Replacing an existing garage door with a higher-quality, two-car insulated garage door with windows. This inexpensive project has the highest return on investment (ROI) of the 34 home renovations we reviewed.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
ROI of Your Home Remodel
The homeowner's guide to home improvement costs and values.
Your home is your biggest financial investment, but what are the smartest ways to invest in it? Today's Homeowner determined the average return on investment (ROI) for 34 home remodeling projects across 1200+ U.S. markets. For each project, we calculated the average cost, expected value added to the home, and the percentage of the project cost recovered, which we call the ROI.
70kHomes Reviewed
1200+Markets Studied
34Projects Analyzed
30+Experts Consulted
Which Remodeling Projects Add the Most Value to Your Home?
Home Remodeling Return on Investment
Below is a table which has all of the costs, estimated values, and costs recovered for the 34 home improvement projects. Keep scrolling down to read our State of Remodeling in 2023 report which includes key findings, trends, and insights from our study.
| Project | Cost | Value | Cost Recovered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage Door Replacement | $1,842 | $2,118 | 115.0% |
| Vinyl Window Replacement | $3,590 | $3,705 | 103.0% |
| Wood Window Replacement | $6,189 | $6,150 | 99.0% |
| Fiber-Cement Siding Replacement | $13,079 | $12,953 | 99.0% |
| Vinyl Siding Replacement | $9,574 | $9,487 | 99.0% |
| Concrete Backyard Patio | $4,167 | $4,088 | 98.0% |
| Composite Deck Addition | $12,953 | $12,046 | 93.0% |
| Hardwood flooring | $7,453 | $6,448 | 87.0% |
| Wood Deck Addition | $11,831 | $10,175 | 86.0% |
| Handicap Accessible Bathroom Remodel | $17,248 | $14,660 | 85.0% |
| Screened-In Porch Addition | $25,054 | $20,123 | 80.0% |
| Kitchen Appliances | $4,609 | $3,687 | 80.0% |
| Asphalt Roof Replacement | $9,837 | $7,720 | 78.0% |
| Metal Roof Replacement | $16,589 | $12,834 | 77.0% |
| Fiberglass Grand Entrance | $3,055 | $2,352 | 77.0% |
| Inground Pool | $49,341 | $36,512 | 74.0% |
| Gutter Replacement | $2,514 | $1,785 | 71.0% |
| Granite Kitchen Countertops | $6,607 | $4,493 | 68.0% |
| Quartz Kitchen Countertops | $7,307 | $4,969 | 68.0% |
| Attached Garage Addition | $35,269 | $23,278 | 66.0% |
| Manufactured Stone Veneer | $16,403 | $10,498 | 64.0% |
| Laminate Flooring | $7,453 | $4,629 | 62.0% |
| Midrange Major Kitchen Remodel | $44,664 | $26,208 | 59.0% |
| Upscale Major Kitchen Remodel | $61,079 | $35,840 | 59.0% |
| Minor Kitchen Remodel | $20,273 | $11,556 | 57.0% |
| Upscale Primary Suite Addition | $150,294 | $83,988 | 56.0% |
| Second Floor Garage Addition | $26,644 | $14,654 | 55.0% |
| Upscale Bathroom Addition | $77,436 | $41,816 | 54.0% |
| Laminate Kitchen Countertops | $1,959 | $1,058 | 54.0% |
| Midrange Bathroom Remodel | $16,528 | $8,264 | 50.0% |
| Midrange Bathroom Addition | $63,628 | $29,905 | 47.0% |
| Midrange Primary Suite Addition | $89,473 | $37,579 | 42.0% |
| Upscale Bathroom Remodel | $29,892 | $12,256 | 41.0% |
| Finished Basement | $59,697 | $9,551 | 16.0% |
The State of Remodeling in 2023
The home improvement industry is booming. With Americans spending more time at home than ever, the total amount spent on renovations and upgrades soared by nearly 27% between 2020 and 2022. But which home improvements provided the biggest return on investment? Today’s Homeowner analyzed 34 of the most popular home remodeling projects to find out.
According to data from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (JCHS), homeowners spent $337 billion in home improvements and repairs in 2020, $368 billion in 2021, and an estimated $427 billion in 2022. In 2023, spending on home improvements is expected to grow at a slightly slower rate. Mortgage rates are relatively high, enticing homeowners to renovate their current home rather than search for a new one. However, the rising materials and labor costs and the uncertain economic climate may deter some homeowners from taking on new projects.
