DIY & Home · Live
Home improvement ROI,
before you break ground.
Pick a renovation project and enter your budget — see the estimated resale value it adds, your ROI percentage, and how it ranks against every other common home improvement. All figures based on the 2024 Cost vs. Value national averages.
Inputs
Your renovation
Refacing cabinets, new appliances — strong upside without gut reno
ROI varies significantly by region, housing market, and local buyer preferences. These figures are national averages from the Cost vs. Value Report — hot markets may yield higher returns; rural areas often lower.
Return on investment
Minor Kitchen Remodel
Cost recovered at resale
$24,025 of $25,000
Comparison
ROI by project type (national avg)
All projects
Ranked by national ROI
| # | Project | Avg cost | Avg value added | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garage Door ReplacementExterior | $4,513 | $4,635 | 102.7% |
| 2 | Manufactured Stone VeneerExterior | $11,287 | $11,547 | 102.3% |
| 3 | Entry Door (Steel)Exterior | $2,355 | $2,376 | 100.9% |
| 4 | Minor Kitchen RemodelInterior | $27,492 | $26,420 | 96.1% |
| 5 | Wood Deck AdditionExterior | $17,051 | $14,135 | 82.9% |
| 6 | Vinyl Siding ReplacementExterior | $17,016 | $13,647 | 80.2% |
| 7 | Bathroom Remodel (Midrange)Interior | $25,251 | $18,610 | 73.7% |
| 8 | Basement RemodelInterior | $57,500 | $40,250 | 70% |
| 9 | Window Replacement (Vinyl)Exterior | $20,091 | $13,762 | 68.5% |
| 10 | Roof Replacement (Shingles)Exterior | $29,136 | $17,802 | 61.1% |
| 11 | Bathroom AdditionInterior | $62,298 | $36,008 | 57.8% |
| 12 | Primary Suite AdditionInterior | $176,126 | $98,454 | 55.9% |
| 13 | Major Kitchen RemodelInterior | $80,809 | $43,314 | 53.6% |
| 14 | HVAC ReplacementInterior | $10,000 | $5,200 | 52% |
Click any row to switch to that project type. Data: Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value 2024, national averages.
Field guide
How to evaluate renovation ROI before you spend.
Home improvement ROI is the percentage of your project cost that you recoup in your home's selling price. A kitchen remodel that costs $30,000 and adds $25,000 in resale value has an ROI of 83.3%. That means you recover $0.83 for every dollar spent — and effectively “lose” $5,000 relative to what you put in.
The formula
Value added is the estimated increase in your home's sale price attributable to the renovation. It is not the same as the renovation cost, and it is almost never equal to the cost for major interior projects.
Which projects have the highest ROI?
Counter-intuitively, smaller exterior projects tend to outperform large interior renovations in dollar-for-dollar return:
- Garage door replacement (~$4,500 national average) consistently tops the rankings with over 100% ROI. Buyers notice it immediately, and the cost is low.
- Manufactured stone veneer and steel entry door replacement also often exceed 100% ROI — both dramatically improve curb appeal for under $12,000.
- Minor kitchen remodel (~$27,500) — refacing cabinets, new appliances, fresh counters — typically returns 90–96% compared to a major gut-reno's 50–55%.
Why do major renovations have lower ROI?
Buyers rarely pay a full premium for high-end finishes. A luxury kitchen with custom cabinetry and professional appliances costs $80,000–$160,000; a buyer might value it at $40,000–$60,000 above a standard kitchen. The owner pays for their personal taste in materials, the buyer pays for square footage and function.
This “luxury premium gap” is why upscale bathroom and kitchen remodels consistently land below 55% ROI nationally, while functional, visually impactful exterior work exceeds 100%.
Does geography change the numbers?
Significantly. The Cost vs. Value report publishes regional breakdowns across 150+ US markets. A wood deck addition might return 110% in the Pacific Northwest where outdoor living is premium-valued, and 60% in a cold Midwest market. The national averages in this calculator are a starting point — check the regional data for your specific market before committing to a large project.
ROI vs. enjoyment value
Financial ROI is not the only reason to renovate. If you plan to stay in the home for 10+ years, a kitchen remodel that makes daily life better may be worth every dollar regardless of resale return. The calculator helps you make that trade-off explicit: you can see exactly what you expect to recover vs. what you're effectively “spending” for the years of personal use.
What the data does not capture
- Time on market. A renovated home may sell faster, reducing carrying costs — a real financial benefit not captured in the ROI %.
- Local contractor pricing. Your actual project cost may differ substantially from national averages depending on labor markets.
- Deferred maintenance. Fixing a leaky roof or failing HVAC may not add value, but it prevents value loss. Maintenance projects protect existing equity even when ROI is low.
- Permits and code compliance. Unpermitted work can reduce resale value more than the cost of the project itself.
How to use this calculator
Enter the project type you're considering and your budget. Compare the value added to your cost, then check the ranked table to see if an alternative project might serve you better dollar-for-dollar. Click any row in the table to instantly switch projects.
Disclaimer
This calculator uses national average ROI figures from the Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value Report 2024. Actual returns depend on local market conditions, project quality, contractor pricing, and buyer preferences. Results are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, real estate, or construction advice. Consult a licensed real estate agent or appraiser for guidance on your specific property.