Do you currently have an attic space that you only use to collect unwanted junk? Turning your attic into a functional and livable space rather than a dark and dusty storage area is a great way to add value to your home and expand your living space. It may seem like a large undertaking if you鈥檙e starting with bare bones, but your project will go much smoother if you start with a solid plan.

Read on to learn about the steps you should take before tackling your attic renovation.

Inspect the Area

The first step in planning your attic renovation is to go through the space before making any updates. You might have to spend some time taking out stored objects to get a good look at the area you will renovate.

Next, take notes of how structurally sound essential elements are. Some major structural elements to examine closely include:

• The support beams
• The flooring
• The entrance area (whether it be a stairwell, or an access hatch and ladder)

You should also check to see if you have electrical or plumbing availability in the attic, as that will determine what you can do with the space.

Some of the structural elements that are necessary for your attic to be a livable space might need to be added or replaced. For example, attics are commonly left with exposed beams, insulation, and subflooring. You will need to add drywall and, if your home was built before the 1980s, you will likely need to replace the insulation.

Insulation was commonly made with asbestos before the 1980s, and it can be dangerous to your health if it鈥檚 been disturbed. A rare yet devastating cancer known as is caused by the inhalation or ingestion of airborne asbestos fibers. If your home was built before 1980, it鈥檚 best to have an abatement professional test your attic for asbestos so you don鈥檛 risk exposure to the cancer-causing element.

If you have substrate for flooring, you need to make sure that it鈥檚 stable and secure before adding the padding and surface layers to make a solid floor.

An attic renovation can add value to your home, so make sure you prioritize the inspection step and examine the area carefully to ensure a safe and successful job.

Decide on a Floor Plan

Once you have done a thorough inspection of the attic, you鈥檒l need to design a floor plan. Within this step is one of the most exciting parts: deciding how you intend to use the space. Depending on your current home needs and the size of the attic space, you might want to add a spare bedroom, make it an office, or convert it to a playroom for your kids. In properties with ample square footage, you may be able to create a full apartment space or suite.

After you鈥檝e decided how to use your attic, it鈥檚 time to draw out the floor plan. If you鈥檙e working with a contractor, they鈥檒l likely do this for you, but if you鈥檙e doing a DIY renovation, you can do this by hand or with an . The purpose of a floor plan is to visualize your project before it begins. A floor plan should include any walls, doors, and windows. It should also include plans for any cabinets, closets, shelving, and larger furniture and appliances. Be prepared to go through a few versions of your floor plan as your budget may change your plans.

Create a Budget

The next step in planning your attic renovation is to create a budget. Deciding on how much you鈥檙e able to spend is a determining factor in what you use the space for. The first step to creating a budget is prioritizing the individual projects. For example, if you need to replace any beams, or add drywall, those will need to be taken care of before you can add a ceiling fan. You also need to estimate the cost of building materials. Factor in everything you possibly can, from walls and flooring to doorknobs and outlet coverings.

You鈥檒l need to add labor to your budget. Your will be higher if you use a professional renovation team, so ask for a quote that includes an hourly rate and an estimated length of the project before you commit. You might decide on partially or fully renovating yourself, based on your capabilities. However, an often-overlooked item is the labor cost of doing it yourself. If you need to take time off work, purchase safety equipment for yourself, or incur injury, it can significantly add to your expenses.

After you price out the necessary expenses, you can focus on the decorative items. Pick out what you think you would want for furniture, paint, wall d茅cor, and anything else that will add to the aesthetic of the area. After you add all the items to your existing material and labor costs, you can begin to compare them with what you can afford and start to adjust.

Source Your Materials

The last piece of your planning puzzle relates to logistics and procuring materials. With recent supply chain struggles, it may take some time for certain items to be delivered. The sooner you can get things ordered, the better.

There are a few options available when it comes to sourcing materials for your attic renovation. You can order directly through your contractor, a big box hardware store, or local businesses like lumber yards and specialty remodeling stores. You could also consider scrap yards to see if you can find at a more cost-effective price.

