Walk-In Shower Cost in Chicago
Angi’s Chicago data puts a walk-in shower at an average of $9,324, with most projects between $6,216 and $12,432. Prefab walk-in showers run $725 to $3,108 and custom ones $4,351 to $8,806 before the rest of the job is counted. These are planning ranges from published sources, not a quote.
Updated October 21, 2026. Every figure below names its source. Size, waterproofing and whether the floor must change matter more than any average.
Walk-in shower cost at a glance
A walk-in shower is a shower with a low or no barrier to step over. It can be a prefab unit or built from tile. The totals below are for the whole project; the type table shows the shower itself.
| Source | What it measures | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Angi, Chicago walk-in shower data | Walk-in shower installation, average and common range | Average $9,324; most between $6,216 and $12,432 (Chicago) |
| Angi, national walk-in shower data | Walk-in shower installation | Average $9,000; most between $6,000 and $12,000 (national) |
| Angi, shower remodel guide | Shower remodel, all types | Average $7,000; range $300 to $15,000 (national) |
| Block Renovation, Chicago guide | Custom tile shower with frameless glass door | $3,000 to $5,000, depending on size and materials (Chicago) |
| Block Renovation, Chicago guide | Prefabricated shower insert, installed | $500 to $1,500 (Chicago) |
The two Chicago sources do not line up exactly because they describe different things: Block prices individual shower types, while Angi’s average covers a walk-in shower installation as a project.
Cost by size and type
| Shower | Planning range (Chicago) |
|---|---|
| Prefabricated walk-in | $725 to $3,108 |
| Custom walk-in | $4,351 to $8,806 |
| 32×32 in. | $829 to $3,108 |
| 36×36 in. (minimum ADA-compliant size) | $1,036 to $5,594 |
| 48×36 in. | $2,072 to $7,252 |
| 60×30 in. | $1,036 to $5,180 |
| 60×42 in. | $2,072 to $10,360 |
What drives the price
- Prefab or custom. Prefabricated units are simpler to install, while custom showers are more complex and expensive to build (Angi). Angi’s national page notes prefab models are made in standard sizes only.
- Materials. In Chicago, Angi lists tile at $2 to $18 per square foot, marble at $10 to $36 and cultured granite or Corian at $41 to $67, plus acrylic or fiberglass inserts at about $414 to $2,072.
- Curbless entry. Angi’s national page says a curbless shower needs a custom pan and extra labor to slope the floor, with a custom pan around $2,500.
- Waterproofing. Angi’s national page lists sheet membranes at $500 to $1,000 and liquid membranes at $50 to $800, before labor.
- Plumbing. In Chicago, plumbers charge $622 to $1,658 to install plumbing for a walk-in shower, and up to $7,252 to add plumbing for a whole bathroom (Angi).
- Glass. A glass door costs $550 to $1,400 installed (Angi, national), and Block places a custom tile shower with a frameless door at $3,000 to $5,000 in Chicago.
- Extras. Angi’s national page lists grab bars at $100 to $500, built-in shelves at $75 to $700, and steam showers at $1,500 to $11,700. Accessibility features add $75 to $1,900.
What is usually included, and what is not
- Often included: demolition of the old tub or shower, the pan or base, wall surfaces, valve and showerhead, and waterproofing.
- Often extra: the glass door, a custom pan, drain relocation, repair of the floor or framing, new tile outside the shower, and electrical work for lights or a fan.
Ask each remodeler to list these items separately.
Chicago factors that move the cost
Older plumbing and floors
Angi’s Chicago guide warns that a shower conversion may require taking a wall back to the studs to waterproof it, which can reveal costly plumbing problems. A curbless entry in an older home may mean cutting into the floor to slope it to the drain. See bathrooms in Chicago bungalows, greystones and two-flats and hidden bathroom remodel costs.
Condos and multi-unit buildings
A leak from a new shower can reach the unit below, so waterproofing matters. The City asks for an association approval letter with a condo permit application, and buildings often set work hours and elevator rules. Read remodeling a condo bathroom in Chicago. Neighborhood guides: Lincoln Park and North Center.
