Yeah, those “surprises” can really eat up your profit if you’re not careful. I once opened up a garage wall and found a mess of old wiring spliced together with duct tape—took a whole day just to sort that out. I agree, insulation and HVAC are always underestimated. I’ve learned to double-check the subfloor too, especially in attics. Still, when it’s done right, buyers love the extra space. Just gotta be ready for the curveballs... and maybe keep a little extra in the budget for the weird stuff you’ll find.
Turning Attics And Garages Into Bedrooms: Is It Worth The Hassle?
That duct-taped wiring sounds about right—sometimes I wonder if previous owners were running a secret science experiment up there. I’ve had my fair share of “what on earth is this?” moments, especially in attics. One time, I pulled up some old floorboards and found a collection of vintage soda bottles... and a squirrel nest. Neither were on the project plan.
I hear you on the insulation and HVAC. People always think you just slap up some drywall and call it a day, but getting that temperature right is a whole different beast. I once underestimated the cost of ductwork for a garage conversion and ended up eating into my profit margin. Learned the hard way that a chilly bonus room isn’t exactly a selling point.
Subfloors can be sneaky, too. Last year, I was converting an attic and discovered the joists weren’t even close to code. Had to reinforce the whole thing before even thinking about flooring. That was a week I’ll never get back.
Still, I’ve noticed buyers really do love that extra space, especially if it’s done well. It’s just that “done well” takes a lot more time and money than most folks expect. My rule now is to pad the budget for the unknowns—whether it’s mystery wiring, surprise critters, or just the usual headaches. If you go in with your eyes open (and maybe a sense of humor), it can pay off. But yeah, those curveballs are almost guaranteed...
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, sometimes I think the hassle outweighs the payoff—especially with garages. Turning a garage into a bedroom can mess with your home’s flow and even hurt resale if buyers want that parking or storage space. I’ve seen folks regret losing their garage more than they appreciated the extra room. If you’re set on adding a bedroom, I’d say look at bumping out or finishing a basement first. Less code headaches, usually better climate control, and you keep your garage for all the random stuff life throws at you.
I keep thinking about this too—like, where do all the bikes, boxes of mystery cables, and old paint cans go if you lose the garage? But then again, my basement’s already a spider convention. Anyone tried attic conversions? Wondering if it’s just trading one headache for another...
But then again, my basement’s already a spider convention. Anyone tried attic conversions? Wondering if it’s just trading one headache for another...
I get what you mean about the “spider convention”—my basement’s basically a bug Airbnb, and I wouldn’t want to move more stuff down there either. I’ve lived in a 1920s house for years, and honestly, attic conversions are a mixed bag. First thing: have you checked your attic’s headroom? A lot of older homes just don’t have enough space up there unless you’re under 5’6” or enjoy ducking. Insulation is another headache—attics get way hotter and colder than the rest of the house, so unless you’re ready to drop some serious cash on spray foam and new windows, it can feel like camping in July or January.
About the storage issue—if you lose the garage, where does all that random junk go? I tried moving some stuff to the attic once, but hauling bikes and paint cans up a rickety pull-down ladder was a non-starter. Ended up with a pile of boxes that never got unpacked and just collected dust (and more spiders).
If you’re thinking about converting the attic to a bedroom, I’d ask: how much do you actually need that extra room vs. storage? And are you ready to deal with weird ceiling angles and maybe having to run new wiring or plumbing? It’s not always as simple as slapping up drywall.
I’m not saying don’t do it—just that in my experience, it’s rarely as straightforward as it sounds. Sometimes it feels like trading one set of problems for another. If you’re short on space and desperate for another bedroom, maybe it’s worth it. But if you’re just looking for a project, there might be easier wins elsewhere in the house.
