2020 Average Costs of Home Improvement Projects
The national average for costs recouped from a minor kitchen remodel is almost 78 percent, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2020 Cost vs. Value Report - home improvement services
You’ve been thinking about remodeling your kitchen but worry that you won’t be able to recoup the costs if you sell your home. Or maybe you have an endless list of home improvement projects, but you’re just not sure where to get started — or how much you can expect to spend.
Using the Remodeling 2020 Cost vs. Value Report, we looked at the national averages for job cost, resale value and cost recouped on some mid-range home improvement projects.
Garage door replacements give homeowners one of the biggest returns, with more than 94 percent of the cost recouped when the house is sold.
The reason? “Curb appeal,” says Barry Brownstone, owner of Sears Garage Solutions in the Chicago area. The garage “is the largest part you see when you pull up to a house—it’s the focal point of the house.” Brownstone especially encourages those thinking about selling their house to replace an old garage door with a new one that has windows. “It’s a great selling point.”
The most popular garage door style right now—and the least expensive—is a traditional steel door, Brownstone says. Sears also offers carriage-door styles in custom wood and steel, as well as premier carriage-door styles.
If a kitchen remodel is on your mind, but you’re worried about the cost, think about a smaller project. A minor mid-range kitchen project has a much better payoff (recouping almost 78 percent of the cost) than a major mid-range kitchen project (recouping almost 59 percent), according to the 2020 Cost vs. Value Report.
Check out the chart below to see how much home improvement projects will help increase your home’s curb appeal. 
Still wondering what projects might offer the best payoff? Schedule a free in-home consultation to get things started today.
4 Bonus Tips
Check out these maintenance tips to help keep your home in good shape.
Tip: Check your garage door and opener for the safety sensors, sometimes called “electric eyes.” If your garage door is older, or if it has not been properly maintained or installed, the safety sensors might not be functional. Properly connect and align the sensors or replace them.
Tip: Deal with drafts promptly. Touch up windows with caulk to cut down on energy bills.
Tip: Visually inspect your room from the ground twice a year. If you see moss or algae, call in an expert.
Tip: Spring is a great time to test the weather-stripping on your exterior doors. If you feel a draft when you run your hand along the bottom and sides, replace the stripping.
