If you're a Pittsburgh homeowner, there’s a good chance your attic is sitting unused or underutilized. But in 2025, attic remodels are becoming one of the smartest ways to add functional square footage to your home without changing the home’s footprint. Whether you live in a classic rowhouse in Lawrenceville, a craftsman in Mt. Lebanon, or a century-old home in Squirrel Hill, your attic might be hiding serious potential.
At Shannon Staley & Sons, we've seen firsthand how local residents are turning dusty storage spaces into bright, livable rooms. These remodels can bring more comfort, convenience, and long-term value to your home.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the most common types of attic remodels, the key factors that affect cost, and what kind of budget to plan for in 2025.
Why Remodel Your Attic?
Remodeling your attic is a great way to create more space without adding on to your home. Instead of building out or up, you’re making better use of what’s already there. For many Pittsburgh homes, especially those built 50 or more years ago, attics were never designed for living space. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be transformed into something great.
A finished attic can serve a wide range of purposes, from a quiet home office to a fully equipped guest suite. The versatility makes attic remodels especially appealing for homeowners who want to improve their home without the disruption of a full addition.
Popular Attic Remodel Ideas in Pittsburgh
Home Office
With more Pittsburghers working from home, attic offices have become incredibly popular. The attic's separation from the rest of the house makes it a quiet place to focus.
We often install built-in desks, shelves, and upgraded lighting, including task lights and skylights to bring in natural sunshine. Reliable heating, cooling, and internet access are important too. A mini-split HVAC system and a good Wi-Fi extender can make all the difference.
Guest Bedroom or Suite
If you host family or friends often, your attic could become a welcoming guest room. A guest suite can include a small bathroom, closet space, and a cozy sleeping area.
In Pittsburgh’s older homes, the roofline may require creative layout solutions like adding dormers for more headroom. With the right design, you can make guests feel right at home while giving everyone a little more privacy.
Primary Bedroom Retreat
Some homeowners choose to move their primary bedroom upstairs and turn the attic into a private retreat. This is a great option if you're looking for a little more space or quiet away from the rest of the house.
These remodels tend to include features like vaulted ceilings, spa-style bathrooms, and walk-in closets. Since this type of remodel is more involved, it typically requires significant upgrades to heating, cooling, plumbing, and lighting. The result is a beautiful and relaxing space tailored to your needs.
Playroom or Teen Lounge
Families with children often use attic space as a dedicated playroom or hangout zone. It keeps toys and noise out of the main living areas, and it gives kids or teens their own space.
For these types of remodels, we focus on safety and comfort. That usually means soft or durable flooring, built-in storage, and plenty of lighting. Teen lounges might also include desks, entertainment centers, and comfy seating areas.
Home Gym or Yoga Studio
Want to work out without leaving the house? Your attic could become a personal gym or yoga studio.
For gyms, it's important to reinforce the flooring to support the equipment. Proper ventilation and climate control help keep things comfortable, and rubber or vinyl flooring helps reduce noise. Yoga spaces often include softer lighting, calming design features, and plenty of natural light from dormer or skylight windows.
Rental or Income Suite
If you're interested in generating extra income, you could consider turning your attic into a rental suite or legal Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). These remodels are larger in scope but can offer long-term financial benefits.
To meet Pittsburgh zoning requirements, a rental unit needs a separate entrance, a full bathroom, a kitchenette, and proper emergency exits. These projects require more time and permitting, but they can create a highly valuable space in your home.
What Affects the Cost of an Attic Remodel?
Attic remodels can range significantly in price depending on the condition of the attic and what you’re planning to do with it. Here are the biggest factors that impact your budget:
Size and Layout
The size of your attic and its current shape will affect everything from framing to finishes. Ceilings that slope too low might not meet code requirements for livable space. You might need to add dormers or rework the roofline to get usable headroom.
Structural Modifications
Before your attic becomes a finished room, the floor may need to be reinforced to support the weight of furniture and people. If your home wasn’t built with a livable attic in mind, we’ll also check for modifications to the rafters or framing.
Projects that include dormers or new staircases tend to be more involved and more expensive. But they also add a lot of livable space and function to the room.
Insulation and Ventilation
Pittsburgh weather can be unpredictable. Attics get hot in the summer and cold in the winter, so proper insulation and ventilation are essential. Without them, you’ll end up with a space that’s uncomfortable and inefficient.
We often use spray foam insulation or high-R-value batt insulation, combined with ridge vents, soffit vents, and possibly a mini-split HVAC system for year-round comfort.
Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC
If you're adding a bathroom or kitchenette, plumbing lines will need to be brought up into the attic. That can involve opening up walls or ceilings below to run water and drain lines.
You may also need to upgrade your electrical panel if the home’s current system can’t support the added demand. And for heating and cooling, you might install ductless mini-splits or extend existing ductwork, depending on your setup.
Staircase and Access
Safe and easy access is a must. If your current attic stairs are steep, narrow, or fold-down, you’ll need to upgrade to a full, code-compliant staircase. This sometimes requires giving up a closet or a small piece of space on the floor below.
Emergency egress is also required, especially for sleeping spaces. That means at least one window large enough to exit in the event of a fire.
Permits and Code Compliance
In Pittsburgh, you’ll need building permits for structural changes, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work. Your remodel will also be subject to inspections during and after the project.
Working with a licensed and experienced contractor is essential. At Shannon Staley & Sons, we handle all permitting and inspections for you so you don’t have to worry about the red tape.
Finishes and Fixtures
The last part of your project involves selecting flooring, lighting, cabinetry, countertops, and paint. These choices can impact the budget quite a bit.
For example, hardwood flooring costs more than engineered wood, and a custom tiled shower costs more than a prefabricated one. But finishes are also where your personality and style shine through, so we help clients find the right balance between aesthetics and budget.
How Much Does It Cost to Remodel an Attic in Pittsburgh?
Here’s a general guide to 2025 attic remodel costs in our region:
-
Basic Remodel (just finishing out the space): $40,000 to $65,000
Includes insulation, drywall, flooring, electrical, and a staircase if needed. -
Mid-Range Remodel (with bathroom or more structural work): $65,000 to $90,000
Includes plumbing, layout updates, moderate finish selections. -
High-End Remodel (primary suite, custom finishes): $90,000 to $150,000+
Full bathroom, HVAC upgrades, luxury materials, significant framing work. -
Rental or Income Suite (ADU): $100,000 to $175,000+
Kitchenette, bathroom, separate access, and full code compliance.
These prices are averages, and your project may fall above or below these ranges depending on your goals and existing conditions.
Why Work With Shannon Staley & Sons?
We’ve been remodeling homes in Pittsburgh for over 15 years, and attic renovations are one of our specialties. Our design-build team helps guide you through the process from start to finish, with a focus on craftsmanship, code compliance, and lasting value.
We understand how to work within the quirks of Pittsburgh’s historic homes, and we pride ourselves on making the process as stress-free as possible. We’ll help you explore your attic’s potential and turn it into something you can enjoy for years to come.
Tips to Stay on Budget
Start with a clear plan. Know what you want to use the space for, and share those goals early.
Work with a full-service team. A design-build contractor like us can streamline the entire process.
Make smart material choices. We’ll help you choose finishes that look great and last without blowing the budget.
Allow for some flexibility. Unexpected issues can pop up in older homes, so it's good to have a cushion in your budget.
Ready to Transform Your Attic?
If your attic is ready for a new life, our team would love to help. We’ll walk you through what’s possible, provide a detailed estimate, and handle the work with care and quality every step of the way.
Contact Shannon Staley & Sons today to schedule a free consultation and discover how your attic can become your favorite space in the house.