How to Quote a Shower Screen Installation in Australia
Framed, semi-frameless or frameless — a shower screen quote is really a quote on measurements and wall condition. Here's how to price the install so tolerances and packing don't cost you.
A shower screen looks like a panel of glass and a few brackets. In practice it's a precision fit against walls that are rarely plumb, in a room where a few millimetres decides whether the glass sits right. The quotes that lose money price the glass and forget the packing, the custom cuts and the second person needed to lift a frameless panel. This guide covers what a screen quote should include, what the styles cost, and where the margin leaks.
What a good shower screen quote covers
A shower screen quote is more than the glass. Detail every part so the customer knows exactly what they're buying:
- Screen type — framed, semi-frameless or frameless, since it drives everything else.
- Glass thickness — commonly 6mm for framed and semi-frameless, 10mm or 12mm toughened for frameless (AS/NZS 2208).
- Hardware finish — chrome, matte black or brushed, and the quality of hinges, channels and brackets.
- Custom cuts and configurations — return panels, notches and non-standard sizes.
- Site preparation — ensuring surfaces are clean, level and ready to fix to.
- Waste removal — taking away the old screen and packaging.
- Warranty — on both materials and workmanship, stated clearly.
Spell out what's excluded as plainly as what's included. Tile repair, wall making-good and painting should be separate items or clearly out of scope — that's how you stop scope creep turning into unpaid work.
Shower screen costs in 2026
Installed cost swings widely with style and complexity. Framed screens are the budget option; frameless is the premium look and the most work to fit. As a guide for a standard bathroom:
| Screen type | Typical installed cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Framed | $300–$800 | Budget bathrooms, standard sizes |
| Semi-frameless | $700–$1500 | The popular middle ground |
| Frameless | $1000–$3000+ | Premium look, custom fit |
Those figures assume a standard bathroom with reasonable access. Difficult access, custom configurations or a wall that's well out of square all push the number up — which is exactly why the site visit matters.
Glass and hardware pricing
Glass is the primary cost driver, and thickness follows the style. Get this right in the quote and there's no surprise on order day:
- 6mm toughened glass is standard for framed and semi-frameless screens.
- 10mm or 12mm toughened glass is used for frameless, where the panel carries its own structure (AS1288-2006).
- Hardware — hinges, channels, brackets and handles vary a lot in price and quality, so spec durable components from a reputable supplier.
- Glass type — clear, low-iron or frosted each carry a different cost.
- Freight — custom-sized panels from your glass supplier come with a delivery cost worth pricing in.
Working out the labour
Labour is where accuracy pays off. A skilled tradie's rate typically sits around $80–$120/hour, and the install time depends on more than the panel size:
- Screen type — frameless installs take longer because the tolerances are tight and every cut is precise.
- Wall condition — walls that aren't plumb or square need packing and custom cuts, which add time.
- Second person — heavy frameless panels usually need two on site to lift and hold safely.
- Access — a tight ensuite is slower to work in than an open bathroom.
- Travel, adjustments and clean-up — none of it is free, so build it in.
Common mistakes that eat your margin
- Rushing the measurements. Frameless tolerances are minimal — a small error means a panel that won't fit. Measure carefully and verify with the customer before ordering.
- Ignoring uneven walls and floors. Out-of-square surfaces need extra packing or custom cuts. Check plumbness at the site visit so it's in the quote, not a nasty surprise on install day.
- Forgetting consumables. Silicone, fixings and blades all cost money. Small on their own, but they add up across a job if they never make the quote.
- Leaving scope open. Tile repair, wall patching and painting creep in fast. Spell out what's included and excluded so the job stays the job you priced.
- Not allowing for callbacks. Precise installs sometimes need a minor return adjustment. Factor a little into the price rather than doing it at a loss.
Pro tips for an accurate screen quote
- Always do a site visit — measure precisely and check the walls are plumb before quoting.
- Specify glass type and thickness, hardware finish and any custom features in writing.
- Confirm wall integrity and locate studs for secure fixings, especially for heavy frameless glass.
- Take before and after photos, noting any existing damage.
- Offer a good-better-best choice — framed, semi-frameless and frameless — so the customer picks their price.
- Factor in travel, parking, consumables and waste removal.
- Set clear timelines for ordering custom glass and completing the install.
ServiceYak keeps your glass, hardware and labour rates in a reusable kit, so you can build a good-better-best shower screen quote on site — warranty and exclusions spelled out — and send the PDF before you leave the bathroom.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a shower screen installation cost in Australia?
Supplied and installed, a framed screen runs about $300–$800, semi-frameless $700–$1500, and frameless $1000–$3000 or more for custom designs. Difficult access or walls well out of square add to those figures.
What glass thickness should I quote?
6mm toughened glass is standard for framed and semi-frameless screens, while frameless screens use 10mm or 12mm toughened glass to carry their own structure (AS1288-2006). All shower glass must be toughened safety glass to AS/NZS 2208.
Why do frameless screens cost more to install?
Frameless panels are heavier, carry their own structure and demand precise measurements with minimal tolerance. They often need two people on site and careful packing against out-of-square walls — all of which adds labour on top of the dearer glass.