A quick search for a cheap bidet often turns up general retailers like Bunnings, Kmart or Costco. They can look like a bargain — but for a product that plumbs into your home, the lowest sticker price isn't always the lowest total cost. Here's an honest comparison of buying a bidet from a general retailer versus a specialist, so you can decide what's right for you.
Can You Buy a Bidet at Bunnings, Kmart or Costco?
General retailers do, from time to time, stock bidet products — usually simple attachments, handsprays or budget seats, and availability varies by store and season. If you only want a basic, low-cost option and you're confident about compliance and installation, they can be a starting point. The key is to look past the price tag at what you're actually getting.
The Real Question: Total Cost & Compliance
Always Check for WaterMark Certification Before Buying
Any bidet connected to the water supply in Australia must be WaterMark certified. A cheap unit that isn't certified can't be legally installed — and a plumber will refuse to connect it. Check for the WaterMark logo on the product or packaging regardless of where you shop.
WaterMark Certification
WaterMark certification is a legal requirement for any plumbed bidet in Australia. It confirms the product meets Australian standards and is safe to connect to a drinking-water supply. General retailers don't always stock WaterMark-certified products — and without checking, you may end up with something that can't be legally or safely installed.
Backflow Prevention & Legal Installation
A plumbed bidet must be installed by a licensed plumber with appropriate backflow protection under the National Construction Code Volume Three. That requirement is the same whether you bought the bidet from a big-box store or a specialist.
Why "Cheap" Can Get Expensive
A budget bidet still needs professional installation, and if it requires a high-hazard backflow device (such as an RPZ valve) plus annual testing, those costs apply regardless of where you bought it. A low purchase price doesn't avoid the install or compliance costs.
Insurance & Compliance Certificates
If a bidet is installed without the right backflow protection or by an unlicensed person, you may have no compliance certificate — and your home insurance may not cover any resulting water damage. Compliance protects your home, not just your plumbing.
What a Specialist Adds
Expert Advice & Product Range
A specialist helps you choose the right model for your toilet, needs and budget — from cold-water attachments to smart suites — rather than whatever a general store happens to stock that week.
Certified Installation
The Bidet Shop runs its own factory-certified install team, so the plumbing, backflow protection and certification are handled correctly the first time.
Warranty, Parts & Repairs
Specialists back their products with warranty, genuine spare parts and in-house repairs. With a general-retailer purchase, after-sales support and parts can be harder to find when you need them.
WaterMark-Certified Stock
Every product sold by The Bidet Shop is WaterMark certified to WMTS-051 — you don't need to check or guess. That's one less compliance risk to manage.
A Fair Comparison
| Factor | General Retailer | Bidet Specialist |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront purchase price | Often lower (basic units) | Competitive — budget options available |
| WaterMark certification | Varies — always check | Always included |
| Product range | Limited, seasonal | Full range — all types and budgets |
| Expert advice | Unlikely | Dedicated team |
| Certified installation | Not offered | In-house team |
| Genuine parts & repairs | Unlikely | In-house team |
| Australian warranty support | Varies | Yes |
When a General-Retailer Bidet Might Be Fine
If you want a portable bottle bidet (which doesn't plumb in and needs no installation), buying the cheapest option is perfectly reasonable — there's no compliance or install dimension to navigate. The trade-offs really only matter once a product connects to your water supply.
One Rule for Any Retailer
Before buying a plumbed bidet anywhere, confirm it carries the WaterMark logo. Without it, no licensed Australian plumber will legally install the product.
The Bidet Shop's Budget-Friendly Options
You don't have to choose between "cheap" and "specialist". The Bidet Shop's Cold Water range starts from around $98 for handspray kits and $99 for portable bidets — affordable prices with WaterMark-certified, plumbed products and expert support behind them. Budget doesn't have to mean compliance risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
General retailers including Bunnings sometimes stock basic bidet products, but availability varies by store and season. Always check the item is WaterMark certified before buying — a plumbed bidet without certification can't be legally installed in Australia.
Not always — certification varies by product and retailer. An uncertified plumbed bidet can't be legally installed. Check for the WaterMark logo on the packaging or product regardless of where you shop.
For a plumbed bidet you'll use for years, usually yes: you get certified products, correct installation, warranty and repairs — all in one place. For a cheap portable (no plumbing), a general retailer is fine. The specialist advantage kicks in the moment plumbing is involved.
The Bottom Line
Bunnings, Kmart and Costco can look cheaper at the checkout, but for a bidet that plumbs into your home the real comparison is total cost and compliance: WaterMark certification, licensed installation, backflow protection, warranty and support. The Bidet Shop offers budget-friendly options plus the certified products and expertise to do it right. Compare the range or call 1300 243 387.
Affordable, Certified Bidets from a Specialist
WaterMark certified · Options from $98 · Expert advice · Certified installation
Browse All BidetsAbout The Bidet Shop — Australia's largest bidet specialist, with its own retail stores, warehouse and factory-certified repair team. All plumbed products WaterMark certified to WMTS-051 (Lic. No. 20094). Ph: 1300 243 387