Cost vs Value -- How do remodeling and replacement projects stack up?

Nationally, home improvement replacement projects such as siding, windows, or garage doors continue to edge out remodeling projects in cost recouped, according to the Remodeling 2011-12 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com)*.

That's also the picture around Boston, with a couple of notable exceptions.  A mid-range major kitchen remodel (average cost $65K) has a 70% return, comparable to the siding and window replacements percentage return.  But a mid-range minor kitchen remodel (avg cost $21K) gives back 80%.  An attic bedroom remodel is another higher yield project at 72%. See the full set of  Metro Boston data for rankings of all types of home improvement projects in our area.



Hands-On kitchen remodel project from 2011

A recent report from Angie's List had kitchen remodel projects at a return of 85%.  It hasn't been that high for a while (at least in our market), but it is the case that, historically, kitchen (and bath) projects have been slightly higher than average in cost-value ratio. In 2011-12 results, national kitchen and bath projects matched the overall national average (57.1%) for cost-value ratio. But New England's average return for kitchen and bath projects (66.5%) is still above its overall project average (60.5%).


*copyright 2011 Hanley Wood, LLC. Complete data from the Remodeling 2011-12 Cost vs. Value report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com