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While aesthetic upgrades to your home are appealing, the smartest home remodels pay you back, both in lifestyle improvements and resale value. From minor kitchen updates to enhancements to your curb appeal, the remodeling projects that increase home value are backed by real data.
In this article, we look at the improvement projects that bring the highest return on investment (ROI), so you can prioritize home upgrades that pay off.
Why ROI Should Guide Your Home Improvement Plans
When planning home improvements, it’s easy to get starry-eyed about new quartz countertops or a spa retreat in your primary suite. But focusing solely on looks can mean missing out on the real payoff–value. When you allow the ROI to guide your decisions, you win three times over, with smart spending, resale advantage, and emotional satisfaction.
Smart Spending
For starters, by comparing the cost of improvements to the value they add, you’re making sound financial decisions. Plus, knowing the ROI prevents you from overspending and helps you avoid costly upgrades that won’t pay you back later.
Resale Advantage
Next, ROI-driven improvements make your home more attractive to buyers and reduce the time to sell. If selling isn’t on your mind, no problem. The home improvements build equity that you can borrow against for future financial needs.
Emotional Satisfaction
And let’s not forget joy. The National Association of Realtors’ 2025 Remodeling Impact Report tracks both ROI and Joy Scores, because how a renovation makes you feel matters too. With the right upgrades, you can boost your home’s value and fall in love with your space all over again.
Top Home Remodels That Add Value
As a savvy homeowner, you want what adds value to your home and improves your lifestyle. But how do you choose? Each year, Zonda takes a deep dive into the cost and value of common home renovations across 150 markets nationwide. Three of those projects deliver an ROI of over 100%. The results appear in its Cost vs. Value Report, published in the Journal of Light Construction, to assist homeowners like you in making wise, financially sound home renovation decisions.
So, whether you’re preparing to sell or building equity, consider these remodeling projects that increase home value. Great Day Improvements can help you with all of them.
Curb Appeal Projects
The top four projects that bring the highest ROI on the Cost vs. Value Report are all about curb appeal. A garage door replacement, steel entry door replacement, manufactured stone veneer, and a fiberglass grand entryway bring 193.9%, 188.1%, 153.2%, and 87.4%, respectively. Not only that, improvements to your home’s exterior attract buyers, delight your neighbors, and give you that little smile every time you pull into the driveway.
Kitchen Upgrades
Fifth on the Cost vs. Value list is the minor, midrange kitchen remodel, delivering a 96.1% ROI. Updating your kitchen isn’t just financially smart—it makes daily life a whole lot easier. As the heart of the home, the kitchen is the most-used room in the house. It’s where meals are made, homework gets done, stories get shared, and connections happen. No wonder the NAR gives this remodel project a perfect Joy Score of 10.
Siding Replacement
Replacing your siding–whether with fiber cement or vinyl–offers a strong ROI, too, from 80.2% to 88.4%, depending on the material. New siding boosts energy efficiency, protects structural integrity, and gives your home the facelift it deserves.
New siding also delivers a Joy Score of 7.3. If new siding isn’t in the budget right now, a fresh coat of paint goes a long way. It’s a smart, affordable option when existing siding is in good shape. And it has a Joy Score of 8.8 to prove it.
Window Replacement
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 25% to 30% of residential heating and cooling energy use is due to the heat gain or loss through windows. Replacing old windows with new vinyl ones delivers a 67.1% to 74% ROI in increased resale value and provides savings on your energy bills. And, when you choose a window with a low-emissivity (low-e) coating, you can reduce your energy loss by 30% to 50%.
Outdoor Living
According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) 2024 study on What Home Buyers Really Want, 86% want a patio. Whether a patio, screened-in porch, deck, or other custom outdoor living space, homeowners crave the benefits of nature, with seamless transitions the newest trend, according to Fixr.com’s 2025 Outdoor Living Trends Report. Great Day offers enclosed patios and porches in various styles to suit your lifestyle.
Fresh air, entertainment space, and expanded living areas are only a few of the perks of outdoor upgrades. According to the Cost vs. Value report, installing a deck on your home brings a 68.2% to 82.9% ROI, depending on the material.
See which upgrades can transform your space, explore our project galleries for inspiration.
