Attics in older homes in The City of Roses probably don't smell nearly as sweet as the gardens in their lawns. As a Portland homeowner, you should know that your attic is one of the biggest potential disaster areas in your home, but also one of the best opportunities for improving the livable space of your home and its resale value. Whether you need to ensure that your attic isn't being attacked by rainwater, moisture, and/or mold or whether you're looking to convert your attic into a new and dynamic area of your home, if you're looking for a new home improvement project and haven't touched your attic, you've found a gem in the home improvement industry.
Portland Attic Renovation and Mold Remediation
Nowhere is there greater distinction between attic renovation and attic remodeling than in Portland. With the high moisture and precipitation levels of the Pacific Northwest, mold is inevitably a constant danger, and the most common place to experience mold is in the attic. Poor ventilation, plumbing problems, and roof leaks can all cause moisture to saturate your attic area, the key ingredient to mold growth. Many homes have self-contained attics, which means mold won't present any immediate health problems, but it can also go unnoticed for extended periods of time. If left unchecked for long enough, you might be looking at an entirely new roof, along with your attic renovation and mold removal. If you have an older home with an attic that hasn't seen daylight in a while, it's a good idea to have your home inspected for mold.
Beautiful Portland Attic Remodels
The biggest decision you'll need to make for your attic conversion is whether or not you have the space and the desire to turn your attic into a bedroom. Bedroom attics require a certain amount of clearance and, more importantly, a fire exit to meet building code requirements. These may seem like unnecessary hoops to jump through, but they'll be worth it in the end, as the real kick in resale value comes from having the extra bedroom in your home. Once you've decided to remodel your attic, you'll need to plan on installing stable flooring, insulation, heating, and anything else you'll need for your new attic space. Electrical wiring is common. Some homeowners go all out and spring for plumbing.
Cost of Portland Attic Remodeling and Renovation
No two attic projects are exactly the same. Some aren't even in the same category. Mold removal in your attic can cost as little as a few hundred dollars. Most of these projects, however, tend to cost more like a few thousand by the time you fix the underlying cause of your mold. As always, talk to several different contractors to make sure you're getting the best quote for quality work, but at the end of the day, this isn't the type of project you should pass on because of cost. The cost of leaving mold unchecked will always be higher.
You can get a basic attic remodel completed for as little as $10,000 to $20,000, but be warned: These remodels won't offer the same comfort, functional use, or resale value. In Portland, full attic bedroom remodels typically run around $45,000 to $50,000, but also provide a resale value of around 94 percent. This means for a $48,000 Portland attic remodel, you can expect to see about a $45,000 return when it comes time to sell your home.
Portland Attic Remodeling Contractors
If you need some type of attic work, you'll notice that ServiceMagic doesn't have a specific task for attic remodeling. Rest assured that we have experienced contractors for Portland attic remodeling and renovation. Simply choose the task associated with your attic project needs and specify the work is for your attic. In other words, if you think you have mold in your attic, make a request for mold removal or inspection. If you want to convert your attic into a bedroom, make a request for a bedroom remodel. For large, complicated jobs, you might also consider talking to one of our general contractors who can manage several attic projects at once.

Marcus Pickett is a professional freelance writer for the home remodeling industry. He has published more than 600 articles on both regional and national topics within the home improvement industry.