Bath to shower conversion - exposed vs concealed valve?

Hi, In most cases, there isn’t a huge labour cost difference between fitting an exposed shower valve and a concealed shower valve when a full shower refurbishment is being carried out. An exposed valve is generally quicker and simpler to install because it fixes directly onto the wall surface. A concealed valve requires the wall to be chased or recessed to accommodate the valve body and pipework, which involves a little more work. However, if wall panels are being installed and the walls are already being opened up as part of the project, the additional labour cost is usually relatively modest. Regarding tile removal, there can be a saving if you remove the tiles yourself before work starts, as it reduces the demolition and waste removal time for the installer. The actual saving depends on how easily the tiles come off and whether the walls remain in good condition afterwards. If tile removal causes damage to the substrate that requires repair, some of the potential saving can be lost. If you can provide a few photos of the existing bathroom and shower area, I would be happy to give more specific advice. Thanks. For pricing purposes, I would typically expect: * Exposed valve vs concealed valve: often only £100–£300 difference in labour on a shower conversion where walls are already being worked on. * Customer removing tiles beforehand: potentially £100–£250 saving, depending on the size of the area and waste disposal requirements. The biggest cost factors are usually the condition of the walls and floor once the bath and tiles are removed, rather than the choice of shower valve itself.