How to Choose a Shower Door Company in Chicago
By Abdullah Ghabayen, Glass and Shower Doors · 25 years of glass fabrication and installation across Chicago and the suburbs · Updated September 22, 2026
Quick answer: Ask every company three questions and the quotes become comparable: what glass thickness, which hardware line, and is removal of the old enclosure included? Walk away from anyone who gives a firm price on custom glass without measuring, or who says they’ll “trim it on site” — tempered glass cannot be cut after it’s made. The 12 questions below are the ones that separate a real glass shop from a reseller.
How to Choose a Shower Door Company in Chicago: 12 Questions, the Red Flags, and How to Compare Three Quotes
Already holding two quotes? Bring them — we’ll show you line by line what ours includes.
📞 Call or text (708) 808-7775 · 📝 Book a free on-site measurement
The 12 Questions to Ask Any Company
| Ask | What a good answer sounds like |
|---|---|
| 1. Do you fabricate the glass or order it in? | Either can be fine — but the answer tells you who’s accountable when a panel comes back wrong |
| 2. Who installs it — your crew or a subcontractor? | A named crew that does this daily |
| 3. Is the measurement done on site, by the person responsible for the fit? | Always yes for custom glass |
| 4. What glass thickness are you quoting? | A specific number — 3/8″ or 1/2″ for frameless |
| 5. Which hardware line and finish? | A named line, so parts exist in five years |
| 6. Is removal and disposal of my old enclosure included? | Itemized, not assumed |
| 7. What happens if the glass doesn’t fit? | They refabricate at their cost — it’s their measurement |
| 8. Do my walls need blocking? | They checked, and they’ll tell you before install day |
| 9. What’s the lead time from measurement to install? | A real range, not “a few days” |
| 10. What’s the warranty on glass, hardware and labor? | Stated separately — they’re different things |
| 11. Are you licensed and insured? | Yes, with proof available |
| 12. Can I see recent local work? | Photos of jobs, not catalog images |
Red Flags
- A firm price without a site visit on a custom enclosure. Nobody can price glass they haven’t measured
- A quote with no glass thickness on it — that’s the biggest single cost variable left undefined
- “We’ll trim it on site if it’s tight.” Tempered glass cannot be cut after tempering. Anyone who says this either means annealed glass or doesn’t know
- Pressure to sign today for a “this week only” price
- A deposit that’s most of the job before anything is fabricated
- No physical address, or an address that doesn’t match their listings
- Reviews that are all several years old, or all about a different trade
Why Three Quotes Come Back Thousands Apart
- Glass thickness — 3/8″ vs 1/2″ on the same opening
- Stock vs custom — a shelf-size door forced into your opening isn’t the same product
- Hardware grade and finish
- What’s included — removal, disposal, sealing, the measurement itself
- Who installs it
Ask questions 4, 5 and 6 of all three companies and the quotes become comparable in five minutes.
Glass-Only Specialists vs. General Remodelers
| Glass specialist | Remodeler or handyman | |
|---|---|---|
| Measuring custom openings | Every day | Occasionally |
| Who carries a mis-measure | The glass company | Usually you |
| Hardware knowledge | Lines, parts, availability | Whatever the supplier sent |
| Punch-list fixes later | Same shop | Depends who’s still around |
| Tile, plumbing, demo | Not our trade | Theirs |
We only do glass — that’s deliberate. Your contractor handles demolition, plumbing, waterproofing and tile, and we come in when the space is finished.
Checking a Company Before You Book
- Read the recent reviews, not the total. Are they from this year, and are they about shower doors?
- Look for a real address and a showroom you can visit
- Check that the name, address and phone match across Google, Yelp and their site
- Ask how long they’ve been doing this specific work
- Call and time the response. A company that takes two days to answer a quote request will take two days to answer a problem
What We Do
- 25 years of glass work, and glass is the only trade we work in
- Free on-site measurement and written pricing with no obligation
- Our own crew measures, fabricates and installs
- A Crestwood showroom you can visit at 4711 W 135th St
- Custom doors from $999
About the Installer
Abdullah Ghabayen has fabricated and installed glass across Chicago and the suburbs for 25 years. Glass is the only trade we work in — we measure the opening, cut the glass, finish the edges and install it. Showroom: 4711 W 135th St, Crestwood. Call or text (708) 808-7775.
Choosing a Shower Door Company FAQs
How do I choose a shower door company?
Ask about glass thickness, hardware line, who installs it, and what’s included. Check recent, trade-specific reviews and a real address.
Should I get three quotes?
Yes — and ask all three the same questions, or the numbers aren’t comparable.
Why is one quote thousands cheaper?
Usually thinner glass, stock instead of custom, lower-grade hardware, or removal and disposal left out.
Is it a red flag if they quote without measuring?
For custom glass, yes. Nobody can price an opening they haven’t measured.
Can a handyman install a frameless shower door?
Some do. The question is who carries the cost if a panel comes back wrong, and who fixes it in two years.
What warranty should I expect?
Glass, hardware and labor stated separately — they’re different coverages.
How long should a company take to respond?
If a quote request takes two days, a problem will take longer.
Do I need a licensed and insured installer?
Yes, and proof should be available on request.
Is a showroom important?
It lets you see hardware and glass in person, and it tells you the company has a fixed address.
What should a quote actually list?
Configuration, glass thickness, glass type, hardware line and finish, removal and disposal, and the lead time.
Get a Straight Price
Book a free on-site measurement · Call or text (708) 808-7775 · Showroom: 4711 W 135th St, Crestwood
Related: frameless shower door cost · replacement cost · frameless shower doors · about us · service areas
