Shower installation costs: How much you can expect to pay

Shower installation costs will form part of your costs if you're renovating a bathroom or simply replacing an old shower. Knowing what you can expect to pay will both ensure that your budget stays on track, and you get the shower you want. 

If you are going for a straight replacement you can potentially consider doing the job yourself to save some money. But even a straightforward installation may not be as simple as you think, so calling in a professional often makes the most sense.

Here we give you the lowdown on the average cost for a shower installation, how much you can expect to pay for a shower unit and also offer some advice on what type of shower works best with a combi boiler.

Shower installation costs are calculated based on a number of variables

As with every house related job, your final shower installation costs will be affected by a number of different variables. The overall nature of your bathroom renovation ideas, may involve grander plans than you currently have, or perhaps you're undertaking a small bathroom remodel where the size and scale will usually help to reduce your costs.

When working out the amount you should budget, you'll need to consider what type of shower you are looking to have installed and how easy the installation will be? Is it a straight replacement? Is all the pipework already in place? Will additional pipework need to be installed? 

As a starting point, we'll look at an overall budget cost and then break it down into sections.

Estimated total costs

“You can expect to pay anywhere from £400 to £1200 on average for full shower installation costs,” explains Michael Wood, head of network delivery at Rightio. “This can include the supply of a new shower unit, tray, enclosure or cubicle, any tiling or waterproofing needed, plumbing materials, and labour.” 

But, shower installation costs will of course vary depending on which model of shower you want as well as the final finishes.

“The exact cost depends hugely on the type and quality of shower you choose," continues Michael. "A basic thermostatic mixer shower installation might be £400-600, while a high-pressure or digital shower system could set you back £800-£1200 or more. Shower cubicle sizes and tiling requirements also impact the total.” 

Cost of shower units

The type of shower you choose will naturally have an impact on the final bill for your shower installation costs. Budget electric showers can be bought for as little as £100, but cheaper shower units typically have a lower kW rating. The rating relates to the power of the unit, so the higher the rating, the better the performance and the quicker it can heat water.

Mid-range electric showers cost around £150-£250, these have higher kW rating and more features, while top of the range electric showers are £300+ and come with designer styling, more features and higher quality components.

Power showers are commonly used where there is lower water pressure and a suitable boiler system. These start at around £200 for lower end models with prices around £400-£500 for mid-range models and £700-£800 for higher end models.

Digital showers sit higher up the price range starting at £500-£600, but you are getting more features for your money. Expect to pay over £1000 for higher end models.  

Different types of shower units

Labour costs for plumbing

The prices for a plumber will vary, but as a general guideline, “most experienced plumbers charge an hourly rate between £100-£130 for domestic jobs like shower installations.” says Michael Wood. “Some plumbers offer day rates around £500-£600 for larger jobs over 4-5 hours.”  

While some jobs are a fixed price, “for something straightforward like a shower swap, many plumbers charge a fixed fee - typically £150-£300 for the labour on a simple like-for-like shower replacement.

“Always get a few quotes," recommends Michael, "as rates can vary considerably based on the plumber's expertise and your location.”

You also need to consider call out charges", says Zhelyazko Yanchev, plumbing expert at My Plumber. 

“Our plumber call-out fee is £75, which is non-refundable. This is the fixed charge for coming to the customer’s property to assess the problem and, eventually, fix it. Consequently, this price can increase and vary depending on what exactly the problem is.”  

Additional costs

Beyond a new shower unit and the associated shower installation costs, there are other expenditures that commonly come along with installing a new shower - especially if you're having your bathroom remodelled. 

Shower enclosure

Unless you're considering a full wet-room, even walk in shower ideas will often include a screen of some kind. This means you'll likely be looking at shower enclosures as a means of containing the water spray that's produced when you shower.

These commonly come as a kit and will include side panels, a door and a tray. These start at around £300-£400 but can easily reach £500+ depending on brand and quality. 

Shower panel or tiles

If you're weighing up shower panels vs tiles, replacing a replace shower panels will set you back around £50-£100 per panel, but they can be installed on a DIY basis. 

Tiling a shower on the other hand should take a couple of days to complete and for an average size shower will cost around £300 for labour, plus the cost of tiles. 

Seeking inspiration for your design? Take a look at our small shower room ideas and our shower over bath ideas if you're considering adding a shower or replacing one that's already in situ.

Shower installation costs FAQs

What type of shower works with a combi boiler?  

Combi boilers are one of the most common options in homes today, especially in smaller homes. But they aren’t compatible with all shower types as Zhelyazko Yanchev, shares. “Typically, the best types of showers considered suitable for a combi boiler are thermostatic mixer showers and digital showers. Electric showers are also popular and pair well with a combi boiler, but not as compatible as the previous two options.”

But other types are not suitable, he adds. “In contrast, power showers aren’t suitable for a combi boiler because they have an integrated pump that works best with older, gravity-fed hot water systems and are designed for low-pressure water supplies.”

Michael Wood offers some straightforward advice,.“Get the shower sized properly for your boiler's pressure and flow rates”. 

Not sure what he means? Take a look at the type of boiler you have and check with a professional to get the right answer.

Can I install a shower myself? 

If you are asking yourself as a competent DIYer if you know how to fit a shower, the answer is yes - you should be able replace an old shower with a new one. Electric showers are one of the most common types of showers and if the pipework and electrics are already in place, then it should be straightforward to fit. The same principle applies to most shower types. 

However, if the pipework and electrics are not in place, you will need to call in a professional to do the job. It’s also worth noting that you may need to change the electrics if the kW rating of your new shower is higher than the current one. Consult a plumber who will be able to clarify. 

How much does it cost to change a shower head?

Shower heads are typically easy to replace and can be done on a DIY basis. So the only real cost is the price of the shower head itself. The cost will depend on what shower head you currently have and whether you want to replace it with a less/more expensive model. 

But as a general guide the best shower heads are very affordable, typically costing anywhere from £10- £40. However, if you want a luxury or designer shower head you can easily be paying £100 plus to get a model that suits your needs. 

If you need/want a plumber to do the job it should take about 30 minutes to install. The cost will be their hourly rate plus a call out charge (if applicable). Remember to get a few quotes before deciding on who to go with.

Keen to keep a handle on your total bathroom renovation cost as well as your shower installation costs? Follow our 10 tips for ways to cut costs on a bathroom makeover and avoid these common bathroom design mistakes to avoid unnecessary  expense.