Chicago Attic Remodeling

Homeowners across the globe are always looking for ways to improve their property. Here in the U.S. we, as a society, are always on the lookout for the projects that will not only make our day-to-day living more enjoyable, but will also add value to our homes. Kitchen and bathroom remodels are two of the most common and often most valuable home improvement projects on the market today, but when it comes to expanding living space, neither offers very much.

If what you're looking for is an additional bedroom, a guest room, a new living area, or a suitable home office, it's a good idea to look within your house before you start looking at the space around it. In most major cities in the U.S. (including Chicago) attic remodeling is often a viable option for households that need a bit of extra living space, but don't have enough room on their property for a traditional add-on. Along with basement renovation and garage conversions, attic remodels use the space you've already got to a different and fuller extent, and will raise the value of your property, too.

Benefits of Attic Remodeling in Chicago
Chicago attic remodels are, in some ways, better options than basement or garage renovations. Though basements are generally larger and a bit more versatile, attics are far easier to make "cozy" and lack some of the obstacles that are common when finishing a basement. When compared to garage conversion, Chicago attic renovation is often more convenient. In a city where weather and crime are likely to cause damage to your vehicle, it's easy to see why residents who already have a garage would be reluctant to give it up.

When compared to a conventional addition, an attic remodel makes practical sense. While adding on basically requires starting a room from scratch, many of the structural elements necessary for a completed room are already in place in your attic. This means that not only will the project take less time than an addition will, but even with the new stairs, insulation, or wiring that might be part of the job, it will also cost less.

Chicago Attic Renovation and Central Air Conditioning
One major drawback to turning your attic into a useable room occurs in homes with central air conditioning. As many homeowners already know, the ductwork for central AC can take up just about all of the space an attic has to offer. If your attic is full of ductwork, this will certainly factor into a decision to remodel it.

If you have an AC system in place but it is old and probably in need of replacement anyway, installing a newer, smaller system might allow you to remodel your attic and make your cooling costs more manageable in the process. Mini-duct and ductless air conditioning systems will do a great job cooling your home in the summer, but will also save enough space to make your attic remodel practical.

Costs of Chicago Attic Remodels
Cost effectiveness is probably the biggest selling point of attic remodeling. Chicago residents looking to add a master bedroom can expect a bill of about $115,000 on average, while those adding a family room average close to $90,000. Chicago attic renovations, on the other hand, average less than $55,000. Additionally, a remodeled attic generally recovers about 84 percent of construction costs in resale value. When you compare that to 80 percent for basement remodels, and 77 percent for family room additions, Chicago attic remodeling is a pretty desirable option.