Whether you’re looking to renovate your home for your own needs or to get it ready to sell, knowing what projects to invest in can make all the difference when you’re looking for the best return on investment (ROI) home improvements.
Not all home renovation projects are created equal, but Minnesota Exteriors is here to walk you through the best return on investment for home improvement projects that can increase your home’s worth and make your living space more enjoyable.
Learn about home improvement financing options to make your renovation dreams a reality with the help of Minnesota Exteriors.
Best ROI Home Improvement Projects
While there are many different projects to enhance your home, there are certain upgrades that are simply going to be the best home improvements to increase value and provide a great ROI.
Prioritizing functionality, aesthetics, and market appeal when considering what ROI renovations you want to do is an important consideration. However, there are a few best return-on-home improvements you can start.
Curb Appeal Enhancements
Your home’s curb appeal is what visitors and potential buyers first see, so it’s important to create a positive initial impression. Exterior upgrades can significantly boost your home’s value while enhancing curb appeal and still being relatively affordable as well.
- Entry Door Replacement: Replacing your front door has a significant ROI that can be a more aesthetically pleasing and secure option. The average cost to replace an entry door is $2,355 with a 193.9 percent return on investment. Upgrading your front entrance completely to a grand entrance can cost around $11k with a 97% return on your investment.
- Updating Exterior Siding: A home’s siding is often overlooked when reviewing top home improvements, but updating your exterior siding is a great way to refurbish your home. Depending on the material, the cost to replace siding can range from $11k-20.6k with a return upwards of 80 percent.
- Landscaping Improvements: Landscaping is an easy way to completely change your home’s look and increase its value without throwing away a lot of cash.
Kitchen Improvements
Your kitchen is another room to focus on when you’re searching for the best return on investment home remodeling projects to start. The kitchen is a key selling point in any home, and modernizing it will increase its functionality and appeal to buyers.
- Replacing Countertops or Cabinets: Your countertops and cabinets make up most of your kitchen, so replacing these can have a significant impact on your home’s ROI.
- Upgrading to Energy-Efficient Appliances: Energy-efficient appliances are a great way to appeal to buyers who are eco-conscious, ensuring you reach out to an entirely new demographic. Also, these are a great way to save money on your energy bills.
Still looking for ways to improve your home? Learn the benefits of a home energy audit to find new ways to lower your energy bills.
Bathroom Upgrades
Dated bathrooms can very easily detract from your home’s overall value. While it sounds like it might be an expensive project to undertake, there are some upgrades that still make a big impact.
- New Lighting: Updating your bathroom’s lighting can make it brighter, airier, and more modern. Depending on the fixtures, this can range anywhere from $60-$500 with ROI around 67% if you opt for an energy efficient fixture.
- New Fixtures: Stainless steel, bronze, or brushed nickel fixtures are an easy way to take your bathroom into the current decade.
- Upgrading Tile: Your bathroom’s tile makes a statement, but getting new tile doesn’t have to break the bank. Depending on materials (porcelain, clay, stone, etc.) you should expect an ROI of 65% or above. Choosing a modern or interesting tile pattern can modernize your bathroom with ease.
- Updated Shower or Bath: Updating your shower or bath is a great way to invest in high-ROI renovations.
- Upgrading to Double Vanity: Double vanities have been rising in popularity in recent years, and upgrading your single sink to a double vanity can easily increase your bathroom’s value.
Garage Door Replacement
It may surprise you, but replacing your garage door has the highest ROI of over 193% for any home improvement option even with a more attainable up front cost around $4.5k. Replacing your home’s garage door will not only enhance security but will also provide a great focal point for curb appeal, especially if you paint it a bold color that stands out.
Explore the Minnesota Exteriors blog to learn more tips for navigating all your home restoration and replacement questions.
Window Replacement
Energy-efficient windows for your home can reduce energy costs and improve your overall comfort. Although up front costs can seem overwhelming, ranging from $20k-$26k, better sealed, more energy efficient windows can have an ROI between 60%-70%.
Minnesota Exteriors can help when you want to start this home remodeling best return on investment project including providing options for home improvement financing. We specialize in a variety of styles including:
- Vinyl Windows: These are made from a strong, durable plastic that provides an affordable and low-maintenance option for your home.
- Wood Windows: Wood windows are a beautiful option that offers warmth and elegance.
- Fiberglass Windows: Fiberglass windows let homeowners design a customizable look for their home, offering a weather-resistance and protective option.
