4 Renovation Projects Under $10,000 That Add Value to Your Home

Craig Johnson | August 21st, 2020

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Like many of us, you may find yourself at home for long periods of time due to the pandemic. How can you make that time count by adding value to your house or condominium?

This article is going to show you some home improvement projects that cost less than $10,000 each that will increase the value of your residence.

The calculations come from home improvement site Remodeling’s 2020 Cost vs. Value report, which lists the renovations along with the resale value and how much of your expense you can recoup.

These Home Improvements Add the Most Value for Less Than $10,000

1. Garage Door Replacement

Since 2015, homeowners who chose to replace their garage doors have seen solid returns when they sold their houses.

Job cost: $3,695
Resale value: $3,491
Cost recouped: 94.5%

If you’re thinking of removing vinyl siding from the facade of your home and putting a stone veneer there instead, you’ll get back nearly all of what you paid, according to figures in the report. The figures below apply to replacing the bottom third of a home’s facade.

Job cost: $9,357
Resale value: $8,943
Cost recouped: 95.6%

3. Entry Door Replacement (Steel)

Replacing an entry door with a new 20-gauge steel one could be a good move, according to the survey.

Job cost: $1,881
Resale value: $1,294
Cost recouped: 68.8%

4. Grand Entrance

For an upscale home, widening the grand entrance to include a door with sidelights has consistently added value for homeowners who have had it done over the past five years.

Job cost: $9,254
Resale value: $4,930
Cost recouped: 53.3%

See the full 2020 Cost vs. Value report for more home improvement options.

Final Thought

Money expert Clark Howard says home renovation projects are well and good, but you shouldn’t bust your bank account to upgrade your home. However, that doesn’t mean you should forgo needed repairs.

“The actual house itself — the structure — requires continual tender loving care, maintenance and repair,” he says.

Clark says you should always set aside some money to take care of things that need to be fixed around the house. Here’s how to create a home fix-it fund.