Can I Supply My Own Water Softener and Have It Professionally Installed?

One of the most common questions we receive at Simply Softeners is whether customers can source their own water softener unit and have us install it. The answer is yes — and it's a service we provide regularly. Here's everything you need to know.

Why do people supply their own water softener?

There are several legitimate reasons why a homeowner might want to source their own unit rather than buying through an installer:

• Price — water softeners are available from Amazon, trade suppliers and specialist retailers, sometimes at lower prices than installer supply
• Brand preference — you may have researched a specific brand or model and decided it's the right one for your home
• Existing relationship with a supplier — some customers purchase through a trade account or existing supplier relationship
• Unit already purchased — you may have already bought a softener and simply need a professional to install it

Whatever the reason, Simply Softeners is happy to install a unit you've supplied. We charge our standard installation labour rate, which is confirmed in writing after a free home survey.

What to check before buying your own unit

If you're planning to source your own water softener, there are a few important things to check before purchasing:

Resin capacity and household size

The most important technical decision is choosing the right resin capacity for your household. Too small and the unit regenerates too frequently; too large and you're paying for capacity you don't need. As a general guide for Sussex water hardness (285–323ppm):

• 1–2 people: 4–8 litre resin capacity
• 3–4 people: 10–15 litre resin capacity
• 5+ people: 15–20 litre resin capacity

If you're unsure, book a free survey before buying — we can advise you on the right specification for your property and water usage before you commit to a purchase.

Metered vs timed regeneration

Always choose a metered softener over a timed one. Metered units regenerate based on actual water usage — they're significantly more efficient, use less salt, and are better suited to variable household usage patterns. Timed units regenerate on a fixed schedule regardless of whether they need to, wasting salt and water.

Installation requirements

Before purchasing, confirm the unit's installation requirements: drain connection type, power supply needs, minimum water pressure requirements and dimensions. We'll check all of these at the survey — but if you're buying before the survey, most reputable units have standard requirements that work in the vast majority of UK properties.

Warranty and support

Check what warranty comes with the unit and what support the manufacturer provides. When we install a customer-supplied unit, our labour warranty covers the installation work; the unit itself is covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

How customer-supplied installation works

The process is straightforward:

1. Contact us — let us know you have a unit to install (or that you're planning to source one) and we'll arrange a free home survey
2. Home survey — we assess your property, confirm the unit is suitable, and provide a fixed written labour quote
3. Installation day — bring your unit to the property or have it delivered in advance; we install, commission and hand over
4. You're done — soft water throughout your home, unit commissioned and set up correctly

What about servicing and maintenance?

Simply Softeners also carries out servicing, maintenance and repairs on existing water softeners of any brand — including units installed by other companies. If your softener isn't performing as it should, call us on 07788 133 336 and we'll arrange a diagnostic visit.