Every year the great folks at Remodeling Magazine put together a report titled, Cost vs. Value. The report investigates and ranks the best and worst projects for the home as it relates to the value it creates compared to it’s cost. We’ve parsed through the data to come up with the top projects where you get the most bang for your buck. Take a look for yourself at the rest of the list, as well as your specific region.
Attic Insulation– Cost recouped= 116.9%
Manufactured Stone Veneer– Cost recouped= 92.9%
As a building material, manufactured stone has become very popular for a couple of reasons: 1) inexpensive, 2) lightweight and easy to install, 3) new colors and textures look just like stone. The new stone veneers are also little to maintenance and carry multi-year warranties.
Garage Door Replacement– Cost recouped= 91.5%
“Remove and dispose of existing 16×7-foot garage door and tracks. Install new 4-section garage door on new galvanized steel tracks; reuse existing motorized opener. New door is uninsulated, single-layer, embossed steel with two coats of baked-on paint, galvanized steel hinges, and nylon rollers. 10-year limited warranty.”
Entry Door Replacement– Cost recouped= 91.1%
“Remove existing 3-0/6-8 entry door and jambs and replace with new 20-gauge steel unit, including clear dual-pane half-glass panel, jambs, and aluminum threshold with composite stop. Door is factory finished with same color both sides. Exterior brick-mold and 2.5-inch interior colonial or ranch casings in poplar or equal prefinished to match door color. Replace existing lockset with new bored-lock in brass or antique-brass finish.”
Minor Kitchen Remodel– Cost recouped= 83.1%
Remodel Magazine describes a Minor Kitchen Remodel as, “In a functional but dated 200-square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of cabinetry and countertops, leave cabinet boxes in place but replace fronts with new raised-panel wood doors and drawers, including new hardware. Replace wall oven and cooktop with new energy-efficient models. Replace laminate countertops; install mid priced sink and faucet. Repaint trim, add wall covering, and remove and replace resilient flooring.”
This is part one of a two-part series we are doing on cost vs. value. Come back on Saturday to view the article about the 5 worst projects for return on investment.
