Detroit Attic Remodeling: How to Fire on all Cylinders

Detroit attic remodels share many of the same benefits as their structural opposite, the basement. The biggest benefit is being able to add more living space in your home for a fraction of the cost of home addition. The space and current condition of an attic can range from prohibitively small to previously converted. As such, no two attic projects are the same. Yet, no matter what the scope or aim of your attic project, chances are you're heading toward one of the best and most dramatic home improvements you can make.

For Attic Renovation in Detroit Think about Bedrooms
Many homeowners look at their attic space and think home office, home gym, artist studio, gaming room, etc. When it comes to the design and procedure of remodeling, however, you'll want to ensure your attic can also function as a viable bedroom. This typically includes a suitable fire exit and sufficient ceiling clearance. Once these basic requirements are met, you can then begin to customize your space with various electrical, lighting, and plumbing installations, such as artistic lighting, a wet bar, and being able to hear the doorbell.

Of course, these are just building code considerations, and an attic conversion that meets standards for a bedroom can still be used for virtually any purpose imaginable. Plus, if you know what you want and need to save some money on the initial cost of the project, you don't necessarily have to follow these building codes. The key is that, when you put the house on the market, being able to advertise an extra bedroom is critical to delivering the amount of money you'll want for the property.

Cost and Value of Detroit Attic Remodeling
Different aspects of attic remodeling have different cost scales. New insulation is likely to run somewhere between $1,000 to $3,000. Attic ventilation might cost an additional $2,000 or so. Modern, easily accessible attic stairs another $1,000. The remodeling process itself can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000, depending on the options, although none of these projects include the possible and considerable cost of primary attic access. If your attic is full of ductwork, roof supports need to be altered, or if you and your contractor simply need a viable staircase to get into and move around in your attic, you're looking at additional costs. Plus, putting all these things together can make the project more complicated and more expensive. Starting from scratch and creating a livable bedroom space in your attic, might cost somewhere between $40,000 to $60,000 by the time it's all said and done.

Many homeowners are concerned or interested in the new value of their home after an improvement is completed, and rightfully so. Much of the cost of a major home improvement can be offset with increased property value and home equity. It's difficult to predict exactly how the housing market, which is sure to rebound at some point, may affect this value both now and in the future. Current projections put the percentage of recouped cost at just less than 70 percent for a bedroom attic remodel. In other words, if you spend $50,000 for a full attic remodel, you're likely to see the value of your home jump by about $35,000. Again, you're unlikely to see the same return on a project that doesn't qualify as a bedroom space.

Finding your Detroit Attic Remodel Contractor
When you ask ServiceMagic to refer local, prescreened contractors, you'll notice there's no attic remodel project task. Rest assured that we have contractors who can perform a first-rate attic remodel. Simply match your needs to the task. If you need a basic Detroit attic renovation, ask for insulation, new vents, and/or attic stairs, all of which are easily found on our website. If you have a reasonably decent attic space, but need to transform it into a living space comparable to a bedroom with drywall and electrical wiring, you should request a bedroom remodel and specify that your remodeling project is for an attic space. If you need fairly extensive attic renovation with plans to top it off with a bedroom remodel, you might consider asking for a general contractor who can coordinate the different aspects of your project.

Selecting your Detroit Attic Remodel Contractor
Whatever your contractor needs, you should seek out multiple estimates even if you need to seek out separate areas of specialty to get the desired level of competition. It's not unusual, for example, for a home improvement contractor to be licensed and/or certified in essentially every area of home construction, but focus on one area of home improvement. This doesn't necessarily mean you can ask for a kitchen remodeling contractor and suddenly throw an attic project at them, but don't get frustrated if at first you don't find what you're looking for. Another great idea to find contractors is to ask other contractors. If you request new attic insulation or attic ventilation and find a contractor you like but who is unable or unwilling to take on a comprehensive attic remodel, you might ask them who they would recommend. In any case, be sure to look at previous customer ratings, like those provided by ServiceMagic, before making a final decision.