The home improvements with the best return in Los Angeles are the ones buyers value most: kitchen and bathroom updates, added square footage or an ADU, fresh paint, curb appeal, and energy-efficient upgrades. Focusing your budget on high-ROI projects pays off at resale. Here are the 10 best ROI home improvements in LA.
Regardless of whether you are interested in selling your house or are planning to stay put for a while, sprucing the place up is always something to consider. However, before you’ve gone through with it, Not all renovations are worth the effort, not to mention the money. It pays to be aware of what the best ROI home improvements in LA are, as, down the line, they are the ones that can boost the value of your property.
Here at GreatBuildz, a free service that connects homeowners in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, and San Diego Counties with reliable contractors, we speak to homeowners every day about planning their desired remodel to ensure a strong return on investment – here are some ideas & tips to get you started.
The Best ROI Home Improvements in Los Angeles – Are They Truly Worth It?
There are countless projects one can hire Los Angeles contractors for around their home. The question is, are they all worth it? Well, of course not! Some improvements are considered to provide a higher return on investment compared to the rest. Let’s discuss 10 great renovation projects that will likely have a stellar ROI.
#1 Adding of a Composite Deck
Composite decks are quite popular among homeowners simply because they require less maintenance than their wooden counterparts. On average, you are looking at spending about $22,000 on the addition of composite decking. Consequently, the deck might add about $14,000 to the value of the home.
#2 Front Door Replacement
There’s value to be added from having your entry door replaced with its fiberglass variant. Fiberglass is a durable material that can last you for years! Unlike wood, it doesn’t warp or rot. It also isn’t susceptible to corrosion. Fiberglass is an excellent insulator, too, and, if properly installed, can offer great safety as well. The installation typically costs between $1,500 and $2,000. Upon sale, you could expect to recoup about 65% of the initial investment.
#3 Adding of a Wooden Deck
There’s something so captivating about a wooden deck that makes it hard to say no to, especially if you are into natural materials and outdoor living. At the same time, a wooden deck is cheaper to install than a composite one, making it an attractive option in the eyes of many homeowners. As far as expenses go, the addition of such a deck costs around $16,600. In return, the home’s value is bound to increase by about $11,000.
#4 Replacement of Wood Windows
Ranking high on the list of the best ROI home improvements in LA is the replacement of the existing wood-frame windows. In the eyes of many owners and buyers, these windows are a classic that enhances the appearance of a house. They aren’t the cheapest to add, with the replacement costs for the entire house ranging from $15,000 – $30,000, on average. You might recover 50-70% of the money spent.
#5 Refinishing Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are all the rage! If you are lucky enough to have the house already equipped with such flooring, then half the work is already done. The only thing left to do here is to give it a new life, and doing so is possible by refinishing them. In general, refinishing the existing floors is highly profitable and provides ROI of 100% and, in some instances, even higher. Everything you pay you will get back, and then some.
While you let the professionals work on the floors, it’s important you get your furniture and valuables out of the way. To provide them with enough space to work, sure, but also to protect your belongings from damage.
Moving furniture in LA requires the expertise of a reliable moving company, whose services do have a tendency of being costly. It is, however, possible to get the needed help without breaking the bank. Just like with finding contractors, It’s all a matter of doing proper research before booking the movers.
#6 Siding Replacement (Vinyl)
Vinyl siding is known for being durable and low maintenance. It’s a wonderful addition to the home, especially if you are looking for something that will last for a long time while also improving the curb appeal. For an average home, vinyl siding replacement is $16,500, at least 68% of which you can expect to recover.
#7 Fiber Cement Siding Replacement
Similar to vinyl siding, fiber cement siding adds about 69% of the costs spent to the resale value of the home. As far as the looks go, fiber cement siding resembles the wood. Unlike vinyl, however, fiber cement isn’t prone to warping and rotting. The average cost of putting up this type of siding is $19,600.
#8 Kitchen Remodel (Minor)
Many people consider the kitchen to be the focal point of a house. In most cases, it ends up being the room that even sells a house. That’s why the kitchen remodel shouldn’t be neglected. When we consider ROI, minor remodels can sometimes be more profitable than full-on upgrades. A minor kitchen remodel might cost $35,000 on average, but it’s likely that at least 72% of that money you will get back.
#9 Manufactured Stone Veneer
If the kitchen doesn’t help you sell, curb appeal just might! After all, first impressions are incredibly important. Manufactured stone veneer, which is the type of stone engineered to resemble the natural one, helps enhance the curb appeal and has a whopping 92% ROI. For every $10,000 spent on it, you are looking to recoup $9,200.
#10 Replacement of the Garage Doors
Ending the list of the best ROI home improvements in LA is the replacement of the garage doors. New ones will surely improve the functionality of the entire home, along with its appearance. On average, the project will cost around $4,000 to execute. However, the return on investment of 94% more than makes up for the trouble and time spent dealing with this upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What home improvements have the best ROI in Los Angeles?
Kitchen and bathroom updates, added square footage or an ADU, fresh interior and exterior paint, curb-appeal improvements, and energy-efficient upgrades tend to give the best return. In LA’s high-value market, adding a legal ADU can be especially strong because of rental demand.
Does a kitchen remodel add value?
Yes, a kitchen remodel is one of the highest-return projects, since buyers care most about kitchens. A mid-range refresh that keeps the layout usually returns more of its cost than a high-end custom remodel. Quality, functional updates beat luxury splurges for resale value.
What renovation adds the most value to a home?
Adding livable square footage, especially bedrooms and bathrooms or an ADU, often adds the most value in Los Angeles because of high demand and rents. Kitchen and bathroom updates and strong curb appeal follow. Permitted, quality work adds more value than unpermitted or personal upgrades.
When it comes to remodeling for your home, you shouldn’t have to go it alone – GreatBuildz can help simplify your renovation experience.
GreatBuildz is a free service that connects homeowners in Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura or San Diego with reliable, thoroughly screened general contractors and provides project support from start to finish. Call now (818.317.3567) to chat with a real person about your next remodel project or visit our website for more information: www.greatbuildz.com
