10 Remodeling Projects That Add Home Value

According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2015 Cost vs. Value Report, there’s one remodeling project that actually returns at least 100% of your investment through added home value: adding a steel entry door like this one from Pella. Besides its aesthetic appeal, a new steel front door can improve your home’s security and energy efficiency as well. But you won’t be satisfied with your door’s performance unless it’s plumb, level and square, so installation is a job for a pro unless you have serious carpentry experience.

Even though it’s less expensive, manufactured stone veneer no longer looks like the cheap cousin of the real thing. Modern versions are durable, beautiful and natural-looking. Adding veneer around the bottom third of your home’s exterior will return nearly your entire investment, and because it’s lightweight and easy to work with, you can even do it yourself. Learn how here.

Every homeowner dreams of having an impressive kitchen, and overhauling yours will give you a reliable bump in home value. Jan Goldman, owner of renovation and design firm Kitchen Elements, has some advice on where to spend your budget: splurge on great backsplash materials, beautiful hardwood floors and top-notch cooking equipment. “Do I love a wonderful built-in refrigerator? Yes, but cold is cold,” Goldman says. “If you can’t afford all the higher-end equipment, nothing beats well-designed, well-calibrated ovens and cook surfaces, whether it’s gas or induction.” 

Whether you choose vinyl or wood, replacing your old windows will return as much as three-fourths of your initial investment. The best reasons to replace your windows are beauty, comfort and added home value; you’ll also get a boost in energy efficiency, especially if your old windows are single-panel glass or excessively drafty, but your energy bill savings will be modest.