Are you thinking about your next home remodeling project? If so, you might be considering remodeling work for commonly used spaces like your bedroom or kitchen. But don’t overlook the benefits that come with finishing your attic, either.

How much value does a finished attic add to your home? Attic work comes with serious financial benefits, but the perks don’t stop there. Keep reading to learn all about the objective and subjective value of a finished attic.

The Benefits of a Finished Attic

When you decide to finish your attic, you’ll benefit from:

Freedom to Customize

If you’re embarking on a full remodeling project, you can do whatever you want with your attic space. Think of this as a “clean slate” for your attic and explore your options before making a decision.

Extra Living Space

No matter what you choose to do with your finished attic, it will give you more living area with the same home footprint. If this space meets certain requirements (like having heating, flooring, and a staircase), you can add it to your home’s square footage.

A More Enjoyable Home

Having a finished attic will help you enjoy your home to the fullest. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the “Joy Score” of converting attic space into living space is a perfect 10. That stat measures how happy homeowners are after completing renovation projects.

What Can You Turn Your Attic Into?

Normally, attics are small spaces with low ceilings and abnormal walls. Some creativity can still help you get the most out of your home’s attic, however.

You can use a finished attic as:

  • A bedroom. Want to add a second bedroom or guest room to your home? A finished attic will fit the bill.
  • An office. When you need to get work done, your converted attic can serve as a dedicated workspace.
  • A home theater. Interested in enjoying the movie theater experience without going out? Your finished attic could give you an opportunity to do just that.
  • A playroom. If you want to give your young ones a dedicated place to play, a finished attic can serve that purpose.
  • A reading nook. Even if your attic is especially small, you can use it as a reading nook whenever you need peace and quiet.
  • A multi-functional space. Not sure what you want to do with your converted attic? No problem – just find furniture and fixtures that let you use this space for whatever you need.

Understanding Your Finished Attic’s ROI

Finishing your attic can definitely improve your home in terms of enjoyment and freedom, but how much value does a finished attic add financially? To answer that question, you’ll need to understand the ROI of attic conversion projects.

The NAR has stated that attic conversion is more costly than many other interior renovation projects. But that’s not the whole story: this work also excels in terms of cost recovery. Homeowners can expect to recover about 75% of the money they spend converting an unfinished attic into living space.

As if directly increasing your home’s value wasn’t enough, attic conversion is an ideal time to inspect your attic’s insulation and replace it if it isn’t where it should be. By doing that (and air sealing your home), you can cut your heating and cooling costs by 15%.

What Building Codes Should Finished Attics Meet?

If you want to reap the full financial benefits of converting your attic, you’ll need to make sure it counts as a habitable space. That means your attic must comply with building codes.

The specific building codes you’ll need to follow during your attic conversion project will vary depending on where you live. Still, there’s a good chance you’ll need to think about:

  • Fire safety. Finished attics need fire-resistant material, smoke detectors, and (if you’re using this space as a bedroom) an egress window.
  • Floor space. Seventy square feet of usable floor space is a good starting point for attic conversion projects.
  • Ceiling height. At a minimum, 50% of your attic’s floor area should have seven-foot ceilings. You’ll also want to have at least a 7/12 roof pitch.
  • Structural integrity. If you hire a structural engineer for your attic project, they’ll be able to ensure your attic can handle the extra weight introduced by this work.
  • Ease of access. Finally, your attic should have a permanent staircase that has handrails.

Why You Need to Hire Attic Experts for Remodeling

If you pride yourself on being crafty, you may have already done DIY projects in your attic before. But remodeling an attic isn’t like installing insulation or sealing air gaps in this space. Instead, a top-to-bottom attic conversion calls for a high level of technical knowledge and experience.

Though some homeowners fit this description, many more don’t. If you aren’t 100% sure you’re up to the task of remodeling your attic, it’s a good idea to hire professionals to tackle this job for you. When you do, you’ll get exactly what you want from your attic space, along with the knowledge that you’re adding as much value as possible to your house.

Add Value to Your Home with Attic Conversion

How much value does a finished attic add to a home? If you’re like most homeowners, it’s safe to assume the answer to that question is “a lot.” And if you’re ready to start enjoying these benefits, Attic Projects has you covered.

Attic Projects’ in-house professionals are licensed and bonded, meaning they’re fully qualified to convert your attic into living space. Getting started is as simple as contacting us today!