Here in N. America, there are some who consider a bidet a status symbol, and the mark of a truly luxurious bathroom. The fact of the matter is, even those who have a bidet seldom use it. They simply find it too much bother, or jump into the shower, instead. That being said, most Americans tend to think a geyser style makes the most sense, although they probably couldn't tell you why.

On the other hand, in many countries of Europe, Italy in particular, a bathroom without a bidet would be considered incomplete. Every bathroom in Italy, from hovel to mansion, has a bidet in every bathroom. Most are the type with the tap at one end.

I doubt that here in America, the lack of a bidet would have any impact on resale values. Would it be a plus? Perhaps, but it isn't likely to make much difference. It just isn't enough of a sought after amenity. If you really want the "ne plus ultra" in bathroom amenities, skip the stand-alone bidet and go for the Toto Neorest toilet. It's just gadgety and unique enough that it might have some value when it comes to resale.

Here is a link that might be useful: Toto Neorest Toilet

How often do you use it? What will go there if you get rid of it?

I wouldn't want to live without my bidet. There is no kinda clean better than spritzing with a bidet. If you have the room, I would go for the separate bidet rather than the extra hardware for a Neorest or some such similar produt.

The bidets with a center spray are much better for centering yourself and for moving around a bit. My girlfriend also loves it.

It is a plus in a resale, but I wouldn't get it for just that reason. You should get it for that shower fresh reason or not get it because you don't care and won't use it.

No doubt, the biggest pain on the bidets is the incredibly high cost of the faucet and volume controls, which more often than not exceed the cost of the bidets themselves.

Greg

A bidet is a big plus for resale, at least I think so. You don't have to get Toto faucets, other companies make bidet faucets and that might save you money. A bidet seat, ubiquitous in Japan and being seen more frequently in the USA nowadays, costs $450 and up. So $300 for a freestanding bidet, plus the cost of the faucets, doesn't seem too much.

I would want the style with the water in the middle, that style makes it easier to perform the function the bidet is meant to do. Is there a difference in price for the faucets, drain, etc. for that style?

I've gotta ask. I've been wanting to for a long time, but... :o
I have a Toto Washlet (bidet seat). What is the advantage of a separate bidet? Seems like it would be a big hassle when you could remain on the toilet and have the same functionality and so much more.
Monica

Great question. Anybody?

I have a Toto washlet also, installed on an American Standard toilet. My plumber told me it would fit my existing toilet and so I did not get the entire Toto package.

Yes, every bath in Italy has both toilet and bidet. VERY nice.

To make a stab at answering why separate instead of combined.
Well, I think the toilet is used with only cold water. The bidet is used like a low sink, and it has both hot AND cold water. Not every home had electricity, but they did have some way of creating hot water. It was customary to have the two separate for sanitary reasons. I think in the US, it is more convenient to retrofit a washlet seat to an existing toilet and run electricity to it to make instant hot/warm water for washing, than it is to find room in our smallish bathrooms for a second fixture.

Did I make my point? I hope so. Basically, sanitary reasons historically when no electricity available to give a quick supply of warm washing water.

I was hoping to fit a bidet into my master bath, but that was just not possible. So I got the Toto washlet.

1. I love it. And, I think I like it better than a bidet, no switching seats, little bum dryer, heated water, heated seat is incredible.

2. That darn bidet and faucet was shockingly expensive and frankly inexplicably large!! The footprint was so much bigger than I would have thought.

3. Depends on your home, where it's located and how likely prospective buyers will even be thinking about a bidet. If it's on the list, then by all means, leave it. If you're the only house on the block with one, don't need to bother, IMHO.

4. Toto like products are becoming more recognized as mainstream luxury- saw it on a HGTV reno show, on an episode of Cougar Town, it was a main story joke about the talking Japanese toilet seat in her bathroom renovation... so that could potentially be more valuable than even a bidet nowadays!

5. You can take it with you if not needed for a sale :-)

Have plenty of room for the bidet. Not sure what I would do with the space if I removed it. The cost of the faucet is the main issue for me. I can't believe that most of them are more than the bidet itself. If the washlet is just as good or better, then the cost of removal and purchase of the washlet may be about the same or less in the end. If it is any indication of resale effect, I live in a condo in Florida on the ocean that was built in the 1980's. All of the apartments were built with bidets in the master baths. As new people move in they are gutting bathrooms and remodeling. I know of 2 that have simply removed their bidets.

>>Basically, sanitary reasons historically when no electricity availableAnd since we do have electricity available, there is no reason for a separate bidet? Is that what you're saying?
Looks like you have to have your pants and undies completely off for a free standing bidet and that seems like a lot of extra trouble. Looks like the amt of water that sprays from geyser would take a washcloth or handtowel for drying.
The Washlet has two rear washes with multiple speeds and one front with the same multiple speeds. All can oscillate and or pulse. Water temp varys from cold tap to about 102 or more (maybe). Has an air deoderizer and dryer. Let's not forget about the heated seat :) I don't know, maybe there is something more desireable about the stand alone bidet but I haven't figured it out :) And if I ever move (doubtful) the original seat is going on the Toto and my Washlet is coming with me! :)
Monica

The bidet without the faucet and assorted hardware is just a convoluted sink. Thats why the bowl is cheap and the workings are expensive.

In terms of resale value its like a swimming pool in most northern climates. If your buyers want one, it adds to resale, if your buyers think they are unnecessary, it may turn off a buyer who doesn't want a useless piece of plumbing taking up room. I think most realtors would tell you its a wash. No pun intended.

Ok I'm sold. The bidet is out, the washlet is in! Just checking with my electrician to make sure it is doable for me.

I'm chiming in late here. I've traveled the world and have seen bidets in many bathrooms, but yet has anyone shown me how to use one! Seriously, they make me nervous. I've fiddled with the knobs but have always been afraid of breaking something or spraying something. I'm in my 20's and I don't know anyone my age (or older) who has one.

As for a washlet, I was recently in Korea and my hotel had the fanciest toilet I'd yet come across. All those buttons, I couldn't help but push them to find out what they did. I had it figured out in seconds and I liked it! From my point of view, the washlet is the way to go :-)

For me this is a no brainer, I have been using a Bidet Toilet Seat for three years and would not be without one. The old style Bidets where a lot of trouble to use and the bidet seats are so much easier. Yes you should Bidet!

Putting together costs for a bidet: Toto bidet, Hansgrohe faucet & rough, and plumber = approximately $1,000. Am I doing something wrong? The washlet is about the same. Never thought it would be this expensive. I may close up the hole instead and spend the $1,000 on something else.

I've had a bidet for over 20 years and absolutely love it. Don't be intimidated by them, they are simple to use. I don't use mine every time I use the bathroom but they are perfect to clean up before or after "intimate" times when you don't want a full shower, or during a woman's monthly cycles. I also use mine as a foot bath in the summer.

My friend has a separate bidet, she is from another country where bidets are commonplace, when I use her commode I find stacked folded news papers piled on it. I am not certain how much use it actually gets. (not going to ask.)