Sanitaryware and taps — price, types and what to check
WCs, basins, showers, mixers and every tap.
Sanitaryware (WCs, basins) and bath fittings (taps, mixers, showers) shape daily comfort. The hidden parts — diverter bodies and cisterns — must be chosen before tiling.
The basics
- WCs and basins are vitreous china; quality taps are brass with chrome or PVD plating.
- Wall-hung WCs with concealed cisterns are now standard in new homes.
- Know your trap type — S-trap exits through the floor, P-trap through the wall.
Sanitaryware and taps types and price ranges in India
| Type | Specification | Best used for | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floor-mounted EWC | S-trap / P-trap | Standard bathrooms | ₹3,500–15,000 |
| Wall-hung WC with concealed cistern | Frame + cistern | Modern bathrooms | ₹12,000–45,000 |
| Wash basin | Counter, table-top, pedestal | Bathroom and dining | ₹1,500–20,000 |
| Single-lever diverter / mixer | Brass body | Shower and spout control | ₹3,000–20,000 |
| Pillar tap, bib cock, angle valve | Brass, chrome | Basins and points | ₹400–4,000 |
| Overhead and hand shower | ABS / brass | Bathing | ₹800–25,000 |
| Health faucet and accessories | SS / brass | Every bathroom | ₹500–6,000 |
Quality checks before you accept delivery
- Good taps feel heavy (solid brass) with mirror chrome and no pits.
- Modern taps use ceramic disc cartridges, not rubber washers.
- Check WC rough-in distance against your plumbing before buying.
- Aerators on basin taps cut water use by 30–50%.
- Tap the WC and basin — a clear ring means no hidden cracks.
- Glaze should be even, including inside the trap.
- Check the flush volume (dual 3/6 litres) on the box.
Pro tips
- Fix the concealed diverter body before tiling at the depth marked on its gauge.
- Buy the diverter body and its trim from the same brand series.
- In hard-water cities choose PVD finishes and anti-lime shower heads.
- Leave at least 600 mm clear space in front of the WC.
- Rimless WCs are much easier to keep clean.
- Give every bathroom its own isolation valve.
- Seal WC bases with silicone, not white cement, so they can be removed later.
- Keep spare cartridges and manuals in your handover folder.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying the WC before checking the drain position.
- Cheap concealed cisterns — repairs mean breaking tiles.
- No slope in the shower area.
- Heavy basins on weak walls without backing.
- Mixing brands between diverter bodies and trims.
Where you can save
- Buy a whole bathroom set from one brand during festive offers.
- Mid-range lines from good brands often share cartridges with premium ones.
How much you need
Plan one full set (WC, basin, diverter, shower, health faucet, accessories) per bathroom.
Brands to know
Jaquar, Hindware, Cera, Kohler, Parryware, Grohe, American Standard, Hansgrohe