If you want more livable space in your home and don’t want to spend too much money on expanding, then there’s a more cost-effective way to do it. Attic conversions in Houston are becoming more popular with homeowners since it serves as the perfect solution for this kind of dilemma. If you’re willing to convert your attic from a mere storage room into a comfortable living space, then here’s a useful guide for you.

What are the Benefits of Converting Your Attic?

Like any home remodeling project, there are costs and benefits associated with it, and converting your attic is no exception. Here’s how you can benefit from transforming your attic:

New Living Space and Good ROI

Since your attic already has a structure in place with a floor and roof, it’s significantly cheaper to renovate than second-story additions. This is a great option, especially for homeowners who’d like to expand but are unable to because of limited space.

Add Extra Income

If you’re not doing the conversion for personal use, then renting it out is also a great idea. You can add a totally new room in the house that you can rent out with just a fraction of the cost of adding a new section on your property.

Does Your Attic Qualify for a Conversion?

You need to first check your local building code to make sure your attic qualifies for a conversion. Some specifications will change depending on where you’re located and your local municipality’s building regulations.

There’s no reason to worry if you happen to don’t meet the code requirements right now. You just need to work on a few more things in your renovation to make your attic qualified to be converted into a living space.

The first consideration would be the ceiling height, which needs to be at least 7 feet. If your attic happens to be shorter than this, you can either lower the ceiling on the lower level or raise your roof. It may seem costly and difficult to execute, but it can be done with the help of a general contractor.

The second code requirement is heating and cooling systems. Building code requires your attic to maintain a certain temperature, which can be easily done by tweaking your HVAC settings or adjusting your attic’s insulation.

What Are the Costs of Converting?

The size of your attic will greatly influence the cost of the renovation. It’s also essential to consider the value of your home and consider the ROI when you convert your attic.

To get a good idea of how much budget you should set aside for the conversion, you calculate a proportionate amount to your home’s current value. For example, if your entire property is valued at around $175,000, you should invest no more than $26,000 for the renovation. Anything more than that may be too much, and your ROI may suffer if you need to sell your home in the future.

Your attic being qualified for conversion is actually a good thing. If it’s already code-friendly, you won’t need to renovate much of your attic, saving you a lot of money. 

Don’t forget to include any new furniture and fixtures in your budget. A new living space usually requires a new set of furniture to complete its look and function. 

Conclusion

When converting an attic into a living space, you need to consider a couple of things, including the cost and if the attic doesn’t violate any building codes. If all goes according to plan, then you’ll have a newly renovated room in no time. Attic conversions are perhaps one of the most cost-effective ways home remodeling projects any homeowner can think of.

Why take a chance with a contractor without experience doing renovations? If you’re starting a home improvement project, it’s best to trust someone with experience like Incredible Homes & Renovations. We are one of Houston’s best home remodeling contractors, providing kitchen and bathroom remodeling, second-story additions, and attic conversion services. Schedule a free estimate today!