Loft conversion costs range from $9,000 to $34,500, with an average of $20,000 depending on size and function.
Converting a loft can add value and more usable space to your home. The average loft conversion cost ranges from $9,000 to $34,500 to remodel an existing loft, with most homeowners spending an average of $20,000. However, prices can climb to $67,600 for the design and creation of a new loft using high-end materials. Learn all the loft conversion cost factors and ways to manage your project’s budget.
A loft conversion can mean different things to different homeowners. For some, the project may involve renovating or remodeling an existing loft space. To others, a loft conversion means opening up attic space to add living square footage. This second idea can often include altering the home's roofline by adding a dormer.
The average cost to finish an attic and turn it into a living space is between $10,000 and $50,000. The wide range is due to the large number of variables involved. Loft conversion has a similarly wide cost range and can include even more variables, depending on whether you're converting an existing space or adding a new one.
The most significant factor when determining the cost of a loft conversion project is the purpose of the space. The steps and cost when converting a loft into a bedroom are quite different than if you aim to simply add storage space.
Additionally, while the cost difference between creating a home office and a workout space can vary quite a bit, if the plan involves plumbing, such as when adding a bedroom suite with a bathroom, the price will increase dramatically.
Here's a look at the average per-square-foot costs of loft conversion based on its use. Remember that other factors can heavily influence the normal cost ranges.
| Loft Use | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Bedroom | $50–$110 |
| Bedroom with bathroom | $70–$335 |
| Home office | $50–$125 |
| Gym | $40–$100 |
| Storage | $35–$115 |
While the size of your loft conversion matters in terms of pricing, the correlation between size and cost can be misleading.
Alterations to the roof, the condition of an existing loft or attic, insulation needs, and material choices can mean that a 150-square-foot loft conversion can cost as much as a 500-square-foot one, depending on the specifics of the job.
Use the size of your conversion project as a starting point to help you gauge its scope and cost as you plan.
Materials are often the number one cost factor in any major home project and can represent 40% to 50% of a project's price tag. However, because most loft conversions deal with a smaller space than many other types of remodeling or renovation projects, material costs for loft conversions fall on the lower end of that scale.
That said, choosing lower-cost materials, such as an inexpensive carpet over a real-wood floor, can shave hundreds or even thousands off the project price. This fact holds true for many of the materials you'll use in your conversion, with the exception of rough-in electrical, plumbing, and HVAC if those are part of the plan.
Most homeowners will include the cost of hiring an architect in their loft conversion plans. Having an architect's drawings and plans can ease the permit application process. The blueprints will also ensure that each tradesperson on the job knows precisely what to do. Finally, an architect can often supply ideas for the space that many homeowners might not think of. Expect the cost of having an architect to range from $2,000 to $6,000.
Because loft conversions are often relatively small, it may also make sense to budget for the cost of an interior designer. Doing so can cost between $50 and $200 per hour, but it could be the difference between just adding another room and creating a truly functional living space.
For many loft conversions, especially when the plans call for altering the home's roof, your municipality may require an attic inspection and a signature on the building plans from a structural engineer before issuing the required building permit. In fact, the city may require the engineer to review the entire project and the existing house structure.
Expect the average cost of hiring a structural engineer to be between $70 and $250 per hour. Hiring one may not only be necessary, but it's also a good idea to ensure the home's structure can handle the added stresses of a new living space.
In most situations, a carpenter will be necessary when converting your loft. The average cost to hire a carpenter is between $75 and $100 per hour, with the exception of cabinetry installation prices or other specialty work that often has pricing that varies from that range.
The loft space you're converting may or may not already have adequate HVAC. However, in most cases, you'll need to add it by rerouting ductwork, installing a mini-split system, or opting for a window air conditioner.
Mini-split system installation costs: $2,000–$14,500
HVAC duct rerouting costs: $1,500–$9,000
Window air conditioner costs: $140–$525 each
If your loft conversion plans call for a bathroom installation, you'll need a plumber to run supply and drain lines for fixture installations. However, even if you're not adding a bathroom in your loft, hiring a plumber may be necessary to move existing lines and vent pipes to accommodate the new space. This case is especially true if the loft will be in an existing attic space. Here are some costs to consider.
Rough-in plumbing for a bathroom costs: $1,600–$2,900
Installing a sink costs: $220–$645
Shower installation costs: $500–$3,000
Toilet installation costs: $225–$535
Faucet installation costs: $160–$365 each
Plumbing vent rerouting costs: $900–$3,000
Most loft conversions will include updating electrical fixtures or adding new wiring, outlets, and features. The costs for an electrician's services will depend on the scope of the electrical work. Because of the new electrical demands that can come when converting a loft, you may also need to have an electrician install a subpanel for the space.
Outlet installation costs: $130–$300 each
Installing a light fixture costs: $155–$955 each
Installing a dedicated circuit costs: $570–$1,000
Adding a subpanel costs: $400–$2,000
The amount of insulation you'll need to install for your loft conversion depends on the scope of the rest of the project. For an existing loft, no further insulation may be necessary. On the other hand, altering the roof or attic may require the addition of a substantial amount of insulation. There are several types of insulation to choose from, and one may be better than others, depending on the climate and building code requirements in your location.
| Insulation Type | Average Cost Range (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Fiberglass batt | $0.30–$1.50 |
| Spray foam | $1.25–$5 |
| Rock wool | $1.40–$4 |
| Rigid foamboard | $1–$1.50 |
Another cost that's at least partially dependent on the scope of your loft conversion project is drywall installation. The cost of professional drywall installation, including materials and labor, is about $1.50 to $3 per square foot of wall and ceiling. More challenging installations, such as ones on angled ceilings and in small spaces common in loft situations, can cost more due to the extra time it takes to complete the work.
