It’s time to say “OK” to the bidet
A bidet is a fixture that uses water to clean you after using the bathroom, offering a more hygienic option than toilet paper alone.
Bidet installation costs range from $40 to $1,500, with attachments and toilet seats on the lower end and standalone bidets on the higher end.
Your bathroom setup determines which bidet type works best, from standalone units requiring plumbing hookups to simple attachments that fit your existing toilet.
Hiring a local toilet professional ensures proper installation and plumbing connections, helping you avoid leaks and making sure everything works correctly from the start.
If you've never tried a bidet, the thought may seem out of your comfort zone. But there's a reason bidets are common in bathrooms abroad and often found in public and residential restrooms. While they haven't fully caught on in the States yet, bidet usage has increased in popularity among Americans thanks to cost-effective bidet attachments for standard toilets. Below, we cover what a bidet is, the benefits, and whether you should invest in one for your bathroom.
Bidets were invented in the late 17th or early 18th century in France as a way to improve toilet hygiene in the pre-toilet paper era. In its original form, a bidet was a separate porcelain fixture that sat near the toilet so bathroom-goers could squat over it and rinse after using the toilet.
Modern-day iterations include bidet toilets with everything you need in one porcelain throne or toilet attachments designed to use water to clean off instead of toilet paper. They can also include additional features like a heated seat, LED lights, warm water settings, and a built-in dryer.
Are you on the fence about kicking toilet paper to the curb? Consider these bidet benefits you won’t want to miss out on.
In most cases, a bidet is believed to leave you much cleaner than regular old “TP,” making it the more hygienic option. Be aware that bacteria can still build up on the nozzle if not cleaned regularly. Read the manufacturer's guide to learn how to disinfect your specific bidet.
When comparing a bidet versus a toilet, most people who finally try using a bidet tend to never go back because of how much cleaner they claim to feel after using the bathroom.
With a bidet, you can significantly reduce the amount of toilet paper you use. Fewer paper products equals fewer trees used and less waste. If you want to go to extra lengths to protect the Earth, a bidet might be the right type of toilet for you.
Cutting back on toilet paper isn’t just good for the environment—it’s good for your wallet, too. Invest in the initial cost of a new bidet and save on your weekly grocery trip.
Too much toilet paper is often the culprit of clogged toilets—a problem solved by using a bidet and flushing less toilet paper down your system.
There are several types of bidets to choose from depending on your current bathroom setup (and how much you’re willing to spend). Understanding how these bidets work can help you make the best choice. A toilet installer can walk you through the costs of the different types and how they would fit into your current bathroom setup.
One of the first modern bidet designs was a stand-alone bidet—a porcelain structure separate from the toilet. Though they look similar to toilets, they are not. Stand-alone bidets are much smaller and only have a faucet and a pop-up drain (similar to a sink) instead of flushable pipes.
Adding this type of bidet to your bathroom is likely the most costly option since you will need to make space in your bathroom and add the necessary water and power hookups.
Built-in bidets are toilets that already come equipped with a cleansing spray mechanism. The most advanced (and expensive) bidet toilets include additional luxury features, such as LED night-lights, water temperature control, hands-free flushing, deodorizing filtration systems, dryers, and seat warmers.
Keep your existing toilet and convert it with a bidet toilet seat. This affordable bidet option is easy to install and simple to use. All you have to do is remove the existing lid and seat from your toilet and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to replace it with the bidet toilet seat. Many of these seats come with the same luxury features as built-in bidets.
Bidet attachments allow you to add a bidet to your current toilet. Unlike bidet toilet seats, you can keep your current lid and seat. However, you still need to remove and reattach both to install a bidet attachment.
Most attachments do not have all the bells and whistles other options do, but they’re still a wallet-friendly way to install a bidet. You can always upgrade later if you want to.
Handheld spray bidets also attach to your toilet, but they work differently than other bidet types. Instead of an automatic spray mechanism fixed in the center of the toilet seat, there is a separate handheld spray nozzle that you use to clean up manually.
