Shower Repair Costs Guide

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01/10/25, 16:19

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Isolate water & electrics and protect adjacent finishes.
Diagnose the fault (e.g. leaking mixer valve, cracked tray, failed sealant, low pressure, electrical fault on electric shower).
Remove defective components – valve cartridges, seals, hose, head, cracked tiles or enclosure trims.
Install new parts (like-for‑like mixer valve, replacement thermostat, hose, head or digital controller).
Re‑seal and re‑tile small areas as required, using sanitary‑grade silicone/adhesive.
Pressure‑test & commission; check temperature stability and earth bonding where applicable.
Clear site & dispose of waste, leaving a written workmanship / parts guarantee.

Charge type	Low £	High £	Notes
Call‑out / minimum	£90	£120	Covers first hour on site. Checkatrade
Labour per hour	£45	£75	After first hour; London & out‑of‑hours at upper end. Checkatrade
Materials	£50	£300	Simple seals to full mixer‑valve cartridge replacement. Yell
Disposal	£0	£160	Small DIY waste now free at many tips; skip‑bag or 2–3 yd skip if tiles/tray removed. Checkatrade The Sun
Extras (e.g. scaffolding)	£0	£300	Uncommon; portable tower if ceiling repairs or high‑level pipework. HomeownerCosts
TOTAL (most jobs come in here)	£180	£600	Like‑for‑like valve, seals or hose/head repair. Larger enclosure or pump fixes may exceed.

Typical duration: 1–3 hours for valve, seal, head or hose replacement. Factors that extend time:

Hidden pipework behind tiled walls needing access cuts.
Waiting for specialised or branded parts to arrive.
Extensive re‑tiling or tray reseating.
Dry‑time for silicone before use (tradesperson leaves, but shower unusable for 12–24 h).
Complicated electrics (RCD upgrade, new spur for pumped shower).

Have you fixed this specific shower brand/model before and can you source OEM parts quickly?
Is your quote inclusive of VAT, call‑out and the first set of consumables (seals, screws, silicone)?
If you discover hidden damage (e.g. rotten studwork or damp insulation), how will extra costs be agreed?
Will you pressure‑balance and earth‑bond the system and provide test results?
Do you carry public liability insurance and are you WaterSafe or CIPHE registered?
How long can I expect the repair to last, and what is the warranty period on both labour and parts?
What prep do I need to do (clearing toiletries, isolating water, parking space) before you arrive?

Access: Clear at least 1 m² around the shower; remove glass toiletries to prevent breakage.
Isolation valves: Know where the mains stop‑cock and relevant circuit breakers are.
Parking & permits: Arrange visitor or emissions‑zone permits so the plumber isn’t delayed.
Part identification: Send photos of the faulty unit/model code in advance so the right spares are on the van.
Disposal route: Confirm whether small debris goes to the local tip (now fee‑free for DIY‑scale waste) or if a skip/skip‑bag is needed.
Working‑at‑height: If ceiling or loft access is required, ensure loft ladder or safe platform is available (tower hire adds cost).
Post‑repair cure time: Plan alternative washing arrangements for 24 h if new silicone is applied.