A toilet swap looks like a two-hour job until the flange crumbles. This guide covers what toilet replacement and new ADU toilet installation actually involve in Vancouver and Clark County — real costs, code clearances, and the failures that turn a fixture change into subfloor work.
Cost breakdown
| Scenario | Typical cost | What's involved |
|---|---|---|
| Straight replacement | $325–$650 labor | Remove, new wax/foam seal, reset, caulk, test |
| Fixture cost | $180–$900 | Two-piece 1.28 gpf to comfort-height dual flush |
| Flange repair or replace | $250–$650 | Repair ring, or cut and reset on the closet bend |
| Rotted subfloor patch | $450–$1,600 | Cut out, sister joists if needed, new underlayment |
| New ADU toilet (new drain) | $1,800–$4,500 | DWV branch, vent, permit, inspections, finish set |
| Upflush / macerating unit | $2,500–$5,500 | Basement or garage ADU below the sewer line |
Measure before you buy
- Rough-in: finished wall to bolt centerline — 10", 12", or 14".
- Side clearance: minimum 15" from centerline to wall or vanity.
- Front clearance: minimum 21" of clear floor space.
- Bowl shape: round front saves 2" in tight ADU baths; elongated is more comfortable.
- Height: comfort height (17–19") is standard for aging-in-place and ADA-adjacent units.
- Supply position: left-side stop is typical; confirm the new tank inlet lines up.
Need a toilet replaced or a new one roughed in?
Flange damage and soft subfloor are the two things that turn a simple swap into a real repair — we'll tell you which one you have before you commit.
Replacement sequence a pro follows
- Shut the angle stop, flush, and sponge the tank and bowl dry.
- Disconnect the supply; replace the braided line and the stop if it's older than the toilet.
- Break the caulk line, pull closet bolts, rock and lift straight up.
- Plug the drain, scrape the old wax, and inspect the flange for cracks and the floor for soft spots.
- Repair the flange so it sits on top of finished flooring, not below it.
- Set new bolts, new wax or waxless seal, drop level, tighten evenly — never overtighten porcelain.
- Reconnect supply, fill, flush ten times, and check the base and supply under load.
- Caulk the base leaving a small rear gap so a future leak is visible.
Red flag: a toilet that has rocked for months has almost certainly leaked. If the subfloor flexes or the flange sits below the tile, stop and open the floor — resetting on rot just hides the damage until the ceiling below stains.
New toilets in an ADU or basement conversion
Adding a toilet where none existed is permitted work in Vancouver and unincorporated Clark County. It needs a DWV branch with proper slope, a vent, a cleanout, and rough-in plus final inspections. If the ADU floor sits below the sewer main, you're choosing between a sewage ejector pit or a macerating upflush unit — decide that at design, because the pit needs to be cast into the slab.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a toilet in Vancouver, WA?
A straight swap using the existing flange typically runs $325–$650 in labor plus the fixture ($180–$900). Add $250–$900 if the flange is broken, the subfloor is rotted, or the closet bend needs repair.
Do I need a permit to replace a toilet in Washington?
Replacing a toilet in the same location on an existing flange generally does not require a permit. Moving the toilet, adding a new one in an ADU or basement, or altering DWV piping does require a plumbing permit and inspection.
What is toilet rough-in distance and why does it matter?
Rough-in is the distance from the finished wall to the center of the drain — 12 inches is standard, but 10 and 14 inch rough-ins are common in older Vancouver homes. Buying the wrong rough-in is the number one reason a DIY replacement stalls.
What flush rate is allowed in Washington State?
New toilets sold in Washington must not exceed 1.28 gallons per flush. WaterSense-labeled 1.28 gpf and dual-flush models meet the requirement; older 3.5 gpf units cannot be installed new.
How much clearance does a toilet need in an ADU bathroom?
Washington's adopted plumbing code requires at least 15 inches from the toilet centerline to any side wall or fixture, and 21 inches of clear space in front. Tight ADU baths often need a compact or corner-mount model to comply.
My toilet rocks or smells — is that just the wax ring?
Sometimes. A rocking toilet is usually a failed flange, stripped closet bolts, or soft subfloor from a slow leak. A sewer smell that persists after a new wax ring points to a broken flange or a dry/blocked vent, and both need to be opened up.
Keep reading
RestorationRepublic handles toilet replacement, flange and subfloor repair, and full ADU bathroom builds across Vancouver, Salmon Creek, Hazel Dell, Camas, and Battle Ground.
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