INTERIOR

Attic Finish Cost: Convert Attic to Bedroom in 2026

Estimate attic conversion cost per square foot — with the free remodeling calculator.

An unfinished attic is the cheapest source of square footage in most homes — if the structure and headroom cooperate. Here's the real 2026 cost.

THE SHORT ANSWER

The short answer

Finishing an attic runs $30–$60 per sq ft in 2026 for simple rooms ($10,000–$50,000 total); full conversions with a bathroom run $100–$200 per sq ft ($20,000–$95,000). Structural work adds $10,000–$40,000.

01

What it costs

A simple finished attic (drywall, insulation, floor, electrical) runs $30–$60 per sq ft. Adding a dormer for headroom runs $10,000–$30,000. A full conversion with a bathroom and bedroom runs $100–$200 per sq ft.

  • Simple finish: $30–$60 per sq ft
  • Full conversion: $100–$200 per sq ft
  • Dormer for headroom: $10,000–$30,000
  • Typical total: $10,000–$50,000
02

The structural reality

Attic floors are often framed for storage, not living — reinforcement runs $10,000–$40,000. Headroom (7 ft over half the floor) is code for bedrooms. Stairs, egress windows and HVAC runs add more.

03

Try the remodeling calculator

Enter your labor, materials and fixtures to rough out the budget.

TRY THE TOOL

JOB INPUTS

Enter your numbers

Loading saved values

Direct labor for the remodel

$
Direct labor for the remodel

Raw materials for the project

$
Raw materials for the project

Cabinets, fixtures and finishing items

$
Cabinets, fixtures and finishing items

Reserve for surprises, % of subtotal

%
Reserve for surprises, % of subtotal

Profit on the project, % of subtotal + contingency

%
Profit on the project, % of subtotal + contingency
Results update automatically
CALCULATED RESULTUSD
Preliminary budget$19,481.00
Subtotal$15,400.00
Contingency$1,540.00
Profit$2,541.00
Profit margin13.04%
FORMULA USED$15,400.00 + 10.0% + 15.0% = $19,481.00
NEXT STEP

Turn the checklist into real job numbers.

Open contractor tools