With this uncertainty, Americans need answers on home improvement projects: the costs, the value they can create, and the return on investment (ROI) - which we define as the estimated value the project adds to the home divided by the project cost. In this report, we determined the average ROI for 34 home remodeling projects across nearly 1,300 U.S. cities. Check out our findings below.
Main Findings
- On average, remodeling projects have a 69% ROI, with a garage door replacement ranking best (100.0%) and a finished basement ranking worst (22.7%).
- The average cost recovered for exterior projects is 23% higher than interior ones.
- In the kitchen, appliances and counters may help home values the most.
- Half of the luxury upgrade projects we considered have an ROI of 50% or lower.
- Remodeling projects that add square footage show diminishing returns.
- Western states have the highest average cost recovered across all 34 projects.
Recovering Costs on Your Home Remodel
Nationally, the average ROI for home remodeling projects is 69%. In other words, homeowners will recoup only 69% of the money they put into home improvements. This number varies starkly according to project type, however.
The home remodeling project with the highest ROI is unexpected. Though not a particularly flashy or expensive project, a garage door replacement comes in first with an ROI of 100.0%. This means that the average cost of a garage door replacement is equal to the average expected value added to a home.
In total, 10 home improvement projects have a cost recovered of 80% or higher. The chart below shows all 10 projects, ranked according to the average ROI nationally, though figures for each project may vary by state and city.
On the other side, 12 home improvement projects have an estimated ROI of 60% or lower. The lowest ROI project is a finished basement, at 22.7%. This especially low ROI (low relative to even other projects at the bottom of our list) seems to indicate that homebuyers tend to place more value on above-ground living space.
Three luxury additions also rank in the 12 projects with the lowest ROI. They are an upscale bathroom remodel (48.8%), an upscale primary suite addition (50.0%), and an upscale major kitchen remodel (53.0%). An upscale primary suite addition is the most expensive remodel in our study (about $148,000), but we found that the average expected value added is only half of that figure (about $74,000). The chart below shows differences in average cost and expected value added for all 34 projects.
Exterior vs. Interior Projects
Home sellers may be best off investing in the exterior of their home compared to the interior. Realtor Suzanne Coddington of Dickens Mitchener notes, “Curb appeal really matters when selling your home. It’s difficult to get buyers to see a home that has little or no curb appeal.”
This proves true when measuring the cost recovered of various home improvement projects. The average ROI across exterior projects is about 80% compared to roughly 57% for interior ones. In fact, all seven remodeling projects with an ROI exceeding 90% relate to the home’s exterior. They include:
- Garage door replacement
- Wood and vinyl window replacements
- Screened-in porch addition
- Fiber-cement and vinyl siding replacements
- Inground pool
Of the projects above, an inground pool is perhaps the most uncertain when it comes to estimating the value added to a home. While some homebuyers may prioritize having a pool, others may see it as a downside given the regularly required maintenance and recurring costs.
Over the past couple of years, there has been renewed interest among buyers for homes with pools. Real estate agent Lois Magee remarks:
“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was regularly a challenge to sell a home with a pool. Prospective buyers recognized that it was very expensive to keep and maintain a pool and some would even inquire about filling in pools, if they liked the rest of the home. However, with social distancing and business closures, pools were a hot commodity and properties with pools became much more attractive than in years past."
Kitchen Updates
Of the seven types of kitchen remodels we considered, smaller kitchen projects tend to have a higher ROI than larger ones. In particular, updating kitchen appliances or countertops has the largest impact on home value, while full kitchen updates generally have a lower average ROI.
One exception to this trend is installing laminate kitchen countertops. Considered a smaller kitchen renovation project, new laminate kitchen countertops have a lower investment return than quartz or granite ones, with a difference of more than 12 percentage points in expected ROI.
Luxury Upgrades
We analyzed data for four luxury home improvement projects that span the three primary rooms in a home: the kitchen, bathroom, and primary suite. While all four projects have an average ROI below the national average of 69%, the worst-ranking project is an upscale bathroom remodel. The average cost is roughly $29,200, and the average expected value added clocks in at just under $14,300. This means that homeowners will recoup less than half their upfront investment.
One potential reason luxury upgrades see a lower ROI is that appraisals rely on comparisons between similar properties. A high-end remodel in one room (which may be inconsistent with the overall level of luxury in the home) is often not supported by the market, depending on the property comparisons available. Magee states:
“I advise my clients to make changes and updates that they will enjoy and to not overimprove unless they intend to stay a long time and understand up front that they may not recoup their renovation costs. For example, in a midrange home, I would not expect to find custom inset cabinets or a Wolf Range/Sub Zero refrigerator, but I would expect to see these (or similar level) products in a higher-end property.”
