Bathroom Tile Installation in Chicago
New tile is the finish people see, but the work that decides whether it lasts is hidden underneath: the floor, the waterproofing and the setting method. Angi puts the average cost to retile a bathroom near $2,000, with most projects between about $450 and $8,000. Your own price depends on scope, so tell us about the project and we will match you with independent licensed Chicago remodelers who can give you a written scope and price to compare.
Updated October 21, 2026. Every figure links to its source at the end of this page.
What bathroom tile work covers
“Bathroom tile” can mean three quite different jobs, and prices follow the job, not the word.
- Floor tile. The simplest of the three. It is a flat surface with no standing water, but it still depends on a stiff, flat subfloor.
- Wall tile. Walls outside the shower, such as a wainscot or a vanity wall. These get splashes, not constant water.
- Shower tile. The hardest of the three. Walls, floor, corners and a curb or threshold all have to keep water from reaching the framing behind them.
Angi notes that floor tile is more straightforward to install than shower tile, and that porcelain and ceramic are easier to set than natural stone.
What tile work costs
| Item | Planning range |
|---|---|
| Retile a whole bathroom | Average about $2,000; most $450 to $8,000 |
| Bathroom floor | $300 to $1,300 |
| Tile a shower | $1,800 to $5,000; average about $2,700 |
| Labor, ceramic or porcelain | $4 to $8 per sq ft |
| Labor, natural stone | $6 to $15 or more per sq ft |
| Removing old shower tile | $1.50 to $4.50 per sq ft |
| Waterproofing a tile shower | $450 to $750 on average |
| Subfloor repair or replacement | $3 to $10 per sq ft |
| Heated floor (electric or hydronic) | $600 to $4,600; average about $1,800 |
Pattern changes labor. Angi lists herringbone labor at about $14.50 to $16.50 per square foot and subway tile at $7 to $15. These are national numbers, so use them to learn what drives the total, not to predict a Chicago price. For a whole-room view, see our Chicago bathroom remodel cost guide.
Choosing the material
Porcelain and ceramic are the usual starting point for floors and showers. Natural stone such as marble costs more to buy and to set, and stone and other porous tile needs sealing, which adds labor (Angi). Stone is also less forgiving of a flexing floor, as the next section explains.
Two practical points for a wet room. Smaller tiles mean more grout lines, and grout is the part that wears first. And a shower floor should have a textured, slip-resistant surface; HomeGuide makes the same point about wet bathroom floors. Ask each remodeler to name the tile, the grout type and the sealing plan in writing, so you are comparing the same thing.
What to plan before the first tile goes down
Waterproofing is a separate layer
Tile and grout are not waterproof. Custom Building Products explains that cement grout lets water pass, and even sealed grout joints do not stop it entirely. For a shower, the waterproofing is a membrane set just beneath the tile, and a bonded membrane should meet the ANSI A118.10 standard. Schluter adds that common backer boards, such as cement board, are water-resistant but not waterproof.
Chicago’s plumbing code requires shower walls to be waterproof material to at least 72 inches above the room floor (Chicago Plumbing Code 18-29-417.4.2). Ask each remodeler which membrane system they use, whether the shower floor will be flood-tested before tile goes on, and who stands behind the work. Laticrete’s testing procedure calls for holding water in a shower pan for 24 to 72 hours.
Older floors and subfloors
Many Chicago bungalows, greystones and two-flats have wood-framed floors that have carried a bathroom for decades. The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) sets a floor-stiffness limit of L/360 for ceramic tile and L/720 for natural stone on wood-framed floors, and it notes that tile has failed on floors stiffer than L/360 under some conditions. That is why remodelers add a suitable underlayment or a second layer of subfloor, and why a floor that feels bouncy should be checked before you buy stone.
If the subfloor is soft from an old leak, repair comes first. Angi lists subfloor repair at $3 to $10 per square foot, which is why a good scope includes an allowance for hidden conditions. See hidden bathroom remodel costs and bathrooms in Chicago bungalows, greystones and two-flats.
Heated floors
Electric radiant mats and cables are the usual choice for a bathroom, and Angi lists them at roughly $8 to $20 per square foot depending on system and layout. Expect a separate thermostat (Angi lists $100 to $300 for programmable controls) and electrical work. HomeGuide notes that 120-volt mats suit bathroom floors and that a dedicated circuit can add to the price. New wiring is electrical work, so it falls under the permit rules below.
Homes built before 1978
If your home predates 1978, tearing out tile and plaster can disturb lead paint on nearby surfaces. The EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting rule requires paid firms that disturb paint in pre-1978 housing to be certified and use lead-safe work practices. Ask every remodeler about it, and read lead-safe remodeling in pre-1978 Chicago homes.
