Will your home improvement pay off when you sell?
Some projects pay for themselves at sale. Others are for you to enjoy, not to get your money back. Enter what you plan to spend and what you expect the project to add to your home’s value, and compare up to six projects side by side.
Not sure what a project would add? That’s the hard part, and it depends on your neighborhood and what buyers there pay for. I’m happy to give you my honest take.
Call or text: 949-302-2741Ask about your project
Top 5 and bottom 5 for return
My straight take on what tends to pay off at sale, and what usually doesn’t. Every home and neighborhood is different, so treat this as a starting point.
Usually pay off
- 1Garage door replacementCheap, fast, and buyers see it before anything else.
- 2New front entry doorA solid, good-looking door makes the whole house feel cared for.
- 3Minor kitchen refreshNew cabinet fronts, counters, and appliances, keeping the same layout.
- 4Fresh paint, inside and outNeutral colors and clean walls help buyers picture themselves there.
- 5Refinishing or replacing worn floorsScratched floors read as work. Fresh ones read as move-in ready.
Usually don’t pay back
- 1Upscale major kitchen remodelBeautiful to live with, but buyers rarely pay back what high-end custom work costs.
- 2Room or primary suite additionsBig price tags, permits, and long timelines that resale seldom covers.
- 3Swimming poolSome buyers love one, others see upkeep and liability. Rarely earns back its cost.
- 4Luxury bathroom remodelHigh-end tile and fixtures tend to return far less than a simple, clean update.
- 5Very personal featuresWine rooms, theaters, and bold finishes appeal to you, and to fewer buyers.
Doing a project because you’ll love living with it is a great reason. Just know going in whether it’s for you or for resale.
What tends to pay off in Southern California
Small exterior updates often return the most when you sell. According to the Remodeling 2025 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com), a garage door replacement in the Los Angeles area costs about $4,465 on average and adds about $12,124 in resale value, roughly 272% of its cost. A steel front entry door replacement costs about $2,540 and recoups about 215%.
Kitchens depend on how far you go. The same report puts a midrange minor kitchen remodel at about $29,765, recouping about 127%. An upscale major kitchen remodel averages about $171,369 and recoups about 38%. A midrange bathroom remodel averages about $27,143 and recoups about 90%.
The pattern: projects that freshen curb appeal or fix obvious wear tend to pay back best. Big custom remodels can make your home wonderful to live in, but they rarely return what they cost. If you’re planning to sell within a few years, it’s worth talking before you start.
© 2025 Zonda Media, a Delaware Corporation. Complete data from the Remodeling 2025 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.
Before you start a project
- Get at least two written bids from licensed contractors.
- Check whether the work needs a permit. Unpermitted work can cause problems when you sell.
- In an HOA (homeowners association), get architectural approval before exterior changes.
- Match the project to your neighborhood. Over-improving for the area is the most common way to lose money.
See the home maintenance calendar
Thinking about a project before you sell?
Tell me what you’re considering. I’ll give you my honest read on what buyers in your neighborhood will pay for.
Results are estimates based on the numbers you enter, not an appraisal or a guarantee of value. Actual returns depend on your home, your neighborhood, and the market when you sell.
Brandon Menchaca, Realtor · Coldwell Banker Global Luxury · CalDRE# 01947478 · Photo: Unsplash
