Shower Replacement Cost: Swap, Enclosure or Full Refit

Three levels of shower replacement

Most jobs fall into one of these.

• Like-for-like swap: a new electric or mixer shower on the existing supply
• New tray and enclosure: the shower valve may stay, but the base and glass are replaced
• Full shower area refit: valve, tray, enclosure, waterproofing and tiles all renewed

Electric, mixer or power shower

An electric shower heats cold water as it flows and needs a suitable electrical supply; upgrading to a more powerful unit may mean upgrading the cable, which is electrical work. A mixer shower blends hot and cold from your system and can be surface mounted or concealed in the wall. A concealed valve looks tidier but needs the wall opening and retiling.

Swapping one type for another is more involved than replacing like with like.

Water pressure and your system

Combi boilers, unvented cylinders and gravity-fed systems each suit different showers. A shower that suits one may perform badly on another. We check the system before recommending a valve so you are not disappointed by the flow.

Trays, enclosures and hidden leaks

When an old tray comes out, it is common to find water damage underneath from failed seals. Rotten floorboards or soft plaster need putting right before the new tray goes in. Our leaking shower guide explains the usual causes.

Low profile trays look modern but need the waste to be positioned carefully to drain properly, which can mean lifting floorboards.

Tiles and waterproofing

If the tiles around the shower are cracked, drummy or have failing grout, replacing the shower without addressing them just moves the problem. A new shower area should be tanked behind the tiles. Our guide to the cost of tiling a bathroom covers this part.

When a full bathroom makes more sense

If the shower is part of a dated bathroom with other problems, it can be better value to plan a full refit rather than replace one item now and disturb new tiles later. We will give you honest advice either way.

Getting a quote

Send photographs of the shower, the valve and the area around it, and tell us your boiler type. We provide free written quotes, and the work is covered by our 1-year workmanship warranty.

Electric showers and power ratings

Electric showers are rated by power, and a higher rating usually means a better flow in winter. Replacing a unit with one of the same rating on a sound supply is straightforward. Moving up a rating can mean the cable and protective device need upgrading, which is electrical work that must be carried out and certified separately. Checking the rating on the old unit before you buy a new one avoids a wasted trip.

Pumps and gravity systems

On older gravity-fed systems with a cold water tank in the loft, pressure is often low and a pump may be suggested. Pumps need to suit the system and the shower, and some water suppliers have rules about where they can be fitted. On a combi boiler or mains pressure cylinder, a pump is not normally used. We check what you have before recommending anything, so you are not sold a part that will not help.