Home Improvements That Pay Off
Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, we're all creating lists of projects to take care of around the house this Summer. Did you know that some home improvement projects actually add more value to your home, than they even costs to complete?!
The Remodeling "2017 Cost vs. Value Report" has been published and we've compiled a list of this year's top 5 national trends for popular remodeling projects that retain the most value.
#1) Attic Insulation (Fiberglass)
Job Description: Air-seal a 35x30 attic floor to address any air leakage from conditioned space to unconditioned space. Then add fiberglass loosefill insulation, placing it on top of existing insulation if present. Fiberglass loosefill is applied until thickness equating with R-30 insulation value is reached.
Job Cost: $1,343
Resale Value: $1,446
Cost recouped: 107.7% (WOW!)
#2) Entry Door Replacement (Steel)
Job Description: 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.
Job Cost: $1,413
Resale Value: $1,282
Cost recouped: 90.7%
#3) Manufactured Stone Veneer
Job Description: Remove a 300 square-foot continuous band of existing vinyl siding from the bottom third of the street-facing façade, beginning at the garage, continuing around the main entry, and ending at the corner of the side addition. Replace with adhered manufactured stone veneer, including 36 linear feet (LF) of sills, 40 LF of corners, and one address block. Installation includes two separate layers of water resistive barrier laid over bare sheathing, corrosion resistant lath and fasteners, and nominal ½-inch-thick mortar scratch coat and setting bed. Outline the archway using an 8x10-inch keystone and a soldier course of flats on either side.
Job Cost: $7,851
Resale Value: $7,019
Cost recouped: 89.4%
#4) Entry Door Replacement (Fiberglass)
Job Description: Remove existing 3-0/6-8 entry door and jambs and replace with new fiberglass unit with simulated wood grain, stained same color both sides; dual-pane, decorative half-glass panel with zinc caming; PVC-wrapped exterior trim in color to match existing trim; 2.5-inch interior colonial or ranch casings in hardwood stained to match door. Replace existing lockset with mortise lock with lever handle and integrated deadbolt in oil-rubbed bronze or satin-nickel finish.
Job Cost: $3,276
Resale Value: $2,550
Cost recouped: 77.8%
#5) Garage Door Replacement
Job Description: Remove and dispose of existing 16x7-foot garage door and tracks. Install new four-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.
Job Cost: $1,749
Resale Value: $1,345
Cost recouped: 76.9%
Source: Cost v. Value 2017 Report