I recently bought a house with a half-finished attic that I'm excited to finish. It already has windows, some insulation (but it doesn't meet code), and electric wiring in place. I'm ready to dive into the renovation, but I'm unsure where to start. Should I hire a contractor to help me out or just tackle things myself? I'm thinking of doing the following: replace the insulation, put up drywall, look into plumbing for a half bath, possibly replace some old windows (the house is 120 years old), and lay down new flooring. I grew up in a DIY family, so I'm not afraid of getting my hands dirty, but I want to know I'm calling in the right experts when needed. Any tips?
1 Answer
It’s a great idea to start with a structural engineer! They can assess if your attic floor can handle the weight of a finished living space, which is super important. They might suggest reinforcing the joists beneath the shingles for insulation too. Don't forget about permits for any renovations you plan on doing. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely reach out to a structural engineer first. I sometimes get lost on what to search for when looking for services, so this helps a lot!