2018: Home Improvement Projects with the Highest ROI

Home Improvement Projects with the Highest ROI

Which home improvement projects have the highest return on investment (ROI)? Remodeling Magazine has the answer! Every year, they release the Cost Vs. Value Report highlighting home improvements that provide the biggest payoff. The assessment includes the job cost, resale values, and cost recouped – all of which are determined by a national survey and calculated using RemodelMax’s popular estimating software. The results vary by region and from year-to-year.

Results for Wilmington, NC, are included in the South-Atlantic Region. They don’t study Wilmington specifically so we use the results for Raleigh, the closest city in North Carolina that’s included. The 10 home improvement projects that we’ve shared below are sorted by the Raleigh results.

  1. Attic Insulation
    National Average Cost: $1,343
    Return on Investment: 107.7%

    Raleigh Average Cost: $1,301
    Return on Investment: 138.3%
  2. Garage Door Replacement
    National Average Cost: $3,304 (Upscale)
    Return on Investment: 85%

    Raleigh Average Cost: $3,249
    Return on Investment: 94.2%
    National Average Cost: $1,749 (Midrange)
    Return on Investment: 76.9%

    Raleigh Average Cost: $1,639
    Return on Investment: 73.2%
  3. Siding Replacement
    National Average Cost: $14,518
    Return on Investment: 76.4%

    Raleigh Average Cost: $13,572
    Return on Investment: 79.8%
  4. Roof Replacement
    National Average Cost: $20,664 (Midrange)
    Return on Investment: 68.8%

    Raleigh Average Cost: $18,867
    Return on Investment: 74.2%
  5. Manufactured Stone Veneer
    National Average Cost: $7,851
    Return on Investment: 89.4%

    Raleigh Average Cost: $7,866
    Return on Investment: 72.5%
  6. Window Replacement
    National Average Cost: $18,759 (Wood)
    Return on Investment: 73.0%

    Raleigh Average Cost: $18,148
    Return on Investment: 70.1%
    National Average Cost: $15,282 (Vinyl)
    Return on Investment: 73.9%

    Raleigh Average Cost: $14,763
    Return on Investment: 64.4%
  7. Universal Design Bathroom
    National Average Cost: $15,730
    Return on Investment: 68.4%

    Raleigh Average Cost: $13,802
    Return on Investment: 70.0%
  8. Grand Entrance (Fiberglass – Upscale)
    National Average Cost: $8,358
    Return on Investment: 70.1%

    Raleigh Average Cost: $8,181
    Return on Investment: 69.5%
  9. Deck Addition
    National Average Cost: $39,339 (Composite – Upscale)

    Return on Investment: 56.4.4%

    Raleigh Average Cost: $36,526
    Return on Investment: 68.4%
    National Average Cost: $10,707 (Wood)
    Return on Investment: 71.5%

    Raleigh Average Cost: $9,564
    Return on Investment: 53.2%
  10. Entry Door
    National Average Cost: $1,413 (Steel)
    Return on Investment: 90.7%

    Raleigh Average Cost: $1,355
    Return on Investment: 63.4%
    National Average Cost: $3,276 (Fiberglass)
    Return on Investment: 77.8%

    Raleigh Average Cost: $3,060
    Return on Investment: 51.0%

Download all the stats for Raleigh here, and see how the numbers have changed over the years here.

Return on investment is also determined by neighborhood expectations. Projects that over-improve a home, like Tavertine tile in a community where most homes have laminate wood flooring, will not bring a full return on investment, because buyers will not be willing to pay more for high-grade finishes. If you’re considering making improvements to your Wilmington area home and aren’t sure which projects will provide the best ROI, give us a call. We’re happy to provide you some direction.

See the 2019 Home Improvement Projects with the Highest ROI

2018 Home Improvement Projects with the Highest Return on Investment

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About the Author
Meghan Henderson
Meghan is the Marketing Specialist for The Cameron Team and a published author of two young adult books. She also creates digital and printable planners and trackers, as well as coloring pages for Larkspur & Tea.