Illinois Construction Pros
Illinois Construction Pros home
Request an Estimate (877) 838-5444

Illinois Construction Pros

Bathroom Remodeling in Illinois

In Illinois, we plan bathroom remodeling projects in Chicago and Naperville. A bathroom remodel replaces fixtures and finishes and fixes what sits behind them: plumbing, waterproofing, subfloor and ventilation. It can be an update in the same footprint, a tub-to-shower conversion, or a full gut with a new layout. Because a bathroom handles water every day, the work you cannot see matters as much as the tile. It is worth doing when fixtures leak or fail, grout and caulk keep breaking down, the room is hard to use, or someone in the home needs safer access.
Request an Estimate (877) 838-5444
Renovated bathroom in a Central Illinois Craftsman bungalow with white hex tile, a brass-legged console vanity, subway wainscot and a tiled shower.
Illustrative image

Illinois context

Planning bathroom remodeling in Illinois

  1. Local building codes with a state baseline

    Illinois cities, villages and counties adopt their own building codes. When they adopt or amend one, they must report the code, its edition and local amendments to the Capital Development Board at least 30 days before it takes effect. Starting January 1, 2025, Public Act 103-0510 requires local codes to regulate structural design at least as strictly as the International Residential Code for homes, the IBC for new commercial buildings and the IEBC for existing ones. For a new home where no local residential code exists, the Illinois Residential Building Code Act lets the builder and buyer agree on a code. If they do not, the IRC, the state energy code and the state plumbing code apply by law.

  2. Statewide energy and plumbing codes

    The Illinois Energy Conservation Code applies to residential buildings and privately funded commercial buildings across the state. The current version, based on the 2024 IECC with Illinois amendments, took effect for permit applications on November 30, 2025. Local governments generally cannot make residential energy rules weaker or stricter. The exceptions include municipalities with 1,000,000 or more people and towns that adopt the Illinois Stretch Energy Code. The Illinois Plumbing Code also applies statewide.

  3. Two climate zones, snow and frost

    Illinois spans energy-code climate zones 4A and 5A. A county list on the Department of Energy's OpenEI site places southern counties such as St. Clair and Jackson in zone 4A. Average snowfall runs from about 36 inches a year in the north, heaviest around Chicago because of lake-effect snow, to less than 10 inches in the far south. In a 1980 to 1996 study, the deepest observed frost depths ranged from 5 inches in far southern Illinois to 30 inches in far northern Illinois.

Sources (8)

Permits

Bathroom work that moves or adds plumbing, adds electrical circuits or fixtures, changes ventilation or alters walls commonly needs a permit and inspections. Replacing a vanity or toilet in the same location may not. Rules differ by jurisdiction, so the local building department confirms what is required for your project.

Contractor licensing

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (roofing) and Illinois Department of Public Health (plumbing)

Illinois licenses some trades at the state level, including roofing and plumbing. The Home Repair and Remodeling Act does not create a license. It sets contract, disclosure and insurance rules for home repair and remodeling work, including a written contract for jobs over $1,000 and the 'Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights' pamphlet. Roofing contractors must hold a state license from IDFPR: a limited license covers residential properties of 8 units or less, and an unlimited license also covers commercial and industrial properties. IDPH licenses plumbers, and plumbing contractors must register with the state. Local rules vary; Rockford, for example, states that general contractors are not required to be licensed. Before you hire anyone, check roofing licenses with IDFPR's License Look Up, plumbing licenses with IDPH's verification tool, and ask your city whether it licenses or registers contractors.

Check a contractor’s status (opens the official Illinois site in a new tab)

Building permits

Permits in Illinois

Building codes and permits in Illinois are handled locally. Each city, village or county that adopts a building code reports it to the Capital Development Board, while the state energy and plumbing codes apply everywhere. What needs a permit varies from town to town: Naperville does not require a permit to put an asphalt shingle roof on a single-family home when the existing sheathing stays in place, while Rockford requires permits for all roofing work. We confirm the permit path with the local office during planning, before any work is scheduled.

Sources (8)

What’s included

Bathroom Remodeling in Illinois: scope and options

  • Demolition down to studs and subfloor where the condition calls for it
  • Shower and tub installation, including tub-to-shower conversions
  • Waterproofing behind tile in showers and other wet areas
  • Floor, wall and shower tile installation
  • Vanity, sink, toilet and faucet installation
  • Exhaust fan installation or replacement, vented to the outdoors
  • Plumbing and electrical updates coordinated with licensed trades where required
  • Wall blocking for grab bars, plus lighting, mirrors and accessories

Common options

Tub, shower or both
Keep a tub for bathing, convert to a walk-in shower for easier access, or install a tub and shower combination.
Shower base
A prefabricated pan installs quickly and simply. A tiled base allows custom sizes and low or curbless entries but involves more steps.
Wall surfaces
Tile, solid-surface panels or acrylic surrounds. Panels have few grout lines to clean, while tile offers more design choice.
Vanity style
Freestanding, wall-hung or built-in, with one or two sinks, sized to the storage you need and the space around it.
Accessibility features
Grab bars, a handheld shower, a bench, lever handles and a comfort-height toilet can be installed now or planned with wall blocking for later.

