How Much Does a Walk-In Shower Cost in Chicago, IL? [2026 Data]

In Chicago, IL, walk-in showers cost an average of $9,324, but it’s common to pay anywhere from $6,216 to $12,432. Prices depend on shower sizes, types, and materials, as well as differences in contractors’ labor rates. If you’re curious about how much you’ll spend on a walk-in shower in the Windy City, here’s how to estimate it.

Walk-In Shower Cost Factors 

Here are the most important factors to consider when calculating your walk-in shower costs in Chicago, IL.

Size

Like most projects, the larger your shower, the more it will cost. If you don’t choose a prefabricated shower, you’ll have to decide on dimensions. A snug shower is 32-by-32 inches, and the most common walk-in shower size is 36-by-36 inches (the minimum accessible walk-in shower size that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act). 

However, if you have the budget and available space, talk with your pro about designing a bigger, luxury walk-in shower. Here’s what you might pay to install a walk-in shower of different sizes.

Materials

Higher-end materials will increase your walk-in shower installation cost. If you’re going with a custom shower, you have a larger range of options, but something like cultured marble will cost more than tile.

Here’s how your walk-in shower material will affect its price.

Type

Walk-in shower costs are largely dictated by the type of shower you choose. You’ll almost always spend less on a prefabricated kit than on a custom walk-in shower, which will often be larger and more complex in design. Which type works best for your home depends on your needs and budget.

Shower Conversion Pro Costs

Before finishing up your walk-in shower cost calculations, there are two final expenses to consider: labor and permits.

Labor

When you hire a tub and shower conversion pro in Chicago, IL, they should include the cost of labor in their project quote. In total, this ranges from $414 to $2,072 (but may be higher for more complicated or custom installations). 

Depending on the details of your project, you might need to hire other pros (aside from your bathroom contractor). For example: 

• Plumber: On average, plumbers in Chicago, IL, charge between $622 and $1,658 to install plumbing for a walk-in shower. You’ll pay much more—up to $7,252—to add new plumbing for the entire bathroom.

• Electrician: You should hire a qualified electrician to install electrical components (like overhead lights and fans) in your bathroom. The average cost of hiring an electrician in Chicago, IL, runs between $52 and $104 per hour.

• Tiling contractor: Expect to pay $31 to $124 per hour or $3 to $16 per square foot to hire a tile pro, depending on their rate structure.

Permits

In Chicago, IL, you’ll need a permit from the Department of Buildings (DOB) to install a new walk-in shower or convert a bathtub into one. However, more complex projects often require multiple permits. Your shower contractor can explain which ones you’ll need for your project and how much they’ll cost.

Does a Walk-In Shower Increase Home Value?

After installing a new walk-in shower, your property will become more appealing to potential buyers—especially if you also have a separate bathtub in another part of your house. Your return on investment (ROI) will depend on several factors (including the quality of the materials), but as an example, converting an old bathtub into a walk-in shower offers an ROI of around 60%.

How Angi Gets Its Local Cost Data 

To help homeowners plan their next project, Angi provides readers with carefully researched cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We start with national average project costs, which we collect by analyzing competitor information, retailer material costs, and input from professional contractors. We then apply local price index data to calculate location-specific estimates that reflect what homeowners typically pay in their local area. To do that, we use data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), including its Regional Price Parities (RPPs), which measure price differences across cities. This helps us account for differences in labor, materials, and overall cost of living, so estimates in higher- or lower-cost areas better reflect real-world local pricing.

Every estimate undergoes a thorough editorial review to verify accuracy, consistency, and alignment with observed market conditions.

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