How much does bathroom remodel cost in Chicago?
ZIP 60628 · Cook County · Chicago Metro · Data updated May 2026
Chicago is genuinely affordable for bathroom remodel. It's one of the better markets in the country to get this done.
It's also a strong investment in Chicago. Homeowners here get solid equity back at resale, making this one of the easier projects to justify financially.
Local Cost Estimate
$25,549 - $34,566
+2% seasonal adjustment (Normal season) · Base: $25,048 - $33,888
Strong ROI
Equity Gain
$20,893
Added at resale
+14.4% of home value
Good time to move forward
Strong ROI and steady market conditions. Timing is solid.
On this page
- National average
- $24,600
- Local cost index
- 0.78×
- Illinois median
- ROI score
- 70/100
- Lead time
- ~4.5 weeks
- Normal
- Permit activity
- Top 44%
- nationally
Built from Zillow ZHVI home values, BLS construction wages (May 2024), Cost vs. Value 2026 benchmarks, and US Census housing data · how this estimate is made
How We Calculate Chicago Bathroom Remodel Cost Estimates
What's driving the cost
Labor
$21,793
60% of total
Materials
$7,675
40% of total
Construction labor in Cook County is 48% above the US median (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Over 20 years: approx. $1,503/yr
Best Time to Book Bathroom Remodel in Chicago, Illinois ( September 2026)
Normal SeasonLead time now
~4.5
weeks
Season adjustment
+ 2%
vs annual avg
September is a normal-demand month for bathroom remodel in this climate. Lead times are around 4.5 weeks. No meaningful seasonal premium or discount right now.
Bathroom Remodel Permit Activity in Cook County, Illinois (Last 12 Months)
Typical ActivityPermits issued
722
last 12 months
National rank
56 th
percentile
722 bathroom remodel permits were issued in Cook County over the past year. That puts it in the 56th percentile nationally for this project type.
Contractor availability in Cook County is in good shape. Most projects can be scheduled within 2 to 4 weeks, and you'll have a solid pool of contractors to choose from.
Permit counts sourced from public open data portals. Updated monthly. Covers jurisdictions with available permit reporting.
Bathroom Remodel Cost by ZIP Code in Cook County, Illinois
Same project scope. Costs vary by ZIP based on local labor markets and home values.
Bathroom Remodel Costs in Chicago Metro, Illinois
The Chicago metro area includes Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, McHenry, and Will counties. Labor costs here run above the national average, reflecting the region's higher cost of living and strong union presence in the trades.
Bathroom Remodel in this region
Bathroom remodel costs in the Chicago metro reflect the region's premium labor market, but the payback is strong. In competitive suburban markets like the North Shore, Naperville, and Oak Park, updated bathrooms directly affect offer prices and days on market.
Bathroom Remodel: Scope, Decisions & Permit Requirements in Illinois
Scope of work
A bathroom remodel typically includes new tile (floor and shower/tub surround), vanity and mirror, toilet, lighting, and faucets. Expanding the footprint, adding a second bathroom, or converting a tub to a walk-in shower requires additional framing and plumbing work. In Illinois, heated floors are a popular upgrade in bathroom remodels. Electric radiant mats under tile add $500-$1,500 and pay off in daily comfort during long winters. It's one of the better quality-of-life investments per dollar in cold climates.
Key decisions
Walk-in showers are the dominant choice in master baths, but for resale, keep at least one tub in the home, especially in family neighborhoods. Heated floors add $500-$1,500 and are a worthwhile upgrade in colder climates. Large-format tile (12×24") reads more expensive but requires a very flat subfloor. Heated floors in Illinois are worth budgeting for in master baths. They're consistently cited as a top-valued feature in colder-climate buyer surveys, and electric radiant mats are the simpler retrofit option over hydronic systems.
Timing & permits
A standard bathroom remodel takes 2-3 weeks. Any plumbing or electrical changes require permits. For custom tile or specialty fixtures, add 4-6 weeks lead time for special orders. In Illinois, winter bathroom remodels are practical. No exterior work is involved, contractor availability is better than spring/summer, and you're not giving up outdoor time.