Square Footage Additions
We examined four projects that add square footage to the house, all of which rank in the bottom half of the study according to cost recovered. They include:
- A midrange primary suite addition
- An upscale primary suite addition
- A midrange bathroom addition
- An upscale bathroom addition
Of the four, both levels of primary suite additions have an average ROI of 50% or lower, while also incurring significant upfront costs. Specifically, a midrange primary suite addition costs roughly $86,800 while we estimate an upscale one is more than $148,000 on average. These low ROIs show that value returns are marginal. Magee discusses:
“The foundation of the home is one of the more expensive components of a property to build, and it is less expensive to build up than out. While there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to home values and appraisals, additional square footage on a second or third floor may actually reduce the price per square foot of the home. For instance, for a 2,000-square-foot-home and 3,000-square-foot-home in the same neighborhood, you would expect the smaller home to have a higher price per square foot if other components (# baths, beds, etc.) are similar.”
State Trends
Seven of the top 10 states with the highest average ROI are in the West, a region home to some of the hottest housing markets in the country. Those states include Hawaii, California, Colorado, Montana, Washington, Nevada, and Oregon. In Hawaii — the top-ranking state overall — 11 of the 34 remodeling projects we considered have an ROI exceeding 100%, with many relating to outdoor space additions or upgrades.
The remaining places in our top 10 are the District of Columbia, Vermont, and New Jersey. The average ROI across all remodeling projects is 87.0% in the District of Columbia, 77.2% in Vermont, and 73.6% in New Jersey. In the District of Columbia and New Jersey, average costs across remodeling projects are only about 5% and 2% higher than the national average, respectively, while expected value added is roughly 28% and 8% higher. Meanwhile, in Vermont, remodeling costs tend to be lower though expected value added still exceeds the national average.
Get in Touch
We’d love to hear from you! If you have questions about our study, want to speak with an expert or wish to receive future studies and reports, please email us at: media@todayshomeowner.org.
Methodology
For all 34 home remodeling projects across roughly 1,300 U.S. markets, Today’s Homeowner found the average cost and expected value added to the home. Below is a full explanation of how we determined cost and value by project and location.
Cost: We scoped the size, scale, quality, and materials based on reputable online home improvement sources to determine the average cost for each home remodeling project. Labor costs were estimated based on hours of worker time and using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). We adjusted material and labor cost figures by location using a proprietary cost matrix and accounted for overhead charges that contractors require based on difficulty and risk levels.
Value: To determine the expected value added for each project, we scraped 70,000 Redfin homes that listed a completed remodel. Through keyword analysis, we mapped the 34 home remodeling projects to listings and ran a regression to find average effects on home price according to location. In cases of data availability gaps, we consulted leading real estate professionals to help determine the expected value added.
Using cost and value, we then determined the average return on investment (ROI) for each project and in each location by dividing the expected value added by the average cost.
Below you can sort by location and project to see specific figures for your area and home remodel. If you are unsure which type of remodel you want to take on, filter for your city and check out the list of best home improvement projects, according to our ROI estimates. For more details on our proprietary data research process, see our methodology section below.
Projects Facts & Figures
1
Garage Door Replacement
2
Vinyl Window Replacement
Replacing 10 existing windows with new vinyl windows.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
3
Wood Window Replacement
Replacing 10 existing 3x5-foot windows with double-hung, well-insulated wood windows.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
4
Fiber-Cement Siding Replacement
Removing and replacing existing siding on your home with fiber-cement siding.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
5
Vinyl Siding Replacement
Removing and replacing existing siding on your home with vinyl siding.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
6
Concrete Backyard Patio
Leveling a 16x20-foot area of the backyard and pouring concrete to create a patio.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
7
Composite Deck Addition
Building a 320-square-foot composite deck with concrete piers, as well as stairs and a built-in bench and planter.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
8
Hardwood Flooring
Removing 200 square feet of existing flooring and replacing it with new hardwood flooring.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
9
Wood Deck Addition
Adding a 320-square-foot wood deck with stairs and a railing system to your home.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
10
Handicap Accessible Bathroom Remodel
Making a bathroom handicap accessible, with wider doors and a wheelchair-accessible toilet and shower, along with various cosmetic improvements.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
11
Screened-In Porch Addition
Adding a 16x20x14-foot screened-in porch to an existing deck or patio area.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
12
Kitchen Appliances
Upgrading your kitchen with stainless steel appliances, including a smart refrigerator, gas range with a steam-cleaning oven, microwave, and three-rack dishwasher.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
13
Asphalt Roof Replacement
Stripping your existing rectangular hip roof to bare wood sheathing and installing all-new asphalt roofing components, including the underlayment and shingles.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
