TL;DR — Shower Installation Cost At A Glance
- Labour to install a shower is usually £150–£500 outside London and £250–£700 in London, depending on the shower type and pipework.
- Fitting an electric shower runs £200–£600 because it needs both a water and an electrical supply.
- The shower unit itself costs £50–£1,500+ — electric showers start around £50–£300, while digital and smart showers reach £500–£1,500+.
- Cost drivers are the shower type, whether it's a like-for-like swap or a new installation, electrical work, tiling and your location.
- All-in, a straightforward shower installation typically lands around £300–£1,000, with premium digital or smart systems costing more.
- Like-for-like swaps are cheapest; a brand-new shower on a wall with no existing feed is the most involved.
- Get a fixed price to install a shower — check prices and book online or arrange a visit that suits you.
How Much Does Shower Installation Cost In 2026?
Installing a shower in the UK costs £150–£500 in labour, rising to £250–£700 in London and the South East. Electric showers, which need a dedicated water feed and an electrical connection, typically cost £200–£600 to fit. Add the price of the shower unit and all-in costs usually land between £300 and £1,000, with digital and smart systems pushing higher.
The type of shower is the main thing that moves the price. A mixer shower fed from existing hot and cold pipes is one of the simpler jobs. An electric shower needs a cold feed and a properly rated electrical circuit, so it involves both a plumber and a qualified electrician. A power shower adds a pump, and digital or smart showers add a control unit and, sometimes, extra wiring. Whether the work is a like-for-like swap or a fresh installation — new pipework, a new electrical run, or a new enclosure — makes a big difference to the labour.
Here is what you can expect to pay to fit a shower, by type:
| Shower type | Rest of UK (fitting) | London & South East (fitting) |
|---|---|---|
| Electric shower | £150 – £300 | £180 – £360 |
| Mixer shower | £225 – £450 | £270 – £540 |
| Thermostatic shower | £225 – £450 | £270 – £540 |
| Power shower | £300 – £600 | £360 – £720 |
| Digital shower | £300 – £600 | £360 – £720 |
| Smart shower | £300 – £600 | £360 – £720 |
Figures include VAT and reflect 2026 market rates. Electric, power and smart showers may need electrical work by a qualified person, charged within or on top of the fitting — get a fixed quote here.
Shower Installation Cost Breakdown: The Shower Unit
The shower unit is a separate cost from the fitting. Prices vary widely by type and features:
| Shower type | Typical unit price (inc VAT) |
|---|---|
| Electric shower | £50 – £300 |
| Mixer shower | £100 – £500 |
| Thermostatic shower | £150 – £600 |
| Power shower | £200 – £600 |
| Digital shower | £250 – £1,000+ |
| Smart shower | £500 – £1,500+ |
Electric showers are the most affordable unit and popular where hot water supply is limited, since they heat water on demand. Mixer and thermostatic showers rely on your existing hot water, while power showers add a pump for homes with low pressure. Digital and smart showers offer precise temperature control and app or remote operation at the top of the range. Combine the unit with the fitting and a typical installation lands between £300 and £1,000, with high-end digital or smart setups reaching £1,500+.
What Affects The Cost Of Shower Installation?
Several factors decide where you land in the ranges above.
1. The Type Of Shower
Mixer and thermostatic showers fed from existing pipes are the simpler jobs. Electric showers add electrical work; power showers add a pump; digital and smart showers add a control unit and wiring. Each step up adds labour and materials.
2. Like-For-Like Vs New Installation
Replacing an existing shower of the same type is the cheapest scenario. Installing a shower where there was none — running new water pipes, a new electrical circuit, or building an enclosure — is far more involved.
3. Electrical Work
Electric, power and smart showers need a suitably rated circuit installed or checked by a qualified electrician. If a new circuit has to be run back to the consumer unit, that adds noticeably to the cost.
4. Tiling, Enclosure And Waterproofing
A new shower area needs tiling, a tray or wet-room base, an enclosure or screen, and proper waterproofing behind the tiles. These are separate from the plumbing but often part of the overall project.
