How Much Does It Cost to Convert a Bath Into a Shower?

Converting a bath into a shower typically costs £1,500-£4,000 in the UK, depending on whether the plumbing needs to move, how much waterproofing and tiling is involved, and the quality of the shower enclosure and tray you choose.

What drives the cost

• Plumbing position: if the new shower can use roughly the same water supply and drainage position as the old bath, the job is significantly cheaper. If the drain needs to move to properly position the shower tray, expect extra cost for pipework changes.
• Shower tray type: a standard acrylic tray is the cheapest option; a low-profile or bespoke stone resin tray costs more but often looks better and is easier to keep clean.
• Waterproofing (tanking): a shower area needs more thorough waterproofing than a bath, since it's exposed to sustained direct water spray rather than occasional splashing. This is not an area to cut corners — see our guide on DIY vs hiring a fitter for why waterproofing is one of the trades worth paying a professional for.
• Enclosure type: a basic shower curtain rail is cheapest; framed or frameless glass enclosures cost considerably more but are easier to clean and look more modern.
• Extraction: a shower produces significantly more steam than a bath, so it's worth checking your extractor fan is adequate for the increased moisture load — see our guide on bathroom extractor fan problems if you're not sure yours is up to the job.

Typical cost breakdown

• Basic conversion (same plumbing position, acrylic tray, curtain or basic screen): roughly £1,500-£2,200.
• Mid-range conversion (some pipework changes, glass enclosure, decent tray): roughly £2,200-£3,200.
• Higher-spec conversion (moved plumbing, walk-in glass enclosure, premium tray and tiling): roughly £3,200-£4,000+.

The shower itself is a separate cost worth budgeting for on top of the conversion work: a basic electric shower unit costs roughly £150-£400 supplied and fitted, while a thermostatic mixer shower fed from the hot water system (generally a better experience where water pressure and hot water supply allow) typically costs £300-£700 including the valve and fittings.

Choosing the right shower type for the conversion

An electric shower heats water on demand and doesn't rely on your hot water cylinder or combi boiler capacity, making it a reliable choice for a property with limited hot water flow — but it can feel less powerful than a mixer shower to some users. A thermostatic mixer shower blends hot and cold from your existing supply and generally gives a stronger, more consistent flow, but performance depends on your home's water pressure; a property with a combi boiler or unvented cylinder and decent mains pressure is usually well suited to one, while very low-pressure systems may need a pump added, which increases cost. If you're unsure which suits your home's plumbing, it's worth getting this checked before choosing the enclosure and tray, since the shower type can slightly affect the pipework needed.

Building regulations for a bath-to-shower conversion

A straightforward bath-to-shower conversion using the existing plumbing position doesn't usually need planning permission, since it's an internal change with no impact on the building's exterior. It does still need to comply with Building Regulations: any new electrical work within the bathroom's regulated zones (an upgraded shower pump, new lighting, or an electric shower unit) falls under Part P and should be carried out or signed off by a qualified electrician, and any plumbing changes should meet Part G water efficiency and supply requirements. If the shower will be electric rather than fed from the hot water system, it's also worth checking your consumer unit has the capacity for the additional circuit before committing to a specification.

Is it worth it?

For households that use the shower far more often than the bath — which describes most UK households day-to-day — a conversion can genuinely improve how usable the room is. It's worth thinking twice in a family home with young children, or if the property is likely to be marketed to buyers who specifically want a bath (a fully bath-less house can occasionally be a harder sell), in which case an ensuite or second bathroom with a bath elsewhere is worth considering instead of removing the only bath in the house.

Common mistakes

• Underestimating the waterproofing requirement — a shower needs more robust tanking than a bath ever did in that spot, not the same standard.
• Choosing a tray that's too small for comfortable use to save space — measure carefully and consider how the space will actually be used.
• Ignoring drainage falls — the floor and tray need a proper gradient towards the drain, or water pools and eventually causes problems.

Related reading: simply replacing the bath like-for-like.