These are the top renovations that increase home value. Some are easy and inexpensive updates that you can do over the weekend.
19 Renovations That Instantly Increase Your Home’s Value
Updated on Jun. 13, 2025
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Garage Door Replacement
Number one on Bankrate’s list of renovations that add value to your home is a new garage door. Replacing a garage door is big for curb appeal, and it’s also big for recouping the cost of the project.
According to Bankrate’s estimate, a new garage door costs about $4,500 and can increase your home’s value by as much as $8,750. That’s nearly a 200 percent return on investment.
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Steel Door Replacement for Entryway
A new entry door is second on Bankrate’s list of renovations that add value, partly because it adds curb appeal and partly because it makes the home more energy efficient. The ROI is almost as high as replacing your garage door.
If you go this route, consider installing a steel entry door. It will add to your home’s resale value and make a statement before potential homebuyers even enter into your home.
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Install a Kitchen Backsplash
The kitchen is full of big-ticket items, but the backsplash doesn’t have to be one. In fact, you can comfortably install a backsplash in just one weekend. Plan on installing the backsplash tiles on Saturday and grouting and sealing them on Sunday.
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Upgrade Kitchen Lighting
Kitchens are the new multi-purpose room. Not only do they need to accommodate the cook, they also serve as a workstation for kids and adults, a gathering space for family meals and dinner parties — the list goes on.
While kitchen lighting plays a big role in setting the mood for these tasks, it’s easy to create a custom solution to suit your family’s needs and the restraints of the existing wiring.
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Repainting Adds Value and Appeal
A fresh coat of paint instantly updates and transforms the entire interior of your home, and when you consider that the average price tag of a gallon of one-coat coverage paint is around $38, that’s about the biggest bang for your buck you can get.
“Grays are back in vogue, and create a neutral palette that lets your decor really pop,” says contractor Steve Frellick. Pastels and off-whites are also non-dramatic choices with wide appeal.
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Loose Fill Attic Insulation
Adding attic insulation is one of the best home investments, often recouping its entire cost in added value. Insulating an attic will also save money on energy costs.
It costs from $1,500 to $3,000 to blow insulation into a 1,000-square-foot home if you have pros do it, but you can save by renting the spraying equipment and doing it yourself.
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Siding Replacement
Bankrate also includes siding replacement on its list of renovations that add value. A manufactured stone veneer project is high on the list of valuable home updates, coming in at number three on Bankrate’s list. It provides a modern look at an acceptable price, whether you’re hiring out the work or going DIY.
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Minor Kitchen Remodel
People can go wild with kitchen remodeling projects, but it’s not necessary. A minor kitchen remodeling project recoups more of the cost than a major one.
If you’re considering replacing your countertop, check out butcherblock. Interior design expert Teri Simone extols the virtues of this material: “Butcherblock countertops bring a warm, organic feel to kitchens and work beautifully in a range of designs, from rustic farmhouse to sleek modern spaces. Their versatility is a huge draw for homeowners, especially when contrasting to colored cabinetry or walls and creating a warm atmosphere in the kitchen!”
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Enhance Decks with Lighting
Landscape lighting may seem like a complicated DIY project, but low-voltage lighting systems are actually a job any beginner can tackle. And if you make your deck the focus, the extra visibility will even add a certain level of safety.
Low-voltage systems are much less dangerous than standard household wiring because the system relies on a transformer plugged into a standard GFCI receptacle. That converts power from 120 volts to 12 volts, then the current travels through outdoor cables to supply power to the fixtures.
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Fiberglass Entry Door Replacement
A fiberglass entry door replacement doesn’t have as high an ROI as a steel door, but it’s still pretty high. If you go for a fiberglass grand entrance, Bankrate estimates you’ll recoup nearly 100 percent of the money you sink into the project on resale.
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Window Replacement
Addressing your windows isn’t just window dressing. Potential buyers will notice them, and so will appraisers. Vinyl and wood have comparable recoup rates, but wood has a higher average cost and nearly one percent less recoup rate.
If you’ve got questions about buying new windows, get the answer to them before you buy. Read about how much window replacements cost.
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Accessible Design
Aging-in-place or accessible design is gaining traction among baby boomers who’d rather continue to live in their homes than have to move later in life.
This improvement involves making your home compliant with the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) guidelines, basically reworking the home so it functions for wheelchair mobility and adds safety features like grab bars in convenient places.
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Roof Replacement
The roof is one of the most important parts of a home, so fixing roof problems and replacing it when needed is an important project that home buyers will notice. It also turns out to be a pretty good investment.
A roof replacement is a big investment and a big waste of money if you don’t need it. Before deciding whether to repair or replace your roof, professional roofer Anthony Perera recommends a virtual inspection. If you need major work, it speeds up the permit process and gets your project on track quickly. “With virtual inspection, roofers can experience same-day virtual inspections and instant permit approvals, enabling contractors to save time and money.”
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Deck Addition
A wood deck addition is inexpensive compared to other remodeling projects, but it’s one of the more valuable. According to Bankrate, the ROI is nearly 83 percent.
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Smart Home Technology
Smart devices are infiltrating homes at an increasing rate. Some devices are so smart that they can even detect leaks in your water heater.
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Simple Fixes and Details
Simple fixes like working on the lighting of a home not only cast a new light on it but also show the level of care given to it. Buyers notice the little items, and it’s important to show those. Washing windows can spruce up the house in a hurry.
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Cover Up Wear by Repainting Walls
Maybe you want to fix paint on walls that has gotten chipped through the years, maybe you’ve got crayon marks from kids you’ve wanted to clean up or maybe you’ve got holes in the wall from hanging items. Fix them by painting. Experts suggest using neutral colors like grays and off-whites when painting rooms.
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A Finished Basement Increases Value
You can save money by leaving your basement unfinished, but why do that when a finished basement instantly adds value to the home? The amount of added usable square footage comes at a lower cost usually than an addition. Plus, the space can be reimagined for buyers’ use.
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Rip up Carpeting and Install Hardwood or Laminate
Hardwood and laminate flooring are comparable in price to luxury carpets but come without the hassle of continual vacuuming. Plus, these types of flooring are durable and you don’t have to worry about stains as much. Wood and laminate flooring are fairly simple to install as well.
FAQs
Do smart home updates increase home value?
Yes. According to Consumer Reports, adding smart lighting, door locks, security systems, and a smart thermostat can boost a home’s value by three to five percent. Don’t bother with a fully wired audiovisual system, though. It’s a big loser in the wireless age and will actually depreciate by as much as 80 percent.
About the Experts
- Steve Frellick is a licensed contractor and the founder of Yonder Luxury Vacation Rentals.
- Teri Simone is the Head of Design and Marketing at Nieu Cabinet Doors.
- Anthony Perera is the Founder of Florida-based Peak Roofing Partners.
Sources
- Bankrate: The top renovations that increase home value in 2024; (2024)
- Statista: Smart home device household penetration in the United States in 2019 and 2021; (2021)
- Consumer Reports: 8 Ways to Boost Your Home Value; (2015)
