Lisa Barton

In this year’s Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling magazine, the top five remodels are ranked by the percentage of cost recouped at sale.  What provides the most bang for your buck?  Keep reading…

1. Entry door replacement (102.1% payback) – Make sure that the door selected matches the styles of the home and neighborhood.  In a moderately priced home, a regular steel door that matches the home’s trim makes the most sense.  Make sure that you comparison shop to get the most value for your money.  And, thoroughly inspect the door before buying and installing, particularly with steel doors, because they can dent easily but can’t be repaired.
2. Garage door replacement (83.9%) – Consider how future homeowners will use the garage.  If it’s more likely to be used as a workshop, a door with insulation and windows might be more appropriate.  Windows tend not to cost too much and they make a large difference in the usability of the garage.  While it’s perfectly acceptable to reuse the current door opener if it’s in good working condition, you might consider upgrading to a belt-driven opener.  It’s much quieter than the chain-driven models.
3. Siding Replacement (80.0%) – Conduct enough research to know that you are comparing apples to apples with the various siding products.  Cement siding is preferable to pressboard or other composite materials.  In addition, check with the contractor on the amount of overlap (“lap”) that will be applied to each board, this can make a difference on material costs.  Also, consider pre-painted siding.  This can be used as a selling point with potential buyers since boards won’t have to be repainted every few years.
4. Kitchen Remodel (72.8%) – When contemplating this remodel, be careful not to over-improve unless you plan on staying in the home a considerable amount of time.  To save money, look into keeping existing electrical wiring and plumbing.  Painting existing cabinets may also be an area to save.  One of the most important parts of the remodel – upgrading the countertop!
5. Deck Addition (72.8%) – Size is definitely important when considering this remodel.  Too small and the remodel will be viewed by buyers as useless.  Too big and you’ll never recoup the cost.  Adding a natural stain (wears more evenly than colored stains) can be a selling point as new buyers won’t have to worry about re-staining every year.