There are a few things to consider when deciding where to source your materials from. Reliability, quality, value, and sustainability are all aspects to consider. Your contractor likely has a reliable source that they use regularly, so ask for recommendations.  Alternatively, ask friends and neighbors that have renovated their home to see who they would recommend. Check online reviews learn about customers鈥� experiences with the longevity of certain materials. Just remember that your materials still need to fit into your renovation budget!

Get Started!

Now that all the preplanning is out of the way, it鈥檚 time to begin the attic renovation! Begin this phase by making sure your attic is clean. Grab some safe cleaning products for the home, dust, and vacuum so there aren鈥檛 any particles to get in the way.

Whether you鈥檝e hired a contractor or you鈥檙e doing the work yourself, it鈥檚 a good idea to create a timeline for when you鈥檇 like to have certain projects completed. This will give you an idea of when you鈥檒l be finished and will hold you accountable for staying on track.

Remember to take before and after photos so you can appreciate the work you made to your attic space. Renovating an attic isn鈥檛 always easy, but it鈥檚 worth it in the end for all the extra living space you鈥檒l have. Enjoy the process and enjoy the journey!

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Power Wash Exterior Surfaces

A thorough, deep cleaning can go a long way in terms of improving the value and appeal of your home. Not only does power washing improve your home鈥檚 curb appeal, but it also can prevent mold from growing and keep your gutters in good working condition.

The National Association of REALTORS庐 estimates that power washing the exterior of your house can to your home鈥檚 value, making it a great improvement choice. The most important exterior features to focus on include the siding, sidewalks, driveways, and any patios or decks.

Maintain Outdoor Greenery

Overgrown bushes and trees not only block the exterior of the house that you have worked so hard to improve, but they can also reduce outdoor views from the inside. Planting new trees can also appeal to homebuyers. Large trees tend to be low maintenance, yet they reduced energy bills, outdoor shade, and improved air quality.

Keeping your grass green and trimmed is another great practice for landscaping maintenance. It might be useful to consider the services of a local professional landscaping company while your home is active on the market.

Create an Outdoor Entertainment Space

Outdoor entertainment spaces can increase demand, thus increasing the resale value of your home. Even designing a small patio space with seating is a great 鈥淒o It Yourself鈥� project that can increase your home鈥檚 appeal to potential buyers. There are outdoor space , with many housing trends using concrete and colored staining methods.

An outdoor entertainment space with shade or a screened covering is also likely to be a popular trend this year. 聽The National Association of Landscape Professionals lists climate cognizant landscaping, such as pergolas and retractable outdoor spaces as of 2018.

Clean Up Flower Beds

Bright and clean flower beds encourage people to feel at home. When people feel comfortable, they are better able to imagine themselves living there. When flower beds are messy and unmaintained, potential homeowners may be reminded how much work they will have to do upon moving in.

Freshen up the mulch, plant some , and remove any sprouting weeds. Colorful flower gardens are also expected to be a Even like Old Gold Junipers and black-eyed Susan鈥檚. Sunfinity sunflowers are a popular choice as a brightly colored flower that is easy to maintain year-round.

Upgrade Irrigation

Upgrading a home鈥檚 irrigation system is often overlooked, but, may improve resale value. It is important to maintain and sustain your landscaping improvements. An upgraded irrigation system can help you do just that. Irrigation systems also get the most water efficiency, which can be a huge selling point saving buyers both money and time when it comes to yard maintenance.

Install Exterior Landscape Lighting

Landscape lighting illuminates the exterior of your home. It can improve curb appeal, functionality, and the safety of your home. Use your exterior landscape lighting to highlight the most important features of the home including the front door, windows, and walkways. , effects, and wattages when choosing your exterior landscape lighting.

Your home鈥檚 landscaping affects its curb appeal. The first impression that you give potential buyers will influence their desire to purchase and the offer amount that they are willing to make. Upgrades that improve the landscape can increase your resale value and sell your home faster in the market.

This post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. The point of view and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of 皇冠体育app International.

This post was written for 皇冠体育app by Heather Hardy. Heather is an avid writer who has contributed to numerous blogs and internet news sources. 聽While she writes on a variety of topics, her specialties include real estate, home improvement, and travel. After obtaining two degrees, Heather has found her passion in writing content that improves both readability and knowledge.

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