Ensuite shower removal

Question

Hi,

My master bedroom has a bodge job ensuite shower in what was initially a cupboard. It's badly fitted in and beyond saving. I'm interested in the what the steps would be to return it what to a cupboard again.

The electric shower has been ripped out with a hole left in it's place. There's tiling, a light and no window and badly fitted shower floor.

Thanks

Ian · Answer

Yes it can be done obviously it’s only a case of re boarding and plastering, cap off or removing redundant plumbing/ electrics, but you will need someone WHO knows what there doing !! The cheapest person probably isn’t the best as you have found out !! Best of luck Ian

Dan · Answer

Hi! Thanks for the detailed context — it sounds like a very common case of a DIY ensuite squeezed into a space it wasn’t really meant for. The good news: returning it to a cupboard or usable storage space is very doable. Here's a clear breakdown of the steps you'd likely take.

🔧 Steps to Remove the Ensuite Shower and Convert Back to a Cupboard:
1. Assess and Isolate Utilities (Water + Electric)
Water: Turn off water supply and cap the hot/cold feeds to the old shower, basin, or other fixtures.

A plumber should cap them properly or remove them back to the nearest accessible junction.

Electric: Ensure the old electric shower circuit is safely disconnected at the fuse board.

An electrician can terminate the circuit at the consumer unit or fit a blanking plate where needed.

Any lighting or extractor fan wiring should be made safe or rerouted for new lighting if retained.

2. Remove Fittings and Fixtures
Strip out:

Shower tray

Wall tiles

Any leftover pipes or wiring

Light fittings or extractor fan (if no longer needed)

Take care with waterproof backer boards or tile adhesive — they can be stubborn and might damage walls.

3. Make Good the Walls and Floor
Walls:

Fill tile adhesive damage, holes from fixings or electric shower.

You may need to replaster or use plasterboard over the whole area for a smooth finish.

Floor:

Remove any remaining waterproofing membranes or raised shower bases.

You might need to level the floor with self-leveling compound or reboard it with ply or chipboard if the base is damaged or uneven.

4. Ventilation
If there’s no window, you have two options:

Install a vent with a passive grill (if room air is reasonably ventilated).

Leave no active fan if it’s now a cupboard and moisture won’t be an issue.

If a fan was ducted out, make sure the duct is either blanked or sealed properly.

5. Redecorate and Fit Out as a Cupboard
Add plasterboard or ply lining if needed.

Paint, fit shelves, hanging rails, or storage as suits.

Replace or fit a door if it's missing, or patch the frame if altered.

6. Optional: Remove Drain Pipework
If the shower tray waste pipe goes through the floor/wall, have a plumber remove or cap it off to avoid bad smells or unnecessary pipe runs.

⚠️ Who You Might Need:
Plumber (to cap off water and remove waste)

Electrician (to isolate any live cables)

Handyperson or builder (for tiling removal, boarding, flooring, and finishing)

Plasterer (if walls are badly damaged)

Jamie · Answer

Feel free to contact me to do this for you. Thanks, Jamie.

Daniel · Answer

You would potentially be looking at a full rip out to correct the issues. Best taking some photos and contacting a few local trades for a quote, this woiod give an initial idea on how to rectify the ensuite. DHPropertySolutions

Ashley · Answer

Without seeing it I can imagine you’ll need to make electric safe, cap the water off, cap the drainage. Pull out anything you don’t want - tiles, shower tray etc. then board and skim. Good luck

John · Answer

Good morning. Would not take a lot. Obviously the water supply would need to be capped off as well as the waste capped off. You would probably need a new floor to cover the whole where the waste is. Tiles can be taken off and potentially skimmed over.

Ganea · Answer

This job can be done very simply.👍If you want to get this change super fast and great quality you can contact me.

Nick · Answer

Unfortunately, would require a visit to assess - but to return it to a cupboard is not a challenge to do, just maybe take a bit of time to sort.

Carlis · Answer

Without any pictures, it’s very difficult to make an accurate assessment of the condition your en-suite is in now and what exactly you’re trying to achieve when it’s finished ..
A survey would reveal 
…What type of walls you have
…What damage has been done already 
…What additional damage needs to be done to remove accessories & tiles etc
…The extent of the repairs (plastering, painting, carpentry plumbing etc)

Doug · Answer

Hi make sure all the water is disconnected 
Any electrical cables are removed or disconnected 
The waste pipe is capped off then just rip it out and re board as required

Ensuite shower removal

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