Shower Booster Pump Installation Cost

If you have got poor water pressure and you are finding that your shower is more of a trickle than a waterfall, you might benefit from a shower booster pump. But how much does shower booster pump installation cost, and what does it involve?

What is a shower booster pump?

A shower booster pump is a pump that is usually fitted to your water cylinder (usually in your airing cupboard) to produce better water pressure. You will need a gravity-fed, vented system with a water tank in the loft. Shower booster pumps can boost the pressure to most types of shower, so you won't need to replace your existing shower if you're happy with it.

A shower booster pump can boost both hot and cold water, but there are options available if you only need to boost hot water. A plumber will be able to tell you what you need.>

How much does it cost to install a water booster pump?

On average, it costs around £550 for a plumber to supply and install a water booster pump. However, costs vary depending on the booster pump you choose and the area you live in. HaMuch has a large database of hourly rates and prices for water booster pump jobs across the country, but you should make an enquiry to get an accurate quote.

Common shower booster pump brands and their costs

Brand	Approx. cost
Salamander	£150-£500
Grundfos	£150-£700
Stuart Turner	£120-£600
Bristan	£190-£280

There are positive and negative head shower pumps, and which one you need depends on your setup. A plumber will be able to tell you the type of shower booster pump you need.

Where should a shower booster pump be installed?

A shower booster pump should be installed on your water cylinder, and you should have a gravity-fed system with a tank in the loft. If you don't have one, because you have a combi boiler or because you have an unvented system, you can't get a shower booster pump - but you could fit a mains booster pump.

How do I know if I need a booster pump for my shower?

You will probably know if you need a booster pump for your shower, because you will be unhappy with the pressure! Since there are quite a few different types of shower booster pumps, all providing different levels of pressure and using hot and cold feeds, it is best to consult an expert to ensure you get the right one for your home.

Can I fit a booster pump to an electric shower?

In general, you can't fit a booster pump to an electric shower. There is only one type of booster pump that you can legally retrofit to an electric shower, the ShowerPowerBooster. This type of pump boosts the cold feed to an electric shower in compliance with water bylaws, but bear in mind that your electric shower will still only be able to supply hot water at the rate that it can heat it. If you have a gravity-fed vented system, it might be worth considering installing a power shower or a mains shower that you can then fit a booster pump to.

Can you fit a shower pump with a combi boiler?

You can't fit a shower pump with a combi boiler as pumps use gravity-fed systems with water cylinders to work properly. However, you could fit a mains pump, sometimes called a low-flow pump, which will increase the pressure to all the water outlets in your home. This should cost anywhere between £250-£450 to supply and fit.

You can only legally increase your flow rate up to 12 litres per minute, while good pressure in the UK is considered to be between 10-15 litres per minute. Any mains booster pump that a plumber fits will operate in the legal range.

Bear in mind that since a mains pump is activated whenever you use water in your home, it will get much more use than a normal shower booster pump. That means that it won't last as long as a shower pump.

It is also worth considering where your mains pump will need to be fitted. They are fitted to the mains water pipe just as it enters your property, which is usually under the kitchen sink - but not always. The pumps aren't very noisy, but you might find it disruptive if it is installed near a bedroom or living room.

Not sure what kind of shower booster pump you need? Want a more accurate price? Get in touch with plumbers through HaMuch to get quotes from tradespeople you can trust.

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