Does a tiled shower need building consent?

There is a persistent misconception among homeowners and renovators that if you are re-tiling or replacing a shower on a like for like basis, you do not need building consent. That belief causes major issues later, especially when selling. In almost every case, a tiled shower does require consent because the waterproof membrane beneath the tiles is classified as building work.

Why consent is required

A tiled shower is not just about tiles. It includes a wet-area waterproof membrane system, a substrate, falls to the drain and penetrations for plumbing. The waterproof membrane must meet performance and durability standards. That work must be inspected, tested and certified. Because of this, installing or replacing a tiled shower is regulated building work and needs formal consent.

This applies even when the shower footprint stays exactly the same. The moment you touch the waterproofing, you are doing work that sits outside the simple “maintenance” category. Like for like does not remove the need for consent if a membrane is involved.

The danger of “no consent needed” advice

A lot of homeowners are told by contractors that consent is unnecessary, or that it will “take too long”. Some builders offer to do the job without paperwork to keep the cost down. This creates a long-term risk for the homeowner.

Problems that commonly appear later include:

• Leaks due to incorrect membrane installation

• No record of inspections or sign-offs

• Issues with insurance claims if a failure occurs

• Delays or red flags when selling because buyers, banks or insurers ask for proof of compliant work

• Reduced market value if the work is discovered to be unconsented

Cowboy shortcuts might look cheaper at the start, but they almost always lead to higher costs or lost value later.

What homeowners and sellers should do

• Ask any contractor directly: “Does this work need building consent?”

• Request clarity about who is applying for consent and how inspections will be managed

• Keep all paperwork, certificates and warranties together with your property file

• If you are selling, disclose the work clearly and be prepared to supply the consent and sign-offs

• Treat hesitation about consent as a red flag

Bottom line

Yes, a tiled shower needs building consent. Every time. The waterproofing work beneath the tiles triggers the requirement, regardless of whether the layout changes. Getting consent protects your home, your insurance position and your future resale. Avoid shortcuts. They are never worth it.