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 $47,919 and returns more than 72.9% 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 Pacific area of the country, including Oregon and Hawaii, the return on investment is almost 89%. In the west-north-central states, such as Iowa and Kansas, the return on an attic remodel is about 62%.

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

Job Cost: $47,919
Resale Value: $34,916
Cost recoup: 72.9%

Regional info

New England

Middle Atlantic

South Atlantic

East South Central

West South Central

East North Central

West North Central

Mountain

Pacific