Complete guide
Everything you need to know about bathroom remodel: materials, hiring, red flags, and what to expect.
How We Calculate Chicago Bathroom Remodel Cost Estimates
Step 1
National benchmark
We start with the national average cost for bathroom remodel from the Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value report. Base cost: $24,600.
Step 2
Local cost index
We apply a ZIP-level cost multiplier. Labor is derived from BLS construction wage data by metro area; materials from Zillow home value data. Chicago's effective multiplier is 0.78× the Illinois median.
Step 3
Regional ROI
The Cost vs. Value report shows that bathroom remodel recoups 71% of its cost at resale in this US Census region. That's an equity gain of $20,893, not counting seasonal adjustment.
Step 4
Seasonal adjustment
September is normal season for bathroom remodel in cold-climate markets. Demand is running +2% vs. the annual average. Base $25,048 - $33,888 → $25,549 - $34,566.
Base estimate
$25,048 - $33,888
Normal season
$25,549 - $34,566
All estimates carry a ±15% range to reflect real-world contractor variance in labor, materials, and project scope. Always get 2-3 quotes before committing.
Is a bathroom remodel worth it in Chicago?
Strong ROIWith an ROI score of 70/100, a bathroom remodel in Chicago recoups an estimated $20,893 at resale. It's a real improvement to how the house looks and feels, and that shows up in the sale price.
You invest
$30,057
Recouped at resale
$20,893
Cost per year
$1,503
over 20 yrs
Finding Bathroom Remodel contractors in Chicago
When you're getting quotes in the 60628 area, expect labor rates to reflect the 0.78× local cost index. Labor rates in Chicago are on the competitive side for Illinois. Always verify your contractor is licensed to work in Cook County and ask whether your project scope requires local building permits.
Median home value in Chicago: $144,598. This project adds 14.4% to your home's value.
More cost estimates for 60628
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Chicago, IL?
Based on 2026 data, a bathroom remodel in Chicago (60628) currently runs $25,549 - $34,566, which includes a +2% seasonal factor for September (Normal season). Without that, the base range is $25,048 - $33,888. That's using a 0.78× local cost index applied to the national benchmark from the Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value report.
Is a bathroom remodel worth it in Chicago?
With an ROI score of 71/100, a bathroom remodel in Chicago is expected to add about $20,893 back at resale. A lot of that depends on Cook County's local market, where median home values sit at $144,598.
How do Chicago remodeling costs compare to the rest of Illinois?
Chicago remodeling costs are running at 78% of the Illinois state median. Local home values of $144,598 are the main driver. Higher home values generally track with higher local wages and material costs.
Tub or walk-in shower for better resale in Chicago?
In the $144,598 price range typical of Chicago, buyers generally expect at least one bathtub, especially in family-oriented neighborhoods. Walk-in showers are the move in master baths. Keeping one tub elsewhere protects your buyer pool. Check with a local agent in Cook County for current buyer preferences in your specific neighborhood.
Do bathroom remodels require permits in Illinois?
Any plumbing or electrical changes require permits in Illinois. This includes moving or adding drain lines, relocating electrical outlets near water, or adding a ventilation fan where none existed. Cosmetic work (replacing a vanity or toilet in the same location, retiling a shower) typically doesn't need a permit. Your contractor should clarify the permit scope before work begins.
Are heated bathroom floors worth it in Chicago?
In Illinois's cold climate, heated floors in the master bath are consistently one of the highest-rated homeowner upgrades for daily comfort. Electric radiant mats under tile run $500-$1,500 installed and cost pennies per day to operate (typically 10-15 cents per hour). Harder to assign an ROI number to, but buyers notice and mention it. Worth doing during a full remodel when the floor is already open.
Why does bathroom remodeling have strong ROI in Chicago?
Chicago's market (median home value: $144,598) supports strong bathroom remodel returns because buyers at this price point expect updated baths. An outdated bathroom in a $144,598 home signals deferred maintenance, which can lead buyers to discount offers beyond just the renovation cost.
You have the numbers. Now get the quotes.
Most homeowners go into contractor conversations blind. You know what bathroom remodel should cost in Chicago, what drives the price, and whether now is a good time to move. Use that.