Which Remodel Projects Have the Highest Impact on Resale Value?

When it comes to investing in a remodel project and deciding which projects take priority over others, some homeowners want to know where they can get the best return on their investment.  Where can you spend your money and know that it’s being invested, and not just thrown away? Here you go:

If I could only pick one room to update in your home, it would be your kitchen.

 Homeowners use their kitchen multiple times a day, every single day.  Kitchens are the heart of the home and where everyone tends to gather when you entertain.  This space is the hardest working room in most homes and demands the most functionality.

Kitchens are also one of the most complicated spaces to remodel. This is the room I usually get the most questions from my clients such as “Can this wall be removed? Is this structural? Is it possible to move the sink?”  Kitchen remodels require the most trades (plumbing, hvac, trim carpentry, electrical, countertop fabricator etc.) and cabinetry has a long lead time (anywhere from 4-10 weeks depending on your cabinetmaker).  They are a substantial inconvenience for homeowners to be without during the construction process. 

When it comes to resale, it is difficult for a potential buyer to envision what this space could be (think about those dramatic before and after photos you see online-I can’t believe it’s the same room! That’s what a buyer says too).  It is the one room with the most “fixed” items so it’s more expensive to change (versus painting the walls and installing new flooring), and many buyers view a kitchen remodel as too difficult or costly to undertake.

That being said, if you are going to hire a design + build firm to remodel spaces in your home (vs DIY), you should be intending to stay in the home for a few years to recoup your investment.  You are paying the design + build firm to custom design your space and select finishes to suit your needs, not the desires of a potential/general buyer.  Also, design + build firms typically use higher quality fixtures and finishes than I would recommend for someone looking to sell immediately. It takes time to truly recoup your costs.