traps. Like-for-like repairs are usually fine; hacking work may need HDB approval.
• New flats have a defects liability period. Report defects to HDB first while it applies.

Toilet bowl installation and replacement in HDB homes: common questions