Bathrooms are the second-most-impactful renovation per dollar in Chicagoland, and unlike kitchens, they're contained projects — most can be completed in 2–4 weeks without disrupting daily life if you have a second bathroom. The 2025 Remodeling Cost vs. Value report puts bathroom ROI between 65–75% in Chicago metro, with primary suite spa bathrooms running highest because they directly drive listing photos.
Typical range
$8,000 – $45,000+
Average cost
$22,000
Resale ROI
65–80%
Bathroom budget swings most on three factors: walk-in shower vs tub-to-shower conversion (a tile shower with frameless glass adds $3K–$6K over a basic alcove tub), vanity tier (stock $400 vs custom $4,000), and tile complexity (12x24 porcelain $4/sf installed vs marble mosaic $24/sf installed).
Tier 01
$8,000 – $16,000
Same footprint, refresh fixtures. New vanity, toilet, faucet, lighting, tile around the tub, fresh paint, new flooring. No layout or plumbing changes.
Tier 02
$16,000 – $30,000
Layout tweaks possible. Tub-to-shower conversion or curbless walk-in. Semi-custom vanity, custom tile, frameless glass enclosure. Most popular tier across Chicagoland.
Tier 03
$30,000 – $45,000+
Full layout change — freestanding tub, walk-in shower with rain head, double vanity, water closet partition. Custom tile, premium materials. North Shore standard.
| Cost factor | Budget impact |
|---|---|
| Shower vs tub | Tub-to-tile-shower conversion adds $3K–$6K vs replacing existing alcove tub. |
| Tile choice | Porcelain $4/sf installed → marble mosaic $24/sf installed. Single biggest tile-budget lever. |
| Vanity tier | Stock $400 → semi-custom $1,800 → fully custom $4K+. |
| Glass enclosure | Framed swinging door $800 → semi-frameless $1,500 → fully frameless 3/8" $2,500+. |
| Heated flooring | Adds $1,200–$2,000 for an average 40-sf bathroom. Worth it in Chicagoland winters. |
| Layout changes | Moving toilet or shower drain adds $1,800–$3,500 in plumbing work. |
Bathroom remodels in Chicagoland return roughly 65–75% at resale, with primary spa bathrooms in Tier-1 North Shore markets pushing toward 80% because they anchor listing photos. Curbless walk-in showers also score with aging-in-place buyers, which expands your future buyer pool.
Typical ROI
65–80%
of project cost recouped at resale (Chicagoland metro)
Bathroom permits are required whenever plumbing supply or drain lines are relocated, when ventilation is added, or when electrical circuits are changed. Most Chicagoland municipalities issue permits in 1–2 weeks. CrestLine pulls every required permit as part of the project price.
CrestLine handles every permit and inspection as part of every project — included in the fixed-price proposal, no separate billing.
From a leaky faucet fix to a full kitchen remodel — get a free, no-obligation estimate from Chicagoland’s trusted home improvement team. Licensed, bonded & $2M insured.
