Should I use a preformed shower niche or build one from scratch in my Vancouver renovation?

A preformed (prefabricated) shower niche is the safer and more reliable choice for most Vancouver bathroom renovations, primarily because it eliminates the waterproofing vulnerabilities that a site-built niche introduces. In Metro Vancouver's humid climate, where mould can establish behind shower walls within weeks of a waterproofing failure, reducing risk at every penetration point is critical.

Preformed niches — such as the Schluter Kerdi-Board niche, GoBoard niche, or Wedi niche — are factory-made, fully waterproof enclosures that install between wall studs and integrate directly with your shower waterproofing membrane. The key advantage is that the niche body is a single, seamless waterproof unit with no joints, seams, or corners where water can penetrate. The installer sets the niche into the wall opening, bonds the flange to the surrounding waterproofing membrane with Kerdi-Band or equivalent, and tiles over the finished surface. The result is a watertight installation with minimal reliance on field-applied waterproofing at the niche itself.

Preformed niches in Metro Vancouver cost $80–$300 for the unit depending on size (single-shelf, double-shelf, or oversized) and brand. A Schluter Kerdi-Board niche (14-by-14-inch single shelf) runs about $100–$150. Installation labour adds $200–$400 on top of your tile installation cost. Total cost for a tiled preformed niche: roughly $400–$900 including the niche, installation, and tile.

Site-built (custom) niches are framed on-site from cement backer board, wood blocking, and waterproofing membrane. They offer complete flexibility in size, shape, and placement — you can build a niche to any dimension, create multiple shelves at custom heights, wrap a niche around a corner, or build a full-width horizontal niche that spans the shower wall. For homeowners with specific design visions, a custom niche delivers exactly what they want.

The risk with site-built niches is waterproofing complexity. A custom niche has multiple inside corners, a sill (bottom shelf), and edges that all must be individually waterproofed with membrane, corner pieces, and sealant. Each of these transition points is a potential failure point. If the membrane is not lapped correctly at the niche corners, or if the sill does not slope slightly outward (to shed water rather than pool it), moisture can work its way behind the tile and into the wall cavity. In Vancouver's climate, where the ambient humidity slows drying, this trapped moisture leads to mould growth that remains hidden until the tile starts loosening or a musty smell develops — often two to three years after installation.

A well-built custom niche by an experienced tile installer costs $300–$800 for labour (framing, waterproofing, and tile preparation) plus tile and grout. The total typically comes to $500–$1,200 — somewhat more than a preformed niche, primarily due to the additional labour for framing and multi-step waterproofing.

My recommendation for most Vancouver homeowners is to use a preformed niche unless you have a specific design requirement that demands custom dimensions. The waterproofing reliability of a factory-made unit is worth the trade-off in design flexibility. If you do go custom, ensure your installer applies a continuous waterproofing membrane (Schluter Kerdi or liquid-applied) over every surface of the niche — including the sill, sides, top, back, and all corners — and that the sill slopes slightly outward (roughly 1/8 inch) so water drains out rather than pooling.

One practical tip: regardless of niche type, position the niche on an interior wall if possible, not an exterior wall. Cutting into an exterior wall in a Vancouver home removes insulation, creates a cold spot where condensation can form, and complicates the building envelope. If the niche must go on an exterior wall, discuss insulation and vapour barrier details with your contractor to avoid condensation problems behind the niche.