Permits and licenses in Chicago
The Chicago Department of Buildings lists tiling without plumbing or electrical connections as work that does not need a building permit. Work done without a permit must still meet the Chicago Construction Codes. The picture changes the moment a tile job comes with other work: replacing a shower valve, moving a fixture or adding a heated-floor circuit usually needs a permit. The City licenses plumbing and electrical contractors separately from general contractors, and the remodelers we match you with are independent companies, so check any license before you hire.
Houses, two-flats and condos
Condos. Lake View and Lincoln Park have many condo and apartment buildings. Before work starts, ask your association about approval, work hours, elevator use and any flooring rules, and remember that a shower leak can reach the unit below. See remodeling a condo bathroom in Chicago, then Lake View and Lincoln Park.
Bungalows and two-flats. Portage Park is known for its bungalows, and North Center has many two- to four-unit buildings. In a two-flat, tile dust and noise travel through the building, so tell the other household before demolition. See Portage Park and North Center.
How to get a fair comparison
- Decide the scope. Floor only, shower only, or both? Say whether you want stone.
- Ask for a written quote from each remodeler that names the tile and size, square footage, demolition and disposal, waterproofing system, floor prep and an allowance for hidden damage.
- Verify the licenses and ask who does any plumbing or electrical work.
- Plan the days. Angi says a bathroom takes about 12 hours of labor spread over two to three days, because mortar and grout each need roughly 24 hours to cure.
Tile is often one part of a larger project. See full bathroom remodeling or all services.
Frequently asked questions
How much does bathroom tile cost?
Angi puts the average cost to retile a bathroom near $2,000, with most projects between $450 and $8,000. A shower costs more than a floor because of the waterproofing. These are national planning ranges, not a quote, and your price depends on the tile and the condition of the floor.
Do I need a permit to tile a bathroom in Chicago?
The Department of Buildings lists tiling without plumbing or electrical connections as work that does not need a building permit. If the job also replaces a valve, moves a fixture or adds wiring for a heated floor, a permit usually applies. Work done without a permit must still meet the Chicago Construction Codes.
Is shower tile waterproof?
No. Tile and cement grout let water through over time, which is why a waterproof membrane goes beneath the tile in a shower. Ask each remodeler which membrane system they use and whether the shower floor is flood-tested before tiling.
Can my old floor handle new tile?
Not always. The Tile Council of North America sets a stiffness limit of L/360 for ceramic tile and L/720 for natural stone on wood-framed floors. Older Chicago floors can be bouncy, so ask the remodeler how they will check and stiffen the floor before tile goes on.
Are heated bathroom floors worth it?
Many owners like them, but they add cost. Angi lists heated bathroom floors at roughly $600 to $4,600, with an average near $1,800. The wiring is electrical work, so it needs a permit and a licensed electrical contractor.
Should I choose porcelain, ceramic or natural stone?
Porcelain and ceramic are easier to set and usually cost less to install. Natural stone costs more, needs sealing and is less forgiving of a flexing floor. Ask for the tile, grout and sealing plan in writing so scopes are comparable.
How long does a bathroom tile job take?
Angi says tiling a bathroom takes about 12 hours of labor, usually spread over two to three days because mortar and grout need about 24 hours each to cure. Demolition, floor repairs and waterproofing add time.
Is this service a contractor?
No. Chicago Bathroom Remodeling Experts is a free referral service. We do not remodel, plumb or do electrical work. We connect you with independent, licensed remodelers, who are responsible for their own licenses, permits, insurance and contracts.
Sources
- Angi, “How Much Will It Cost to Retile a Bathroom?”: angi.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Angi, “How Much Does Tile Installation Cost?”: angi.com; and “How Much Does It Cost To Tile A Shower?”: angi.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Angi, “How Much Does It Cost to Install a Heated Bathroom Floor?”: angi.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- HomeGuide, “How Much Does It Cost to Retile a Shower?” (slip resistance) and “Heated Bathroom Floor Cost” (120-volt mats, dedicated circuit): homeguide.com, homeguide.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Tile Council of North America, FAQ on deflection: tcnatile.com; Stone World, quoting the TCNA Handbook (L/360 ceramic, L/720 stone): stoneworld.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Custom Building Products, “Tile Waterproofing Assemblies in Showers” (ANSI A118.10): custombuildingproducts.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Schluter Systems, “Tiled Shower Waterproofing Systems”: schluter.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Laticrete, “Flood Testing Procedures” (TDS 169): laticrete.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Chicago Plumbing Code 18-29-417.4, shower compartments: amlegal.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- City of Chicago Department of Buildings, interior finishes that do not require a permit: chicago.gov. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- City of Chicago Department of Buildings, general contractor license FAQ: chicago.gov. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- U.S. EPA, Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: epa.gov. Accessed October 21, 2026.
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