Say you stand at the edge of your tub each morning and think twice before lifting a foot over the wall. That small pause is a good reason to look at a walk-in shower. It swaps the high edge for a low or flat entry.
Walterexists Walk-In Tubs is a referral service. We connect homeowners in the Chicago area with independent local providers who do the design and installation. We explain what drives the price, so you know the numbers before any plans are made. Ask for a quote in writing, compare it with others, and decide at your own pace.
Start With the Moment That Worries You
Say you step out of the tub and your foot slips for a second. You catch the towel bar. Your heart pounds. Nothing happened, but now you are thinking about it.
That is a good time to plan. Calm first hour: sit down, dry off, and keep a dry mat or towel on the floor until the tub area is sorted. Do not rush into a remodel while you are shaken. Just decide that the bathroom needs a safer setup.
A walk-in shower is one of the most common answers. It lowers the step, adds room to move, and gives you places to hold on.
Why a Walk-In Shower Feels Easier
A standard tub wall can be 14 to 20 inches tall. You lift one leg, balance, then lift the other. Wet skin and soap make that harder.
A walk-in shower cuts that lift down to a few inches, or to none. You step in, turn around, and sit or stand as you like. For many people this is a safe bathing conversion that fits daily life without special equipment.
Low-Threshold or Curbless
These two styles look alike, but they build differently.
Low-threshold showers
A low-threshold shower has a small lip, often 2 to 6 inches. The lip keeps water in and is simpler to build. It works well in older frame houses where the floor cannot be changed much.
Curbless showers
A curbless shower has no lip at all. The floor slopes gently to a drain. Wheelchairs and walkers roll right in. Because the floor must slope, the work may involve the subfloor, and that can raise the price.
Say your home is a bungalow on a slab or a ranch with a crawl space. A provider may find this easy. Say it is an older house with a full basement below. The provider may need to look at joists first. A site visit settles it.
Features Worth Considering
If you want handicap accessible showers, think about what you will use every day.
- Grab bars set into solid backing, not just the tile
- A fold-down or built-in seat for resting or washing
- A handheld shower head on a slide bar
- Non-slip floor texture that still cleans easily
- Wide opening if a walker or chair is in use
- Anti-scald valve to keep the water temperature steady
You do not need all of these. Pick the ones that match your habits now and a few years from now.
Prefab Panels or Tiled Walls
Prefab units come as a base and wall panels. They go in faster and have fewer seams. Cost is usually lower.
Tile gives you more control over size, color, and shape. It also needs more labor, and grout needs care. Tile is often the choice for custom curbless builds.
Ask each provider to explain why they suggest one over the other for your bathroom. A clear reason is a good sign.
What the Installation Involves
Here is the usual path, though each provider has their own order.
- The provider measures the space and checks the walls and floor.
- The old tub is taken out, and the area is opened up.
- Plumbing is moved or adjusted if the drain or valve changes.
- Waterproofing and the base or pan go in.
- Walls, fixtures, and the door or curtain finish the job.
Older houses can hide surprises, like soft wood around the tub or old pipes. Good providers tell you this early and explain how it changes the quote. Cold winters with deep frost can also affect exterior walls, so ask about insulation if the tub sits against one.
How Long Does It Take?
Many prefab swaps take a few days. Tiled or curbless builds can take a week or longer, since waterproofing and tile need time to set. Plan for the bathroom to be out of use during that time.
Say you only have one bathroom. Ask the provider how to manage that. Some work in stages, and some suggest a short plan B, like a relative's home or a gym.
Ask for a written timeline. Dates can shift, but a written plan keeps everyone on the same page.
Keeping It Clean and Comfortable
Hot humid summers mean bathrooms stay damp. Pick a good fan and wipe down glass or walls after use. Fewer grout lines mean less scrubbing, so large panels or big-format tile can help.
A seat and a handheld sprayer make cleaning easier too. You can rinse the walls without bending.
Warm floors, a nearby towel hook, and a bath mat just outside the shower also help. Comfort is part of safety.
Planning Around the Person
Say two people share the bathroom. One is steady on their feet. The other uses a cane. The shower should work for both.
Think about:
- How tall and how mobile each person is
- Whether a caregiver might need room to help
- Whether needs may change over time
- Whether the shower is the only bathing option
If you also want to look at senior walk-in tubs, that is a different project with its own page. A walk-in shower suits people who prefer to stand or sit briefly and move on.
Questions to Ask Each Installer
Bring a short list to every visit.
- Is the quote in writing, with each line item?
- What is not included, such as plumbing, electrical, or repairs to the subfloor?
- Who handles permits if they are needed?
- What is the plan for waterproofing?
- What warranty details come in writing from the provider?
- Can you see photos of similar past jobs?
Price before plans. A provider who answers these plainly is easier to trust with your bathroom.
What's Included
Low or no step-in
The tall tub wall is replaced with a low lip or a flat entry that is easier to cross.
Grab bars and seating
Bars sit in solid backing, and a seat lets you rest or wash safely.
Walls and waterproofing
Prefab panels or tile go in over a sealed base so water stays where it belongs.
Plumbing and fixtures
A provider can adjust the drain and valve and add a handheld sprayer and anti-scald controls.
What Walk-In Showers Typically Cost
Prices vary by size, materials, and what is hiding behind the old tub. These are typical U.S. ranges, not offers. Get a quote in writing from each provider, with every line item listed, so you can compare them fairly.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prefab walk-in shower | $3,000 – $8,000 | Base and wall panels, simpler installation |
| Tiled walk-in shower | $6,000 – $15,000 | More labor, many design choices |
| Curbless or roll-in shower | $8,000 – $20,000 | Floor slope may need subfloor work |
| Plumbing changes | $500 – $3,000 | Depends on drain and valve moves |
| Grab bars and seat | $150 – $900 | Price rises with built-in options |
| Glass door or enclosure | $400 – $2,500 | Curtains cost less |
How It Works
Share your plans
Tell us about your bathroom, who uses it, and whether a low step or curbless entry sounds right.
Get matched locally
A provider in our network reaches out to talk through your project.
Review a written quote
Check each line item, timeline, and what is not included.
Choose and schedule
Pick the provider you trust and agree on dates before work begins.
Why Call Walterexists Walk-In Tubs
Price before plans
We explain what drives the cost first, so the number does not surprise you later.
Independent local providers
Providers in our network do the work, so you deal directly with the people on site.
Quote in writing
Written quotes let you compare line items and spot gaps.
No obligation
Request an estimate, look it over, and decide in your own time.
Other Services
Need walk-in showers help in Chicago?
Send a short request and a provider in our network can follow up about your bathroom. Ask your questions first. There is no obligation.
No obligationWalk-In Showers Help FAQ
How much does a walk-in shower cost to install?
Typical U.S. prices run from about $3,000 for a simple prefab unit to $20,000 or more for a custom curbless build. Size, materials, plumbing changes, and hidden repairs all matter, so ask for a written quote.
Is a curbless shower better than a low-threshold one?
It depends. Curbless is easiest for wheelchairs and walkers, but it may need floor work. A low threshold is simpler and often less costly.
Can a walk-in shower replace my bathtub?
Yes, in many homes. A provider can remove the tub and build a shower in the same space. Check the walls and floor first, since older houses may need repairs.
Get in touch
Send a short request and a provider in our network can follow up about your bathroom. Ask your questions first. There is no obligation.
No obligation