● Garage Door Replacement tops the list. It has an ROI of nearly 200%. This is the most profitable home improvement project.
● Entry Door Replacement (Steel) is second. Manufactured Stone Veneer is third.
● Primary Suite Addition (Upscale) ranks the lowest. It has a low ROI and a high cost of approximately $340K. It a less favorable investment.
Homeowners often find themselves walking a line. You want to make improvements. You also don’t want to overspend.
What’s the trick? Focus on improvements with good return on investment (ROI).
A recent study by Cash for Home found the most cost-effective upgrades. This will give you the best chance to boost value.
Here are the profitable improvements or projects that pay you back and more!
These home improvements offer a return on investment (ROI) greater than 100%. This means they add more value than they cost.
Your garage door is the best improvement. It has an average project cost of $4,513. With a resale value of $8,751, this upgrade almost doubles your investment. Also, a new garage door raises curb appeal.
Front doors matter. Replacing it with a steel model costs just $2,355 but boosts your home’s resale value by $4,430. This upgrade adds security and charm.
Adding stone veneer looks good. With a cost of $11,287 and a resale value of $17,291, it offers a good return. This is effective in competitive markets.
Not all projects offer a complete financial return. But they can still be valuable. These upgrades make your home more attractive to buyers.
A fiberglass grand entrance can improve a home. With an average cost of $11,353 and a resale value of $11,054, you’ll nearly break even. The ROI is lower than 100%. But this upgrade’s aesthetic impact can influence buyers.
Kitchens sell homes. Even small upgrades can work. Spending $27,492 on a kitchen refresh (think upgraded cabinets, countertops, and appliances) adds $26,406 in resale value. The ROI is slightly under 100%. But the updated look can be a selling point.
Swapping old siding for fiber-cement enhances your home’s exterior. It provides long-term durability. At $20,619, this upgrade yields an $18,230 resale value. You’ll get less than the full cost. But the improved curb appeal is attractive.
Adding a wood deck costs $17,615. It boosts resale value by $14,596. While the 82.90% ROI doesn’t fully pay for the project, the added outdoor living space is a plus.
Replacing vinyl siding costs $17,410 and increases resale value by $13,957. Though it doesn’t fully recoup its cost, this upgrade is a dependable way to refresh your home’s exterior and attract buyers.
Spending $25,251 on a bathroom update yields a resale value of $18,613. The 73.70% ROI is modest, but the appeal of modern fixtures and finishes can make your home more competitive in the market.
A composite deck is a durable, low-maintenance alternative to wood, but the upfront cost of $24,206 only nets $16,498 in resale value. While the ROI is 68.20%, buyers may appreciate the durability enough to consider this a worthwhile investment.
Full list of the home improvement projects you can undertake before selling your home, ranked from the most profitable one:
| Rank | Project | Job Cost | Resale value | Return on investment (ROI) |
| 1 | Garage Door Replacement | $4,513 | $8,751 | 193.90% |
| 2 | Entry Door Replacement | Steel | $2,355 | $4,430 | 188.10% |
| 3 | Manufactured Stone Veneer | $11,287 | $17,291 | 153.20% |
| 4 | Grand Entrance | Fiberglass | $11,353 | $11,054 | 97.40% |
| 5 | Minor Kitchen Remodel | Midrange | $27,492 | $26,406 | 96.10% |
| 6 | Siding Replacement | Fiber-Cement | $20,619 | $18,230 | 88.40% |
| 7 | Deck Addition | Wood | $17,615 | $14,596 | 82.90% |
| 8 | Siding Replacement | Vinyl | $17,410 | $13,957 | 80.20% |
| 9 | Bath Remodel | Midrange | $25,251 | $18,613 | 73.70% |
| 10 | Deck Addition | Composite | $24,206 | $16,498 | 68.20% |
| 11 | Window Replacement | Vinyl | $21,264 | $14,270 | 67.10% |
| 12 | HVAC Conversion | Electrification | $18,800 | $12,422 | 66.10% |
| 13 | Window Replacement | Wood | $25,799 | $16,222 | 62.90% |
| 14 | Roofing Replacement | Asphalt Shingles | $30,680 | $17,461 | 56.90% |
| 15 | Major Kitchen Remodel | Midrange | $79,982 | $39,587 | 49.50% |
| 16 | Bath Remodel | Universal Design | $40,750 | $20,148 | 49.40% |
| 17 | Roofing Replacement | Metal | $49,928 | $24,034 | 48.10% |
| 18 | Bath Remodel | Upscale | $78,840 | $35,591 | 45.10% |
| 19 | Major Kitchen Remodel | Upscale | $158,530 | $60,176 | 38.00% |
| 20 | Primary Suite Addition | Midrange | $164,649 | $58,484 | 35.50% |
| 21 | Bathroom Addition | Midrange | $58,586 | $20,334 | 34.70% |
| 22 | Bathroom Addition | Upscale | $107,477 | $34,997 | 32.60% |
| 23 | Primary Suite Addition | Upscale | $339,513 | $81,042 | 23.90% |
The study examined popular home improvement projects. The team analyzed the cost and resale value of each project to calculate the return on investment (ROI). Projects with the highest ROI ranked at the top. The lowest ROI were ranked at the bottom.