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The cost for shower installation is between £300 and £2,500, though the total price can vary significantly.
When it comes to the big picture, most homeowners in the UK spend between £300 and £2,500 on a new shower installation. This is a wide conformity, yet it is indicative of the fact that numerous variables come into play. Assuming you wish to replace an old electric shower with a new like-for-like shower, then your costs will lie at the low end. However, if you are installing a mixer or digital shower with a glass enclosure, tiling, and new pipework, the total could quickly rise to £2,500 or more.
One of the key reasons why the shower installation cost varies so widely is the existing state of your bathroom. Labour costs will be less when you already have plumbing in place for the kind of shower you desire. You may just be adding days of work should you require serious modifications. The other thing is the consideration of whether you are trying to fit the shower in the same position or change the flow of the shower to a new section of the room. It is always more expensive to relocate, and the reason is the necessity to prolong pipework and change drainage patterns. Check here all the details to plan your shower installation at the best price in your area.
One of the initial and most significant decisions must be made in terms of the selection of the type of shower. All the types of showers have a corresponding price, and the requirements for the installation are different.
Electric showers are the cheapest both in purchase cost as well as installation. Units typically range from £100 to £400, and installation usually costs between £200 and £400. They do not depend on your central heating system because they raise cold water to a temperature within an instant, with an electric element. This is both economical and convenient, particularly in homes that have limited hot water storage.
For example, if you are a landlord replacing an old electric shower in a rental flat, your costs may be as low as £350 to £500 in total. But what happens when your house needs a higher power electrical circuit to support a more powerful shower (models of 10.5kW are on the market)? Some electrical work may be required, and this can drive up the cost.
Mixer showers come in at a higher price and with better performance. They are showers that combine hot and cold water sources you had with a constant temperature. Units range from £150 to £500, and installation usually costs £300 to £600. They suit combi boilers and unvented systems perfectly, though they cannot be used in homes where the water pressure tends to be low.
A family upgrading their main bathroom in a suburban home might spend £800 to £1,200 in total for a mixer shower with enclosure and tiling.
Power showers are also built to be used in homes based on a gravity water system with low pressure. They have an inbuilt pump to enhance the flow and so you get a stronger, more plush shower. Units cost £250 to £600, and installation typically adds another £400 to £700. They are very common in older homes and are more costly to operate since they consume electric power as well as stored hot water.
At the premium end of the scale, digital and smart showers cost £500 to £1,200 or more, with installation ranging from £500 to £1,000. These are frequently remotely controllable with apps and enable you to pre-determine definite temperatures even before getting in. They are extremely convenient but have greater initial costs.
A luxury bathroom remodel in a London townhouse with a digital shower, frameless glass, and floor-to-ceiling tiling could easily reach £3,000 to £4,500 once everything is factored in.
Electric showers tend to be the cheapest to operate, with only the amount of water that you require. The power showers, on the other hand, are water and energy-hogging. Such running costs accumulate.
Simple electric showers require minimal maintenance, but digital models may need annual servicing, costing £60 to £120. Replacement parts such as valves or cartridges can cost another £50 to £150.
A large portion of the costs is related to labour. Depending on the complexities of the job, the number of personnel and skills will take time.
Most plumbers in the UK charge £40 to £70 per hour. Installation of a simple shower can require 3-5 hours, and a complex one can require a day or more. For straightforward jobs, this means around £150 to £350, but for larger bathroom renovations, plumber labour alone could exceed £600 to £700.
In the event that you are dealing with electrical work as part of the installation (as is the case with an electric or digital shower), you will require a qualified electrician. Rates range from £50 to £80 per hour, with jobs typically costing £150 to £300. Safety certification may add another £50 to £100.
In some cases, other trades have to be applied, e.g., tilers or plasterers. If you’re redoing the walls around your shower, expect to pay tilers £25 to £40 per square metre, which can add hundreds of pounds to your total.
In the older houses, the plumbing might not be suitable for the contemporary showers. Adjustments typically cost £200 to £500, but in some cases, rerouting pipes across the bathroom could push costs even higher.
Poor water pressure is one of the most widespread problems in houses in the UK. Installing a pump to improve flow costs between £200 and £400, with an additional £200 to £300 for fitting.
