ᐅ Attic conversion in a 25-degree hip roof – a practical undertaking?

Hello forum,

We are considering purchasing a large bungalow with 200m² (2,150 sq ft) of living space. Despite the generous size, there are only three rooms, and we are missing two additional rooms (children’s bedrooms) for our family. We want to rule out dividing the space with drywall partitions because the floor plan (window distribution, hallway location) does not support this well. The bungalow is very well-maintained (and only 8 years old) and feels well-designed in its layout.

Now the question is to what extent this bungalow has potential for converting the attic. The building footprint measures 22m x 12.5m (72 ft x 41 ft).

Are there any self-builders here who have completed an attic conversion with a 25-degree roof pitch? Are dormer windows necessary, or would floor-to-ceiling skylights (such as Velux windows) also create a good room atmosphere? How much usable space could we realistically gain?

Another question relates to the costs of such a project. Would a budget of $50,000 be sufficient, or is that too low?

Thank you in advance for sharing your experiences.

Are there any plans for the bungalow?

As the saying goes, "impossible" does not exist.

In my opinion, 50k is not feasible. What does the roof structure look like? Rafters or trusses?

With 200m² (2,150 sq ft), the floor plan should be adaptable.

Here is an illustration with a 2 m (6 ft 7 in) line drawn in for clarity.

This results in an attic height of just under 2.8 m (9 ft). However, that height is only available directly beneath the ridge, and a significant amount will be taken up by the floor structure. At the edges, you have very little headroom. Therefore, a spacious feeling is unlikely in those areas.

Regarding the costs, I think $50,000 is far too low. You need to modify the thermal envelope, install a staircase, add several skylights... by then, most of the budget is already spent. And that’s without even considering dormers. On top of that, you have to convert the space into living quarters: electrical work, heating, flooring, painting...

I would generally advise against taking on a huge house that doesn’t fit your needs and trying to force it to work.

hanghaus2023 schrieb:

Are there any plans for the bungalow?

Thank you very much for your contribution. Attached is the floor plan.
We urgently need a study or home office in the house that can be closed off with a door. A utility room is also essential (laundry/storage), and a bedroom for each child (2) is a must. Since my family lives farther away and visits frequently, a small guest room would also be great (especially if you’re already planning to invest a significant amount). At the moment, guests have to sleep in the living room, which greatly limits everyone’s privacy. I can’t really imagine how the floor plan would need to be adjusted. It might be possible to section off part of the double garage as a utility room. That way, there would still be 2 children’s bedrooms... maybe a guest room just isn’t feasible if you say 50,000 is too tight for the extension. 70,000 would be our absolute maximum budget for this.

hanghaus2023 schrieb:
In my opinion, not feasible with 50 km. What does the roof structure look like? Rafters or trusses?

This is how it looks in the attic: