Walk-In & Roll-In Showers in Chicago
A walk-in shower removes the tub wall and, in some designs, the step as well. Angi’s 2026 data puts walk-in showers at about $6,000 to $12,000, with an average near $9,000, and a roll-in shower at about $2,900 to $4,600 installed, before any wall or plumbing changes. Your own price depends on the floor, the plumbing and the size you choose, so tell us about the project and we will match you with up to three independent licensed 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. This page is general information, not medical or accessibility advice.
Walk-in, curbless and roll-in: what the words mean
Remodelers use these terms loosely, so ask each one to describe the exact design they are pricing.
| Type | What it is | Planning range |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-in shower (curbed) | No tub wall; a low curb you step over, often with a glass panel | $6,000 to $12,000 installed; prefab stalls $700 to $3,000 |
| Custom walk-in shower | Tile walls and floor built on site | $4,200 to $8,500 for the shower |
| Curbless (barrier-free) | Shower floor flush with the bathroom floor, which has to be sloped to a drain | Needs a custom pan, about $2,500 for the pan alone |
| Roll-in shower | Curbless or very low threshold, sized and equipped for a wheelchair | $2,900 to $4,600 installed, average $3,800 |
Angi says a roll-in shower should be at least 30 by 60 inches, and that 60 by 60 inches is better. For Chicago-specific context, the 2025 Cost vs. Value report prices a universal-design remodel of a 5 by 7 foot Chicago bath, with a zero-threshold shower and a 36-inch-wide door, at $38,963. That is a whole-bathroom figure, not a shower alone. See our walk-in shower cost guide for more.
What to plan before you start
Slope and waterproofing
Water has to reach the drain, so the shower floor needs a slope. Angi, citing the Tile Council of North America handbook, gives one-quarter inch per foot as the slope for a curbless pan. In a curbless design nothing holds water in at the doorway, so the waterproofing has to be continuous and extend past the shower opening, and the high point of the floor should sit outside the shower. Ask each remodeler which waterproofing system they use, how far it runs beyond the shower and whether they flood-test the pan before tile goes down.
What is under your floor
A curbless shower needs the shower floor to sit lower than the rest of the room. On a wood-framed floor that can mean working between joists. On a concrete slab it can mean cutting the slab, or building up the rest of the room, which can leave a ledge at the doorway. Angi notes that curbless showers on slabs generally cost more. Ask what each remodeler plans to do and why.
Space
Many older Chicago bathrooms were built around a 60-inch tub. That alcove is long enough for a 30 by 60 inch shower, the ADA minimum for a standard roll-in design, but the ADA also calls for a 30 by 60 inch clear area beside the open side of the shower. A true roll-in design can therefore mean reconfiguring the room, and changing walls or doors changes the permit path (see below).
Grab-bar backing
The federal ADA Standards describe grab bar placement for public and commercial buildings. They are not a rule for private homes, and this page does not promise that any project meets them, but they are a handy reference. They call for bars 33 to 36 inches above the floor, a round bar diameter of 1¼ to 2 inches, and mounting that holds 250 pounds of force. For residential dwelling units they allow wall reinforcement to be installed in place of the bars. The practical point for any owner is the same: ask the remodeler to install solid blocking between the studs before the walls are tiled, and to photograph it so you know where it is.
Seating, controls and the rest of the room
A fold-down or built-in bench, a handheld shower head on a slide bar and controls you can reach from outside the spray all help when balance or strength changes. Angi also notes that without a door or curtain, water reaches the bathroom floor, so plan for slip-resistant flooring and a good fan. If you are planning around a specific person’s needs, an occupational therapist can help you decide what the room should do before you talk to remodelers.
Condos and two-flats
A new floor slope and drain in a condo or upper-floor unit sits above another household. Ask your association for its approval process, and ask each remodeler how they protect the unit below. See remodeling a condo bathroom in Chicago, then read about Lincoln Park and North Center.
Permits and licenses in Chicago
Replacing a tub or shower with a walk-in shower changes plumbing, so it generally needs a City of Chicago permit. 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 adding, removing or reconfiguring walls or doors without drawings from an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer. Whether your job qualifies depends on its scope, so ask the licensed remodeler or the City. Angi lists a single permit for a walk-in shower at $250 to $500.
Chicago requires a licensed plumbing contractor for most plumbing work and a licensed general contractor for most remodeling. The remodelers we match you with are independent companies, so verify each license.
Related: tub-to-shower conversion, shower remodeling and all services.
How to get a fair comparison
- Pick the type first. Prefab, tiled, curbed and curbless showers are priced very differently, so a comparison across types means little.
- Ask for a written scope and price from each remodeler that shows the floor work, drain, waterproofing, glass, permit and an allowance for hidden conditions.
- Ask where the grab-bar blocking will go and who will confirm it before tiling.
- Read the contract. Illinois law requires a written contract for home remodeling work over $1,000.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a walk-in shower cost?
Angi's 2026 data puts walk-in showers at about $6,000 to $12,000 installed, with an average near $9,000. A roll-in shower runs about $2,900 to $4,600 installed. These are national planning ranges, not a quote.
What is the difference between walk-in, curbless and roll-in?
A walk-in shower has no tub wall but may have a low curb. A curbless shower has a floor flush with the bathroom floor. A roll-in shower is curbless or very low, and sized for a wheelchair. Ask each remodeler exactly which design they are pricing.
Why do curbless showers cost more?
The shower floor has to slope to the drain while meeting the bathroom floor, so the floor often needs to be recessed or built up. Angi says most curbless showers need a custom pan, and that slabs generally cost more than wood-framed floors.
Does the shower need a permit in Chicago?
Because it changes plumbing, a walk-in shower generally needs a City permit. Many single-unit jobs may use the Express Permit Program, but moving walls or doors requires drawings from an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer.
What should I ask about grab bars?
Ask the remodeler to install solid blocking between the studs before tiling, even if you do not need bars now, and to photograph where it is. The ADA Standards give 33 to 36 inches as the bar height, but they apply to public and commercial buildings, not private homes.
Will a walk-in shower meet ADA requirements?
We cannot say. The ADA Standards apply to public and commercial buildings, not to private homes, and this site does not certify any project. The standards' minimum for a standard roll-in shower is 30 by 60 inches, and Angi suggests 60 by 60 where space allows.
Can I put a walk-in shower in a condo?
Often, with association approval. A new floor slope and drain sits above another household, so ask how each remodeler will waterproof and protect the unit below.
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 Walk-In Shower Cost?” (2026 data): angi.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Angi, “How Much Does a Roll-In Shower Cost?”: angi.com; “What Is a Roll-In Shower?”: angi.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Angi, “What Is a Curbless Shower?”: angi.com; “Ask Angie: Curbless showers require more labor, money” (slope, waterproofing, slab versus wood floor): wvnews.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Zonda / Journal of Light Construction, 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, Chicago, Illinois (universal design bath remodel): jlconline.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- U.S. Access Board, ADA Accessibility Standards, scope of coverage: access-board.gov; 2010 ADA Standards sections 608 (shower compartments) and 609 (grab bars): corada.com, corada.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- City of Chicago, Express Permit Program, interior alterations: chicago.gov. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- City of Chicago Department of Buildings, plumbing license FAQ: chicago.gov. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act, 815 ILCS 513/15: ilga.gov. Accessed October 21, 2026.
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