Looking to flip a house, rent it out, or plan a house addition? There’s a lot you can do to increase your property’s value.

Factors such as location, accessibility, and security, determine a property’s overall value. But well-thought-out renovations can significantly increase its price tag.

What Renovations Increase Property Value?

The right renovations improve a home's functionality, aesthetic, and value. The good news is a significant chunk of the expenses can be passed on to future owners as value increases.

Not only are you spending on a renovation, but you’re also pouring your hard-earned cash into an investment with a high yield. Here’s what you can look into:

Solar Roofing

Reduced carbon footprint, lower electricity bills, and an aesthetic exterior design—there’s a lot to love about solar roofing. The reduced electricity costs alone merit a boost in property value.

You can try out traditional solar roofing solutions. But, most of these solar solutions won’t fit the aesthetic of most modern homes.

The solution is choosing a solar roof incorporated on top of durable shingles. Now, you don’t have to compromise functionality for form.

Kitchen Renovations

The kitchen is one of the first things potential buyers look at first. Look into simple renovations in the kitchen like adding better lighting, a kitchen aisle, or more storage.

Renovations like these can already boost the overall value of any property. According to studies from HomeAdvisor, kitchen renovations can give up to an 80.5% ROI.

House Additions

A home addition is one of the premier home remodeling trends. Adding square footage to a home can always add value. You can create a new bedroom, bathroom, or even a sunroom. Additions like these bring a different dynamic to a home.

As a family grows, they’d want a more spacious home. As the property’s space grows, so does the value. The same study from HomeAdvisor suggests deck additions yield a 75.6% ROI.

Bathroom Renovations

When a property only has one bathroom, adding a second one can help attract more homebuyers. If an addition is out of budget, renovating outdated designs is a great start.

You can start by applying a fresh coat of paint to the bathroom and upgrading elements like the toilets, sinks, and flooring.

As a rule of thumb, flooring for the bathroom needs to be able to handle moisture and water. Materials like vinyl or marble are perfect for this scenario as they look good and last longer.

Roof Replacements

Nobody likes a leaking roof. If a home is over 20 years old or has clear signs of leaking, it might be time to install new shingles.

As mentioned earlier, solar roofing will always be an excellent choice. Metal roofing is also worth considering as it lasts longer and is more damage-resistant.

Changing shingles in an isolated area won’t cost much. However, a complete redo of a property’s roof can cost thousands. But, if it's within the budget, it’s a worthwhile investment.

Just remember the materials used in a roof replacement can determine the value it adds to the overall price of the property.

Upgrading HVAC

Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Suffice it to say; it’s a system that dictates how comfortable your home is.

You don’t want a system that’s rundown and outdated. While you won’t get a full refund on a new HVAC system, it can boost the overall value of your property by 5-7%.

Exterior Renovations

If we want to increase property value, the first place we’d want to look at is the exterior. An exterior renovation can boost curb appeal and add more character to the property.

There are several ways to renovate the exterior, such as installing new windows or updating siding with modern materials. Plus, there’s a lot of added benefits aside from better aesthetics.

Siding materials like fiber cement or vinyl help make your home more energy efficient. The same goes for windows. Try out vinyl, wood, or fiberglass frames.

How Much Do Home Renovations Cost?

Your budget ultimately dictates the home renovation you can go for. Major renovations like roof replacements cost significantly more than others.

Materials, labor, or insurance also determine the overall cost. But as a rough estimate, expect to spend the following for home renovations:

  • Kitchen: $10,000-$50,000
  • House additions: $10,000-$15,000
  • Roofing: $20,000+
  • Exterior siding: $14,000+
  • Windows: $8,500–$20,000
  • HVAC: $3,800–$7,600

In almost all cases, the quotation for the overall renovation costs will be per square foot. Contact a licensed contractor and get a free quotation in writing.

Others also base their renovation budget on the total value of their home. For example, a kitchen renovation can be 16% of a property’s total value. Meanwhile, siding can be 3-5%.

Here’s a quick rundown according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB):

  • Kitchen: 16%
  • Attic or Basement: 10-15%
  • Bedroom: 13%
  • Living Area: 10%
  • Bathroom: 7%
  • Siding: 3-5%
  • Windows: 3-4%
  • Patio: 2-5%
  • Roof: 2-4%
  • Bedroom: 1-3%

Additional Costs to Consider

Materials aren’t the only cost we need to consider. Expect to spend on labor, contingencies, permits, surcharges, taxes, and temporary displacement costs.

Labor

Always account for contractors' wages and others working on your renovation project. General contractors typically get a commission of about 10-20% of the total renovation cost.

Excess Costs

Even with the tightest budget possible, excess costs can’t be avoided. Whether we like it or not, issues can come out of nowhere. Faulty wiring, pests, or broken materials can increase costs. As a rule of thumb, prepare 10-20% of your renovation budget in case of emergencies.

Permits

The costs of building permits differ from state to state. Contact local and licensed contractors who know all the paperwork's ins and outs to streamline getting permits sorted out. Generally, expect to spend around $50 to $2,000.

Displacement Costs

Some renovations require you and your family to move out of your home temporarily. But it won’t always come to this. In some cases, let’s say a kitchen renovation—you just won’t have a place to cook food. So, you must plan how to budget or make do with these inconveniences.

Taxes

Remember, renovations boost the value of your property. There’s a possibility of paying higher taxes following your following home assessment with all the new renovations.

Key Takeaways

Home renovations are excellent for upgrading a property's aesthetics, functionality, and overall value. But, before committing to a project, consider the following:

  • Determine what type of renovation best suits your needs.
  • Consider the cost of materials, labor, contingencies, permits, or displacement.
  • The best renovations that boost property value are roofing, kitchen, bathroom, house additions, and exterior.

Renovations are huge investments. You need the right contractor to ensure it's done right. This is where All Country Exteriors come in! Talk with our specialist today to get a free estimate!