How much does electric shower installation cost in the UK?
An electric shower installation costs £350 on average in the UK. Most jobs fall between £180 and £900 supplied and fitted. Job type: Like-for-like replacement £180 to £350, New unit with some rewiring £350 to £600, Brand new install with new circuit £600 to £900. Prices reviewed June 2026.
Supplying and fitting an electric shower usually costs between £180 and £900 in the UK, with most people paying around £350 for a like-for-like replacement. The price depends mainly on whether the wiring and pipework are already in place or need running in.
Electric shower installation cost calculator
Use the calculator to price your electric shower installation in 2026. Adjust the options and area for a UK cost range. Nothing is sent anywhere.
Electric shower installation cost breakdown
Typical electric shower installation costs, by option:
| Job type | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Like-for-like replacement | £180 to £350 |
| New unit with some rewiring | £350 to £600 |
| Brand new install with new circuit | £600 to £900 |
What's included in the price?
Typical electric shower installation prices include:
- The electric shower unit itself
- A qualified electrician to wire and connect it
- New cable, pull-cord switch and isolator where needed
- Connecting the water supply and testing the unit
- Removing and disposing of the old shower
What changes the price?
The things that move electric shower installation prices most:
Whether it is a like-for-like swap or a brand new install
The power rating (kW) of the unit and whether the existing cable can handle it
The price of the shower unit you choose
Whether a new circuit or consumer unit work is needed
Your region and the tradesperson's day rate
How the price is built up
A replacement is mostly labour plus the new unit. A new install adds the cost of running a dedicated cable back to the consumer unit, fitting a pull-cord isolator and connecting the water supply, which is why it can more than double the price. The unit itself is usually £70 to £300 depending on the brand and power rating. The rest is labour for the electrician and any plumbing, plus cable, a pull-cord switch and an isolator.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Replace like-for-like with the same power rating so the existing cable can be reused
- Buy a mid-range unit rather than the cheapest; they last longer and fail less often
- Get the electrics and any bathroom work done in a single visit
Does where you live change the cost?
In London, an electric shower installation typically costs around £460 supplied and fitted, about 30% above the UK average of £350. In the North, Scotland and Wales the guide figure is nearer £320.
| Region | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midlands / East (UK average) | £180 | £350 | £900 |
| London | £230 | £460 | £1,200 |
| South East / South West | £210 | £400 | £1,000 |
| North / Scotland / Wales | £170 | £320 | £830 |
Guide prices supplied and fitted, scaled with the same regional multipliers as the calculator. Not quotes.
Electric shower installation cost in major UK cities
| City | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | £150 | £300 | £770 |
| Birmingham | £180 | £340 | £880 |
| Bristol | £200 | £390 | £990 |
| Cardiff | £170 | £330 | £850 |
| Edinburgh | £180 | £340 | £880 |
| Glasgow | £160 | £320 | £810 |
| Leeds | £170 | £330 | £840 |
| Liverpool | £170 | £320 | £830 |
| London | £230 | £460 | £1,200 |
| Manchester | £170 | £340 | £860 |
| Newcastle | £160 | £320 | £810 |
| Sheffield | £170 | £320 | £830 |
City guide estimates, scaled by local labour costs. Indicative averages for electric shower installation, not quotes.
Trades in London and the South East charge the most, often £50 to £100 more; the North, Wales and Scotland tend to be cheaper.
Common questions
How much does it cost to install an electric shower in 2026?
About £180 to £900 supplied and fitted, with most people paying around £350 for a like-for-like replacement. A brand new install that needs fresh wiring and pipework costs more.
What makes electric shower installation more expensive?
A new cable run back to the consumer unit, a higher kW unit that needs thicker cable, consumer unit work, or awkward access all push the price up. A simple swap in the same spot is the cheapest job.
Can I install an electric shower myself?
No. Wiring an electric shower is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations and must be done or signed off by a qualified electrician. The shower draws a high current, so DIY wiring is unsafe and can invalidate your insurance.
How long does it take to fit an electric shower?
Around 2 to 3 hours for a like-for-like replacement, or up to a full day for a new install that needs new cable, a pull-cord isolator and water pipework.
Is it cheaper to replace an electric shower with the same model?
Yes. A like-for-like swap that reuses the existing cable and pipework is the cheapest option, usually £180 to £350 all in.
Do I need a plumber or an electrician?
Both skills are needed. Many electric shower fitters are qualified to handle the wiring and the plumbing themselves; otherwise a plumber runs the water and an electrician does the electrical connection.
Check they are registered before they start
Most fixed electrical work in a home has to meet Part P of the building regulations. Work by someone unregistered can be difficult to insure, to sign off, or to sell a house through. Checking takes about a minute and it is free.
- Registered Competent Person Electrical Electrical Safety Roundtable · The register GOV.UK points householders to for electricians who can certify their own work under the building regulations
Official guidance and sources
The rules and schemes referenced on this page come from these official UK sources. The price figures are Costwise's own; see how we price.
- Building regulations: Approved Document P GOV.UK · Electrical work in a bathroom is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations.
- Planning permission: electrics Planning Portal · It must be certified by a registered electrician or signed off by building control.
These are independent guide prices based on typical UK jobs in 2026. Your actual cost depends on your property, spec, access and where you live. Always get at least three written quotes before committing.