Dear Robin:
Dear Repurposing:
Finishing the attic space can be an excellent cost saving approach to adding finished square footage to your home. Start with a Structural Engineer or Architect to examine the home to determine what structural components need to be strengthened and what part of the attic is usable to finish and can meet building code requirements. In some cases, bump outs and or dormers can help with headroom and better usable space. Once it is determined what space is usable, the engineer or architect will have the project designed with appropriate information and codes to be used for permits. Once the drawings are complete, you can follow the plans and perform the work yourself, or you make a copy of the plans and ask for a cost bid from a couple of contractors. Please please do not try to save money by skipping permits. Every week we get several calls from people who skipped permits and were “caught” by the municipality and now the process to apply for permits and get design and inspections completed after the fact – is complicated and expensive. In some cases part of the construction has to be removed and redone.