- Composite Windows: Our Andersen composite windows are made with a unique Fibrex material, which is two times stronger and more rigid than vinyl.
Upgraded Flooring
Flooring upgrades are a great way to modernize your home and create a cleaner, larger, and more inviting space. Some options include:
- Carpet Replacement: The carpet doesn’t have to look outdated. Investing in new and soft carpet can create a warm space that’s perfect for pets or kids.
- Refinish Hardwood Floors: Refinishing your hardwood floors is a cost-effective way to increase your home’s ROI.
- New Hardwood Flooring: New hardwood floors provide a durable and beautiful option that can be one of the best home improvements you can make.
- Tile Flooring: Tile flooring is easy to clean and offers a stunning focal point to your space.
From a fresh coat of paint to adding window boxes, explore over thirty different curb appeal ideas from MEI to make your home shine.
Smaller and More Affordable ROI Upgrades
While the above options are great home improvement return on investment projects to start, you don’t have to go big to see a great ROI. Several smaller and more affordable offer a solid way to add value to your home.
- Fresh Coat of Interior or Exterior Paint: Painting a fresh coat on your home’s interior or exterior is an easy and cost-effective way to upgrade your home.
- Replacing Outdated Lighting: Outdated lighting can easily make your home dark and dingy, so replacing these fixtures is a fantastic way to increase your home’s value.
- Deep Cleaning, Decluttering, and Staging: Decluttering and staging your home is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to increase ROI.
Common Home Improvement Pitfalls
It can be quite an undertaking to start home improvements, so it’s important to know what to expect about the process. This way, you can prepare, avoid common mistakes, and ensure your projects run as smoothly as possible.
Some common pitfalls to avoid before starting any home improvements include:
- Highly Personal or Luxury Upgrades: If you’re planning on staying in your home forever, doing personal upgrades won’t be a problem. However, if you’re looking to sell your home soon, make sure you avoid any highly specific or luxurious upgrades that might be off-putting to potential buyers.
- Over-Renovating Beyond Neighborhood Standards: Your home needs to match your neighborhood’s standards, especially if there’s an HOA to keep track of. Make sure you don’t over-renovate beyond what your neighborhood requires.
- Ignoring Basic Repairs: Ignoring basic repairs is one of the most common pitfalls homeowners face, quickly leading to expensive upkeep. By doing a few check-ups a year, you can repair smaller projects before they become a bigger issue.
- Misunderstanding Cost to Return: Acting quickly on improvements without consideration can be costly and hurt the long term investment in your home. An example includes converting your home to HVAC which costs close to $20k. Although this may be worth it for the comfort and convenience, the return is 66% and it may be more cost-effective to replace your siding or entryway for a similar cost that offers a higher return.
Don’t risk damaging your home; let MEI’s experienced team help with all your renovation and replacement needs.
Planning Your ROI Home Improvement Projects
Planning your home improvement projects before you start is imperative. You’ll know what every step of the process looks like, and you can ensure that you address any problems before they arise. The most important consideration for your ROI project is to fully understand the scope of costs. For example, replacing asphalt shingles can cost over $30k but depending on your insurance or financing options, this can be drastically reduced. This can make it less intimidating to take on this project knowing the ROI is around 56%.
- Assess Your Home’s Needs: Assessing everything your home needs – whether you need new windows or want to replace the kitchen cabinets – can get you started on the right path.
- Set a Realistic Budget: Then, it’s important to set a budget that you can stick to. If you have a smaller budget, focus on the projects that increase the home’s functionality before prioritizing aesthetic needs.
- Research Market Trends: Market trends can help you stay on track with what design choices may be the best bet.
- Consult the Professionals: Consulting a professional company – such as Minnesota Exteriors – can ensure your project is done safely, quickly, and easily.
- Balance ROI and Personal Enjoyment: You still have to live in your home after your projects are done – whether that’s for a few months or a few decades. Before starting your projects, make sure you balance ROI with your personal preferences.
Achieve Your Renovation Dreams with Help From the Experts at MEI
Are you looking for some of the best home upgrades? Replacing your home’s windows, doors, gutters, roofing, or siding is a great place to start. Our experts at Minnesota Exteriors can help you achieve your renovation goals by providing quality work and home improvement financing options through Synchrony Financial.
We’re the one of the most trusted home improvement companies in the greater Twin Cities, meaning you’ll get personalized, skilled, and quality help. Reach out to our team to learn more about how we can help you increase your home’s ROI – you’re guaranteed to receive the guidance you deserve every step of the way to create a beautiful home.