Remodels with Lower ROI But High Value
Not every remodeling project delivers a high return at resale, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth considering. Plenty of improvements bring value in other ways, like:
- lower utility bills with energy savings
- improved lifestyle with better use of space
- joy, as reflected in NAR’s Joy Scores
These types of renovations can make your home more comfortable, functional, and provide for future needs. When planning a remodel, the key is finding the right balance. What adds value to your home includes the potential financial return and the lifestyle or efficiency gains these projects can provide for years to come.
Room Additions
Room additions tend to bring lower ROI on the Cost vs. Value Report. That’s because additions often require increasing the home’s footprint by adding to the home’s foundation, roof, and exterior walls. You’ll also have the cost of additional wiring and plumbing. Depending on the real estate market when you sell, an additional room might not pay off its entire cost.
The most common home additions include:
Return on Investment of Common Home Additions
| Project Scope | Job Cost | Resale Value | Return on Investment |
| Midrange primary suite | $164,649 | $58,484 | 35.5% |
| Midrange bathroom | $58,586 | $20,334 | 34.7% |
| Upscale bathroom | $107,477 | $34,997 | 32.6% |
| Upscale primary suite | $339,513 | $81,042 | 23.9% |
Source: Cost vs. Value Report
That said, if you intend to stay in your home awhile, these projects can deliver more than a monetary reward. For instance, an added bedroom and bathroom provide the necessary space to take in an older relative, or give an adult child more time in the nest. You cannot put a price tag on the ability to take care of family. And the Joy Score? A perfect 10 for a new primary suite, according to the NAR.
Upscale Projects
Most major remodels offer a decent ROI, until you add luxury items. For that reason, upscale remodels rank low on the ROI scale. Still, picture yourself soaking in an expansive tub with a view of the trees in your new upscale bathroom, with not a care in the world. Your new spa-like retreat includes marble floors, a multi-head zero-entry shower, heated towel bars, and a smart mirror. You may not get your money back on these niceties when you sell your home, but you’ll surely enjoy them while you’re there.
How to Prioritize Your Remodeling Budget
When it comes to your remodeling budget, focus on needs over wants. Don’t neglect a leaking roof to replace your garage door with an automatic model. Always put safety and structural integrity first. Start with essentials like:
- Roof repairs
- Foundation issues
- Electrical problems
- Plumbing leaks or stoppages
For non-emergency projects, ask how long something can wait. You may be able to live with poorly insulated windows, but the longer you wait, the more it will cost in energy bills.
Ready to Maximize the Value of Your Home?
The best remodeling projects do more than improve your space—they work hard for your investment. When you focus on upgrades that balance a high ROI with real-life benefits, you build equity, boost resale potential, and create a home that both comforts and delights.
Start adding real value to your home today. Request a free consultation with Great Day Improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of home remodels add the most value?
Remodels that enhance functionality, energy efficiency, and curb appeal typically offer the best return on investment. Popular high-value updates include window replacements, sunroom additions, and exterior upgrades—all specialties of Great Day Improvements.
How does replacing windows increase home value?
New windows improve energy efficiency, reduce utility bills, and boost curb appeal. Great Day Improvements makes and installs USA-made, custom-fit windows designed to enhance comfort, aesthetics, and resale value.
Is adding a sunroom a smart investment for home value?
It can be. Sunrooms offer versatile living space and increase square footage—both attractive to future buyers. Great Day Improvements designs and installs custom sunrooms that complement your home and lifestyle.
Do energy-efficient upgrades impact resale value?
Absolutely. Buyers are increasingly looking for homes with energy-saving features. Upgrades like insulated siding, energy-efficient doors, and high-performance windows from Great Day Improvements add real, marketable value.
How should I prioritize remodeling projects to maximize ROI?
Focus on projects that balance function and appearance—like updated windows, sunrooms, and curb appeal enhancements. Great Day Improvements offers expert consultations to help homeowners prioritize based on value and vision.
How do I get started with Great Day Improvements?
It starts with a free consultation where we listen to your needs, assess your space, and provide expert recommendations. From there, we create a custom plan that works for your home, your budget, and your timeline. Give us a call or fill our our contact form and we’ll schedule your free, in-home consultation at your convenience.
