Let me tell you something straight up: if you’re in the market for a new toilet and want it installed without a headache, Lowe’s toilet installation service is where it’s at.
I’ve been through the wringer with home upgrades, and I can say with confidence that Lowe’s offers a solid mix of convenience, professionalism, and value that’s tough to beat.
Whether you’re replacing a leaky old throne or upgrading to a water-saving model, this service takes the stress out of the equation. Trust me, you’ll want to stick around as I break down my experience, the pros, cons, and everything else you need to know before you buy in.
My Experience With Lowe’s Toilet Installation
I’ll never forget the day my old toilet decided it was done with me. It was a Sunday morning, and I was sipping my coffee when I heard that dreaded drip-drip-drip from the bathroom.
By noon, I had a puddle on the floor and a sinking feeling that my DIY skills weren’t going to cut it.
I’d been meaning to upgrade anyway, so I headed to Lowe’s, picked out a sleek AquaSource Henshaw model (chair height, elongated bowl—fancy, right?), and decided to let their installation team handle the rest.
The process started with a quick chat at the store. The associate was friendly, asked about my bathroom setup, and walked me through the options. I booked the installation right there, and they told me it’d be a few days before the crew could come out. Fair enough—I wasn’t expecting same-day service, though I secretly hoped for it.
Three days later, two guys showed up at my door, tools in hand, ready to roll. They were polite, asked where the water shut-off was (thankfully, I knew that one), and got to work.
Watching them haul out the old toilet was oddly satisfying—like saying goodbye to an ex who’d overstayed their welcome. The new one went in fast, maybe 45 minutes tops. They swapped the flange, hooked up the water line, and tested the flush.
I stood there, arms crossed, waiting for something to go wrong, but it didn’t. The toilet worked like a charm—quiet, powerful, no leaks. They even cleaned up the mess, which I wasn’t expecting. I tipped them a tenner each because, honestly, they earned it.
Since then, it’s been smooth sailing. The chair height makes a difference (my knees thank me daily), and the 1.28-gallon flush is stingy on water but doesn’t skimp on power. My only gripe?
The scheduling could’ve been tighter—I had to take a half-day off work. Still, compared to the chaos of doing it myself or hiring a random plumber, I’d call it a win. It’s been six months now, and I’m still impressed every time I flush.
Pros of Lowe’s Toilet Installation
Let’s talk about why I’m sold on this service. It’s not just about slapping a toilet in place—there’s more to it that makes Lowe’s stand out. Here’s what I’ve found after living with it and picking apart the details.
- Convenience That Saves Your Sanity
You know what’s great? Not having to figure out how to muscle a 50-pound toilet up my stairs or wrestle with a wax ring that’s stickier than a toddler’s hands after a popsicle. Lowe’s handles all that.
You pick your toilet, schedule the install, and they take it from there. For me, it was a godsend—I’m no slouch with a wrench, but plumbing’s a different beast.
The crew showed up on time, knew their stuff, and left me with a working toilet. No trips to the hardware store mid-project, no YouTube tutorials. Just done.
- Professional Installers Who Know the Drill
These aren’t randos off the street. Lowe’s uses licensed, insured, and background-checked pros, which gave me peace of mind. My installers didn’t blink when they saw my slightly uneven floor—they adjusted the flange like it was no big deal.
I’ve heard horror stories about DIY jobs or sketchy contractors leaving toilets wobbling or leaking, but these guys were legit. They even explained how to tweak the flush valve if I ever needed to, which I appreciated.
- A One-Year Labor Warranty
Here’s a perk that sealed the deal: Lowe’s backs their work with a one-year labor warranty. If something goes sideways—like a loose bolt or a funky seal—they’ll fix it, no charge. I haven’t had to test it yet (knock on wood), but knowing it’s there makes me sleep better.
Compare that to a plumber who might ghost you after the job’s done, and it’s a no-brainer. Plus, the toilet itself has a manufacturer’s warranty, so I’m double-covered.
