Should I install a bidet or washlet toilet in my Vancouver bathroom and what plumbing is needed?

A bidet seat (washlet) is the most practical option for most Vancouver bathrooms, requiring only a nearby electrical outlet and the existing toilet cold water supply — no additional plumbing lines needed. A standalone bidet fixture, while luxurious, requires dedicated hot and cold supply lines plus a separate drain, making it a significantly larger renovation project that is only practical when you have the floor space and are already doing a full plumbing rough-in.

Bidet Seat (Washlet) vs. Standalone Bidet

A bidet seat or washlet — TOTO Washlet being the most recognized brand — replaces your existing toilet seat with an integrated unit that includes a retractable spray wand, heated seat, adjustable water temperature (heated internally), air dryer, and deodorizer. The seat connects to your toilet's existing cold water supply line via a T-fitting and plugs into a standard 120-volt GFCI-protected electrical outlet. No new plumbing lines, no drain modifications, and no structural changes required.

Bidet seats range from $300–$500 for basic models (cold water spray only, no electrical features) to $500–$1,500 for mid-range heated models with temperature control and warm air drying, up to $1,500–$3,500 for premium TOTO Washlet and TOTO Neorest integrated toilet-bidet units. Installation of a basic bidet seat is a straightforward DIY project — shut off the toilet supply valve, install the T-fitting, mount the seat, and plug it in. Total time: 30–60 minutes. The only professional work typically needed is adding a GFCI-protected electrical outlet near the toilet if one does not already exist, which requires a licensed electrician and an electrical permit through Technical Safety BC. Expect to pay $200–$500 for a new GFCI outlet installation in a bathroom, depending on how far the circuit must run from the electrical panel.

A standalone bidet is a separate porcelain fixture that sits beside the toilet, requiring its own hot and cold water supply lines, a dedicated drain connection to the waste stack, and approximately 75–90 centimetres (30–36 inches) of wall space beside the toilet. This is a significant plumbing addition that requires a licensed plumber, a plumbing permit, and — in most cases — opening the floor and wall to run new supply and drain lines. The fixture itself costs $400–$2,000, and the plumbing installation adds $1,500–$4,000 depending on how accessible the existing drain and supply lines are. Standalone bidets are beautiful but impractical for most Metro Vancouver bathrooms, particularly in condos where floor space is limited and strata approval for new plumbing penetrations can be difficult to obtain.

For condo and strata renovations, a bidet seat is by far the simpler option. Since it connects to existing plumbing and requires no new drain lines, most strata corporations do not require approval for a bidet seat installation — you are simply replacing a toilet seat and adding a water connection that already exists. The electrical outlet may require notification depending on your strata's bylaws. A standalone bidet, requiring new plumbing lines and floor penetrations, would require full strata approval, engineering review, and potentially waterproofing certification — a much more involved process.

Practical considerations for Metro Vancouver: The electrical outlet is the most common barrier to bidet seat installation in older Vancouver homes. Bathrooms in pre-war and post-war homes across Kitsilano, East Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster often have only one electrical circuit serving the entire bathroom, with the outlet located at the vanity — too far from the toilet for the bidet seat's power cord (typically 1.2 metres long). Running a new dedicated circuit to a GFCI outlet beside the toilet is the proper solution and should be done by a licensed electrician.

Water pressure is rarely an issue for bidet seats in Metro Vancouver's municipal water system, which typically delivers 40–80 PSI — well within the operating range of all bidet seat models. Homes on well water in the eastern suburbs should verify pressure is adequate.

If you are planning a full bathroom renovation and considering a bidet seat, have your electrician add the GFCI outlet beside the toilet during the rough-in phase when walls are open. This adds minimal cost ($100–$200 when done during renovation versus $300–$500 as a standalone project) and ensures you have the electrical infrastructure ready whether you install the bidet seat now or in the future.