Are you finally utilizing your attic to create additional living space in your home? From guest bedrooms to at-home offices, your attic holds so much potential for expanding functionality. However, there are a number of steps you should take before scheduling your attic remodel service. Here are eight essential steps you can carry out to ensure a successful attic remodeling!

Step 1: Building Permits

The first step of an attic remodel is to check your local permitting office to see if you need a permit. Permits are usually only required if you’re adding electrical wiring or ventilation, or if the structure of your home will change. You can check out additional information about Minnesota’s permitting requirements here.

Step 2: Understand Its Purpose

Knowing exactly what you plan to use your attic for will help you design an accurate layout for your remodel. Take close note of your attic’s available square footage, ceiling height, and window accessibility to determine whether your vision can truly come to life.

Step 3: Calculate Your ROI

In order to make your remodel as effective as possible, you’ll want to consider your project’s return on investment. 

Take a moment to think about how much the new space will actually be used. Are you planning on renting out the additional space? Are you in need of an area to host frequent guests? Will the attic become an at-home office that you plan to use nearly every day? These are all circumstances where your attic remodeling project will have a noteworthy return on investment! 

Remodeling an attic can cost between $12,000-$30,000, depending on the scope of work. However, it is possible to recoup about 62% of your investment if you remodel your attic.

Step 4: Consider Building Codes

There are a variety of building codes you’ll need your new living space to follow. However, adhering to these guidelines isn’t always easy for the nonprofessional. If you want to ensure your remodel will meet all building codes, hire a trained contractor to keep your project consistent with various building codes. 

Most building codes require the following:

●        Have at least 7 feet of vertical clearance in the majority of the room

●        Be a minimum of 7 feet wide

●        Have at least 70 square feet of space

●        Can be accessed by a full-size staircase

●        Have an emergency exit, like an accessible window

Step 5: Clean Out Your Attic

Now that you have a permit and know what you want, the next step is to clean out your attic. Whether it is already a room or currently used for storage, it’s essential to ensure it’s clean of excess stuff, like old junk, decorations, or extra building materials.
If you’re adding new insulation, you may also want to remove the old insulation. If your current insulation is still relatively new and in good shape, you can install a subfloor over the top of it.

Step 6: Heating and Cooling

While considering how you want to transform your attic space, you should also consider heating and ventilation needs. You may need to upgrade your heating and cooling system if your current system can’t handle the additional square footage. Another option is to install a ceiling fan, which is useful in both warm and cool weather. 

Step 7: Plumbing

Are you planning on adding a bathroom or sink to your attic? Maximize your new area’s safety and performance by hiring a professional plumber to ensure all your plumbing needs are met with accuracy and efficiency. After all, when your remodel is complete, you won’t want to deal with faulty plumbing issues down the road. 

If possible, it’s a good idea to set your bathroom above an existing bathroom on a lower floor or above the kitchen. Since those rooms already have plumbing, installing a bathroom above those spaces is much easier.

Step 8: Electrical Needs

After your attic is up to code and you have the proper permits, your contractor can focus on adding or rewriting the electrical system in the attic. This type of work is not safe for an untrained person, as you can run the risk of electrical fires. Intelligent Design Corp can ensure your new electrical system is safely and properly installed.

Contact Intelligent Design Corp for Professional Attic Remodeling Services

Intelligent Design Corp provides professional attic remodeling services for homeowners in Minnesota. We bring five-star reviews and exceptional attention to detail to every remodeling project we take on! From the windows to flooring, we’ll ensure every aspect of your new living space meets your expectations. Start your remodel off with a free quote and give us a call at 763-315-0745.