14
Metal Roof Replacement
Stripping your existing rectangular hip roof down to bare wood sheathing and installing either steel or aluminum shingles.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
15
Fiberglass Grand Entrance
Widening an existing door frame and installing a 36x80-inch fiberglass door as well as two sidelights. The interior and exterior area around the entryway will also be updated to match the quality of this new upscale entrance.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
16
Inground Pool
Digging a 14x28x5-foot, 19,000-gallon concrete pool with 336 square feet of concrete surround.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
17
Gutter Replacement
Removing existing gutters and installing new ones around the perimeter of your home.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
18
Granite Kitchen Countertops
Removing and replacing 96 square feet of kitchen countertop space with new granite countertops.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
19
Quartz Kitchen Countertops
Removing existing countertops and installing 96 square feet of quartz countertops that are cut to your kitchen’s shape and size.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
20
Attached Garage Addition
Building a 576-square-foot attached two-car garage with an epoxy floor, electronic garage door with windows, and doors to the home and outside.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
21
Manufactured Stone Veneer
Updating your exterior with 300 square feet of manufactured stone in the front of the home.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
22
Laminate Flooring
Removing 200 square feet of flooring and replacing it with new laminate flooring.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
23
Midrange Major Kitchen Remodel
Updating a 200-square-foot kitchen with new cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting, and new appliances.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
24
Upscale Major Kitchen Remodel
Updating a 200-square-foot kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, cabinets, countertops, and flooring. This kind of remodel can make your kitchen a real focal point of your home.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
25
Minor Kitchen Remodel
Updating a 200-square-foot kitchen with new cabinets, laminate countertops, and a more energy-efficient range and oven.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
26
Upscale Primary Suite Addition
Building a luxurious 640-square-foot primary suite with a sitting area, fireplace, walk-in closet, dressing area, and a high-end full bathroom.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
27
Second-Floor Garage Addition
Building floors, walls, a ceiling, and a roof on top of an existing garage, as well as a staircase from the garage to the new addition.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
28
Upscale Bathroom Addition
Adding a 100-square-foot bathroom with a high-end soaking tub, shower, stone double vanity, separate commode area, and in-floor heating. This addition will add some square footage to your floor plan and can be a luxurious addition to your home.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
29
Laminate Kitchen Countertops
Removing existing countertops and installing 96 square feet of laminate countertops that are cut to your kitchen’s shape and size.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
30
Midrange Bathroom Remodel
Updating a 35-square-foot bathroom with a new tub, toilet, vanity, lighted medicine cabinet, tile flooring, and vinyl wallpaper.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
31
Midrange Bathroom Addition
Building a 32-square-foot full bathroom with a new vanity, toilet, tub/shower, mirrored medicine cabinet, linen closet, tile floor, and fixtures.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
32
Midrange Primary Suite Addition
Building a 384-square-foot bedroom suite including a walk-in closet and dressing area, as well as a bathroom with a free-standing tub, shower, and double vanity.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
33
Upscale Bathroom Remodel
Project Scope: Expanding an existing bathroom from 35 square feet to 100 square feet, as well as making significant updates to all aspects of the bathroom.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
34
Finished Basement
Adding drywall, insulation, paint, flooring, and subflooring to a 50x20-foot basement and adding a 5x4-foot half bathroom.
Cost
$0
Value
$0
Cost Recovered
0%
Methodology
For all 34 home remodeling projects across roughly 1,300 U.S. markets, Today’s Homeowner found the average cost and expected value added to the home. Below is a full explanation of how we determined cost and value by project and location.
Cost: We scoped the size, scale, quality, and materials based on reputable online home improvement sources to determine the average cost for each home remodeling project. Labor costs were estimated based on hours of worker time and using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). We adjusted material and labor cost figures by location using a proprietary cost matrix and accounted for overhead charges that contractors require based on difficulty and risk levels.
Value: To determine the expected value added for each project, we scraped 70,000 Redfin homes that listed a completed remodel. Through keyword analysis, we mapped the 34 home remodeling projects to listings and ran a regression to find average effects on home price according to location. In cases of data availability gaps, we consulted leading real estate professionals to help determine the expected value added.
Using cost and value, we then determined the average return on investment (ROI) for each project and in each location by dividing the expected value added by the average cost.
Get in Touch
We’d love to hear from you! If you have questions about our study, want to speak with an expert or wish to receive future studies and reports, please email us at: media@todayshomeowner.org.
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