Chicago attic conversion - finished playroom with skylights

Chicago Attic & Loft Specialists

Chicago Attic Conversions

Transform your unused attic into a bedroom, ADU rental unit, home office, or playroom. Licensed contractor serving bungalows, 2-flats, and greystones across Chicago.

500+

Projects Done

13+

Years in Chicago

A+

BBB Rating

BBB A+ Rated NKBA Member EPA Lead-Safe Lincoln Park Chamber Wicker Park Chamber

What We Build

From bonus rooms to income-generating rental units

Bedroom Suites

Primary bedroom with full bath, walk-in closet, vaulted ceilings, and skylights

ADU Rental Units

Legal units under Chicago's ADU ordinance — generate $1,500-$2,500/month in rental income

Playrooms & Bonus Rooms

Kid-friendly spaces with built-in storage, durable flooring, and dedicated climate control

Home Offices

Quiet, dedicated workspace away from household activity with proper lighting and HVAC

Guest & In-Law Suites

Private accommodations for extended family with separate living space and bathroom

Entertainment Spaces

Home theaters, game rooms, music studios, or fitness areas with soundproofing options

We Know Chicago Homes

13+ years converting attics in every type of Chicago building

Chicago Bungalows

Classic attic footprint, ideal for conversion

2-Flats & 3-Flats

Add legal rental unit to multi-family

Greystones

Sensitive approach to vintage homes

Single-Family Homes

Lincoln Park to North Shore

See the Transformation

Drag the slider to compare before and after

Before After

Attic to Playroom Conversion

Chicago Single-Family Home • ~450 sq ft • 10 weeks

Hear From Our Clients

Real Chicago homeowners share their experience

How It Works

From first call to finished space

Free Consult

We assess your attic and discuss your goals

Design

Floor plans, 3D renderings, engineering

Permits

We handle all City of Chicago paperwork

Build

8-16 weeks with dedicated project manager

Enjoy

Final walkthrough and warranty handoff

Transparent Pricing

Know your costs upfront — no surprises

Basic Finish

$50-80/sq ft

Flooring, drywall, lighting, electrical, HVAC

6-8 weeks

Bedroom Suite

$100-150/sq ft

Full bathroom, walk-in closet, stairs, HVAC

10-14 weeks

Full ADU

$150-200/sq ft

Kitchen, bathroom, separate entrance, permits

12-16 weeks

Attic Conversion Questions

Answers from 13+ years and 500+ Chicago projects

Based on our 500+ completed projects, Chicago attic conversions typically run $50-$200 per square foot. Basic finishing (flooring, drywall, lighting, HVAC) costs $50-$80/sq ft. Bedroom suites with full bath run $100-$150/sq ft. Full ADU conversions with kitchen cost $150-$200+/sq ft. A typical 400 sq ft Chicago bungalow attic ranges from $40,000-$80,000. We provide detailed line-item estimates after our free assessment.

Yes — the City of Chicago Department of Buildings requires permits for any attic conversion involving structural changes, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC. You'll need architectural plans stamped by an IL-licensed architect, structural engineering calculations, and inspections at each phase. Permit fees run $500-$2,000. Unpermitted work carries fines of $1,000+ per day. We handle all permit applications and inspections as part of every project.

Yes, under Chicago's ADU Ordinance (passed December 2020, expanded September 2025). Requirements: building must be 20+ years old, eligible zoning district, separate entrance, full kitchen, bathroom, and dedicated HVAC. No additional parking required. We've completed 50+ ADU conversions across Logan Square, Pilsen, Avondale, and other Chicago neighborhoods. ADUs typically generate $1,500-$2,500+/month in rental income.

Most Chicago bungalows built in the 1920s have excellent conversion potential. Per Chicago Building Code: minimum 7-foot ceiling height over 50% of floor area, floor joists rated for 40 lbs/sq ft live load (we reinforce if needed). Classic bungalows have stick-framed rafters (not trusses) and 400-600 usable sq ft. We've converted hundreds of bungalow attics in Portage Park, Jefferson Park, Irving Park, and Albany Park.

Total timeline: 4-6 months. Breakdown: Design/engineering (2-4 weeks), City of Chicago permit review (4-8 weeks — DOB is often backlogged), construction (8-16 weeks). Pro tip: Winter permit submissions often get faster review. Simple bedroom conversions take 8-10 weeks to build; full ADUs with kitchen and dormers take 12-16 weeks.

We add dormers to increase ceiling height. Shed dormers cost $15,000-$30,000 and add headroom across a wide area. Gable dormers cost $15,000-$25,000 each. For historic districts (Pullman, Old Town Triangle), we work with the Chicago Landmarks Commission for appropriate designs. Dormers also add natural light and improve curb appeal.

Absolutely — we install closed-cell spray foam at R-38 minimum (per Chicago Energy Code) at the roofline. For climate control, we recommend dedicated mini-split systems (Mitsubishi, Daikin) for $4,500-$7,500 installed. This keeps attics comfortable even when Chicago temps swing from 100°F+ summers to below-zero winters.

No — most clients stay home. Attic work happens above your living space with dust barriers in place. Per Chicago noise ordinance, construction runs 8am-5pm weekdays. You'll have brief utility shutoffs (30-60 minutes) during tie-ins, and 1-2 days of disruption for the new staircase. We keep areas clean daily and communicate any disruptions in advance.