Shower Remodeling & Replacement in Chicago
A shower remodel can be as light as new fixtures and a glass door, or as deep as a new waterproofed base and fresh tile on every wall. Angi puts the national average near $7,000 and the full range between $300 and $15,000, so the first job is to decide which kind of project you mean. 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.
Refresh, rebuild or replace
Most shower projects fall into one of three levels. Knowing which one you want keeps the written scopes you collect comparable.
- Refresh. New showerhead and valve trim, regrouted tile or a new door. The walls and the base stay.
- Rebuild. The tile comes off, the waterproofing is redone and new tile goes on. The base may or may not change.
- Replace. The whole shower comes out, down to the pan or base, and a prefab kit or custom tiled shower goes in.
This page is about updating a shower you already have. If you are turning a tub into a shower, see tub-to-shower conversion. For a large, open shower, see walk-in showers.
What the parts cost
| Part of the shower | Planning range |
|---|---|
| Showerhead and faucet | $50 to $900 |
| Glass shower door | $540 to $1,320; frameless up to $3,300 |
| Regrouting tile | $10 to $25 per sq ft |
| Custom tile in the shower | $1,800 to $6,800 |
| Prefab kit | $200 to $8,000, plus $400 to $1,000 labor |
| New plumbing for the shower | $600 to $1,600 when drains or fixtures move |
| Bench, shelf or recessed niche | $200 to $500 (HomeGuide) |
| Permits | $50 to $2,000, depending on scope and location |
Angi says labor is usually 40% to 60% of the project. Plumbing may not change at all if the new shower matches the old one, but it will if the drain or valve moves. For a wider view, see the Chicago bathroom remodel cost guide.
The parts that matter most
Pan or base, and waterproofing
The pan is the floor of the shower, and it is the part you cannot see once the job is done. Custom Building Products explains that tile and grout are not waterproof, so a membrane meeting the ANSI A118.10 standard goes under the tile. Laticrete’s flood-test procedure fills a pan with water for 24 to 72 hours to look for leaks before tile goes on. Ask each remodeler whether they flood-test and what the waterproofing warranty covers.
The valve
The Chicago Plumbing Code requires every shower to have an automatic safety mixing valve, either thermostatic or pressure-balance, built to the ASSE 1016 standard and adjusted to a maximum of 115°F at installation (18-29-417.4.4). When the wall is open is the cheapest time to replace an old valve, and replacing a shower valve is work that needs a City permit. The EPA says standard showerheads use 2.5 gallons per minute, and a WaterSense label means 2.0 or less.
Glass
Doors within a shower enclosure must use safety glazing under the Chicago Plumbing Code (18-29-417.6). Ask whether a door is framed, semi-frameless or frameless, since Angi shows frameless costing the most. Ask about the hinge side and the swing in a small bathroom.
Niche and walls
Chicago’s plumbing code requires shower walls to be waterproof material to at least 72 inches above the room floor (18-29-417.4.2). A recessed niche cuts into the wall, so it needs its own waterproofing detail. Ask how the niche will be sealed, not just how it will look.
Size
The same code sets a minimum for a single-family shower stall: at least 1,024 square inches of floor area and at least 32 inches in the shortest dimension (18-29-417.4.5). Keep this in mind if you are shrinking a shower to gain space.
What to plan in a Chicago home
Condos. A shower leak can reach the unit below, so the waterproofing is the first question, and many associations set rules for permits, insurance and work hours. See remodeling a condo bathroom in Chicago, then Lake View and Lincoln Park.
Bungalows and two-flats. In older buildings, the wall behind the tile is where surprises show up: soft framing, old pipes, paint of unknown age. If your home predates 1978, the EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting rule applies to paid work that disturbs paint, and plumbing counts; read lead-safe remodeling. In a two-flat, tell the other household before the water is shut off. See Portage Park and North Center, and bathrooms in Chicago bungalows, greystones and two-flats.
Water damage. Angi lists water damage repair behind old shower tile at $3.75 to $10 per square foot. If the old tile is loose or the grout is dark, ask for an allowance in writing. See hidden bathroom remodel costs.
Permits and licenses in Chicago
The City treats cosmetic tile work with no plumbing or electrical connections as exempt from a building permit. A shower remodel often goes further than that. Replacing a valve or drain pipes usually needs a permit, and the City’s Express Permit Program offers a plumbing category for repairing or replacing existing fixtures, which requires a licensed plumbing contractor. If the layout changes or walls move, the permit path changes. The remodelers we match you with are independent companies, so check licenses before you sign.
How to get a fair comparison
- Choose the level: refresh, rebuild or replace.
- Ask for a written quote from each remodeler that names the base or pan, waterproofing, valve, tile, glass, niche, permit and an allowance for hidden damage.
- Ask how the shower will be tested before tile goes on.
- Verify the plumbing license and who pulls the permit.
For a larger project, see full bathroom remodeling or all services.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a shower remodel cost?
Angi reports a national average near $7,000 and a full range of $300 to $15,000. A new faucet and door cost far less than a rebuilt, retiled shower. These are planning ranges, not a quote.
What is the difference between remodeling and replacing a shower?
A remodel can keep the base and walls and update tile, fixtures or glass. A replacement removes the whole shower and installs a prefab kit or a custom tiled shower. Decide which you mean before you compare written scopes.
Do I need a permit to remodel a shower in Chicago?
Cosmetic tile work with no plumbing or electrical connections does not need a building permit. Replacing a valve or drain pipes usually does. Ask your remodeler to confirm the path for your scope.
How small can a shower be in Chicago?
The Chicago Plumbing Code sets a minimum for a single-family shower stall of 1,024 square inches of floor area and 32 inches in the shortest dimension. Check this before shrinking a shower to gain space.
Does a new shower valve have to be anti-scald?
Yes. The Chicago Plumbing Code requires an automatic safety mixing valve, thermostatic or pressure-balance, adjusted to a maximum of 115 degrees Fahrenheit at installation. Replacing a valve also needs a City permit.
How do remodelers make sure the shower will not leak?
They install a waterproof membrane under the tile, and some flood-test the pan before tiling. Laticrete’s procedure holds water in the pan for 24 to 72 hours. Ask each remodeler how they test and what the warranty covers.
Can I update my shower without redoing the tile?
Often yes. You can replace the showerhead and valve trim, add a glass door or regrout. Angi lists regrouting at $10 to $25 per square foot. If the grout is dark or the tile is loose, ask whether there is water damage behind it.
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 Does a Shower Remodel Cost?” (updated August 2026): angi.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- HomeGuide, “How Much Does It Cost to Retile a Shower?” (niche, bench or shelf): homeguide.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Angi, “How Much Does It Cost To Tile A Shower?” (water damage repair): angi.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Chicago Plumbing Code 18-29-417, showers: amlegal.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Custom Building Products, “Tile Waterproofing Assemblies in Showers”: custombuildingproducts.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Laticrete, “Flood Testing Procedures” (TDS 169): laticrete.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- U.S. EPA WaterSense, showerheads: epa.gov. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- City of Chicago Department of Buildings, interior finishes that do not require a permit: chicago.gov; Express Permit Program, plumbing work: chicago.gov. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- City of Chicago Department of Buildings, plumbing license FAQ: chicago.gov. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- U.S. EPA, Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: epa.gov. Accessed October 21, 2026.
Related
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Tell us about your bathroom and we will connect you with independent, licensed Chicago remodelers so you can compare a written scope and price for the same shower.
Cost guide