Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Chicago
Turning a tub into a shower is one of the most common bathroom projects in older Chicago homes. Published planning figures run from about $1,200 to $15,000, with a national average near $3,000, depending on whether you choose a prefab kit or a custom tile shower. Your own price depends on scope, so tell us about the project and we will match you with licensed Chicago remodelers who can give you written quotes to compare.
Updated October 20, 2026. Every figure links to its source at the end of this page.
Why Chicago owners swap the tub for a shower
People who search for “tub into shower” usually want one of three things. They want an easier step in and out. They want a bigger-feeling bathroom. Or the old tub is cracked, stained or hard to clean. A shower has no tall edge to climb over, which is why it comes up often for owners planning to stay in their homes for years (Bob Vila).
In Chicago the project often fits an older building. Bungalows, greystones and two-flats usually have a standard 60-inch alcove tub, and many shower kits are sized to drop into that same space.
Two ways to do it
| Option | What it is | Planning range |
|---|---|---|
| Prefab shower stall or kit | Ready-made base and walls, acrylic or fiberglass. Range is for the stall, installation extra. | $1,000 to $8,000 |
| Custom tiled walk-in shower | Built on site: waterproofing, tile, glass | $3,500 to $15,000 |
| Curbless (barrier-free) stall | Entry with no curb; floor may need to be reworked | $2,000 to $4,100 for the stall |
| Any conversion, overall | Angi’s full range | $1,200 to $15,000, average about $3,000 |
Labor is often 40% to 60% of the total (Angi). A prefab kit is usually the faster, lower-cost route. A tiled shower costs more but can be built to your size and look. For Chicago-specific figures, see our tub-to-shower conversion cost guide.
Keep this in mind when you see Chicago numbers elsewhere. Angi’s Chicago data lists a shower installation at an average of $8,200, within a range of $500 to $17,000. That figure covers showers in general, not only tub conversions.
What to plan before you start
Waterproofing and what is behind the tub
Once the tub is out, the remodeler can see the floor, framing and plumbing. Bob Vila advises checking all three for water damage and repairing it before the new shower goes in. In an old home, a tub that has leaked slowly for years can hide a soft subfloor. A shower also needs proper waterproofing, because water hits the walls and floor at every angle. Ask each remodeler what waterproofing system they use and who stands behind it.
Old pipes and drains
Many pre-1940 Chicago homes still have original plumbing. Galvanized steel water pipes were common until about 1950 and can corrode inside. Cast iron drains were standard before the 1960s and can roughen and clog. If the shower drain sits in a different place from the tub drain, the plumber may have to cut into the floor to reach it. Ask how each quote handles old pipes if they turn out to be in poor shape. See bathrooms in Chicago bungalows, greystones and two-flats.
Curb height and accessibility
A standard shower base has a low curb. A curbless shower has none, and it costs more because the floor has to be sloped to the drain. If anyone in the home has trouble with steps, tell each remodeler up front and ask about the curb height, grab-bar backing in the walls and a bench. Do not assume a standard kit meets accessibility needs.
Condo: the neighbor downstairs
In Lincoln Park, 61.6% of housing units are in buildings with five or more units. In Lake View, it is 71.1% (CMAP). A leak from a new shower can reach the unit below. Condo owners need a signed association approval letter for the City permit, and most buildings set rules on work hours, elevators and insurance. Read remodeling a condo bathroom in Chicago, then see Lincoln Park and Lake View.
Houses and two-flats
In Portage Park, 51.5% of homes were built before 1940. In North Center, two- to four-unit buildings are 42.8% of housing (CMAP). In a two-flat, the bathroom may sit directly over or under the other unit’s, so tell both households before work starts. See Portage Park and North Center.
Resale: removing the only tub
This is a consideration, not a rule. Angi notes that some buyers prefer a home with at least one bathtub, and Fixr suggests leaving the tub in place if it is the only one in the home. If you may sell in the next few years and this is your only tub, think about it before you decide. If you have another bathroom with a tub, the question is smaller.
