Tub to shower conversion cost in Chicago.
Honest pricing from a licensed Illinois GC for the four most common conversion paths. Standard walk-in, footprint expansion, curbless with linear drain, and full custom frameless glass.
$22,000 to $35,000 for most Chicago tub to shower conversions.
A Chicago tub to shower conversion typically costs $22,000 to $35,000 as part of a full bathroom remodel. Frameless glass with full custom tile and premium fixtures can land at $30,000 to $40,000 and up. The price depends on whether the drain stays in place, whether the shower expands beyond the existing tub footprint, and the finish level of tile and glass.
Chicago tub to shower conversion pricing by option.
| Option | Typical Range | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard walk-in shower (existing footprint) | $22,000 to $28,000 | Tub removed, walk-in shower built inside same footprint. New waterproofing, tile, curb threshold, glass door, fixtures. |
| Walk-in shower with footprint expansion | $26,000 to $32,000 | Shower expands into adjacent space. Drain relocation if needed. New tile field, curb, fixtures, glass door. |
| Curbless walk-in shower with linear drain | $28,000 to $35,000 | Floor framing modified for curbless threshold. Linear drain, continuous tile, frameless or semi-frameless glass. |
| Frameless glass walk-in with custom tile | $30,000 to $40,000+ | Full custom design. Frameless glass, niche, bench, premium tile, body sprays or rain head, integrated lighting. |
How to choose between the four conversion paths.
Stay inside the tub footprint if
Your existing tub drain is in a workable location, you want the lowest cost, the bathroom is a guest or secondary bath, or you are in a concrete-floor condo where moving the drain is expensive.
Expand the footprint if
The existing tub feels cramped, the adjacent linen closet or wasted corner could come into the shower, or you want a real bench and niche without crowding the standing area.
Choose curbless with linear drain if
You want aging-in-place accessibility, a continuous tile look across the whole bathroom floor, or a primary bath that reads as a high-end spa. Best paired with a frame floor that allows the floor drop.
Choose frameless glass with custom tile if
This is your primary bath, resale matters, and you want the result to feel custom. Frameless glass, integrated niche, bench, premium tile, and lighting all work together at this level.
Tub to shower conversion FAQ.
- How much does a tub to shower conversion cost in Chicago?
- A tub to shower conversion in Chicago typically costs $22,000 to $35,000 when done as part of a full bathroom remodel. The range depends on whether you choose a standard walk-in shower, a curbless walk-in shower with a linear drain, or a frameless glass shower with custom tile. Our minimum project size is $22,000 - we do not take on conversion-only work below that price point.
- What is the cheapest way to convert a tub to a shower?
- The most cost-effective tub to shower conversion in Chicago is a standard walk-in shower built inside the existing tub footprint, with new waterproofing, new tile, a curb threshold, and a glass shower door. This avoids moving plumbing and keeps the existing drain location, which is the single biggest cost driver in any conversion.
- How much does a curbless walk-in shower cost in Chicago?
- A curbless walk-in shower with a linear drain typically adds $4,000 to $9,000 to a basic tub to shower conversion in Chicago. The price reflects the floor framing modification needed to drop the shower floor below the surrounding floor level, the linear drain, and the larger continuous tile area without a curb interruption.
- Is a tub to shower conversion worth it for resale?
- In most Chicago condos and single-family homes, yes - especially in primary bathrooms. Buyers consistently prefer a walk-in shower in the primary bath. We do recommend keeping at least one tub in the home for resale, ideally in a guest or secondary bath, because some buyer segments still want one tub for children or for visiting family.
- Can you do a tub to shower conversion in a Chicago condo?
- Yes. We do tub to shower conversions across Chicago condos including Gold Coast, River North, West Loop, and Lakeview. The conversion adds HOA paperwork, certificate of insurance, board approval, freight elevator scheduling, and weekday-only work windows. We handle all of that as part of the project.
- How long does a tub to shower conversion take?
- Most Chicago tub to shower conversions take 2 to 4 weeks of active work. A straightforward conversion inside the existing footprint runs about 2 weeks. A curbless walk-in with linear drain, custom tile, and frameless glass runs 3 to 4 weeks. Condo projects may add time for elevator reservations and HOA sign-off.
- What about aging-in-place or accessibility?
- A tub to shower conversion is one of the best aging-in-place renovations a Chicago homeowner can make. We typically recommend a curbless walk-in shower with a linear drain, a fold-down or built-in bench, grab bars at code-correct locations, and a handheld shower head on a slide bar. Done thoughtfully, the result is beautiful and accessible without looking institutional.
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