Walk-in showers and bathroom remodels in Chicago, IL: costs and rules

Chicago shower and bath remodel prices

Angi publishes 2026 cost pages for Chicago. It begins with national averages and applies local price index data, so the numbers are estimates for budgeting, not bids^[1].

Chicago project	Typical range	Average
Shower remodel	$2,072 to $9,324	$7,252[1]
New shower installation	$500 to $17,000	about $8,200[2]
Bathtub replacement	$2,300 to $10,500[2]	not given
Full bathroom remodel	$6,677 to $16,542	$10,939[2]

Angi calls Chicago shower costs slightly higher than the national average, in line with local cost of living^[1]. On its Chicago pages, new plumbing for a shower runs $1,550 to $3,500^[1], labor takes 40% to 60% of a shower budget^[1], and rough-in plumbing for a remodel averages about $6,860^[2]. It also notes that vintage bungalows and two-flats may need plumbing reroutes or structural changes, while newer buildings often allow simpler upgrades^[2].

For national ranges, see the walk-in shower cost guide and the tub to shower conversion cost guide.

Which Chicago permit fits your shower job?

The Department of Buildings launched the Express Permit Program on November 6, 2023. It replaced the old Easy Permit Process and the short form permit process for plumbing and mechanical work^[8]. Applications, fees and inspection results are handled online^[8].

Your job	What Chicago says
New tile, paint, cabinets or countertops, no plumbing or electrical connections	No building permit needed[7]
Replacing up to 1,000 sq ft of drywall or plaster, without changing plumbing, electrical or mechanical systems	No building permit needed[7]
Stopping a leak in a pipe or fixture, if no valve, pipe or fixture is replaced	No building permit needed[6]
Replacing an existing plumbing fixture, such as a tub or shower	Express Permit, plumbing work[3]
Moving a drain, rerouting supply lines, adding fixtures	Not covered by the plumbing Express Permit; limited changes may fit a nonstructural interior alteration permit[3]
Moving walls or doorways (other than closets)	Interior alteration with drawings by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer[5]

A walk-in shower that sits where the tub was is closest to a fixture replacement. A conversion that moves the drain, widens the opening or changes a wall goes to the interior alteration path. Within a single home, that path covers nonstructural remodeling up to 2,000 square feet and plumbing that adds up to 5 water supply fixture units of demand; the city's example is that adding a private bathroom is 4^[5]. If you are not sure which applies, the city invites questions at the Department of Buildings counter on the 9th floor of City Hall^[6].

What the application needs

For a plumbing Express Permit, the city asks for the property PIN, owner contact information, at least one photo of existing conditions, an energy and water efficiency compliance form, and the plumbing contractor's exact name or Chicago license number^[3]. New fixtures must meet the Chicago Plumbing Code's water efficiency minimums^[3]. An interior alteration also needs a scaled floor plan of existing and proposed conditions, a licensed general contractor (Class A to E by project cost) and a licensed plumbing contractor^[5].

A licensed contractor named on the application gets an email and must accept the job before the permit is issued, which the city says helps prevent license fraud^[8]. Reused fixtures are allowed only if sound, free of cracks, and up to the code for new fixtures^[4].

Who may do plumbing in Chicago?

• Licensed contractor. The city says a licensed and bonded plumbing contractor is required for most plumbing work, and the contractor's bond helps protect the owner and neighbors if something goes wrong^[9].
• Owner exception. The owner, occupant or lessee of a detached single-family home may personally do the plumbing in that home. They may not hire anyone other than a licensed plumbing contractor to help, and the work is still inspected^[9]. An owner doing their own plumbing under an Express Permit files Form 401 and a government ID showing they live at the address^[3]. A two-flat or condo does not qualify.
• State license. The Illinois Department of Public Health licenses plumbers. Every plumbing ad must show the license number, all plumbing contractors must register with the state, and IDPH offers an online license check^[10].

Illinois also gives you contract rights. For home repair over $1,000 you are entitled to a written contract that describes the work and the total cost, and a sale made at your home over $25 can be canceled within three business days^[11]. The Attorney General suggests getting lien waivers before paying, because unpaid subcontractors and suppliers can file a lien on your home^[11].

What older Chicago homes add to the job

Chicago's housing is old. About 39% of homes were built in 1939 or earlier, and the median year built is 1953^[12]. By our arithmetic from the same Census table, about 75% were built before 1980^[12]. That shapes a bathroom remodel in three ways.

Lead paint. In homes built before 1978, any firm paid to disturb painted surfaces must be EPA lead-safe certified^[13]. Chicago also reminds owners that lead-safe and asbestos-safe work practices apply, and some jobs need a notice filed with the Chicago Department of Public Health first^[7].

Plaster walls. Many older walls are plaster on lath. Replacing up to 1,000 square feet of plaster or drywall needs no permit if no plumbing, electrical or mechanical system changes^[7]. A shower remodel usually does change plumbing, so it rides on the plumbing or alteration permit.

Old drains. Homes of this age often have original metal drain and vent piping. Many plumbers recommend checking the condition of the drain where it leaves the bathroom, and in the basement below, before new tile goes in, since a failing section is cheaper to replace while the wall is open.

Landmark homes are different: the no-permit exceptions may not apply to a designated or proposed Chicago Landmark or landmark district^[7].

When to call a pro

• Replacing a tub or shower, or any valve or drain: a Chicago-licensed plumbing contractor on an Express Permit, unless you own and live in a detached single-family home and do it yourself^[3][9].
• Moving walls or widening the opening: an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer for drawings^[5].
• A home built before 1978: a lead-safe certified firm for demolition^[13].
• A condo: get the association's approval letter before you apply^[3].