Permits and licenses in Chicago
A tub-to-shower conversion touches plumbing, so it usually needs a City of Chicago permit. Angi lists permits at $200 to $2,000 nationally. In Chicago, non-structural interior work in one dwelling unit may qualify for the Express Permit Program, which allows plumbing that adds up to 5 water supply fixture units and does not allow moving walls or doors. The stand-alone fee is $250 for work up to 500 sq ft. Whether your job qualifies depends on its scope, so ask the licensed remodeler or the City.
Chicago requires a licensed general contractor for most remodeling and a licensed plumbing contractor for most plumbing. The remodelers we match you with are independent companies, so check the license of any remodeler you meet before you hire.
A tub-to-shower swap is a smaller project than a full remodel. If you are also redoing the vanity, floor and walls, read about full bathroom remodeling. Or return to home or all services.
How to get a fair comparison
- Decide kit or tile. Quotes for different types of shower cannot be compared.
- Ask for a written quote from each remodeler that lists materials, labor, permit, waterproofing and an allowance for hidden conditions.
- Verify the license and ask who is doing the plumbing.
- Read the contract. In Illinois, remodeling jobs over $1,000 need a written contract.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to convert a tub to a shower?
Angi lists $1,200 to $15,000 nationally, with an average near $3,000. A prefab stall is at the lower end and a custom tiled walk-in shower at the higher end. These are planning ranges, not a quote, and Chicago prices depend on the scope of your job.
Do I need a permit to replace a tub with a shower in Chicago?
Because the job touches plumbing, it usually needs a City permit. Non-structural interior work in one dwelling unit may qualify for the Express Permit Program, which does not allow moving walls or doors. Ask a licensed remodeler or the City whether your scope qualifies.
Does the plumbing have to move?
Sometimes. If the shower drain sits in a different spot than the tub drain, the plumber may need to open the floor to reroute it. Older Chicago homes may also have galvanized pipes or cast iron drains that need attention while the walls are open.
Can I convert a tub to a shower in a condo?
Often yes, but you need the association's approval first. The City asks for a signed association approval letter with a condo permit application, and many buildings set rules on work hours, elevators and insurance. Waterproofing matters because a leak can reach the unit below.
Will removing my only bathtub hurt resale?
It may, and it is worth thinking about. Angi notes that some buyers prefer a home with at least one tub, and Fixr suggests keeping the tub if it is your only one. If you have another bathroom with a tub, the concern is smaller.
What is the difference between a kit and a tiled shower?
A kit is a ready-made base and walls, usually acrylic or fiberglass. It is generally faster and lower in cost. A tiled shower is built on site with waterproofing, tile and often glass, so it costs more but can be made to your size and style.
What about a curbless shower for accessibility?
A curbless shower has no step to climb over. It generally costs more because the floor must slope to the drain. If anyone in your home has trouble with steps, tell each remodeler up front and ask about curb height, grab-bar backing and seating.
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 Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost?” (updated 2026): angi.com. Accessed October 20, 2026.
- Angi, “Is It Worth It to Convert a Tub to Shower?”: angi.com; and “How Much Does a Shower Remodel Cost?”: angi.com. Accessed October 20, 2026.
- Angi, “How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost in Chicago, IL?” (shower installation average $8,200): angi.com. Accessed October 20, 2026.
- Fixr, “Bathtub to Shower Conversion: Cost, Tips & More”: fixr.com. Accessed October 20, 2026.
- Bob Vila, tub-to-shower conversion kits: bobvila.com. Accessed October 20, 2026.
- City of Chicago, Express Permit Program, interior alterations: chicago.gov. Accessed October 20, 2026.
- Chicago Construction Codes, 14A-12-1204.2, stand-alone permit fees: amlegal.com. Accessed October 20, 2026.
- City of Chicago Department of Buildings, plumbing license FAQ: chicago.gov. Accessed October 20, 2026.
- Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act, 815 ILCS 513/15: ilga.gov. Accessed October 20, 2026.
- CMAP Community Data Snapshots (ACS 2020-2024): cmap.illinois.gov. Accessed October 20, 2026.
- InspectApedia, building piping guide (galvanized pipe): inspectapedia.com; Oatey, plumbing in historic homes (cast iron drains): oatey.com. Accessed October 20, 2026.
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