Attic bedroom investment

Attics are penny-wise candidates for remodeling projects because the basic structure—a roof and floor—already exist. Although the pitch of the roof usually dictates sloping interior walls and restricted headroom, people often find these quirky characteristics charming and desirable.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange attic bedroom remodel costs $50,148 and returns more than 72% of the investment, based on national averages.

Attic bedroom requirements

An attic bedroom has special requirements:

  • Stairway from the floor below
  • Interior walls
  • Dormer windows for air, daylight, and emergency egress.

The cost of these projects, plus standard costs for installing heating and cooling systems, finishing surfaces, and adding a bathroom, is about $192/sq. ft.

The return on your investment in an attic remodel varies by region. In the East South Central region of the country, including Tennessee and Mississippi, the return on investment is almost 84%. In the central Midwestern states, such as Iowa and Kansas, the return on an attic remodel is slightly more than 60%.

National average cost, 15x15 ft. attic remodel, with 5x7 ft. bath:

Job Cost: $50,148
Resale Value: $36,346
Cost recoup: 72.5%

Regional info

New England

Middle Atlantic

South Atlantic

East South Central

West South Central

East North Central

West North Central

Mountain

Pacific