less expensive shower valve

[Guses]

I am finishing my basement myself and I am planning for stuff that I need to buy to finish the bathroom.

I plan on building a ceramic shower (à la MMM) and I am looking at keeping expenses in check. We've spent about 1,900$ so far in materials for drywall (walls and ceilings), mud, tape, insulation (r12 for walls and ceilings), studs, strapping, corners, 11 breakers, potlights and fixtures, outlets and electrical wires... Basically, we have everything to finish an unfinished basement all the way to painting the walls. We are not planning to put any floor covering yet.

I am now looking at what we need to finish the bathroom and I am appaled at the cost of the shower valve/fixture. The absolute cheapest is 100$ and includes a basic shower head, a pressure balance diverter valve and a bathtub faucet. Is there no cheaper alternative?

I mean, I was hoping to spend 200-300$ on the shower by selecting inexpensive finishing and using a pole with a curtain instead of a door, but that valve is pushing it quite a bit.

I looked at used but most I see are 1970's era valves (i.e., problem waiting to happen) and include no fixtures which cost at least 50$ or 70$ by themselves.

I just cant see how a little valve should cost 100$....

[Nate R]

I am finishing my basement myself and I am planning for stuff that I need to buy to finish the bathroom.

I plan on building a ceramic shower (à la MMM) and I am looking at keeping expenses in check. We've spent about 1,900$ so far in materials for drywall (walls and ceilings), mud, tape, insulation (r12 for walls and ceilings), studs, strapping, corners, 11 breakers, potlights and fixtures, outlets and electrical wires... Basically, we have everything to finish an unfinished basement all the way to painting the walls. We are not planning to put any floor covering yet.

I am now looking at what we need to finish the bathroom and I am appaled at the cost of the shower valve/fixture. The absolute cheapest is 100$ and includes a basic shower head, a pressure balance diverter valve and a bathtub faucet. Is there no cheaper alternative?

I mean, I was hoping to spend 200-300$ on the shower by selecting inexpensive finishing and using a pole with a curtain instead of a door, but that valve is pushing it quite a bit.

I looked at used but most I see are 1970's era valves (i.e., problem waiting to happen) and include no fixtures which cost at least 50$ or 70$ by themselves.

I just cant see how a little valve should cost 100$....

It's not just the valve, as you said. This includes the tub faucet and shower head. And, the key here, is pressure balanced. IIRC, some sort of anti-scalding method in the valve is now required by law. (NPC?) So you're paying for that regulation-compliant valve that ALSO has to be "lead free" brass as well. It adds up.'

You want a quality valve that works for a long time in this scenario, don't skimp there.

[Guses]

I hear you Nate. I am looking for a quality valve which is why I pretty much stroke off used (unless I can find something that looks made in the last decade).

However, I can't shake the feeling that we are being fleeced though. Is there any competition in the shower valve department? Almost appears like price fixing to me... How can this little piece of brass cost?!

[Nate R]

I hear you Nate. I am looking for a quality valve which is why I pretty much stroke off used (unless I can find something that looks made in the last decade).

However, I can't shake the feeling that we are being fleeced though. Is there any competition in the shower valve department? Almost appears like price fixing to me... How can this little piece of brass cost?!

Hard to say, it does seem expensive, but I don't think there's a good alternative. BE CAREFUL with shower valves from Big Box stores. Often they have plastic innards or pieces when a similar one is 10% more from a plumbing supply house and has all metal parts.  Good luck!

[Guses]

I forgot to mention that I am Canadian so everything is more expensive by default, especially construction parts.

Would you have any suggestions for a plumbing store that ships to Canada?