Shower installation: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering shower installation

Shower installs are callback-prone because the failures are hidden behind the walls. The pan, the drain and the valve all need to be tested before anything closes up.

What customers ask

  • How do I know the shower won't leak into the floor below?
  • Can you keep the old valve?
  • Why is the shower temperature changing when someone flushes?
  • How long does the shower take to be usable?
  • Do you handle the tile, or do I need another trade?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask the shower type, the size, the valve, the subfloor condition, and whether there has been any leak or soft spot near the shower.
  • Bring a drain assembly, a trap kit, a valve kit, a waterproof membrane or liner, a moisture meter and a test plug to the first visit.
  • Open the old shower enough to see the subfloor, the framing and the drain before you quote the rest of the job.
  • Set the pan or base level, test it with water, and show the customer the test before the walls are closed.
  • Quote the base or pan, the valve, the drain, the waterproofing and the finish as separate lines.
  • Run the shower and the drain under test, check for leaks at the valve and the drain, and record the results on the job sheet.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of a shower install before the walls close, with the pan and waterproofing visible
  • List the valve types you install, such as pressure balance and thermostatic
  • Note the waterproofing methods you use and any membrane brand you prefer
  • Show a before and after of a shower with rot or leak damage repaired

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a check of the drain and the valve after the first month of use
  • Recommend a grout and caulk check for the shower surround at a set interval
  • Suggest a showerhead and valve service plan, since the valve can wear over time

Licenses and permits

Shower installation's plumbing portion is commonly done by licensed plumbers, and waterproofing and tile may need other licensed or trained trades. Confirm the requirements with your state or local licensing agency before taking the work.

Questions

What do I say when the customer wants the pan installed without a water test?

Explain that the water test is what catches a leak before the walls close. Show the test as part of the job, and do not close the walls until it is done.

How do I handle a shower over an old floor that is soft?

Stop and show the subfloor. Quote the floor repair separately, and do not set the new base on soft wood.

What should I tell a customer who asks for a shower with no waterproof membrane?

Explain the membrane's role in keeping water out of the wall. Show the alternative you use and why, and get the choice in writing.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

More plumbing guides for pros

Start here

About this guide

Get shower installation requests

Customers pick you by name. Signup is free, and you pay only for leads you accept.

Join as a pro
Sign up free