Selling a Home in Seattle? This Minor Remodel Pays Off Big
Wondering what the best project is for return on investment? Read on for tips
By Anne Reagan July 25, 2014
Considering a minor kitchen remodel? If you live in the Seattle area, you’ll be making a smart investment in your home. According to home improvement cost data from Remodeling Magazine, doing a minor kitchen remodel for your Seattle-area home costs an average of $20,471, but when you sell your home you’ll be able to recoup an average of $18,744. The 92 percent return on a minor kitchen remodel is the best-performing home remodel over $1,000 you can do in the Seattle area, outperforming an attic bedroom and the addition of a deck at number two and number three.
Remodeling Magazine describes a “minor” kitchen remodel in the following way: Leave cabinet boxes in place but replace fronts with new raised-panel wood doors and drawers, including new hardware. Replace wall oven and cooktop with new energy- efficient models. Replace laminate countertops; install mid-priced sink and faucet. Repaint trim, add wall covering, and remove and replace resilient flooring.
The lowest return on investment in the Seattle area came from home office remodels, which cost an average of $30,290 but only improved the sale price of homes an average of $13,860, a return of just 46 percent. Other poor investments include adding a backup power generator (46 percent return) and adding a sunroom (49 percent return). Nationally, homeowners can only expect about a 75 percent return on investment from a minor kitchen remodel. Seattleites apparently really love their kitchens.
Doing a minor remodel on your kitchen is a great way to spruce up your home without the hassles of a major remodel, but it’s not a project for the first-time DIY-er. Properly sizing cabinet facing, safe oven installation, and correct installation of countertops can get complicated if you’re not an experienced pro.
Thinking of remodeling your kitchen? Browse projects to get inspiration and search for your contractor on Porch.com.
This article originally appeared on Porch.com.
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