Austin Attic Remodeling

Austin attic remodels aren't nearly as popular as bathroom or kitchen remodels for good reason. Austin attic remodeling is notoriously difficult because nearly all Austin homes have attics full of ductwork. Many homeowners look into this project and immediately think it's simply not feasible. The fact is, you can still renovate your attic and improve both insulation and ventilation for your entire home. If you do have your heart set on a livable attic space, it's not impossible by any means (no matter how cluttered your attic is with ductwork).

Attic Remodeling in Austin and Ductless Air Conditioning
The first step for most Austin attic remodels isn't remodeling the attic at all, but installing ductless air conditioning. We all know Austin summers are brutal, so you may be reluctant to tamper with your air conditioning. AC systems, though, don't last forever, and if it's been around for a while, this might be the perfect opportunity to install a new system.

Austin Ductless Air Conditioning
Ductless air conditioning is created by an outdoor air compressor, refrigerated coils that exchange warm and cool air, and small, quiet indoor distribution units. These systems have several advantages. There's no need to clean filthy ducts that ruin indoor air quality, and you don't waste energy cooling and moving air through ducts in the super-hot attic of your Austin home. Ductless air conditioning is easy-to-install and can be divided into different zones, allowing you to control the temperature throughout your home. An Austin ductless air conditioning system is going to cost you somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,000-$5,000 depending on the size of your home. That's on par with replacing the system you have now with a new model that is similar in design. Of course, if you're going to do something with your attic, you'll also have to remove the old duct system. This, however, is a natural part of any attic renovation.

Austin Attic Renovation
If you don't like the idea of removing your ductwork, maybe what you want from your Austin attic renovation isn't living space at all, but improved energy-efficiency in your home. It still won't be any picnic for your Austin attic renovation contractor, but you can usually install blown-in attic insulation and roof vents without throwing your current ductwork and central air into total upheaval. In this way, you can help your utility bill, do your part for the environment, and maintain good indoor air quality.

Cost of an Austin Attic Remodeling
There's no one average cost of an Austin attic remodel, as there's no one common attic project in Austin. If you're just trying to get someone up there to throw in extra insulation, you can get in and out for as little as $1,000-$2,000. For insulation and ventilation, add around another $1,000. The price of a full Austin attic remodel can be anywhere from $10,000-$25,000 depending on what you want the space to be. To truly transform your attic into a home office, work space, artist studio, or extra bedroom, plan on spending upwards of $15,000.

As with any major home improvement project, though, you should consider not only your own personal enjoyment, but the added resale value to your home. Here, we're off the page. There are no reliable statistics for attic remodeling in Austin. The conventional wisdom says you're not going to recoup all your expenses, but remember your project includes not only extra living space, but a new central air conditioning system as well. Plus, since a typical Austin home doesn't have a basement or livable attic, chances are you're going to have the only home in the neighborhood with this type of space. In fact, this Austin home remodeling project can very well be the thing that sells your home to a potential buyer.

Project Length of an Austin Attic Renovation
An Austin attic insulation project is probably only going to take 2-4 days to complete. A more comprehensive insulation, roof vent, and duct cleaning project is going to take the better part of a week. Meanwhile, a full Austin attic renovation complete with new floors, wall coverings, and a new central air conditioning system is going to involve several weeks of labor intensive work. You may not have to vacate your home during this project, but expect significant inconveniences. Trust that, in the end, the trouble will be worth it.