Not all repairs pay off. Learn which improvements add value, which waste money, and when selling as-is is the smartest financial decision.
HouseQuick is NOT a licensed contractor, home inspector, or financial advisor. ROI figures are national averages from Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report and may vary significantly by location, property type, and market conditions. Consult local professionals for project-specific estimates.
Here's the uncomfortable truth real estate agents rarely mention: almost no home improvement project returns 100% of its cost. The average major remodel returns just 56 cents on every dollar spent.
A $50,000 kitchen remodel that returns 75% ROI means you spent $50,000 to add $37,500 in value. You lost $12,500.
The only way remodeling "pays off" is if it helps you sell faster or prevents buyers from walking away—not by returning your investment.
"You'll get your money back and more with that new kitchen!"
Average kitchen remodel ROI: 75%. You're losing 25 cents on every dollar.
This doesn't mean all repairs are bad—some are worth doing. But you need to know which ones actually help your bottom line and which are money pits.
Only a handful of projects come close to breaking even. These are the curb appeal boosters and minor updates that cost little but make strong first impressions.
The garage door is often the largest visible element of your home's facade. A new steel door with windows provides instant curb appeal transformation. It's the only project that consistently returns more than 100%.
Your front door is the focal point of every showing. A new steel door with fresh hardware signals a well-maintained home. Low cost, high visual impact.
Key distinction: Minor means refinishing cabinets, new hardware, countertops, and appliances—NOT moving walls or changing layout. Keep the bones, update the surfaces.
Only consider if your current siding is severely damaged, faded, or an outdated style (like T1-11 or deteriorating wood). If siding is functional, a power wash and paint is more cost-effective.
Windows are expensive with modest returns. Only replace if windows are broken, foggy (failed seals), or single-pane. Functional double-pane windows don't need replacing just to sell.
These are the projects contractors and agents love to recommend—but the numbers don't support them. Avoid these before selling unless absolutely necessary.
A major kitchen gut-and-rebuild loses an average of $37,200. That's a new car you're throwing away. Unless your kitchen is literally unusable, stick to cosmetic updates.
Spend $80,800 → Add $43,600 in value → Net loss: $37,200
Adding a bathroom sounds logical—more bathrooms = more value, right? Not at these prices. You'll lose $33,700 on average. Only consider if your home has 3+ bedrooms and 1 bathroom.
The worst ROI on this list. Adding a master suite costs a fortune and returns less than half. You'd lose $185,600. If you need more space, you're better off selling and buying bigger.
Decks are great for living in a home—not for selling it. You'll lose about half your investment. If the home doesn't have a deck, price accordingly rather than building one.
Never add a pool to sell a house. Many buyers see pools as a liability (maintenance, insurance, safety concerns). In cold climates, pools can actually hurt your sale.
Here's every major home improvement project ranked by ROI. Green means potentially worthwhile; red means avoid unless absolutely necessary.
| Project | Cost | Value | ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garage Door Replacement | $4,300 | $4,400 | 102% | DO IT |
| Steel Entry Door | $2,200 | $2,000 | 91% | DO IT |
| Manufactured Stone Veneer | $11,300 | $10,100 | 89% | CONSIDER |
| Minor Kitchen Remodel | $27,500 | $22,300 | 81% | CONSIDER |
| Vinyl Siding | $18,700 | $15,000 | 80% | CONSIDER |
| Fiber Cement Siding | $22,000 | $16,700 | 76% | MAYBE |
| Minor Bathroom Remodel | $25,200 | $18,100 | 72% | MAYBE |
| Vinyl Windows | $22,100 | $15,200 | 69% | MAYBE |
| Wood Windows | $24,400 | $16,100 | 66% | MAYBE |
| Roof Replacement | $30,900 | $19,800 | 64% | IF NEEDED |
| Major Kitchen Remodel | $80,800 | $43,600 | 54% | SKIP |
| Deck Addition (Wood) | $24,000 | $12,500 | 52% | SKIP |
| Bathroom Addition | $63,600 | $29,900 | 47% | SKIP |
| Master Suite Addition | $320,000 | $134,400 | 42% | NEVER |
| Swimming Pool | $60,000+ | $9,000-$24,000 | 15-40% | NEVER |
Data: Remodeling Magazine 2025 Cost vs. Value Report. National averages—your market may vary.
Given that most repairs lose money, when does it make sense to just sell the house as-is? Here are the situations where skipping repairs is the financially smart move:
Use this simple formula to decide:
If (Repair Cost × 0.6) > As-Is Discount →
Sell As-Is
Example: Your home needs $30,000 in repairs. At average 60% ROI, you'd add $18,000 in value. If a cash buyer offers 10% below market ($25,000 discount), you're better off selling as-is and saving $7,000 plus months of hassle.
ROI calculations don't include: your time managing contractors, the stress of coordinating projects, potential cost overruns (avg 15-20%), delays that push your move date, and the risk that repairs don't increase value as expected. Factor these in and as-is sales look even better.
HouseQuick buys houses in any condition. No repairs, no cleaning, no staging—just a fair cash offer and a closing date that works for you.
We buy as-is. Foundation issues, roof damage, outdated everything—doesn't matter.
No waiting for contractors. No managing projects. Just cash in your pocket.
No commissions, no closing costs. The offer is what you get.
ROI data sourced from Remodeling Magazine's annual Cost vs. Value Report, the industry standard for home improvement returns. Analysis by the HouseQuick editorial team.