When replacing an electric shower with a mixer shower, you may need to make sure your boiler is up to the task. A combi boiler will generally suffice, but an outdated system can be a costly affair to upgrade, in the thousands. For example, upgrading a traditional gravity-fed system to a modern unvented cylinder system may cost £1,500 to £3,000, although this is a broader home improvement rather than part of the shower installation alone.
The tray is the floor of your shower, which is available in various materials. Acrylic trays are the cheapest, priced between £70 and £200, while stone resin trays are sturdier and cost £300 to £600. Installation adds another £150 to £300, depending on the complexity.
The bathroom enclosure that you select can make your bathroom look different.
Luxury frameless glass enclosures, especially custom-made ones, significantly increase the shower installation cost but offer a premium finish.
A wet room is the most expensive option, with waterproofing, drainage, and tiling costing £4,000 to £7,000. This matches with more contemporary, open-plan bathroom style and is ideal accessibility-wise, as well. Creating one is a specialist job often involving a professional flooring fitter.
Tiling costs are subject to material and labour. Basic ceramic tiles are the most affordable at £20 to £30 per m², while porcelain is mid-range at £40 to £60 per m².
Natural stone tiles, such as marble or slate, cost £60 to £100+ per m². Labour adds another £25 to £40 per m².
A medium-sized shower enclosure with tiling on three walls might cost £600 to £1,200 in tiling alone, depending on your choices.
Waterproof wall panels can also be an alternative; they are easier and faster to install. Prices start at £100 per panel, with fitting adding £150 to £300. This can save time and financial costs as opposed to tiling.
Thermostatic shower valves range from £50 to £300, depending on brand and design. The digital controls may even be more costly.
A simple handset might cost just £20, while rainfall shower heads range from £200 to £500. Multiple-setting sprays are a luxury choice that is trendy in luxury bathrooms.
These add-ons appear minor; however, they have the potential of costing you hundreds of pounds to your final budget.
The highest labour rates are experienced here. A plumber may charge £70+ per hour, and a basic installation that costs £800 elsewhere may reach £1,200 to £1,500 in London.
Labour is more affordable, often reducing total installation costs by £200 to £400 compared to the South.
Tradespeople might be a little cheaper, but you might get call-out charges or have to pay more expensive suppliers. Local suppliers may be scarce.
Relocating a shower can add £800 to £2,000 to your project, as it involves new pipework, drainage adjustments, and sometimes structural changes.
Heavy frameless glass enclosures require reinforced walls, which can cost £200 to £500.
Removing old tiles, trays, and shower units may add £100 to £300. Skip hire for larger renovations from a waste clearance service could add £200 to £400.
Maintaining the current position of the shower will be cost-effective since there will be no need to replace the very costly pipes and drainage.
Budget miles might make you lose them in no time, but this does not mean that you should always want the premium. The mid-range products will usually last longer and at a much lower price.
Skilled tradesmen in multiple tasks can deal with plumbing, tiling, and light electrics. When an employer hires one employee and not three, the savings generated will be in the hundreds.
The retailers of bathrooms often have seasonal sales. Organising your project based on sales may save 20-30 per cent on units and enclosures.
It is also necessary to go beyond the initial price when thinking about the cost of a new shower. There are lasting advantages that come with a modern shower installation that far surpass the end cost.
To homeowners, it changes their routine lives and makes it easier and pleasant. Other modern models are also fitted with water conservation and energy-saving abilities, and over time, they can lessen household expenses. Moreover, a functional, fashionable shower is a good selling point among buyers as it can often augment the resale value of the property.
To landlords, the value is just as obvious. A new and long-lasting shower puts the chances of frequent repairs lower, which translates to reduced maintenance call-backs and happy tenants.
It also increases the attractiveness of rental houses in competitive markets, as tenants would be inclined towards houses with updated bathrooms.
Compared to the price, a quality shower installation can be a practical and cost-effective change considering the number of years of use.
The price of a shower installation may vary widely, depending on which sort of unit, how advanced the plumbing is, and the finishes. A straightforward electric shower replacement may cost around £400, while a digital or power shower with luxury tiling can run into several thousand pounds. Planning and budgeting will be necessary to exclude the possibility of unforeseen costs. Quality installation is not only cost-efficient in the long term, as it will minimise problems later on, but it will also increase the value of your home. Comfortably, cost-effectively, or to enhance property presentation, a carefully selected shower replacement will be durable, stylish, and cost-effective for years to come.
Costs of various services and materials in this cost guide should be taken as estimates. These depend on location, preference and demands in the market.