Bidet installation costs between $40 and $1,500, with the lower end covering bidet attachments and toilet seats and the higher end covering standalone bidets and bidet toilets. Depending on the extent of the installation and any necessary plumbing modifications, labor from a toilet installation professional near you can account for a decent portion of the cost, sometimes up to $1,000. In some cases, particularly with bidet attachments and toilet seats, homeowners can DIY the installation and save some money.
Whether bidet installation is worth it comes down to personal preference. While some like the type of cleaning process that a bidet offers, others can’t get used to it. But even if you don’t use the bidet feature, a bidet toilet seat provides other benefits like LED lights for easy nighttime access and a heated seat for comfort.
For the environmentally conscious, a bidet can reduce toilet paper use, preserve the septic tank, and go easier on the sewer system. It can also save you money on toilet paper costs over time. Considering your comfort level, the environmental impact, and the price can help you decide if a bidet is the right toilet for you.
Paul F. P. Pogue contributed to this piece.
Positive experience. As previously stated, the replacement/repair could not be completed (no fault of the plumbing tech) b/c misinformation was rec?d by property management maintenance. Thanks to the plumbing tech for your efforts. Appreciate you!
The WaterworksIf you want to pay the most exorbitant prices possible for your job, this is the company for you. “By the job” pricing is a rip-off, at least how these people use it. Every job is plugged into a category and prices are set by category. You might have a job that takes half an hour or one that...
Benjamin Franklin PlumbingCole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLCMatt is a consummate professional. The work turned out to be far more difficult than expected and rather than turn the job down, Matt rose to the occasion and completed a near impossible task. I can not recommend Greene's Plumbing Service more highly. On a scale of 1-5 I would give Matt a...
Greene's Plumbing ServiceInvolved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLCAwesome company. Had a jacuzzi tub taken out and replaced with huge walk in shower with partial glass enclosure. Onyx to the ceiling with a decorative border, moved plumbing and installed hand held shower, new ceiling, flooring, and paint. Replaced window with glass block. Everything was done...
Columbus Bath DesignThe initial quoted price from a walk-through seemed high, but we discussed that the quote represented worst case scenario (re-wiring to two floors) and we were excited about the opportunity to have the work done in a timely manner with closing for fire safety reasons, etc. When the job was...
Initially, I called the Service People to have a leaking garbage disposal replaced. I had purchased a special deal through Angie's List: $79 for $200-worth of plumbing services. <br /> When I went to schedule the work, the earliest date I could get through Angie's List was after the upcoming...
This company did a very good job on the brick wall and it looks just amazing. The staff was always professional and was practically OCD on how the bricks were stacked and how they were laid. Although it took longer than expected, I am willing to sacrifice time over perfection anyday. The...
My Handy Mate LLC Improvement & Remodeling<p>I am so glad we called Rotor-Rooter. I was hesitant to call them because we usually prefer to give business to local providers. But when we had sewage back up in our basement on a Saturday evening, I had a hard time getting a hold of someone, not to mention the high weekend/evening rate...
Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water CleanupFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
A bidet—stand-alone, attachment, spray nozzle, or toilet combo—reduces toilet paper usage and saves money, but how much is a bidet? Here’s how much you’ll pay.
This guide to toilet installation cost covers what you can expect to pay when adding a new toilet to an existing or new bathroom.
Need a little help learning how to bid on construction jobs? If you’re a general contractor who could use guidance on the bidding process or want some tips on how to win more residential, commercial, or government bids, we’ve got you covered.
Foggy mirrors and cold toilet seats got you down? Flush your cares away with these 10 smart home features for your bathroom, from bidets to showerheads and more.
How do you know what to throw away after smoke damage? This guide will tell you what can be salvaged after a house fire.
Bidets? Warming? Music players? You only think you know about the future of the humble toilet seat. Before you invest in yet another standard toilet seat, check out these eight smart toilet seats that will take your commode to a whole new level.
