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See how much of your remodel cost you'll likely recoup at resale. Based on national Cost vs. Value data for kitchen, bath, addition, basement, and deck projects.
Cost recouped
50%
Resale value added
$25k
Net cost after resale
$25k
National averages from Cost vs. Value 2024. Actual ROI varies with local comps, market conditions, and time-to-sale. Not an appraisal.
Use our free Renovation Budget Calculator first — get a ZIP-based cost range with an AI line-item breakdown, then come back here to see the resale picture.
Renovation ROI — sometimes called cost recouped or resale value added — measures how much of what you spend on a remodel comes back when you sell your home. A 75% ROI on a $40,000 bathroom means buyers will typically pay about $30,000 more for your home after the project than they would have before. The other $10,000 is the cost of enjoying it while you live there. The most reliable benchmark in the industry is the annual Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling Magazine and Zonda Media, which surveys real estate agents nationwide on recent sales of homes with documented remodels.
Three categories consistently lead. Minor kitchen remodels — refacing cabinets, replacing countertops, swapping appliances without changing the layout — recoup 90–100% because buyers always notice an updated kitchen but won't pay a premium for a gutted one beyond neighborhood norms. Wood and composite decks recoup 68–85% because outdoor living is one of the cheapest square-footage adds in real estate. Basement finishes recoup 70–86% because they add livable square footage at a fraction of the cost of an addition. On the other end, upscale master suites, major high-end kitchens, and luxury bathroom remodels often recoup only 35–50% — the work is real, but the local market won't price it in.
The single biggest ROI killer is over-improving for the neighborhood — putting a $120k kitchen into a home surrounded by $400k comps. Highly personal design choices (bold tile, unusual layouts, removed bedrooms) narrow the buyer pool and force discounts. Permits skipped or work done by unlicensed labor often forces price reductions during inspection. And contractor overpayment — paying 10–30% above local market for the same scope — comes straight off your ROI. BuildTrust addresses the last one: upload any contractor's quote and our AI compares it to regional norms so you don't over-spend on the front end.
ROI compares your project cost to the resale value the project is expected to add to your home. We use national cost-recouped percentages from Remodeling Magazine's annual Cost vs. Value Report, segmented by project type and finish level. A 75% ROI means a $50,000 project typically adds $37,500 to your home's resale value within a year of completion.
Minor kitchen refreshes (~96%), wood deck additions (~83%), and basement finishes (~70–86%) consistently top the list. Upscale master suites, major kitchen overhauls, and high-end bathroom remodels recoup less — usually 35–50% — because buyers won't pay a premium for finishes beyond neighborhood norms.
Yes — significantly. Hot markets and neighborhoods with comps that justify upgraded finishes can push ROI well above national averages. Slow markets and over-improving for the neighborhood push it below. Use this calculator as a planning baseline, then validate with a local agent's CMA before committing to high-end finishes.
No. Cost-recouped percentages reflect averages over thousands of recent sales — they're a useful planning benchmark, not a guarantee. Actual resale value depends on local comps, condition, time-to-sale, and how well the project matches buyer demand in your area.
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