Do you install flooring before or after toilet?

Author: Rocky Ledner  |  Last update: Sunday, July 13, 2025

Professional contractors generally recommend installing new flooring before placing the toilet.

Should you install flooring before or after toilet?

Install the new floor first before installing the toilet. This ensures a proper and stable flooring surface, and it makes it easier to position and seal the toilet later.

Should flooring go under or around toilet?

For the Best Look, Remove the Toilet First

Here's the truth: you're going to want to remove the toilet first and then install the flooring in order to get the best look. Getting a perfectly rounded cut around the edges of a toilet can be incredibly challenging.

In what order do you install a bathroom?

tile your walls first, then install the bath,sink and toilet, check for any leaks, when you are sure there is no leaks THEN tile the floor, and the adhesive you are planning to use, take it back to where you bought it and buy some proper adhesive and grout mate.

Do you tile floor before or after toilet?

Decisions About the Toilet

The toilet flange then goes atop after you install tiles for the bathroom flooring. Unless you are in a situation where it is impossible to redo the floor tile due to the flange already being put in, never put the tiles below the existing toilet and the flange.

Do You Install Flooring Before Cabinets?

Do you tile before or after plumbing?

Ask any professional Tradesperson and they'll tell you that wall and floor tiles should go in first, before installing your fixtures and fittings. This allows for a more professional finish, and means avoiding awkward tile cuts to fit around fixtures.

Should toilet flange be installed before or after flooring?

A best practice is to install the toilet flange on top of the finished floor. If you install the toilet flange flush with the finished floor, or even below the finished floor, leak paths will form, because the flange won't be at the correct height to accept the horn at the bottom of the toilet.

Do you do the floor first or last in a bathroom remodel?

Starting a bathroom remodel can feel overwhelming, but tackling the project in the right sequence makes the process manageable and successful. By focusing first on the wet area, then moving on to the flooring, toilet, and vanity, and finishing with accessories and ventilation, you can achieve a seamless renovation.

What is the correct order to remodel a bathroom?

  1. Gather Tools and Materials. First things first, you need to have the right supplies on hand before starting your project. ...
  2. Plan and Budget. ...
  3. Choose a Bath Design. ...
  4. Demolition and Removing Bathroom Fixtures. ...
  5. Plumbing. ...
  6. Electrical. ...
  7. Install Exhaust Fan and Ventilation. ...
  8. Update Lighting.

What order should I tile my bathroom?

Why You Should Tile the Wall First. It may be delicate to create a suspended wall tile effect if you tile the walls first. On the flip side, tiling the walls first will help you dodge the mishaps and messes associated with tile and mortar.

Can you install flooring without removing a toilet?

The good news is that you can install vinyl flooring without taking out the toilet, making the process faster and simpler. However, it is crucial to pay special attention to the area around the toilet base. Vinyl needs to be cut precisely to fit around the toilet, ensuring no gaps where water could seep underneath.

What do you put between toilet and floor?

You will want a high-quality, waterproof caulk specifically for bathroom use to meet the code. These caulks will withstand the extra moisture and wear of a bathroom. Silicone bathroom caulk tends to perform best for sealing toilets. It's water-resistant and flexible.

Do flooring installers move toilets?

Most of the installers will not move toilets. They just install the flooring, and cut the flooring according to toilet size and shapes. Of course it will be better if you remove the toilet, install the flooring, and then put the toilet back.

When should flooring be installed?

The spring and the fall are the most optimal seasons flooring projects. The main reason is the relative humidity levels are around 35%, which is as good as it gets for any project.

Does flooring go under a bathroom vanity?

Generally, flooring contractors prefer that the cabinets go in first so that there is less possibility of the floor getting scratched. Cabinet installers like the floor to be in place so that the cutting and dust from the floor installation will not damage the vanity.

In what order should I install my bathroom?

How to Remodel a Bathroom in 7 Steps
  1. Remove Bathroom Fixtures. ...
  2. Install the New Shower or Tub. ...
  3. Lay the New Flooring. ...
  4. Hang Drywall and Start Painting. ...
  5. Install Cabinets and Vanity. ...
  6. Update Lighting. ...
  7. Hook Up the Plumbing.

What is a realistic budget for a bathroom remodel?

The average cost of a bathroom remodel in California ranges from $10,000 to $30,000 for a mid-range remodel, with high-end remodels going up to $70,000 or more. Costs can vary depending on the size of the bathroom, the quality of materials used, and your location within California.

What order should renovations be done in?

As you look to begin your whole home remodel, here's the general order of operations:
  1. Planning and Design. ...
  2. Demolition. ...
  3. Rebuilding/Framing. ...
  4. Mechanicals/Plumbing/HVAC/Electrical. ...
  5. Walls. ...
  6. Flooring. ...
  7. Cabinets. ...
  8. Appliances.

Do you install flooring or toilet first?

Professional contractors generally recommend installing new flooring before placing the toilet. This approach creates a cleaner, more polished look and helps prevent future maintenance issues.

How much does it cost to remodel a 5x10 bathroom?

The national average cost to remodel a 5x10 bathroom is $6,000, and prices usually range from $3,750 up to $13,750.

When remodeling do you do floors first?

The Flooring (Usually) Comes First

In most cases, it's best to tackle flooring before you paint a room. Since there's bound to be some light damage to the bottom of the walls and trim during any flooring project's deconstruction and demolition phase, you'll want to do the flooring before you paint.

Does flooring go under the toilet?

Before you begin installing the laminate flooring, you must remove any fixtures in your bathroom, such as the toilet or pedestal sink. If you have a cabinet built into the bathroom, you will leave it and install flooring around it.

Do you put the bathroom floor first or last?

To achieve a top-notch result and enhance water damage resistance, it's advisable to prioritise tiling the floor and walls first. Apart from the above mentioned advantages of tiling the walls and floor beforehand, it also provides a protective barrier against moisture and water damage.

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