The cost to finish an average-sized attic ranges from $7,500 to $35,000. The price could increase if the attic is oddly-shaped or you have elaborate plans for the conversion.
The average cost to finish an attic is $20,000, but it can vary from $7,500 to $35,000 depending on what type of attic you want and the jobs involved. Expect costs between $30 and $60 per square foot for standard tasks including drywalling, adding insulation, and installing a fan, all of which can make an attic a comfortable living space.
Finishing an attic generally costs between $30 and $60 per square foot, including labor and materials. This gives you an average overall cost of $4,000 to $16,000 for the standard sized attic.
Of course, the cost depends on how big your attic is and what type of finish you want. Simply installing drywall, utility flooring, and some basic electrical components to make storage space more inviting would be around $30 per square foot. If you're doing more than just basic refinishing to turn your attic into a true living space, you can pay as much as $200 per square foot.
Attics can suit many purposes, from simple storage to a fully functioning attic living space. Some costs are unavoidable no matter which you choose. For example, you may have to pay the cost of building a staircase if your attic is currently only accessible via a hatch. Bedrooms will require an egress window of at least 5.7 square feet to meet most building regulations.
The costs per type of attic conversion are broken down in the table below:
| Attic Conversion Type | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Office | $10,000–$40,000 |
| Bedroom | $9,000–$65,000 |
| Bathroom | $9,800–$56,000 |
| Primary bedroom suite | $27,000–$80,000 |
| Storage space | $4,800–$22,000 |
| Walk-up attic | $6,600–$25,500 |
| Above-garage bonus room | $4,600–$24,000 |
| Dormer addition | $8,000–$30,000 |
| Loft conversion | $10,000–$75,000 |
For most of the tasks involved in finishing an attic, you'll want to hire a local remodeling contractor specializing in attic conversion. General contractor fees make up about 10% to 20% of a project's total price, which amounts to about $300 to $500 per day plus $150 to $250 per day for each additional laborer.
A general contractor may perform or oversee tasks such as drywalling, which costs $2,100, subflooring installation, which costs $3 to $10 per square foot, floor joist repair, which costs $6,000, painting, which costs $2 to $6 per square foot, and adding dormer windows, which costs $12,000 each.
[For a home addition], we charge piece-by-piece for the project, then we add our profit and overhead. For example, lumber for the project, permits, demolition, electrical, plumbing, and drywall. I add them up and then add our profit and overhead. On smaller jobs, we work by the hour and then add the material on top of that.
No matter how you finish your attic, you'll likely want electricity. Even the most basic storage space will likely benefit from lighting, especially if you don't already have windows. Expect to pay $750 to $3,200 to hire an electrician for your attic finishing project.
Installing new wiring: $600 to $2,200
Installing outlets: $300 each
Installing light fixtures: $500 each
You may need to extend your home's HVAC system to reach your attic. In this case, an HVAC technician can perform the following tasks:
Adding ductwork: $1 to $3 per square foot
Attic insulation: $2,500
Mini-split installation: $3,000
One reason for the wide range in attic finishing costs is that many factors can influence the total price. As you budget, consider how demolition, prep, permits, and décor may impact your project cost.
Whenever you remodel a space, expect some interior demolition costs of $2 to $8 per square foot. Demolition allows you to start from scratch on your design. Once demolition is complete, have your attic space inspected for pests. Pest control costs $50 to $500 depending on the extent of the problem.
You'll likely need building permits if your attic finishing project involves any of the following:
Conversion to a living space
The addition of electrical or plumbing components
New windows or fans
Expect permit costs of anywhere from $100 to $1,500 or more, depending on your local regulations and the amount of work you plan to do. Contact your local building department for specific cost information.
Some attic conversions require structural updates, especially if the attic is oddly shaped or difficult to access. If you need to add height, extend space, or build a staircase, consider hiring a local structural engineer. They'll ensure your home can safely support the additional load from building materials, fixtures, and furniture. The cost to hire a structural engineer is $400 to $800.
If one of your goals for your finished attic is to add a bathroom, expect to pay $1,000 to $10,000 for the plumbing alone. Here are some common plumbing costs.
Rough-in plumbing: $6,500
Installing a toilet: $400
Installing a sink: $450
Installing a shower: $8,000
On average, it may cost you around $10,000 to finish an attack yourself. You could pay as little as $300 to create a simple storage space with an attic fan or upward of $50,000 for the materials needed to build a luxurious primary suite.
Either way, unless you're experienced with remodeling work, we highly recommend consulting with a professional contractor for tasks including window and dormer installation, electrical, plumbing, and expanding square footage.
As you plan your attic finishing project, you'll likely hear and see the terms remodel and renovation. Each carries a different meaning, and the path you choose will influence your costs.
| Attic Remodel | Attic Renovation |
|---|---|
| Change attic structure and function | Clear out attic to enhance look |
| Add plumbing, electrical, HVAC, walls, windows, and flooring | Repair damage and remove pests |
| Costs are moderate to high | Costs are low to moderate |
In most cases, finishing an attic is an investment in your home that can raise its value by at least 50%. Attic conversions can also increase the square footage of your home and the number of bedrooms or bathrooms.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
You can convert your attic into a living space as long as your local building codes allow. Most codes require a living space to include properly sized egress windows and a certain height or square footage. You can often increase the height of a space by adding dormers or raising the roof.
It is generally more affordable to finish a basement than an attic, though it ultimately depends on how you plan to use the space. The average cost to finish a basement ranges from $7 to $23 per square foot, while attic renovation costs $30 to $60 per square foot. However, a simple attic conversion to a storage space will cost significantly less.