- Bundled Costs That Don’t Surprise You
I paid $180 for the basic installation, which included removing the old toilet, setting up the new one, and hauling away the junk. No hidden fees for supply lines or delivery—everything was upfront. Sure, it’s not the cheapest option out there, but you’re paying for reliability.
I’d rather shell out a bit more than deal with a botched job that costs me double to fix later. For a bathroom remodel or upgrade, this predictability is gold.
- WaterSense Options That Save Cash
The toilet I picked is WaterSense certified, meaning it uses 1.28 gallons per flush instead of the old 3-to-5-gallon guzzlers. My water bill’s dropped noticeably—maybe $10 a month, but it adds up.
The installers made sure it was tuned right, so I’m not flushing twice to get the job done. If you’re eco-conscious or just hate high bills, this is a win-win.
Cons of Lowe’s Toilet Installation
Okay, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. I ran into a few hiccups, and after digging around online, I’ve seen others echo some of my gripes. Here’s the flip side.
- Scheduling Can Be a Pain
That three-day wait?
Not ideal.
I get it—Lowe’s isn’t sitting around twiddling their thumbs—but it threw a wrench in my week.
I had to shuffle work stuff around, and if you’re on a tighter timeline (say, guests coming over), it could be a dealbreaker.
Some folks on forums like Reddit mentioned even longer delays, especially during peak seasons. You’re at their mercy, and that stings a bit.
- Limited Flexibility on Toilet Choice
Here’s the catch: Lowe’s won’t install a toilet you didn’t buy from them. I wanted a specific Kohler model I’d seen elsewhere, but they nixed that idea. It’s their game, their rules. If you’re dead-set on a niche brand or a bargain from another store, you’re out of luck.
For me, the AquaSource worked fine, but it’s a bummer if you’re picky.
- Price Isn’t the Bargain Basement
At $180, it’s not outrageous, but it’s not cheap either. I checked around—some local plumbers quoted me $120-$150 for the same gig. Home Depot starts at $269 but offers discounts sometimes, which could undercut Lowe’s if you catch a deal.
If you’re on a razor-thin budget, that extra $30-$60 might make you think twice. I justified it with the warranty, but it’s still a hit to the wallet.
- Subcontractor Roulette
Lowe’s doesn’t have in-house installers—they contract out. My crew was great, but I’ve read reviews where people got stuck with duds: late arrivals, sloppy work, even a flooded bathroom.
It’s a roll of the dice, and while Lowe’s promises accountability, you might still end up playing phone tag with customer service to fix a mess. I dodged that bullet, but it’s worth knowing.
Maintenance Tips For Your Lowe’s-Installed Toilet
So, you’ve got your shiny new toilet installed by Lowe’s—awesome! Now, let’s keep it running like a champ. I’ve picked up a few tricks to make sure mine stays in top shape, and I’m sharing them with you. No fancy jargon, just stuff that works.
- Check the Flush Valve Monthly: That little tower thing in the tank? It’s your flush valve, and it’s the heart of the operation. Once a month, lift the lid, flush, and watch it. If it’s sluggish or water keeps running, tweak the chain or clean the seal with vinegar. My installers showed me how, and it’s saved me from phantom leaks. Takes five minutes, tops.
- Use Vinegar for Hard Water Stains: I’ve got hard water, and those pesky mineral rings started creeping in after a couple months. Here’s my fix: pour a cup of white vinegar in the bowl, let it sit for an hour, then scrub with a brush. It’s cheap, easy, and beats harsh chemicals. Do it every few weeks, and your bowl stays spotless.
- Tighten Bolts if It Wobbles: After a few months, I noticed a slight rock when I sat down. Grabbed a wrench, tightened the base bolts a smidge (don’t overdo it—ceramic cracks easy), and bam, steady as a rock. Check every six months or so. If it’s still wobbly, call Lowe’s—they’ll sort it under warranty.
