by Mary Butler

Space always seems to be an issue in homes, especially older homes that were built before closet space was something people cared about. If you're in the market for a room addition, before you pour a new foundation next to your home, consider looking upstairs to the attic. When you're able to eliminate the expense of building exterior walls and adding a foundation, a room addition becomes much more affordable.  

 

Attics can easily be converted for a number of uses, such as child's bedroom, a den, or even a rental apartment. But first, determine whether your attic is a good candidate for a room addition.

·         Consider hiring a home inspector to check whether the floor of your attic is structurally adequate to function as a room--if it's not, it will have to be reinforced, adding to the cost of the job. 

·         Does your attic have enough headroom or will it need dormers?

·         Is your attic insulated? And is it wired for electricity?

·         Do you plan to add a bathroom?

·         How will you access your attic space? Are there stairs or will you need to add them?

 

The more basic your attic is, the more it will cost to convert your attic into a usable space. Another option for adding space to your house is to look downstairs. Basements are often great candidates for a family room addition. While you might need to add electrical wiring, plumbing, drywall, and flooring, converting a basement is another cost effective way to add space.  

 

RemodelorMove.com, Finish an Attic