Adding a Bidet in a South African Bathroom: Options and Costs

Bidets are back, driven by the 2020 loo-paper shortage, water-saving arguments and Middle Eastern buyers who consider them non-negotiable. SA plumbing supports three options.

Option 1: Hand-held bidet spray ("Muslim shower")

• Product cost: R280 to R850
• Install: R400 to R750 (T-piece off the toilet cold feed)
• Water pressure: works from 100 kPa
• Best brands in SA: Cobra, Grohe, Hansgrohe
• Where to buy: Brights, Builders

Option 2: Bidet toilet seat (electric)

• Product cost: R2,800 to R14,000 (Toto, Kohler, no-brand)
• Install: R650 to R1,100 (T-piece + earthed 220 V socket within 1 m of toilet, which SANS 10142 requires GFCI-protected)
• Needs a plumber and a registered electrician for the socket
• Total: R3,500 to R16,000

Option 3: Standalone bidet (traditional)

• Ceramic bidet: R4,500 to R18,000
• Bidet mixer: R1,900 to R5,600
• Plumbing (hot + cold + waste): R3,800 to R7,200
• Only viable in bathrooms with floor space and existing waste line access
• Total: R10,000 to R30,000+

Bylaw notes

• Bidet spray T-off is compliant everywhere in SA
• Electric seat needs a certificate of compliance for the new socket
• Standalone bidet must have its own trapped waste to SANS 10400

Find a plumber for the installation.