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Builder toilet or buy my own Toto

14 years ago

I am building a new home for the first time. I think my builder will just choose whatever toilet they have in stock to use for my house build. Are different toilets that different? My brother is raving about his Toto Aquia dual flush toilet. Should I buy this myself and give it to the builder? The builder said they will install the toilet for me but I won't get any credit for not using their toilet. Should I just go with the builder one and upgrade it later!

Please advise.

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Comments (13)

trtsmb
14 years ago
I would do it now. It's a lot easier to do something before things are finished than after they are done.

We are in the process of installing a Toto Aquia in our master bath renovation.
astridh
14 years ago
It is not so easy to change it later because the Toto attaches to the plumbing in the wall a little differently than most toilets (or at least differently than my old ones). Also, the drain pipe through the floor may be a different distance from the wall. I think the Totos are great and worth your extra money upfront. Here are the ways my new Toto toilets are better than my old Kohler ones: quieter flush, soft close, never clogs, needs less cleaning because of the amount of water surface area, easier to clean on the outside, uses less water.
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I tried to figure that out yesterday too. I think it's the Connect+ toilets, but the website only shows them WITH the washlets, not separately. The photos don't seem to show the hole at all, plus they've photoshopped the power cord and water line out entirely. They should be at the back left of the washlet seat. I don't know how it works in skirted models (or even if the hole is an option), but in the traditional ones the hole doesn't conceal the cords entirely, just lets them go straight down instead of arcing out around the outside of the toilet itself. Here's a photo of ours arcing around the outside with a Toto Aquia (must not have had a Connect+ version). You'd think you could at least get a shorter waterline, but it's pretty well hidden with our bathroom layout so I haven't worried about it. Until now anyway. :)
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pepperidge_farm
14 years ago
Oh, definitely go with a toilet that you have picked, and yes, Totos are awesome, if one can care so much about a toilet; I discovered that once I had a great toilet ;-)
bommai
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks guys. I am trying to choose between Toto Aquia II dual flush (my brother got this in California and loves it) and the Carlyle (looks nicer). However, the Carlyle is more expensive. I want to get it in all 3 of our bathrooms. Also, is the soft close seat good. That is extra with the Aquia II. I think it costs like $38 each.
trtsmb
14 years ago
We just finished installing the Aquia II and it is very nice.
jjaazzy
14 years ago
We just put a dual flush Aquia for my Aunt last year and it came with the seat. I know when we purchased our Carolina Skirted it was extra so maybe those deals come and go.
bommai
Original Author
14 years ago
I was all set to buy the Aquia II toilet and then I came across the following page

Reviews

A lot of people like the toilet but several hate it because of the low water level. I am not sure if I should take the chance or just get the Carlyle.

Also, there is Cotton White and Colonial White. How are these two colors different?
sfjeff
14 years ago
Good choice on the Toto. You should be able to call Toto and get color chips. As I recall, one matches American Standard's white a little better and one matches Kohler's white, or something equally subtle.
home-fixer
14 years ago
Go to the Terry Love website and read his toilet reviews. He has one of the best sites I've seen on this subject.
http://terrylove.com
thull
14 years ago
Don't forget to check the CUWCC. The 14th edition of the MaP testing results is out. For some reason, the plain Aquia does better than the Aquia II. The Carlyle is in between.

I'm not sure about astridh's assertion that the connection to the wall is different. A cutoff valve and a flex hose is gonna be required regardless.

Here is a link that might be useful: MaP Testing
bommai
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks - I checked out the terri love website. I think we are going with the Aquia II for all three bathrooms. My brother, his wife and their three kids like them and that is good enough for me :)

I guess we do have to get used to the low water level.
iceqween13
14 years ago
Why are people not buying the Aquia III (3)? I just bought two but they're not installed yet.
bommai
Original Author
14 years ago
Yikes! Is there a Aquia III. Can't keep track. I thought II was the latest. Oh well. I already ordered the II.

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