Sharon FronkRealtor® · Howard Hanna
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Seller resources
Will that project actually pay you back?
Before you spend on a renovation hoping to bump your sale price, see the numbers. This tool uses the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report to estimate what common projects cost and how much you are likely to get back at resale.
268%Top project's return (garage door)
Top 3Best returns are all exterior
14Projects compared
$12,521
Estimated resale value added
Recoups268%
Net vs. cost+$7,849
The full picture
Every project, ranked by return
The pattern is consistent year after year: curb-appeal replacements pay back best, while big interior remodels rarely return what they cost. Filter and sort to explore.
Garage Door Replacement
Curb appeal / exterior
Typical cost$4,672
Resale value$12,521
268%
Steel Entry Door Replacement
Curb appeal / exterior
Typical cost$2,435
Resale value$5,260
216%
Fiber-Cement Siding Replacement
Curb appeal / exterior
Typical cost$21,485
Resale value$24,493
114%
Minor Kitchen Remodel
Kitchen & bath
Typical cost$28,458
Resale value$32,158
113%
Vinyl Siding Replacement
Curb appeal / exterior
Typical cost$17,950
Resale value$17,232
96%
Backup Power Generator
Interior / addition
Typical cost$13,534
Resale value$12,857
95%
Wood Deck Addition
Curb appeal / exterior
Typical cost$18,263
Resale value$17,350
95%
Composite Deck Addition
Curb appeal / exterior
Typical cost$25,096
Resale value$22,084
88%
Midrange Bathroom Remodel
Kitchen & bath
Typical cost$25,000
Resale value$20,000
80%
Vinyl Window Replacement
Interior / addition
Typical cost$21,000
Resale value$14,070
67%
Heat Pump (HVAC Electrification)
Interior / addition
Typical cost$18,800
Resale value$12,408
66%
Asphalt Shingle Roof Replacement
Curb appeal / exterior
Typical cost$30,680
Resale value$17,181
56%
Major Kitchen Remodel
Kitchen & bath
Typical cost$77,000
Resale value$37,730
49%
Primary Suite Addition
Interior / addition
Typical cost$160,000
Resale value$76,800
48%
If you're selling
How to actually use this
Resale ROI is not the only reason to renovate, but if a project is purely about bumping your sale price, the math matters. A few principles from 14+ years of listings.
Lead with the exterior
Garage door, front door, siding, a tidy entrance. Cheaper than you think, and they shape a buyer's first impression before they are even through the door.
Refresh the kitchen, don't gut it
A minor kitchen refresh (cabinet fronts, counters, hardware, appliances) pays back. A full gut renovation almost never recoups its cost at sale.
Match your price tier
Quartz counters make sense in a $500k neighborhood, not a $250k one. Over-improving for the block is one of the most common money-losers.
Don't skip the free wins
Paint, decluttering, deep cleaning, and staging often move the needle more per dollar than any renovation. Ask Sharon for staging tips →
Before you list
Wondering what's actually worth it for your home?
National averages are a starting point. What pays back in Clifton Park is different from Albany or Saratoga. Before you spend, Sharon will walk your home and tell you which projects, if any, are worth it in your neighborhood, at your price point.
Figures are national averages from Zonda's 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, where ROI is resale value added divided by project cost. Returns vary significantly by local market, neighborhood, price tier, materials, and timing, so actual results in the Capital Region (the report's Middle Atlantic region) will differ. These estimates are for general guidance only and are not an appraisal, a guarantee of resale value, or financial advice. Confirm costs with licensed contractors and discuss resale impact with your agent before spending. Sharon Fronk is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with Howard Hanna Capital, Inc.