Sacramento Home Improvements that Offer the Best Return on Your Investment

People are usually surprised to learn that Sacramento home improvement projects are not all equal when it comes to how much of a return you can expect to get on your investment. While you don’t usually get back 100% of what you spend, there are some projects that can get you close.

That said, certain home improvement projects will net you more than others. Let’s break down which projects will give you the best return on your investment. And this data is specific to Sacramento, thanks to the folks at Remodeling magazine, who share this region-specific data each year.

If you’re doing Sacramento home improvement projects, you can’t afford to miss this information when making decisions about what to do and how much to spend.

1. Garage Door Replacement

A perennial favorite on this list is a garage door replacement for your home. This improvement will get you 87.4% of what you spent on it. This one’s a no-brainer!

You’ll want to install a new, four-section garage door on brand-new, heavy-duty steel tracks. You can use your existing motorized opener. The door should be high-tensile strength steel and have two coats of factory paint. You should also ensure that it has foam insulation with thermal seals and a lifetime warranty.

2. Manufactured Stone Veneer

Adding manufactured stone veneer to the exterior if your home is a smart move. You can expect 75.3% back on what you spend on the project—and it really improves the look of your home, too.

Just take a band of siding from the bottom third of your house’s street-facing façade. You’ll begin at the garage and go around the main entry. Replace that siding with manufactured stone veneer. Include new sills, corners, and an address block with two separate layers of water-resistant barrier underneath the veneer to protect your home.

3. Minor Kitchen Remodel

A minor kitchen remodel will yield a 73.8% return on what you spend.  You may be surprised to know that a minor kitchen remodel actually gets you a better return on your money than a major, expensive kitchen overhaul (which nets you just 49.2%). A minor remodel can make a dated kitchen look entirely different, and honestly, a complete remodel might not even be necessary.

A minor remodel should include a few key upgrades. You can leave the existing cabinet boxes, but you should replace the fronts with new, shaker-style wood panels and drawer fronts. Don’t forget the new hardware! Replace the cooktop, oven range, and fridge with energy-efficient models, probably stainless steel. Replace countertops with laminate (there are a lot of really beautiful options these days that mimic real stone). Add a new mid-priced sink and faucet. Then you can repaint the trim and walls, and you’re done!

4. Roofing Replacement

A new roof will net you 72.0% of what you pay to have the project done.

For this job, you’ll remove the existing roof to the bare wood sheathing underneath. Install 30 squares of 235-lb minimum fiberglass asphalt shingles. You’ll also want a 30-lb felt underlayment, a galvanized drip edge, and mill-finished aluminum flashing. This job also includes two average-size skylights and a custom cap treatment.

5. Window Replacement

Coming in at number five is replacing the windows in your home with new wood windows, which nets you 71.6% of what you spend on the job.

Replace existing wood windows with double-hung, insulated, low-E windows. The interior finish should be stained hardwood and the exterior finish should be custom-color aluminum cladding. Trim the exterior to match existing, and do not disturb existing exterior trim.

Vinyl windows are also a good option—they’ll net you 66.3% of their cost. Either upgrade will likely really improve your home’s energy efficiency.

If you’re thinking of doing home improvements this year, this information can really help you decide where it’s worth putting your money. And of course, if you need any help with a cash-out refinance to get the work done, give your favorite broker a call at (916) 465-6639.