5. Water Pressure And Pump
Homes with low pressure may need a pump or a specific shower type. Fitting a pump adds both parts and labour.
6. Your Location And Access
London and the South East run roughly 15–30% higher than the North of England, Wales and Scotland. Tight or upstairs bathrooms and awkward access add time.
What's Included — And What's Not
Typically included in a like-for-like shower installation:
- Removing the old shower unit
- Fitting the new shower and connecting to the existing supply
- Testing temperature, flow and for leaks
- Small consumables such as seals and fixings
Usually charged separately:
- The shower unit, if the plumber supplies it
- Electrical work for electric, power or smart showers
- A new water feed or pump
- Shower tray, enclosure, screen or wet-room base
- Tiling and waterproofing
- Making good after new pipe or cable runs
Confirm the scope in writing so the quote and final bill line up.
Can You Install A Shower Yourself?
Swapping a mixer shower valve or shower head like-for-like, fed from existing pipes, is within reach of a confident DIYer and saves the call-out. Beyond that, shower installation quickly moves into territory best left to professionals.
An electric shower must not be a DIY electrical job — it needs a correctly rated circuit and connection by a qualified electrician, and getting it wrong is dangerous. Power, digital and smart showers, new water feeds, pumps, trays, enclosures and any tiling or waterproofing all benefit from professional work, both for safety and to avoid leaks behind finished walls. A good fitter also makes sure the shower type suits your water pressure, so you are not disappointed by a weak flow.
How To Save Money On Shower Installation
- Choose a like-for-like replacement and keep the same shower type where possible.
- Match the shower to your water system — an electric shower where pressure is low, a mixer where you have good stored hot water — to avoid a pump.
- Supply your own shower unit once you have confirmed it suits your system.
- Bundle bathroom jobs — a bath installation, toilet installation or tap installation in one visit.
- Book in normal hours to avoid emergency premiums.
- Get 2–3 quotes and compare what each includes — tiling, enclosure and electrical work all vary.
How To Hire A Good Plumber Or Bathroom Fitter
Ask for recommendations, check reviews, and get a written quote that states whether the shower is supplied, whether electrical work and tiling are included, and how the water pressure has been assessed. Confirm the tradesperson is insured, and for electric, power and smart showers, that the electrical work is done by a qualified electrician who can issue the correct certification.
With Fantastic Services, you get vetted, insured tradespeople, transparent pricing and online booking — describe the shower and get a price up front.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Install A Shower?
In 2026, labour to install a shower is £150–£500 across most of the UK and £250–£700 in London. Electric showers cost £200–£600 to fit. Add the unit and all-in costs usually land between £300 and £1,000.
How Much Does An Electric Shower Cost To Install?
Fitting an electric shower typically costs £200–£600, because it needs both a water feed and an electrical connection by a qualified electrician. The unit itself is £50–£300.
What's The Difference Between Shower Types?
Mixer and thermostatic showers use your existing hot water; electric showers heat water on demand and suit low hot-water supply; power showers add a pump for low pressure; and digital and smart showers add precise, sometimes remote, temperature control.
Are There Other Expenses With Shower Installation?
Yes. Expect extra for the shower unit, electrical work, a new water feed or pump, a tray or enclosure, and tiling and waterproofing. A brand-new shower area costs far more than a like-for-like swap.
How Long Does It Take To Install A Shower?
A like-for-like mixer shower swap can take 1–2 hours. An electric shower with new cabling, or a full new shower enclosure with tiling, can take a day or more.
Can You Install A Shower Yourself?
A like-for-like mixer swap is achievable for a confident DIYer. Electric, power, digital and smart showers, plus any new pipework, tiling or electrical work, should be left to professionals — the electrical side in particular is a safety matter.
Where Can You Find A Plumber To Install A Shower?
Use a vetted, insured provider such as Fantastic Services, where you can book online, see pricing up front and pick a slot that suits you.
Sources (market research, 2026): Checkatrade, MyBuilder, MyJobQuote, Housekeep and regional plumbing providers. All prices are indicative market ranges and should be verified against Fantastic Services' pricing before booking.