- Swap the Flapper Every Two Years: The flapper’s that rubber piece that lifts when you flush. Mine’s still good, but I’ve read they wear out after a couple years, causing leaks. Mark your calendar for 2027 (or whenever), grab a $5 replacement from Lowe’s, and swap it out. It’s a two-minute job—lift the old one off, clip the new one on, done.
- Flush Smart to Avoid Clogs: I learned this the hard way: don’t treat your toilet like a trash can. No wipes (even the “flushable” ones—they’re liars), no paper towels, no random junk. Stick to TP and the occasional light load, and that 1.28-gallon flush will handle it. If it clogs, a plunger’s your best friend—keep one handy.
Comparison with Other Brands: Lowe’s Vs. The Rest
Now, let’s put Lowe’s up against the competition. I’ve done my homework, talked to friends, and peeked at what Home Depot, local plumbers, and even DIY options bring to the table. Here’s how it stacks up, real talk.
Lowe’s versus Home Depot is the big showdown. Home Depot’s installation starts at $269—ouch, right? But they’ve got a 20% discount sometimes, dropping it to $215 or lower, which beats Lowe’s $180 if you time it right.
Their process is similar: subcontracted pros, old toilet removal, all that jazz. My buddy Dave went with Home Depot and said the install was solid, but the scheduler ghosted him twice before locking in a date.
Lowe’s felt smoother to me, but Home Depot’s got more toilet brands (Kohler, Glacier Bay, Toto), so if variety’s your thing, they might edge out.
Then there’s the local plumber route. I called a guy in my neighborhood—$140, cash upfront, no warranty. He’d have done it faster (next day), and I could’ve used any toilet I wanted. The catch? No safety net if he botched it, and I’d have to ditch the old one myself.
My cousin tried this, and her plumber left a wax ring mess she had to clean up. Lowe’s wins on reliability here, hands down.
DIY’s the wild card. You can install a toilet for free if you’ve got the guts and a $20 wax ring. I watched a YouTube vid—looks doable: shut off water, unbolt the old one, set the new one, tighten, connect.
But my friend Mike tried it, cracked his new bowl, and spent $300 replacing it. I’m not that brave (or clumsy), so Lowe’s saved me from myself. If you’re a handy pro, though, DIY could save you big.
Brand-wise, Lowe’s leans on AquaSource and Kohler, which are solid but not as fancy as Toto or American Standard at Home Depot. My AquaSource flushes like a beast, but Toto’s Tornado flush is next-level—I’ve heard it can suck down a golf ball.
Lowe’s keeps it simple and affordable; others go flashier. Your call depends on budget and swagger.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yep, they will! Lowe’s offers toilet installation through their pro services. You buy a toilet from them, book the install, and their contracted team handles it—old one out, new one in. Just don’t expect them to install a toilet you snagged elsewhere—they’re strict about that.
For Lowe’s, I paid $180 for the basic package, which covers removal and setup. Costs can climb to $530 if you need extras like flange repairs or dual-flush tweaks. Generally, $150-$200 is fair for a straightforward job—anything over $300, and you’re probably getting fancy add-ons.
Local plumbers I checked ranged from $120 to $200, depending on location and complexity. My guy quoted $140, but big cities might hit $250+. No warranty, though, so weigh that against Lowe’s $180 with a year’s backup.
Home Depot starts at $269, but discounts (like 20% off) can drop it to $215 or less. It’s pricier than Lowe’s upfront, but sales can flip the script. They include removal and haul-away too, so it’s apples-to-apples with Lowe’s on service.
Conclusion: Lowe’s Is Your Go-To for Toilet Installation
After living with my Lowe’s-installed toilet and sizing it up against the rest, I’m sold. You should be too. It’s not perfect—scheduling’s a gamble, and the price isn’t rock-bottom—but the convenience, pro work, and warranty make it a smart buy.
Whether you’re dodging DIY disasters or just want a flush you can trust, Lowe’s delivers. Go grab that AquaSource or Kohler from their aisle, book the install, and kick back.
You’ll thank me when you’re sitting pretty on your new throne.