Unless your new loft is strictly for storage and you cover the walls with a durable material other than drywall, it will require some finishing work. Paint, wallpaper, paneling, and tile are common finishes.
Painting costs: $2.75–$4.70 per square foot
Wallpapering costs: $315–$820
Tile installation costs: $5–$45 per square foot
Paneling installation costs: $1–$40 per square foot
Choosing a flooring material for your new loft may come down to both functionality and price. Fortunately, most loft conversions are somewhat small in comparison to the rest of the house, so prices might not be as shocking as expected. You can save even more cash if you're able to reuse existing material or opt for less expensive varieties of attic flooring.
| Flooring Material | Average Cost Per 100 Square Feet |
|---|---|
| Carpet | $350–$1,100 |
| Tile | $1,500–$2,000 |
| Wood | $600–$2,500 |
| Engineered wood | $450–$1,600 |
| Laminate | $300–$1,300 |
| Vinyl | $200–$1,400 |
Managing your loft conversion project yourself can shave significant dollars off the price of hiring a general contractor to perform the work. However, hiring one offers numerous benefits, including their expertise, which can save money in the long run by ensuring proper construction overall.
Hiring a general contractor adds between 10% and 40% of the total price of materials and labor to the project's cost. However, many homeowners find that the price is well worth the time they save by handing the project off to a pro.
Several other loft conversion cost factors exist regardless of the size, use, or structure of your new space.
Whether or not you need to make structural changes to the home, there's plenty of work that needs to be completed before a loft conversion can begin. If you are making roofing or structural changes, at least some level of demolition will be necessary. Expect costs of between $50 and $100 per hour for demolition or other prep work.
Your loft conversion will require obtaining building and mechanical permits for the work. Another benefit of hiring a general contractor is that they will get and manage the necessary permits for you as part of the contract. Should you choose to get them yourself, expect costs of between $500 and $3,000 for the building permit. Additional mechanical permits, depending on the scope of the project will cost between $10 and $500 each.
Once your new living space is converted, you can hire a construction cleanup service to handle all of the remaining dust and debris. The cost of construction cleanup ranges from $140 to $700.
If your’re financing this home addition project, remember to add the cost of borrowing the money, such as monthly interest and principal payments, to the price of the endeavor. Remember that borrowing from an investment account can also carry costs in terms of reduced returns.
You can certainly save money by performing many of the tasks involved in converting a loft. However, some tasks, such as HVAC installation, require that a licensed professional do the work. That said, most other jobs are possible as DIY projects or by acting as your own contractor.
However, managing a long list of tradespeople and inspectors is difficult, as is doing much of the work yourself. While it's possible to cut costs by up to 40% by not hiring a contractor, doing so isn't worth the trouble for most homeowners.
We recommend hiring a local remodeling contractor for your loft conversion for many reasons. Your contractor will perform all of the following functions, so you don't have to.
Take care of all permits and inspections
Ensure tradespeople and subcontractors receive payment on time
Schedule subcontractors
Ensure the new and existing structure meets modern building codes
Deal with problems as they happen
Provide a warranty for the work
Clean up when the job is complete
If your home has an existing loft, you may face a decision to remodel it by making significant changes to improve its functionality or renovate it to add some updated touches and give it a fresh new feel.
While the cost of remodeling the space is often more than renovating it, the outcome can be the difference that makes one more worth it than the other. A loft remodel will cost a minimum of roughly $7,000, while a renovation with new flooring, paint, and maybe some new furniture can cost around $1,000 if you're willing to add some elbow grease.
Remodeling can completely change the layout and functionality of the space.
Updating old electrical or plumbing is easily possible when walls are open.
You have the potential to add a dormer and more floor space.
Remodeling includes the option of adding a bathroom.
Renovations often cost far less than remodeling.
Simple renovations may not require building permits and inspections.
A renovation can make the space feel new even though the primary structure still exists.
It’s a repeatable project that can happen when updating is necessary again.
Loft renovation costs are highly variable based on numerous factors. For that reason, there are several ways you can reduce the total price of the project.
Perform some of the work yourself. Prep work, painting, and even drywalling are good candidates for places to save cash.
Consider using discounted, upcycled, or recycled materials where possible. Discuss this money-saving method with your contractor first, though, to ensure compatibility and whether some products are usable.
If budgeting is a concern, consider reducing the scope of the project. Ideas like avoiding work in areas where plumbing exists can lower one aspect of the job.
Consider scaling back on custom finishes in exchange for off-the-shelf versions of features like cabinets and shelving.
Anytime you add stylish and functional living space to a house, its value is likely to increase. Loft conversions not only can add living space but can do so with popular appeal, which is also good for selling. Many homeowners who add, remodel, or renovate their loft spaces realize returns of between 10% and 20%.
Despite all of the excellent reasons to convert or add a loft to your home, there are some reasons you may choose to avoid the project or do a different project instead. Loft conversions can increase the home's value, but not as much as some other remodeling jobs. If high ROI projects are important to you, replacing doors and garage doors, upgrading the deck, or replacing windows can all cost less than a loft conversion and can earn higher returns.
Adding an extension or addition to your home costs more than a loft conversion in all but the rarest cases where the home's structural integrity is lacking. Because a home addition requires a new foundation section or significant structural upgrades to handle a cantilevered portion, the cost compared to almost any loft conversion is significantly greater for the same square footage.
