Shower Valve Replacement Cost
The shower valve is designed to control the flow of both the hot and cold water, all while protecting you from being blasted with scalding hot water.
The cost of a shower valve replacement
The cost to replace a shower valve will depend on the contractor you hire, how difficult it is to access the valve, the setup, the type of piping you have, and your geographical location. For the most part, the average shower valve can cost $25 to $100 for just the part, while the rest of the costs, going toward the labor, can, again, depend on the amount of work that is required.
For example, if the valve can be readily accessible via the back of the wall, then the job is pretty straightforward, but if the plumber has to remove the tile and open up walls, tile, and/or the shower stall to access, then, as you can imagine, the labor time can increase. For a readily accessible job, the prices, including the parts can be in the $175 to $300 range; however, if a lot of modifications need to be made, the costs can soar to $600 to more than $1,800+ once the drywall and/or tile is replaced.
In the end, the biggest problem with the shower valve will be the access as a copper pipe, coming through the stud or even several studs, can be hard for a plumber to wiggle the valve free or even have enough of a pipe after cutting the old valve out. Because of this, each situation can be so unique and we recommend you check out HomeAdvisor.com to receive free quotes for your specific job. This free to use service requires no credit card and all you need to do is explain your job and plumbers will contact you with quotes.
On this BiggerPockets.com forum thread, for example, one landlord had received two quotes to replace the shower valve behind his tub: $1,500 and $2,300, while another member said he just paid $575 for his shower valve replacement.
| Is the valve easily accessible? | $175 to $300 (parts+labor) |
| Not readily accessible and galvanized pipes? | $1,500 to $2,000 (parts, labor and replacement of tile, drywall) |
| Not readily accessible and pipes made of PVC or Copper? | $575 to $900 (parts, labor and replacement of tile, drywall) |
| Not readily accessible but will do drywall and/or tile repairs on own | $375 to $700 |
Signs of a faulty shower valve
Leakage: In some cases, you may be able to see the leakage, but there are scenarios where the leaks happen behind the wall, where you cannot see it until it’s too late when the walls either become too damp or even begin to develop mold. Some leaks can be seen from behind the wall of the shower, while some, unfortunately, will not be able to see the signs until it’s too late.
Slower: While showering, if you feel a large swing in the temperature of water, from a comfortable temperature to either hot or cold when someone turns on a faucet or toilet, for example, then this could be a sign of a faulty valve.
Tips to know
Shower valves, most of the time, will come with a decently sized escutcheon, usually around six inches in diameter. The piping, which can play a role in the pricing, can often be more if you had galvanized pipes, for instance, as this type of piping will require a lot more demolition than other material to get the valve out. On the other hand, if you have CPVC, copper or PEX, then a new valve can often be installed through a hole, with the escutcheon covering everything up, saving you a lot of labor time.
To save money, see what it would cost to have just the valve replaced, not the replacement of drywall or tile after the job completes. In some cases, if the plumber replaces just the valve and leaves the drywall and tile up to either you or a contractor, you may be able to save money.
Some brands, such as Moen, offer a lifetime warranty on its parts. Check with the manufacturer of the valve to see if you’re entitled to a free replacement.
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