What this service does not cover

  • Remediation of widespread mold, which is handled by remediation specialists
  • Asbestos or lead-based paint abatement, which is handled by certified specialists
  • Replacing main water or sewer lines outside the bathroom
  • Repairs to water damage in rooms below the bathroom, unless added to the scope in writing

Budget planning

What affects cost

  • Layout changes

    Moving the toilet, shower or drains means more plumbing and floor work than keeping fixtures in place.

  • Shower type

    Custom tiled showers with niches, benches or curbless entries take more labor than prefabricated units.

  • Tile selection

    Tile size, material, pattern and how much of the walls are covered all affect labor and materials.

  • Subfloor and framing condition

    Water-damaged subfloor or framing has to be repaired before new finishes can go in.

  • Ventilation

    Adding or rerouting an exhaust fan so it vents outdoors can require work through walls, ceilings or the attic.

  • Fixtures and glass

    Shower valve types, specialty fixtures and custom glass doors vary widely.

  • Access and staging

    Tight rooms, upper floors and homes with only one bathroom affect how the work is sequenced.

Scheduling

What affects the schedule

  • Whether this is the only bathroom in the home
  • Custom shower glass, which is measured after tile is complete
  • Special-order vanities, tile and fixtures
  • Inspection timing for plumbing and electrical rough-in
  • Drying and curing time for waterproofing, mortar and grout
  • Water damage found after demolition

How to prepare

  • If this is your only bathroom, arrange another place to shower during the key stages
  • Remove toiletries, towels, rugs and anything stored in the vanity
  • Choose tile, vanity and fixtures early so they arrive before demolition
  • Note any current leaks, ceiling stains in the room below, or soft spots in the floor
  • Think about future needs, such as grab bars or a step-free shower

Process

How Bathroom Remodeling Projects Work

  1. 1

    Consult

    We look at the room, check for signs of leaks and soft spots in the floor, and talk through who uses the bathroom and how. Storage and accessibility needs come up here.

  2. 2

    Plan

    We settle the layout, tub or shower, tile, fixtures and ventilation, and write down the scope. Fixtures and tile are selected and ordered before demolition so the room is not left open waiting on materials.

  3. 3

    Build

    Demolition, plumbing and electrical rough-in, and inspections come first. Waterproofing is installed and checked before tile covers it, followed by fixtures, glass and trim.

  4. 4

    Enjoy

    A final walkthrough covers how fixtures and the fan work and how to care for grout, stone and glass. Punch-list items are completed before closeout.

Service areas

Where we plan bathroom remodeling projects in Illinois

Availability is confirmed for each project address before anything is scheduled.

Other communities

Related services in Illinois

Questions

Bathroom Remodeling FAQs

Can I convert my tub to a walk-in shower?

In most bathrooms, yes. The drain location, floor framing and wall conditions decide how simple it is. A low or curbless entry takes more floor work than a shower with a standard curb.

Why does waterproofing matter if tile resists water?

Grout and many tile materials let some water pass through over time. A waterproofing layer behind the tile keeps that water out of the walls and subfloor, where it would otherwise cause rot and mold.

Do I need a bathroom exhaust fan?

A fan that vents outdoors removes moisture that would otherwise collect on walls, ceilings and inside cabinets, leading to peeling paint and mold. Whether a fan is required depends on local code and whether the room has a window that opens.

What if this is my only bathroom?

The work can be sequenced to limit how long the toilet and sink are out of service, but there will be stretches without a working shower. Decide where you will shower during those stages before work starts.

Should I choose a prefabricated shower or tile?

Prefabricated units install faster and have few seams to clean. Tile gives more size, shape and design choices and allows niches and benches. Both perform well when installed correctly.

Can grab bars be added later?

Yes, if solid blocking is installed inside the walls during the remodel. Adding blocking while walls are open is simple compared with cutting into finished tile later.

Ready to Plan Bathroom Remodeling in Illinois?

Share the scope and the address. We'll confirm availability and follow up to talk through options and next steps.

Request an Estimate (877) 838-5444
CallRequest an Estimate