How Much Does It Cost to Finish an Attic? [2025 Data]

Normal Range: $7,500 - $35,000

The cost to finish an average-sized attic ranges from $7,500 to $35,000. The price could increase if the attic is oddly-shaped or you have elaborate plans for the conversion.

How we get this data
fully furnished attic living room
Photo: Westend61 / Getty Images
fully furnished attic living room
Photo: Westend61 / Getty Images
Highlights
  • Finishing your attic for storage space costs about $30 per square foot while turning it into additional living space could cost $200 per square foot or more.

  • Finishing a basement for additional living space is often far more cost-effective than an attic. 

  • The most expensive aspects are adding plumbing, running electrical wires, or expanding HVAC.

  • A dormer costs about $12,000 each but greatly impacts appeal and comfort.

  • Save costs by handling all finishing touches yourself, like painting or wallpaper.

The average cost to finish an attic is $20,000, but it can vary from $7,500 to $35,000 depending on what type of attic you want and the jobs involved. Expect costs between $30 and $60 per square foot for standard tasks including drywalling, adding insulation, and installing a fan, all of which can make an attic a comfortable living space.

How Much Does It Cost to Finish an Attic per Square Foot?

Finishing an attic generally costs between $30 and $60 per square foot, including labor and materials. This gives you an average overall cost of $4,000 to $16,000 for the standard sized attic.

Of course, the cost depends on how big your attic is and what type of finish you want. Simply installing drywall, utility flooring, and some basic electrical components to make storage space more inviting would be around $30 per square foot. If you're doing more than just basic refinishing to turn your attic into a true living space, you can pay as much as $200 per square foot.

Cost to Finish an Attic by Type of Conversion

Attics can suit many purposes, from simple storage to a fully functioning attic living space. Some costs are unavoidable no matter which you choose. For example, you may have to pay the cost of building a staircase if your attic is currently only accessible via a hatch. Bedrooms will require an egress window of at least 5.7 square feet to meet most building regulations.

The costs per type of attic conversion are broken down in the table below:

Attic Conversion TypeCost Range
Office$10,000–$40,000
Bedroom$9,000–$65,000
Bathroom$9,800–$56,000
Primary bedroom suite$27,000–$80,000
Storage space$4,800–$22,000
Walk-up attic$6,600–$25,500
Above-garage bonus room$4,600–$24,000
Dormer addition$8,000–$30,000
Loft conversion$10,000–$75,000

General Contractor Cost 

For most of the tasks involved in finishing an attic, you'll want to hire a local remodeling contractor specializing in attic conversion. General contractor fees make up about 10% to 20% of a project's total price, which amounts to about $300 to $500 per day plus $150 to $250 per day for each additional laborer. 

A general contractor may perform or oversee tasks such as drywalling, which costs $2,100, subflooring installation, which costs $3 to $10 per square foot, floor joist repair, which costs $6,000, painting, which costs $2 to $6 per square foot, and adding dormer windows, which costs $12,000 each.

Pro Tip

[For a home addition], we charge piece-by-piece for the project, then we add our profit and overhead. For example, lumber for the project, permits, demolition, electrical, plumbing, and drywall. I add them up and then add our profit and overhead. On smaller jobs, we work by the hour and then add the material on top of that.

Ken Bennett
General Contractor, Home Experts, LLC

Electrician Costs 

No matter how you finish your attic, you'll likely want electricity. Even the most basic storage space will likely benefit from lighting, especially if you don't already have windows. Expect to pay $750 to $3,200 to hire an electrician for your attic finishing project.

HVAC Technician Costs 

You may need to extend your home's HVAC system to reach your attic. In this case, an HVAC technician can perform the following tasks:

Additional Cost Factors

One reason for the wide range in attic finishing costs is that many factors can influence the total price. As you budget, consider how demolition, prep, permits, and décor may impact your project cost.

Demolition and Prep 

Whenever you remodel a space, expect some interior demolition costs of $2 to $8 per square foot. Demolition allows you to start from scratch on your design. Once demolition is complete, have your attic space inspected for pests. Pest control costs $50 to $500 depending on the extent of the problem.

Permits 

You'll likely need building permits if your attic finishing project involves any of the following:

  • Conversion to a living space

  • The addition of electrical or plumbing components

  • New windows or fans

Expect permit costs of anywhere from $100 to $1,500 or more, depending on your local regulations and the amount of work you plan to do. Contact your local building department for specific cost information.

Structural Engineering 

Some attic conversions require structural updates, especially if the attic is oddly shaped or difficult to access. If you need to add height, extend space, or build a staircase, consider hiring a local structural engineer. They'll ensure your home can safely support the additional load from building materials, fixtures, and furniture. The cost to hire a structural engineer is $400 to $800.

Plumbing

If one of your goals for your finished attic is to add a bathroom, expect to pay $1,000 to $10,000 for the plumbing alone. Here are some common plumbing costs.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

On average, it may cost you around $10,000 to finish an attack yourself. You could pay as little as $300 to create a simple storage space with an attic fan or upward of $50,000 for the materials needed to build a luxurious primary suite.

Either way, unless you're experienced with remodeling work, we highly recommend consulting with a professional contractor for tasks including window and dormer installation, electrical, plumbing, and expanding square footage.

Attic Remodel vs. Renovation

As you plan your attic finishing project, you'll likely hear and see the terms remodel and renovation. Each carries a different meaning, and the path you choose will influence your costs.

Attic RemodelAttic Renovation
Change attic structure and functionClear out attic to enhance look
Add plumbing, electrical, HVAC, walls, windows, and flooringRepair damage and remove pests
Costs are moderate to highCosts are low to moderate

Does Finishing an Attic Increase Home Value?

In most cases, finishing an attic is an investment in your home that can raise its value by at least 50%. Attic conversions can also increase the square footage of your home and the number of bedrooms or bathrooms.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can convert your attic into a living space as long as your local building codes allow. Most codes require a living space to include properly sized egress windows and a certain height or square footage. You can often increase the height of a space by adding dormers or raising the roof.

It is generally more affordable to finish a basement than an attic, though it ultimately depends on how you plan to use the space. The average cost to finish a basement ranges from $7 to $23 per square foot, while attic renovation costs $30 to $60 per square foot. However, a simple attic conversion to a storage space will cost significantly less.

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