Attic Remodel: What You Need to Know

The latest national figures published in Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. The value report provides a little insight for homeowners on which remodeling projects provide the best return on average.

The big surprise to many last year was how popular penthouse additions and remodels had become and what a huge investment they could represent. In 2008/2009, the average attic remodel achieved a cost recovery rate of 83.1%. For comparison, kitchen remodeling was found to have a 57.9% payback rate and bathrooms exceed that rate at 61.6%.

With that in mind, if you’re looking to add additional functional space, penthouse conversions can be a great way to go. However, there are a number of things to consider before commissioning the project and hiring a contractor.

The first thing to determine is exactly what you want to use the space for. Do you want it to be a master bedroom, a guest bedroom, a children’s playroom, a cozy library, or a home office? Most often, these spaces are converted into a unique loft that you can use as a media entertainment area or game room. In fact, if you think of the attic space the same way you would a basement, even more new ideas might start to come to mind: a pool table, a wet bar, or even a small apartment for a returning adult child. to home. nest, which is quite common these days.

Once you’ve decided what you want to use the attic for, it’s time to call in some contractors to walk through the space with you and help you figure out what is and isn’t possible, and of course, how much it all might cost.

There can often be obstacles to overcome when converting an attic that don’t come up during a basement remodel. For example, the pitch of the roof can present issues, additional windows or skylights need to be added, and how the attic space will ultimately be accessed is also a big part of the planning process.

The contractor you choose (see Hiring a Residential Contractor for information on this) should also take care to ensure that the finished space is up to code and passes a building inspection. There are a number of specific building codes that apply to attics, but a good remodeling contractor will know all of them and know how to effectively comply with them.

Once all the details are worked out and the work finally begins, attic conversions are a fun and unique way to add usable and deliverable square footage to your home, as well as provide a good return on all the money you invested if you do. decide. go ahead.