What like-for-like actually means
A like-for-like swap keeps the same type of shower in the same position. An electric shower is replaced with an electric shower on the existing supply, or a mixer valve is replaced with a mixer valve on the existing hot and cold feeds. The tray, screen and tiling stay as they are unless you ask otherwise.
Our published price for this job is £450-£900 fitted. Where you land in that range depends mostly on the unit you choose and how easily the old one comes out without disturbing the surrounding tiles.
Electric, mixer and thermostatic: how each swap differs
Electric showers heat cold mains water inside the unit. Swapping one is usually quick, but the new unit must suit the existing cable and protection, and a higher-rated model can need electrical upgrades before it is safe to fit.
Surface-mounted mixer and thermostatic showers take hot and cold water from the home's system. If the bar or valve is on the surface, a swap is straightforward. Concealed valves sit inside the wall, so replacing one often means opening tiles, which is where a simple swap starts to become a small tiling job.
Thermostatic controls hold the temperature steady when someone runs a tap elsewhere in the house, which is why many people choose one when replacing an older manual mixer.
Signs the job is bigger than a swap
Cracked or loose tiles around the shower, a tray that flexes underfoot, sealant that keeps going mouldy, or staining on the ceiling below usually mean water has been escaping. Fitting a new shower on to that would only hide the fault for a while.
A change of shower type is another trigger. Moving from electric to a mixer, or adding a pump, changes the pipework and is priced as an installation rather than a swap. If you want to lose the bath altogether, that is a conversion and is covered in our bath-to-shower guide.
What happens on the day
We isolate the water, and the power for electric units, remove the old shower, check the supply and fixings, fit the new unit, and seal any penetrations through the wall. The shower is then run and tested before we leave, and the area is cleaned down.
| Situation | Likely scope |
|---|---|
| Same type, same position, sound tiles | Like-for-like swap |
| Concealed valve behind tiles | Swap plus local tile work |
| Electric to mixer, or adding a pump | New installation |
| Removing the bath for a shower | Bath-to-shower conversion |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a like-for-like shower replacement cost?
Our published figure is £450-£900 fitted. We confirm a fixed price after the free survey, once we have seen the existing unit and supply.
Can I supply my own shower?
Yes. We will check it suits your water system or electrical supply before fitting, so it performs as it should.
Will the tiles need to come off?
Not for most surface-mounted units. Concealed valves often need a small area of tiling opened and made good.
Do you replace showers across your area?
Yes, across our standard service area around Reading, including towns such as Didcot, Basingstoke, Tadley and Hook.