Accessibility
Angi’s Chicago page describes 36 by 36 inches as the minimum accessible walk-in size under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If anyone in the home needs an accessible shower, say so before written scopes are prepared. For a Chicago benchmark, the 2025 Cost vs. Value report prices a universal design bath remodel in Chicago at $38,963; that is a full bathroom project, not a shower alone.
Permit costs in Chicago
Angi’s Chicago page says you need a permit from the Department of Buildings to install a new walk-in shower or convert a tub into one. For non-structural interior work in one dwelling unit, the Express Permit stand-alone fee under Chicago Construction Codes 14A-12-1204.2 is $250 up to 500 sq ft and $500 up to 2,000 sq ft. Other fees may apply, and the City’s permit fee calculator shows the current total. Moving walls or doors falls outside the Express Permit. Read do you need a permit to remodel a bathroom in Chicago?
Ways to keep the cost down
- Pick a standard size. Angi says a standard-sized shower often fits the existing space without extensive renovation.
- Keep the shower where the tub or old shower was, so the drain and valve stay put.
- Choose a prefab unit if you do not need custom sizing. Custom tile costs more.
- Choose a framed door instead of frameless, if the look does not matter to you.
- Leave expensive extras such as steam for later. Do not cut waterproofing.
How to compare written scopes
- Define the shower. Size, curb or curbless, prefab or tile, door type.
- Ask each remodeler for an itemized written quote showing the pan, waterproofing, plumbing, door, disposal, permit and an allowance for hidden conditions.
- Check the license of the general contractor and the plumber. See how to verify a Chicago contractor license.
- Use a written contract. Illinois requires one for home repair and remodeling jobs over $1,000.
Learn more about walk-in shower installation, or see the full bathroom remodel cost in Chicago.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a walk-in shower cost in Chicago?
Angi's Chicago data shows an average of $9,324, with most projects between $6,216 and $12,432. Prefab walk-ins run $725 to $3,108 and custom ones $4,351 to $8,806.
What is the difference between prefab and custom?
Prefab showers are simple to install and made in standard sizes. Custom showers can be any size and layout but are more complex and expensive, according to Angi.
Does a curbless shower cost more?
Yes. Angi says a curbless shower needs a custom pan and extra labor to slope the floor, with a custom pan around $2,500 nationally.
What size is an accessible walk-in shower?
Angi's Chicago page lists 36 by 36 inches as the minimum accessible walk-in size under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Entries, grab bars and seating are priced separately.
Do I need a permit in Chicago?
Yes. Angi's Chicago page says a new walk-in shower or a tub conversion needs a Department of Buildings permit. The Express Permit stand-alone fee is $250 up to 500 sq ft or $500 up to 2,000 sq ft in one dwelling unit.
Why does waterproofing matter in a condo?
A leak can reach the unit below, and condo buildings often have their own rules and insurance requirements. Ask each remodeler which waterproofing system they use.
Does a walk-in shower add resale value?
Angi cites an average return of about 60% for converting a tub to a walk-in shower, and notes it helps most when another bathroom still has a tub.
Is this a quote?
No. These are planning ranges from published sources, collected October 2026. Only a licensed remodeler who has seen your bathroom can give you a price in writing.
Sources
- Angi, “How Much Does a Walk-In Shower Cost in Chicago, IL?” (updated July 15, 2026): angi.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Angi, “How Much Does a Walk-In Shower Cost to Install?” (updated July 15, 2026, national): angi.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Angi, “How Much Does a Shower Remodel Cost?” (updated August 1, 2026, national): angi.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Block Renovation, “Chicago Bathroom Renovation Costs” (2026): blockrenovation.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Zonda / Journal of Light Construction, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, Chicago, Illinois: jlconline.com. Accessed October 20, 2026.
- City of Chicago, Express Permit Program, interior alterations: chicago.gov. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Chicago Construction Codes, 14A-12-1204.2, stand-alone permit fees: amlegal.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act, 815 ILCS 513/15: ilga.gov. Accessed October 21, 2026.
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